The Trunk Space Blog

“Where Dreams Cum True” by Ryan Avery

My first time at The Trunk Space was May 28th, 2004, roughly a month after the space first opened. My “band”, Locking Your Car Doors, was playing this show.

I vaguely remember JRC. He was upset about how many “members of the band” there were. We played a mix CD and danced around the room in front of 5-10 people. Back then, there wasnt a stage or much of a PA system. It was a lot like playing in a living room. We didnt stick around for any of the other bands, because everyone hated us at that show and there was a better show happening at The Brickhouse.

Maybe about a month later, my best friend Emily and I found out about a Quintron & Miss Pussycat show that was happening at The Trunk Space, that had been moved there from Modified. We were so excited, we showed up an hour early and dressed as nicely as possible to try and impress our heroes. Turns out the show was moved AGAIN to the Arizona Puppet Theater. Steph, JRC and all their puppet/improv/geeky friends were having a fun, pre-Quintron party, puppet show at The Trunk Space, then they were caravaning to the puppet theater. They were amazed that someone they didnt know was there, let alone knew who Quintron was and said we could get in two for the price of one. So we paid $5, watched a few minutes of a puppet show and then left. I remember JRC was wearing a Cure t-shirt and I thought Steph was really cute and weird. I was no longer intimidated by them or their weird venue/gallery.

I attended 2-3 more shows at The Trunk Space before booking my first show there, which was for the ska band, The Debonaires.

If I remember correctly, this show did really well. Or at least, Steph and JRC thought it was, because after this show they let me do shows there whenever I wanted to and for whoever I wanted. And in the next two years, I spent over 130 nights there.

Some of the most memorable and life changing and inspiring shows and performances/experiences have been at this wonderful place. One of which was the first Hammered Dr. Desctructo New Years Reunion Show!

Hammered Dr. Destructo was a surprise, that wasnt announced until a couple days before the show. Only 30 or so people attended and it was mostly noise bands. Emily organized this show and I remember Steph and JRC being so incredibly impressed she could get 30 paying customers to a “noise show”. Afterwords they would say to us, over and over again, “What was the Galactic Federation of Love doing on that show again?” This was the first show I can think of where I saw Treasure Mammal perform sober, Ex-Jesus was pretty terrible, Oscillating Innards and Rainbow Blanket where so mesmerizing, The Galactic Federation of Love was incredible as always and it felt so, so, so, so good to see H.D.D. again.

There has been so many artists that i have seen grow so much over the years, through shows at the trunk space and it is a lot of fun to remember their first time playing there (or in phoenix in general). For Example; Nobunny (back when he was “Nobunny and the Fabulous Flys”), Dan Deacon, Thanksgiving, French Quarter, Tent City, Soft Shoulder, Red Pony Clock, Whitman, Uggamugga, Parts & Labor, MC Merv, Baby Dee, JJCNV (back when they were known as “Janis Joplin Crap’n'Vomit”), Mika Miko, Parentheatical Girls, Porches,YACHT, The blow, Wildman Fischer, Abe Vigoda, Kimya Dawson, They Shoot Horses Don’t They?, Peelander-Z, Captain Ahab, The Dada Swing, The Mai Shi, Casiotone for the Painfully Alone, ZS, Foot Village… the list goes on! And so many of these artists’ first shows at The Trunk Space (or in Phoenix between 2004-2006ish.) had less than 20 people there or even 10 people there!

And then there were a bunch of shows that no one would still probably be at, but were still so amazing. Like the Portland Bike Ensemble, The Radioactive Chickenheads, Quem Quaeritis, Neo-Mantra (aka Piush Prakash), Dogme 95, Coughs, The Fatal Flying Guilloteens, Boogdish, Hardy Harr, The Sandman, Mad Happy, Spires That In the Sunset Rise, Blue Shift, Byron House, Noumena, The Nourishment, Dr. Octopus, El Paso Hot Button, My Little Red Toe, Esmerelda Strange, Realicide, Assacre… holy shit! How could I almost forget about Assacre!?

Then in 2006, I went to portland for two years and when i came back, I saw Skinwalkers, Ray Reeves and Bolt! for the first time and it was pretty amazing and wasnt too long ago.

And so concludes our week of memories! Stick with us til next year and we’ll make even more! -tk

So, before you read this, there is a story to tell. A few weeks ago, we recieved an e-mail from a promoter/manager type person, asking us if we wanted to review the upcoming Lights/Owl City show at the Marquee Theater. Now, knowing that we’re specifically a live venue ourselves, and even had a show that same night, it was kind of weird to get this invitation. I was going to take it upon myself to go through and interview Lights and the show, but thanks to the wonderful pollen in the air, I was barely able to get out of bed. But, I did have a good friend in Tempe who was really into lights, so I texted him and asked him to fill in for me. This is the result. It’s pretty dang good.

