As 505 rolls towards a third year as a legal live music venue, its success at producing quality performances goes to show the possibility of artist run spaces rising above the poker machine invasion.
An inconspicuous doorway, next to a chalked up wall between a laundromat and a strip of Lebanese restaurants is the only indication that 280 Cleveland Street is no longer a strip joint, but now serves up live music.
Once inside, the contrast with the drab streetscape is remarkable. Down a few stairs the venue oozes with the comfort of a stylishly-furnished speakeasy, full of soft lounges, art deco lamps, great artwork, and a well-stocked bar.
The venue was set up and is run by artists from theatre and music backgrounds, the theatrical Kerri Glasscock and her partner, bass player Cameron Undy.
Like anyone who prefers live performance and genuine cultural experiences over bland and tepid mass produced fodder, the artists saw the emergency for new live performance spaces, especially as the old ones were being killed by the creeping poker machine invasion.
The difference is that these two had the vision for something different and were prepared to put in the hard yards and take the risks to make it happen.
Says Kerri, “There’s always been a massive need in Sydney for venues that are legitimately run by artists.”
“Cam and I have always been like, someone’s got to do it, and it might as well be us.”
“505 shows that it’s possible to do it, and that time is better spent doing things, rather than complaining.”
An artist run space such as 505 is radically different from a commercial venue, that has profit as the main motivation.
“The artists that come here know that their needs are better met because as artists we understand them,” Kerri says.
“They also know they have an audience in front of them who are engaged and interested and know what they are there to see. It’s an exchange between people that is much more open and real and truthful.”
Saxophonist Dan Waples has played at the club alongside his muso brothers and with the Cam McAllister band.
He agrees that playing at an artist-run venue makes the world of difference for a performer.
“Kerri and Cameron are both artists so 505 is more artist friendly than other venues,” Dan affirms.
“You don’t have fear of reprisals for playing the way you want to play.”
“Most venues play music they think people want to hear, where as people go to the club because they trust Cameron and Kerri and other people like Jazzgroove that are running the programming of the music.
“Rather than saying ‘I’m going to a club to hear this type of music’, they say ‘I’m going to hear music that Cameron and Kerri think is good, so it must be good, because they are good musicians.’”
Two other Waples’ brothers – Ben on double bass and James on drums – are on stage tonight as part of the highly-regarded Mike Nock Trio.
A legend of the jazz scene, pianist and composer Nock dishes out the highest praise for 505, naming it Sydney’s “venue of choice” for serious musicians and fans.
“505 has a great ambiance, good food, consistently interesting programming, and reasonable prices. What’s not to like?”
www.venue505.com
