Trunk Space in downtown Phoenix has always been an outlier among local music venues. It is a volunteer non-profit run by an eight-person board of directors who operate on the grounds of a historic church. There’s little overhead and nothing to worry about. All of these aspects were found to be beneficial during the pandemic, allowing the Trunk Space to stay dark longer than other art and music venues. It hasn’t put on a show in nearly 20 months (aside from an outdoor tribute to late folk-punk artist Andy Warpigs last June). That changes on Friday, November 5th, when Trunk Space resumes its concerts and events, starting with a performance by the indie rock band Mustard Service. Resident musician Robbie Pfeffer, a member of the Trunk Space board of directors, told Phoenix New Times that the venue’s prolonged absence from the scene was due to several factors. The board wanted to decide on its COVID-19 guidelines and how to proceed at a time when the pandemic is still a problem, he says. Fortunately, their circumstances gave them plenty of time to make these decisions. Related Stories I Support Local Community Journalism Support the independent voice of Phoenix and help keep the future of the New Times clear. “As a non-profit organization run on a voluntary basis, we didn’t have to worry about the employees’ livelihood,” says Pfeffer. “There are places like The Rebel [Lounge], it makes perfect sense that they have to open up when they did because there are jobs that rely on putting on shows. We didn’t have to do that, so we could take our time and go slowly. ” who were willing to give the trunk a rental break. “They were cool about everything,” says Pfeffer. “So we weren’t worried, ‘Hey, if we don’t start putting on shows now, we’re going to close.’ That helped a lot. ”Pepper says that Friday’s Mustard Service show, sponsored by Psyko Steve Presents, will essentially consist of the venue dipping its toes in the water after a long absence. “It’s a really gentle opening and just trying it out, seeing how it works with the COVID stuff and getting used to this new world and how Trunk Space throwing shows fit in,” he says. Click to enlarge Trunk Space board member Robbie Pfeffer will perform at the venue with his band Playboy Manbaby in 2017. Jim Louvau November and December will be “very similar to running before we run,” says Pfeffer, including rebuilding her volunteer list for the next two months, with shows planned at Trunk Space, including synth-pop act Ten Bulls from San Diego on Nov 12 and Florida indie rock band Cathedral Bells on Nov 16. We can keep COVID guidelines non-negligent, determine who’s left, who wants to volunteer, and us just get used to doing shows again, “says Pfeffer. Pfeffer says that they are also open to art events again, although none are currently planned.” There are We are not against certain events, “he says.” At the moment it’s okay only about quantity and only to pick a few and not replenish [our calendar] with 25 shows per month. “Regarding Trunk Space’s COVID-19 rules, says Pfeffer, customers must be masked and fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to attend shows.” The masks are a bit simpler than than other venues because we are not a bar. So if you don’t drink water, you don’t have to keep taking off your mask, ”he says. Unlike more than 20 other Arizona music venues, Trunk Space doesn’t allow a recent COVID-19 negative test result to be used by concert goers to prove they are virus-free, according to Pfeffer. “The board just decided that people need to be vaccinated. There is some level of fear that is avoided when everyone is on the same page about vaccinations, ”he says. Concerts could also take place in the large courtyard of Grace Lutheran Church, adds Pfeffer. Since its debut in 2004, Trunk Space has been known for its focus on emerging and under the radar musicians, experimental performances, or musical curiosities not found anywhere else in the Metro Phoenix scene. While local DIY shows have been happening both in person and online for the past year and a half, Pfeffer says the return of Trunk Space will allow local under-the-radar bands and artists a different place to perform. “I think [we] have a certain niche in the Phoenix musical landscape, ”he says. “The place that Trunk Space occupies in the community is a place where artists can develop their craft or try out ideas that may not necessarily be commercially viable. And so it has always been different here. And that’s where Trunk Space’s focus is on DIY shows, so I think that’s an important thing. ”
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