Entry 11

This blog post concerns the third interview I had with the woman who essentially started up the open mic routine at Kettle Coffee and Tea. I feel like some background information is needed here to show just how strong of a commitment she feels towards the need for keeping an open mic running.

Before this coffee shop had an open mic night, the event used to be hosted at someone's house. It was described to me as a open mic potluck so that even if you weren't playing you were participating somehow by bringing food. Unfortunately something happened and the even could no longer be held at the house it used to take place out.

Fast forward to today (or to be more accurate the day of the interview)

Note: This wasn't much of an interview rather than me being informed about what constitutes an open mic and why it's important, or why it's held together...

It is geared towards a community event, and the way it differs from a solo show is that you are sharing the stage with ten or fifteen other people, so that it essentially becomes a place where people come to play but also to network. My interlocutor described how many of the musicians who come to play are now friends outside of the cafe, or now collaborate because of having met there.

She states that the whole idea of having the open mic at her house previously was to create a comfortable atmosphere where it wasn't awkward. She also states that originally a house was preferred over a cafe because people were more attentive to the music, whereas in a cafe not every one was paying attention to the stage.

She describes that she tries everything in her power to make the open mics respectful to the musicians, to avoid a situation where one just goes to see their friend play and leaves. Because it is about supporting the community as a whole. She describes simple doings such as moving tables and chairs to face the stage or asking that no laptops be used in respect to the performances and therefore the whole open mic community.

She describes an all volunteer based system, where the 'sound guy' (my previous interlocutor) will train those who want to do the sound for a night, or if anyone wants to host, all they must do is contact her. Like my last interlocutor, she mentions the rotating host system, where everyone can take part. All this is volunteer based, and it works because people care about this individual open mic community. Before she accepts anyone as host though she makes sure they are on par with the open mic ideals by giving them what she calls the "open mic guidelines"

It's about being part of a community where everyone participates and contributes and encourages to create this sustainable thing (for lack of a better word).