Whether the audience was bobbing their head to one of the female-fronted Metalcore acts (Avenging Angels or Eleutheria), tapping their feet to the tambourine-driven Acoustic performance of Sam Massey, chuckling warmly to Jacqueline Simmers’ mellow cover of “Crazy” by Gnarls Barkley, silently enjoying Timid Monster’s screening of short indie-film “Avarice”, or dancing wildly to eccentrically talented hometown heroes Taller Than Giants, attendees at Oct. 11’s Avenue Coffee Benefit show provided the artistically diverse atmosphere the developing coffee hub seeks to provide upon their future opening.
The local showcase was held at The Abbey, Midtown’s main spot for up and coming indie-rock, and admission cost $5 to what most called a “great cause”. Avenue Coffee will be located on the corner of Echels Street and Douglass Avenue, south of University campus.
“We’re trying to incorporate ourselves with the music scene, and with film and photographers to create a community of creative people” said Jaron Weidner, co-founder of Avenue Coffee and local show promoter.
Weidner and students of Mid South Christian College including Yet. guitarist Nicolas Griffin, began the project with a simple vision and have since funded through an indiegogo.com video campaign. It was Weidner’s notion to start booking a benefit concert.
“Jaron’s been booking shows for years and he came up with the idea while we were pursuing a lot of fundraising activities,” said Griffin, “We really want the shop to be a place that fosters creativity in Memphis through music and art in every form.” From mosh pits to iced coffee sips, the musical forms changed during the night from each electric bands’ set to the lounge room where mostly unplugged acts carried tunes to the commotion of equipment-changes on the distant main stage. Such a feat was appreciated by concert-goers and the musicians alike.
“I like hearing anything from Parable which is a lot heavier to Alex Inman who just played; I love country music,” said James Lott, guitarist/lead singer of another solid act that played the benefit, “J is for James is a more alternative rock group; we have pop elements but we’re kind of trying to shy away from that”. Despite any hidden reluctant-pop attributes, Lott’s band delivered a great mix of easy-listening-in-a-good-way with appropriate on-stage dialogue that came across genuinely.
“And I actually play for Whispers of Kings too, it’s kinda like indie-rock” said Lott with a welcoming invitation to check out his bass playing in what turned out to be a very melodic 3-piece group set-up in the lounge area before Taller Than Giants’ performance in the adjacent room. Not only did Lott express the view of a local musician, but also that of a PR major at the University of Memphis.
“University students. Coffee shops. It’s a good thing!” Lott said with enthusiasm, “I’m hoping it’ll be a venue students can go to that’s not far from campus”. Co-founders Weidner and Griffin hope to unite Memphians with one important element.
“It’s really good coffee” Weidner said with warmth.
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