On the Tour Bus with LIGHTS

Interview: LIGHTS

Date: April 10^th, 2010

Venue: The Marquee Theatre, Tempe, AZ

Conducted by: Jordan Haugan

Heavenly, atmospheric, vibrant, dynamic, angelic, epic, energetic, transcendentally interplanetary—just a few of the more fitting adjectives that have become synonymous with the new pop sensation the world is beginning to fall in love with, LIGHTS. I’m no exception to that category. In February 2008, through the generic, static airwaves, I was introduced to a radically different realm of musical bliss (ironically, the first song of hers that I heard was February Air). Since then, a lot has happened in the world of LIGHTS: releasing her full-length album, The Listening, winning a Juno for the best new artist category, being featured in commercials, TV shows, and movies, and the list goes on… But, undoubtedly, her most remarkable accomplishment is her ability to consistently elevate the mood of her listeners. Every song seems to overflow with optimism, creating a joy that can’t be contained. It’s that encouragement and hopefulness in her lyrics, mixed with contagious melodies, pulsating rhythms, and powerful chords that create a phenomenal sound that transcends the earth’s airwaves. I held my breath as I boarded LIGHTS’ spaceship—ahem—tour bus…

Jordan Haugan: First off, thank you so much for meeting up before your show tonight, this is a dream come true for me! How are you doing today?

Lights Poxleitner: Aw thank you, it’s my pleasure! I’m doing great—excited for the show tonight! How are you doing?

JH: I’m just happy to be here! By the way, I brought a little something for ya… some Skittles, Swedish Fish, and some space gadgets! Happy Birthday (tomorrow)!

LP: [laughs] Well, thank you, that’s really sweet! I always buy these things when I go to the store!!

JH: No problem, I’m glad you like it! So, I heard that you started out just playing guitar. Later on, you obviously branched out and learned drums, piano, etc. Did you just have a knack for learning new instruments or did someone show you the ropes along the way?

LP: Well, my dad is a musician. He taught me the basic chords on guitar and piano and he showed me a lot of things. Also, I figured a lot of songs out by listening to them! But having that musical foundation in your gut and just going by your heart—it’s always better that way.

JH: What was your first show like?

LP: Hmmm… Wow, that was a while back! Well, I did a bunch of little shows here and there with different bands…. But the first show I did was at a bar when I was 15. I had written all these songs and I was playing in a band with my Dad’s friends (some older guys in their late 20’s and 30’s).  So there I was, in the corner of this bar called Ted’s Range Road Diner. It was pretty funny—there were a lot of Army guys who went to this bar, so here I was 15 years old playing pop-punk songs in a band with my Dad’s friends for a bunch of tough guys. I covered “Behind Blue Eyes”, that seemed to strike a chord in their hearts. They loved it! It was a great time!

JH: What are some of the most exotic places you’ve been to?

LP: When I was young, I traveled a lot with my parents—they were missionaries. I grew up in Jamaica and the Philippines, so those were definitely some exotic places. Not necessarily too luxurious by any means, but they were exotic. Before we moved to Canada, I spent a lot of time traveling with them from when I was 5 to 9 years old.

JH: That’s awesome! Those are some wild places! You mentioned your parents were missionaries; do you have a favorite Bible verse?

LP: I love Hebrews 11 and Psalm 91. I love Psalms because it’s pretty much a book of songs! That’s where I “invented” my first song. I put some chords together and sang a few verses out of Psalms after my mom suggested it… So that’s kinda where it all started!

JH: When you’re wiped out on the road, what inspires you to keep going?

LP: Well, one of the important things is recognizing the fact that it’s okay. It happens. Everyone feels that way every once in a while. But one of the things that really keeps me going is my parents. Being able to talk to them and call them and just to be able to get some words of encouragement—they are so supportive and they definitely keep me going. Also, finding that core group of people is key.

JH: Would you say you’ve got some of that “core group” with you on this tour?

LP: Well, it’s hard to find that closeness with the people you tour with. I’m definitely close with everyone in my bus and my friends at home, but as far as the other bands go, it’s really tough. It’s like graduation. You go through a period of life with those friends and then you part ways and never really see them again.

JH: If you could be part of any NASA mission, which mission would you choose to go on? The Moon? Mars? Space Exploration….?

