I’m not sure if calling the Carleton Halifax’s best-kept music secret would be accurate considering the great acts they consistently bring in to play. But maybe it still feels like a secret. It has been around for five years as of this month, a big milestone for a music venue in this city, and something it is celebrating with a plethora of big shows this month.
“We’ve been here for five years but I’d almost guarantee that 90 per cent of the city of Halifax have never heard of us, have no idea we’re here or what we do. Getting the word out in this day and age is very difficult,” says Mike Campbell, one of the owners of the Carleton Music Bar & Grill.
Things haven’t exactly been sunshine and rainbows for music venues and bars in downtown Halifax the past few years. Just look at past Halifax Pop Explosion venues from last year and the year before and you’ll see a handful of venues that have since shut down.
ANNIVERSARY CONCERT SERIES
“Making five years in this business is incredibly difficult. Nobody knows it now more than I do. It’s my first run at something like this and I can’t tell you how difficult it is. But I think my staff deserves a pat on the back and I want to draw some attention to it,” says Campbell at one of the tables of the Carleton as we talk about some of the events that have happened in the building and drink too much coffee.
To celebrate the big five year mark, the venue has already hosted a handful of shows with many more coming up as part of its 5th Anniversary Concert Series. Performers include Matt Mays, Charlie A’Court & Friends, Shari Ulrich, Stephen Fearing, Erin Costello, Aidan Knight, Matt Minglewood, Three Sheet and more.
Change of plans
The venue, owned by Mike Campbell and Mike Rhodes of MuchMusic fame, and five others, opened in May of 2008. Initially it was going to be a restaurant with occasional live entertainment.
“Maybe one a month we’ll get someone in here to do something,” says Campbell reflecting on the early thoughts to live music at the venue.
Being involved in the music industry for so long, naturally people expected it to be an entertainment venue. In the opening week, the Carleton hosted Joel Plaskett for a number of sold-out shows and it never really stopped after that.
The Chronicle Herald building that used to be across the street closed down shortly after the Carleton opened, causing a drop in business and lunch traffic with no people working across the street anymore.
The listening room
The venue is known as a listening room, something that Campbell decided in right from the start after going to see his friend Steve Poltz at a now-closed bar in Halifax. The phone was ringing, the crowd was chatting and the staff were chatting while the music was going on leading to an unpleasant experience. Although he doesn’t do it at every show, Campbell would deliver a sometimes harsh announcement to shut up and enjoy the show or you’ll get kicked out. The venues music philosophy is clearly laid out on its website.
While most people respect the house rules, he did kick somebody out at a Jimmy Rankin show after she wouldn’t stop talking throughout the performance. The move was met with cheers from the audience.
The best so far
When asked about a highlight of the five years, Campbell can’t narrow it down to one specific moment.
“There’s been a bunch of absolutely astonishing shows in here. Sadly some of them we didn’t even have a big crowd for. I get overcome by the music every once in a while when I’m siting in here, usually when I’m sitting by myself or at the bar. And something coming off the stage is so powerful and you realize we put this place together and it wouldn’t exist unless we had done it. You get to those moments where you’re looking up and saying ‘Holy shit, that’s Jim Cuddy and Greg Keelor (of Blue Rodeo).””
Other highlights include New York singer songwriter Willie Nile being backed by the Halifax All-Stars Band that Campbell put together. That band included Dave Marsh and Chris Penell of Joel Plaskett Emergency, the late Jay Smith and Rob Crowell of Deer Tick.
The venue is also home of the Halifax Urban Folk Festival, a festival started by Campbell that runs in late August and early September.
Five years in the Halifax music industry? Yeah, that’s certainly worth celebrating.