Catching up with Rocky Mountain Sound Garden
by Tim Wenger
Phillip Sparer, co-owner of Rocky Mountain Sound Garden, is on to something. Not only does he have one of the most intimate concert venues in the state, bands can rent out practice studios, set up recording equipment, and as Colorado Music Buzz recently learned, use the multi-faceted space as a place for interviews. Small industry parties are also commonplace around here, where a beautiful lakeside view protrudes just past the parking lot, and the smell of the grow house next door permeates the air with Colorado goodness. CMB caught Sparer off guard and fished some info out of him about who he is and what exactly, he does around here.
CMB: How did Rocky Mountain Sound Garden come to be? Give us the lowdown.
PS: My band mates in North Side Tragedy and I had been bouncing around garages for a year or so; when that became too frustrating, we began searching for a rehearsal space to call our own. We looked into monthly lockouts, and had some great sessions at Kate Innes’ Rocketspace, but ultimately decided to create our own studio.
Out of that necessity we thought, ‘If we need and would enjoy the hell out of this type of rehearsal space, there must plenty of other groups who would, too.’ Knowing how saturated downtown Denver is with all types of creative spaces, we chose an empty former storage/office building on Centennial Park Pond in Englewood. With a huge parking lot and located adjacent to a bike trail, basketball court, playground and baseball field, we felt we’d found a spot free of the stresses and distractions of a more urban location. And instead of packing the building with cramped, isolated rooms, we opted to build two amply sized studios and a showcase stage to provide plenty of space in which to get comfortable and focus on music, not the mess.
CMB: What exactly would you say you do there?
PS: RMSG provides fully equipped, hourly rehearsal studios, unfurnished monthly lockout studios, and an intimate, relaxed performance venue. We make rehearsing about as easy as it can be, and we allow artists to build shows from the ground up. We strive to bridge the gap between practice and performance, and to afford even inexperienced or newly formed groups the opportunity to play in front of a supportive, attentive audience. Because our primary business comes from renting our rehearsal spaces, we have the luxury of taking time to plan shows around artists’ preferences and unique vision. We’re basically happy to host parties for, and with, anyone who loves live music; and whether it’s bringing in a local recording professional to track live EPs, hosting CD release parties or art exhibits, or booking a food truck or home brewer to provide treats, we’ll support and shed light on as many local businesses and artists as we can.
CMB: As far as booking out-of-town bands, do they hit you up or do you find them? What is the best way for bands to contact you?
PS: While we mainly book local acts, we have had several out-of-town bands headline shows here. Both were booked by mutual friends in a very grassroots, word-of-mouth fashion. We also make our venue available to promotional companies in need of a place to host their shows, music instructors holding recitals, and bigger name touring acts looking to either rehearse or play an intimate, fan-friendly set prior to gigging at the larger venues around town. Out-of-town acts looking to cheaply kill some time in a new city have booked studio hours and stayed well after their session to grill out, fish the pond, play basketball or just nap on our couches. Anyone interested can contact Co-Owner and VP of Operations, Phillip Sparer, 24/7 at 720.261.3503 or [email protected].
CMB: Can any hack book a show there, or do you have certain requirements?
PS: Hacks are more than welcome to play here! Because we can book so many different types of events, we encourage inexperienced and/or newly formed bands to setup mutually rewarding gigs.
CMB: How did you get into music? What was it that hooked you?
PS: My parents shepherded me through ’70s folk and ’60s Motown, which was a great education; but it wasn’t until I heard Pearl Jam’s Ten that I really understood how powerful and collaborative music is. And having grown up playing tennis, I realized quickly that more girls showed up for concerts than doubles’ matches, so that accelerated my conversion from aspiring athlete to singer/songwriter.
CMB: What makes a great live show great, and not just another live set?
PS: Spontaneity, and some expression of intimacy between crowd and performer. If the band isn’t having fun and feeling good, how can the audience?
CMB: What are you listening to these days?
PS: Everything. The Black Keys, Ryan Adams, Iron & Wine, Mayer Hawthorne, Jake Bugg, Jack White, Dr. Dog. Some local favorites (and RMSG regulars) are Clara Finn, Anthony Ruptak, Drew Schofield (who just shared a San Francisco stage with John Mayer) and Blue Foot Fool. Portland’s Black Pussy, LA’s Peach Kelli Pop, Albany’s Sunny Side of The Street Band and New Jersey’s Soofy & The Walrus are also some killer up-and-comers (who happen to have graced our studios as well).
CMB: Is there anything else you would like to do with RMSG?
PS: We’d love to set up a non-profit organization to help host music therapy sessions, after school, and other community outreach workshops. And while we do subcontract live recordings, soon we’ll be able to invest more in our own recording capabilities. Partnering more frequently with CU’s Radio 1190, OpenAir, and other local radio stations to promote Denver’s local music scene would be awesome as well. We’re also working with the Greater Englewood Chamber of Commerce and the Englewood Parks and Recreation Department to host summertime festivals and movie/music nights similar to Red Rocks’ Film on the Rocks series.
CMB: Where do you eat after a show?
PS: I live in West Washington Park, so generally Breakfast King or the McDonald’s on Alameda are my only post-show options. Sometimes I can snag some snacks at The Spot if I’m out early enough.
CMB: Would you rather have sex with, Taylor Swift or Avril Lavigne?
PS: Both. At the saaaaame time.
Online: rockymountainsoundgarden.com
Category: Buzzworthy
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