Post by "The Freq" on May 30, 2016 12:47:08 GMT -5
So, the Machine Shop concert venue (old paper mill building)has been doing a lot of re-organizing along with staff changes. News recently has noted that Lop Lops owner Stephen Alexander is now the talent coordinator for the venue. Ok. I'm not 100% sure that's the official title but basically, he books the bands. What does this mean for us, the general public? It means a lot of Canadian Indie music will flow into the Machine Shop not unlike what is showcased at the Lop Lops bar. Is this good or bad? For me, it pretty much eliminates me from having to go to shows there as the music styles Stephen books at his bar do not connect with me in the least. I have never been a fan of the majority of Canadian Indie music or Canadian music in general. Believe me when I say, there are a lot of us who can't stand this music. Stephen does know how to promote shows for his venue. There's no dispute there and I salute him for that. With Sootoday in his back pocket and a host of musicians connected with him, the Lop Lops formula will just be on a bigger scale at the Machine Shop. What this means is anyone with tastes beyond Indie music or Canadian music are shit out of luck. We could be surprised but I highly doubt it.
The good side of this is that the Sault gets another venue to experience and I've also heard that weddings and other events will utilize the expanded kitchen works there. That part is not knew as I reported on that before. My wife's flower shop was asked at one time to be part of it. ;-) I'm not sure what happened in the top ranks of the Machine Shop but there were issues with money and changes made. None the less, the "new" Machine Shop will start again. Where does this leave the majority of other music lovers? It basically leaves us with the same dead space we've lived with for years as there still isn't a venue for our tastes in music. What do I expect to see at the Machine Shop? Let me rip out my crystal ball here. I predict that the Lop Lops clique of musicians will be the opening act for a majority of these Stephen Alexander artists that come in, once again keeping the money within the circle that was established long ago. Expect Sootoday to milk these events like they invented oxygen just like they've done over the years with the Lop Lops bar. Expect that same Lop Lops clique only bigger. ooooh pinch me. ;-) What this does for the "outsiders"? It means we get to save our money, which is always good. We can save our money and spend it on traveling to see our favourite artists just like we've always done. It also means our ears won't have to bleed from listening to this music that doesn't connect with us. It also means we don't have to support an outfit that really never supported us in any way shape or form in the past. Perfect... so really.. nothing has changed :-) It's the same slop in a different building. I guess it would have been easier to say "same shit, different pile" but that wouldn't be politically correct.
Sorry folks.. I call 'em like I see 'em. ;-)
I will say this.. the building is really cool. It's just sad that the music that will fill it just won't measure up to it's coolness.
Wouldn't it be great to see the band Rival Sons in that venue? That's a hint. ;-)
Freq Out.
The good side of this is that the Sault gets another venue to experience and I've also heard that weddings and other events will utilize the expanded kitchen works there. That part is not knew as I reported on that before. My wife's flower shop was asked at one time to be part of it. ;-) I'm not sure what happened in the top ranks of the Machine Shop but there were issues with money and changes made. None the less, the "new" Machine Shop will start again. Where does this leave the majority of other music lovers? It basically leaves us with the same dead space we've lived with for years as there still isn't a venue for our tastes in music. What do I expect to see at the Machine Shop? Let me rip out my crystal ball here. I predict that the Lop Lops clique of musicians will be the opening act for a majority of these Stephen Alexander artists that come in, once again keeping the money within the circle that was established long ago. Expect Sootoday to milk these events like they invented oxygen just like they've done over the years with the Lop Lops bar. Expect that same Lop Lops clique only bigger. ooooh pinch me. ;-) What this does for the "outsiders"? It means we get to save our money, which is always good. We can save our money and spend it on traveling to see our favourite artists just like we've always done. It also means our ears won't have to bleed from listening to this music that doesn't connect with us. It also means we don't have to support an outfit that really never supported us in any way shape or form in the past. Perfect... so really.. nothing has changed :-) It's the same slop in a different building. I guess it would have been easier to say "same shit, different pile" but that wouldn't be politically correct.
Sorry folks.. I call 'em like I see 'em. ;-)
I will say this.. the building is really cool. It's just sad that the music that will fill it just won't measure up to it's coolness.
Wouldn't it be great to see the band Rival Sons in that venue? That's a hint. ;-)
Freq Out.
