"The Space," a neon Open sign, and various band posters peeking through the windows. Although unassuming, this music venue has been booking original bands with a frequency of 10-20 shows a month since February. In late May, The Space became a 21-and-over club serving beer out of necessity to stay open.

I recently talked with Josh Blanchard and Jason Stringer, who along with Doug Hoffman own and run The Space. I went there on a Wednesday night, when there was the "songwriter's circle," local musicians who usually play in other bands, performing solo or with one or two others. The songs ranged from Delta blues to folk to Tin Pan Alley. It was representative of the diversity and skill of Salem musicians.

I talked to Stringer about the gestation of The Space.

"When we came up with the idea of opening this place there were no 21-and-over venues that had original live music in Salem. Westside Station had cover bands, Lefty's had closed but they only had blues or jazz for the most part."

The Space has shown the need for venues booking original bands.

"Since we started, other venues [in Salem] have started having original music, such as the Triangle, Copperjohns, and the Sapphire Lounge."
Although it seems like a small, out of the way location, Blanchard believes that this is actually an advantage.

"The truth is that these things are all purposeful on our part. I'm all for a revitalized downtown, but we prefer working in a more undeveloped area with lots of potential and flexibility. Within the next couple years, I predict our neighborhood blossoming into a little arts district and becoming a really important extension of downtown proper.

"We have a small (space) because that's what our original vision was, having an intimate, cool little spot that felt like a bohemian living room. Somewhere where people who like music and culture could meet up and chat over a drink and rub elbows with live bands while they play. When Salem has enough momentum to sustain a little place like ours for a year or two, then we're more than willing to start thinking about a larger music venue. As of now though, many have tried to start something bigger and flashier, but they've always crumbled under the weight of their overhead and expenses. We like to keep things simple."

Currently, The Space is only 21 and over.Unfortunately, it is difficult at this point to make The Space both drinking and underage.

"We are a tiny little place, and I just don't know if we'd be able to accommodate the extra staff and other requirements it would take to make this happen," Blanchard said. "We've talked about expanding if business really starts booming, so that's probably the point where we'd look into the possibility of allowing minors. All that being said, we had some really excited younger people in there every night when we first opened as an all-ages venue and it pained us to have to close the doors on these great and supportive kids."

Besides being co-owners, Jason, Josh, and Doug also divide up the other work that goes with running a live music club. Jason works as booking agent and does accounting, Josh is bar manager, and Doug does sound and hospitality for bands.
Before The Space, Josh worked as a booking agent at several clubs in the Portland area, wrote about music for a number of Northwest and national publications, and in his words, "played in far too many bands!"

I asked what kinds of bands are booked at The Space. Jason said they've booked a wide range of genres: folk, blues, metal, hard rock, punk, garage, indie, and art rock. Josh said that "Rock and Roll reigns supreme with the young people of Salem, especially garage rock, punk and metal," although he wanted to make clear that "We don't have any rules about what we will book and not book ... Salem's music scene is still too small to pigeonhole ourselves and we'd like to appeal to all kinds of different people."

The Space is not only booking musical acts. Josh said they have done some local film events and are working on a comedy night. They are also "absolutely open to anything that people want to pitch to us."