Tips on how to book a show at The Poet and the Patriot
Booking the music for a venue is usually not a group effort. Normally there is a “booker” and they are the end all, be all. Want a show? Get in line to talk to the booker. If the booker doesn’t like “your kind,” then you can forget about ever getting on the calendar.
Not so at downtown drinkery The Poet and the Patriot, where the entire crew, from sound man to door man, have the power to pencil you in. If you call for a show you might talk to Jason, if you walk in off the street you might talk to Chris or Sean, and if you email you will probably hear back from Tim.
Since I called, I talked to Jason who explained that the current Poet crew happens to be filled with “music people” who trust each other to make the right decisions. Much like allowing your friend to pick a station while you drive, this type of trust is earned, not given. With roots at local radio station KUSP and Streetlight Records, the Poet and the Patriot staff are no strangers to good live music. The diverse staff makes for an equally diverse pub lineup: recent weeks have showcased the foot stompin’ soul of The Inciters, the alt-rock riffing of Stormy Strong, and the Irish folk sound of unofficial house band The Wild Rovers.
Live shows happen every Thursday night, with occasional early shows on Monday and a few special shows on Saturday nights. The Poet and the Patriot books touring bands about one to two months out, and local bands as far out as a month, but with as little as a moment’s notice if they have you on file.
If you’re looking for a straight shot into the Poet rolodex, start with their open mic on Saturday afternoon. The half-hour slots are often booked before the bar even officially opens for the day, so get there early. Impressive open mic performances lead to the two-hour showcase slot, which lead to actual paid shows.
Known for its character, beer and approachable staff, you never know what you’ll find next at the Poet and the Patriot, but you can count on the fact that it will be good, very good.
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