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Ravens Lounge closes its doors.
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| RJT |
When it rains, it pours - And for the EDM community in Wisconsin, January has been a rainy month.
Late last evening, Myra and I were informed that the doors were closed at Ravens Lounge in Appleton, I waited until today to make the announcement to be certain that those who were schedule to come play in the coming weeks were informed first.
In my experience, many times when a club closes there is a lot of finger pointing and blaming - but those feelings are nonexistent in this case. Donna and Mike worked so hard with us over the last few years to foster a home for good dance music in Appleton, but unfortunately attempting to fill a club in the face of a local smoking ban proved far more difficult than any of us could have expected. When people can quite literally drive an extra half mile to be in an establishment where they can smoke - the allure of being out "downtown" in a city like Appleton is almost instantly lost. Seeing the number of bars, clubs, and lounges that have closed in the last year and a half has been a staggering experience.
Rather than dwell on how much it hurts to lose what was effectively our "home base," I choose to smile on just how much fun I had over the last year. Apologies if this post seems a bit "emo" or melancholy, but even in the face of the unexpected closing, when I reflect on the past year at Ravens I can't help but be overcome with happiness at the memories and friends I've gained due to our time there.
From Myra's very first gig to the BBQ this summer, we had some amazing times at this place - and I'm truly sad to see it go. Those of you who know me, know that I thrive the time I get to spend on the decks - it's part of what keeps me sane during the stress of school. Ravens was a place I could quite literally let it all out, dance like a fool, and not have to worry about impressing anyone - it was about taking chances, good music, good friends, and great times. And though I'm sure this will by no means be the end of Turner & Romano gigs, it will definitely sting not to have that one monthly trip home to bank on.
In closing, I want to apologize to those of you I had booked to come play - Myra and I were unbelievably excited to play with Bobby (bringing our drunken living room DJ shenanigans to a club was something I couldn't wait for!) and have Seneca up here, and knowing just how much Seneca simply loves to play (a trip to Appleton from Chicago, basically for free? No one who didn't absolutely LOVE what they do would ever do such a thing!), I really hope he's able to pick up a gig to replace this one. Further, I want to apologize to those of you I've contacted about coming up in the next couple months - I was so excited to get the Hamptons back, and to keep trying to get MWTA talent up to my neck of the woods. I'm sure you'll all understand - I just wish things could have gone differently.
I'm reminded of the Neil Young quote I've got tattooed on my back:
"It's better to burn out, than to fade away."
Truer words may never have been spoken. Though the physical place is gone - the memories will never fade.
Cheers,
Rob |
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| Quadlow |
| Sorry to hear that boss. With everything that has happened to you in the last year this just seems like icing on the cake im sure. Well I am glad you have a positive outlook on the situation and im sure you find a new home for your music. |
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| delobbo |
sorry to hear - what places are left where you can spin at?
btw I wonder how the smoking ban is gonna affect Chicago nightlife... coming March 17th, last I heard... personally I can't wait for it, I can't stand cig smoke and I honestly wonder why ppl still smoke.. I know its very addictive and all but damn. |
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| RJT |
| quote: | Originally posted by Quadlow
Sorry to hear that boss. With everything that has happened to you in the last year this just seems like icing on the cake im sure. Well I am glad you have a positive outlook on the situation and im sure you find a new home for your music. |
Thanks for the kind words Mathias - this last year has definitely been a struggle, and honestly the last two weeks are the first time I've really felt like I've had to recharge, so it definitely takes a bit of the wind out of our sails to have this go down so early in the year.
And as far as keeping a positive attitude - I guess my perspective is that I can't do anything without keeping my head up. It's a shame too lose such a wonderful spot - but at the risk of sounding like a cheeseball, sometimes when life closes one door, it opens another.
| quote: | Originally posted by delobbo
sorry to hear - what places are left where you can spin at?
btw I wonder how the smoking ban is gonna affect Chicago nightlife... coming March 17th, last I heard... personally I can't wait for it, I can't stand cig smoke and I honestly wonder why ppl still smoke.. I know its very addictive and all but damn. |
We've pretty much got nowhere at the moment - Appleton and Milwaukee are primarily top 40/hip hop/pay to play, and the places that aren't have had residencies locked down for years now that aren't going to end anytime soon.
And as far as the smoking ban - I think it's fine if it's state wide (as the risk of people driving an extra two minutes just to smoke inside is gone), and in Chicago you already have a very well established nightlife. Appleton just sunk 30 million into a performing arts center, and another 10 or so rennovating downtown - as soon as it was done, the smoking ban passed, and businesses started dropping like flies.
Oh well.
Huh - I also just realized this is technically the end of my first club residency. It was a good run... |
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| lücid |
it's really sad to see the first and only place i've ever played shows at close it's doors. we had some great ing times there though, and we'll always have the memories!
first Mantra, now Raven's... :( i need to leave Wisconsin! |
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| Omega_Blue |
wtf wisconsin. :(
sorry to hear about that rob, & myra. wtf. |
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| tylerc |
:( ty man.
i had a blast playing there for the bbq and was really looking forward to making it back.
we have a new club opening every week in minnesota. move here and enjoy the boom. :p
too bad half of them will be out of business in 2 years..... |
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| dubblies |
time for everyone in wisconsin to move into chicago, don't worry, we will just build UP
if i owned a club, i'd book all of you |
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| Aristronica |
my condolences (spell?) guys.
sorry i never made it out there. hope something else pops up on your radar. keep up the music plz. |
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| D-res |
| Wow. That's a damn shame! I'm glad I was able to kick it there at least once before this happened. Appleton really lost a great thing. :( |
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| wolverine16 |
:( :( :( :( :( :(
Not cool, that was a real decent place the one time I was there and had a lot of fun. Sorry to hear all this Wisco news. Well if it's any consolation if Bobby can come to Chicago on the 1st, it'll be the lineup you were gonna have for that upcoming weekend. Things will somehow turn around, it will just take a lot of effort that will pay off in the end. |
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| RJT |
| Thanks for the kind words everyone - and I have to say MASSIVE thanks to both Bobby and Seneca for taking the news like champs. You guys are the best :) |
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