Sound Check - A Listening Room in Lowell That ROCKS! Local Music Haven
Do you enjoy live, local music? Have I got a recommendation for you. I have attended about a half dozen concerts from local and regional bands at Sound Check in Lowell - in fact, I have been the MC for a couple of them as well. What a great little venue.
Listening to music in a bar setting is great, but sometimes it is really nice to hear a solo artist or band without all the back ground noises in a bar. Sometimes it is wonderful to be able to clearly hear each and every note or drum beat. Sound Check was built with a purpose to give audiences and bands at great place to meet. Sound Check did it right - the sound system is not too LOUD or two quiet. Nope, it is just right. In addition to great sound, there is not a bad seat in the house and the chairs are comfortable enough to get you through the night.
Sound Check is located in a purpose built room at 621 East Main Street in Lowell. You can check out the venue with a schedule of artists performing there if you click this link: Sound Check in Lowell.
So far I have a seen solo act, a couple of duos, a three piece with a strong emphasis on vocal harmonies and a couple of great bands. Enjoyed every one of them. The name Sound Check is great because when you check the sound, you will be pleased. Why do I go on and on about sound quality? Once upon a time, I owned and operated a small recording studio that did jingles and other recording tasks. In addition, I ran the sound for a country rock band in Lansing for a couple years. Those were the days - we even opened for Johnny Cash at the Common Ground festival once. I am picky about sound. (My poor wife has to listen to my report at just about every concert we attend.)
What is so good about Sound Check? These two have a lot to do with it. Ryne Clarke is a local musician I have been following since I first heard one of his bands (The Preservers)when he was in High School. He and his musical wife, Kristine, handle the sound and video recording at Sound Check. They take their jobs very seriously - never mind the goofy picture.
 |
| Ryne and Kristine make it sound great. And they make a video for the band to use. Full service. |
The last concert I attended was The Wild Honey Collective, a group I have experienced before. They play a compelling mix of originals and covers. (I looked around and I was NOT the only member of the audience singing along to their excellent version of "The Weight" by The Band.) This was the largest band I have seen so far at Sound Check and a good time was had by EVERYONE. The snare drum was lovingly muted with a sweat shirt and it was perfect.
 |
| The Wild Honey Collective doing a sound check at Sound Check. |
 |
| Things got going promptly at 7 pm. Nice two hour set from The Wild Honey Collective with a short break in the middle. |
The atmosphere at Sound Check is another treat. Do not be put off that the venue is located in a church building. You will not be subjected to proselytizing here. Brad, the Pastor of the UMC in Lowell and the driving force behind the venue is a great guy who LOVES local music. He only goal was to make a welcoming space for bands and the audience. He succeeded.
 |
| This sums up the atmosphere at Sound Check. |
 |
| This guy was chillin' in the rafters. He is a frequent guest. |
Please consider yourself invited to Sound Check in Lowell. Bring a friend or two and plan on having an interactive night with the performer(s). You can sit right up close or put a little distance between you and the musicians. The place seats a maximum of 90 people. There are many things to celebrate here. For one thing, TicketMaster /LiveNation is NOT involved. The $20 you spend on a ticket goes to the band with a small amount set aside to keep the lights on and the sound board running. No one is tacking on a "service fee" to add to the coffers of some giant corporation, the money stays local for sure.
Comments