DIY Venue Spotlight: The Dayton Dirt Collective

ALARM’s ongoing series exploring the best grassroots, non-traditional music venues

Name: The Dayton Dirt Collective
Founded: May 2008
Location: 144 East Third Street, Dayton, Ohio 45402
Booking: www.daytondirtcollective.org
Q&A With: Founder/treasurer Nick Anderson and public relations specialist Ambir Turnpin

What type of bands do you book?
We book lots of different genres of DIY music — mostly punk rock, but we also have experimental jazz, post-rock, noise, alt. country, and acoustic — pretty much anything that sounds good.

Why did you want to open a DIY venue?
The limitations you have with booking in bars is frustrating. I don’t care how much beer I can help sell; I care about the music.

Is your venue grounded on any ideals?
We started this because around Dayton there isn’t anywhere for touring bands or for anyone under 21 who wants to go to a show. We want to contribute to touring bands, inspire our community and create a place where the youth is welcome.

What kind of crowd do you attract?
We thought that opening the space would have tons of 15- to 18-year-olds dying to get in and see bands. We do get some, but ironically, it is mostly people old enough to go to bars.

How has the venue been an attribute to a community?
We have had some benefit shows and were able to give some money to events such as a local Ladyfest and we [held an event] for a friend who was hit by a police truck while riding his bike. Also food drives — we work with juvenile probation officers and let the kids work in the space. And every time we are open, it gives someone an alternative to sitting around taking bong hits and playing video games.

Have you been met with any challenges running a DIY venue?
Attendance is hands down the biggest problem. As technology keeps going, it seems the desire to see actual live music or talk face to face with real live people is fading away.

Are there any significant musical acts or artists that have drawn a crowd or have had a significant performance?
Defiance, Ohio drew the biggest crowd of any touring band we have had so far. Lemuria is the first touring band to play the space twice. CJ Boyd Sexxxtet was the first and only band to play completely naked. Brody’s Militia came and bled all over the floor. I thought it was amazing when we had overseas bands come to town. In our six months of being open, we’ve had bands from Sweden, Germany and the UK.

What advice could you give those who are interested in opening their own venue?
We decided early on that we were going to go completely legit. We didn’t want to put all kinds of work into raising money to get a space to get it shut down in two months. Once you get organized, go to the city and tell them what you are doing.

Be upfront with everyone: landlords, police, neighbors. You’d be surprised how supportive people can be. Always use the words “art space.” “Music venue” scares the shit out of people. But let them know there is going to be music.

Try not to get frustrated when people don’t come. Set low expectations. Be happy if 20 people come. Don’t take donations at the door for entry! People will not pay if they know they can get out of it. I know — it’s not punk, right? Well, get rid of that attitude right now. Being “punk” isn’t going to pay the rent. Then your space will close down and you’ll be back to sitting on your porch complaining and drinking shitty malt liquor.

What events do you have coming up?
We have great touring bands coming: La Armada, Off With Their Heads, Bomb the Music Industry, Runnamucks, Finisher, Lord Mantis, Foul Stench, Brother Von Doom, Half Gorilla, Daisycutter, Landlord, plus more.

The Dayton Dirt Collective: www.daytondirtcollective.org and www.myspace.com/daytondirtcollective