LP: Wow! Anything! Probably Space exploration, if I had to choose… I would love to go to the farthest away planet. There’s a planet that’s 20.4 light years away called Gliese 581. It’s a lot like Earth! They don’t know too much about it but its surface and atmosphere is very similar to ours… but then, of course, I’d have to get cryogenically frozen before I left so I wouldn’t be dead by the time I’d get there…. [laughs]

JH: [laughs] I knew you’d be prepared for that question!

LP: Yeah, I like that kind of stuff!

JH: I’ve gotta tell you, it’s hard not to smile when I hear your songs. I know you smile when you perform live, but do you smile when you record songs in the studio? I’ve heard it can make a pretty big difference…

LP: Actually, I never do! [laughs] Maybe if I want a certain inflection in the song, I might change my facial expression a little. But yeah, it really does affect the song. I just usually sing it naturally in the studio and smile a lot when I perform live.

JH: What’s your favorite song to perform live?

LP: It depends on my mood… If I’m feeling mellow I really like to play “Pretend”. I just close my eyes and look up at the end to see the crowd engaging in it … it’s a great feeling. If I’m feeling energetic, I like to play something faster like “River” or “Ice”.

JH: Outside of singing, touring, recording, and all that jazz, what are some of the activities you enjoy?

LP: I love to play games. World of Warcraft, Xbox, video games—I like to escape reality! [laughs]

JH: Haha! Wait a sec… is that an iPad?!

LP: Yeah! My manager got it for me yesterday for my birthday…. Definitely one of the nicest gifts I’ve ever gotten! It plays music really well! [turns up volume on a song]

JH: Sweet! That’s the first time I’ve seen one of those in person! Speaking of iPads, what’s the most extreme sport you’ve ever done?

LP: Well, I used to snowboard a lot with my friends, especially in high school. It was awesome… I miss those days! I haven’t gone in a long time! Do you want a Swedish Fish?

JH: Sure, I’d love one! Well, before we finish, I just have to ask you one question… When you’re with your friends, do you go “out and about” or “oot and aboot”?

LP: [laughs] I’m not gonna lie, it does come out from time to time! I’ve developed a pretty neutral accent, but every once and a while, it will slip out. Like especially in my song “Quiet” when I say, “this is where we’re supposed to be,” I usually emphasize the “O” [laughs]. It’s slight, but it’s still comes out sometimes!

JH: Thank you so much for talking today, it’s been an absolute pleasure getting to know you! Any word on what LIGHTS listeners can look forward to in the near future?

LP: Thank you! And thanks for the birthday gifts! Well, for starters, lots and lots of touring! I will be with Owl City until May, and later on I will be releasing another record, but there’s more to come on that later! I have one show in particular I’m very excited about called the Lilith Fair in Ohio in the end of July. It’s a women’s festival with an absolutely amazing line-up! Also there will be another North American Tour soon, so I’ll definitely be back! Listeners can always check out iamlights.com, myspace.com/lights, and watch the Captain Lights Audio Quests! Thanks for stopping by—I’ll see you soon!

Next couple days, or longer, we’ll be digging through YaTub for sweet vidoes taken from the space and present them here to you! So, have some Jihad as you get ready for the weekend! Also, don’t forget this;

[PS, if anyone knows how to get WordPress to show vidoes, please post a comment/e-mail us! ]

Kevin Patterson’s 6

While I was composing this list in my head, I realized my list was a mix of photography, music, performance art, and just general good memories. I suppose that is why I like the Trunk Space, it keeps my easily distracted mind entertained because it has so many wonderful distractions.

1. Beside just plain old enjoying the place, the Trunk Space will always have my loyalty because it was the first place that ever gave me a photography show. So number one would be my first photography show.
2. I think it was Ryan’s return show, where Father’s Day played it large and loud. The encore was just the continuation of the last song, and I thought that should sum up all true encores for all time.
3. After hosting Grand Ave Live for two years, I am sad to say my favorite Grand Ave was not one I hosted. Ernesto and Anna’s second show was well run, entertaining, and exactly what the show was supposed to be.
Any random night working the door at the Trunk Space. One of those nights when the Trunk Space has bands floating through the place, a crowd rotating between there and the Bikini, I will work the door on occasion. I really enjoying working the door. The Trunk Space draws such a wonderful interesting group of people- its nice shooting the breeze with the cast of characters arriving.
4. Mario had a show of his painting there. Mario is such a talented cook and friend, I forget how good of a painter he is. Those wonderful long walls are the perfect place to see his colors of the Southwest.
5. The Grid photography show. There has been several at this point. But the first one was my favorite, we are sometimes so insular downtown it was good to see us stretching out across the valley.
6. Dangerville: One night, when Michelle played that old piano in the back of the room and somebody on horns played on stage. It reminded me of all my lost loves.