DIY Venue Spotlight: The Whitehaus Family Record

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

Name: The Whitehaus Family Record
Founded: Fall of 2006
Location: Jamaica Plain, MA
Booking contact: whitehausfamilyrecord@gmail.com
Q&A With: Whitehaus inhabitants Shane Donnelly, Kate Lee, Adam Foam, Brian S. Ellis, Morgan Shaker, Evan Foudray, Mike Collins, Greg Beson and Brian Lawlor.

Why did you want to open a DIY venue?
In the fall of 2006 our house began hosting weekly hootenannies to create a community that fosters a mutual appreciation for each other’s performance. We perceived a lack of personal and all ages venues in Boston and we wanted there to be a place where sharing is the focus, rather than background entertainment.

Is your venue grounded on any ideals?
Our ideals are founded in promoting the health of the people and communities around us through positive action. “Yes Wave,” our widely encompassing genre, when applied to art, performance or any other activity, is by definition contagious and self promoting.

Aside from live music, do you host any other events or programs in your space?
We also host poetry shows, visual art shows, and hootenannies. For over two years we have hosted hootenannies (modeled somewhat after the hootenannies in NYC during the folk revival of the 60s) – performance-centric social gatherings with an open mic/variety show format. People just jump up when they want to perform. It’s spontaneous, self-organizing, and lasts all night. Our “hoots” give people a place to perform in front of an engaged, open audience and also create a night of entertainment where you can see things you would never see anywhere else.

Are there any significant musical acts or artists that have drawn a crowd or have had a memorable performance?
Everybody does. All our shows are hot. Local favorites who always bring crowds are The Needy Visions, Guatamala City, Prince Rama of Ayodhya, The Woodrow Wilsons, and Brian S. Ellis. But people come no matter who’s playing – we’ve gotten a reputation as a good place for live performance, and people know they’ll see something good, interesting, and it will probably be a surprise.

Do you plan on expanding or modifying your venue in the future?
We’d like to expand our influence into more venues around Boston, and be able to book shows in more legitimate spaces.

What advice could you give those who are interested in opening their own venue?
You already have everything you need.

What events do you have coming up?
We’re currently preparing for the New England Win-Tour in early December, which will feature Gracious Calamity, Prince Rama of Ayodhya, Many Mansions, Manners, and Peace, Loving. We will also be hosting shows and hootenannies until we’re dead.

The Whitehaus Family Record: whitehausfamilyrecord.com