SARASOTA – Being stuck in quarantine is getting old for many of us. A Suncoast music center offers a remedy for your dull days.
“I’m just trying to keep the music going, the idea of live music, alive,” Suncoast musician, Koko Ray Hansen, said. “And, trying to participate in keeping people less bored at home.”
Music Compound launches a virtual concert series with local musicians. It’s a music center providing music lessons and performance opportunities for all ages.
But, now during a pandemic, owner, Jenny Townsend, says it’s an opportunity to give back to local adult bands.
“In our fifth year, we are giving back to those who inspired our concept by donating our space to local musicians and opening our stage up for them to perform for fans and earn tips,” Townsend said.
Koko Ray says he’s been doing live concerts in his house, so he’s grateful for a stage.
“So now, that we have an actually place like the music compound, it’s going to be really good for us,” Koko Ray said. “I think it’s going to connect with our audience a little better.”
The live concert series gives musicians an opportunity to earn income as well.
“I think it’s really important to support the local musicians many of them, they’re only income is performing at restaurants and doing gigs and doing events,” Townsend said.
“All my live shows have went away,” Koko Ray said. “And so that’s revenue of a couple of thousand dollars a month that’s now gone.”
Koko Ray and his partner Karma kick off the Virtual Concert Series this Saturday. The event will take place every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday evenings from seven to nine.
“I’m a multi-instrumentalist, so I play the flute, saxophone, clarinet, piano, guitar, sing,” Koko Ray said.
Townsend hopes the concerts are an alternative to what we’re all currently doing.
“I know that everybody right now is watching Netflix or watching their shows and scrolling on Facebook, so we’re going to give them some great entertainment as well and feature some local bands,” Townsend said.
Townsend says bands will be playing new material
“We’ll be doing a bunch of original stuff from my new CD, which is out on bandcamp.com. It’s called ‘Death of a Troubadour.’”
The performances will be streamed on Music Compound’s Facebook page.
If you’re a musician and you want to join the virtual concert series, you can visit their website. Also, they’re looking for business partners to sponsor upcoming shows.
