8 Questions – Matt King

contributor: Hoyt Emerson

Matt King is the Booker/Promoter/Manager/Producer for Berbati’s Pan music venue. He’s has a rich history of booking here in Portland and shares his ideas about Berbati’s and his ideas of local music and all ages shows.

1. It’s a little arbitrary of a question, but can you tell us exactly what you are in charge of at the Berbati’s Pan?

Hmm… That’s a tough one. I’m pretty much on call 24/7 to book, produce, promote and manage all shows that come into Berbati’s Pan. We’re a unique venue because we do a lot of work with Production Companies like Mike Thrasher Presents, Double Tee, Monqui, Abstract Earth Project, etc. so at times I view myself and my role as that of a gate keeper. Any given date on my calendar can have up to 7 holds. It’s up to me to decide which show will bring in the best business and foster the best relationships.

2. Berbatis’ has gone through some changes in the last few years. What direction do you see the venue going now that you have come into the situation?

The local music scene has changed so much in 5 years it’s crazy. When I was a student at University of Oregon I’d come up to Portland all the time for shows, but back then your venue choices were very limited. It was really only Crystal Ballroom, Roseland, Dante’s and Berbati’s. There were some fringe clubs like the Blackbird, Nocturnal and Slabtown, but as I was living in Eugene those venues weren’t really booking the kind of shows I’d drive 4 hours for. The past 5 years have seen an explosion of new venues… Doug Fir, Wonder Ballroom, Hawthorne Theater, Holocene, Someday Lounge, Backspace, Rotture, etc.

I’m booking more DJ-oriented monthly events that are free because this city has really gotten behind those types of events. Get a couple of well-known DJs together, have a drink special and you’re on your way to a great night where everyone has fun. I’m also trying out All Ages shows, but this hasn’t been that successful. Maybe we’re in the wrong part of town for all ages shows. It seems like the kids are always complaining about the lack of All Ages venues, but when they fail to come out consistently to support the venues that are hosting all ages shows there’s something wrong and the thing that’s gonna give is the age restrictions at venues. I’d like for there to be more all ages shows, but we really have to have a big show to justify taking on the extra security expenses associated w/ all ages shows.

The venue was a lot more “urban-oriented” in its programing before I came on-board. The first thing I set out to do was to bring some more eclecticism to the calendar. My background was in booking and promoting local underground indie rock. Needles to say there aren’t a lot of underground indie bands that can fill a room the size of Berbati’s so I’ve really had to branch out and expand my knowledge of the local scene. I’m positive there are a handful of bands in Portland that I’ve never heard of that will work their asses off to promote their shows. These are some of the bands I’m most interested in meeting these days. Not a month goes by that I’m not introduced that a band that is not only great sounding, but also promotional work horses.

3. Being such a big venue, many people might not understand just what it takes to play there. Where should a band be for Berbati’s to be a smart place to have a show?

I think there are a few epochs a local band goes through before their really ready to headline a show. While this formula doesn’t really occur across the board it seems to be what works for most bands that break out enough to actually make some money playing shows. I think the first stage is to play as many shows and meet as many other bands and people as possible. This is the time to be courteous, gracious and thankful to the other bands you play with, the audience you perform in front of and the people that help you have a show (like me, or a sound engineer). Once your name is out there and you’ve built up your “network” that is the time to play once a month. These shows don’t necessarily need to be on weekends, but bands should be opening for touring bands w/ draws at this point. After a year, year and a half at this level is the time to start headlining local shows and making some money.

I’m really interested in booking local bands that can headline a show or are ready to open for a national tour. If you’re just starting out and can only rely on a few friends and family to come out and support your band you are not ready to play Berbati’s, unless I’m your biggest fan and I want to make you the biggest band in Portland.

4. How do you feel about venues downtown as compared to ones further out?

I think downtown was once the entertainment center of the city, but that’s certainly not the case anymore. Like many aspects of this city there’s cool shit everywhere. I would definitely choose Berbati’s location over many other venue locations in town, but its not ideal. The clientele I want to attract predominantly lives east of the river. We are located close to public transportation and just off Burnside so I don’t think many people would have a hard time finding us.

5. Venue’s are competing with each other each night for attendance. Do you feel there is any rhyme or reason to poorly attended shows?

I think it’s mostly a crap shoot. I’ve hosted a few shows that I felt should have been better attended, but what can you do? My colleagues always drop the phrase “strikes and gutters” when I’m feeling down about a show that tanks. The worst is committing to a show that you think will be the biggest and best in the city only to have Crystal Ballroom or Roseland announce a Yeah Yeah Yeahs show, or a Justice dance party mere minutes after faxing a contract w/ a big guarantee. That’s definitely the worst feeling as a promoter.

6. What’s better in your mind. Free shows or door cover?

I’ve never had a problem paying a cover to get into a show. I can look on stage and see that 10 – 15 people have given up a night (potentially a work shift) to entertain me often for a cost as low as $5. It’s funny that people are so appalled at paying $5 to get into a show, but have no problem dropping $8 on a shot of booze. So I’m definitely behind a door cover in most cases because I think bands work very hard to entertain people. On the other hand, free shows on off nights w/ less-established bands at venues that don’t feature pro sound systems are fine. I love Rontoms on Sunday nights and always prefer to route a band through that venue instead of Berbati’s, especially on a Sunday night.

7. How do you feel about all ages shows, or rather the lack there of, here in Portland?

I think it’s a shame, but there’s a reason there’s a death of all ages venues / shows and that’s because the kids aren’t supporting local music in a club environment. House parties have been the home to all ages shows for a long time and I think that will remain so. No venue wants to host an all ages show on a Friday or a Saturday unless it’s gonna bring in a big crowd of people who will drink. The reality is that venues live and die by bar sales, not by hosting all ages shows that attract 50 or less kids. Everyone’s got rent to pay.

8. You are also running a production/promotion company. Care to give us some details about that?

We’re called Potlatch Presents and we are quickly approaching out 1st anniversary as a company. I founded the company after Towne Lounge closed its doors on Halloween of 2008. It started out as just me, but I brought on some very motivated and intelligent people to help me with Potlatch Presents’ endeavors. You can catch up w/ me and the rest of the Potlatchers at www.potlatchpresents.com. Take a visit to our web page and see what we have going on, and then come to our free 1st anniversary party Saturday Jan 2nd at Backspace.