New music venue to open this fall supporting local artists

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Four musicians are preparing to open a new music venue on East Commercial Street this fall. 

Matt and Christina Baker, alongside Ash and David Bates, decided to open MoonTown Sound after years of being in the local music scene and recognizing a need for a venue of this model within the community.

"We're very much invested in making this a safe, comfortable and accessible experience," said Matt Baker. "We're heavily invested in community and making sure that arts are represented specifically on the north side of Springfield."

The owners told Ozarks First their goal is to open a space that pays artists a reputable wage while bringing arts to the north side of Springfield. 

"This is very much a space that is for musicians by musicians," said Ash Bates. "In that aspect, we also know how to really take care of them when they come in sound-wise."

"We do offer a little bit more than any venue in town in the video area," said David Bates. "We're somewhere around 14 cameras, and the people playing can collect that afterwards. We're trying to make people look and feel good on stage. We're doing a lot with technology. We've got five projectors, and as a musician, I'm drawn towards that."

Along with professional videos, performers can use the venue for, the owners said the 240-person capacity venue is unique, where their goal is to give performers all door fees. The venue will profit from drink (with non-alcoholic options) and merchandise sales alongside other avenues the co-owners are working out, such as potential local art sales.

"Between COVID and just general uncertainty, the music industry in general is suffering, but I think that means that there's areas of opportunity as well where we can achieve levels of engagement," said David Bates.

"That's to take care of our local musicians," said Ash Bates. "Not just take care of them, but give them a space to grow their talent so that it helps them anywhere else that they get picked up, that while they are here, they're loved and taken care of."

Bartenders Danny Gore and Rio Falcon said as musicians themselves, they believe the industry is suffering and they hope to be part of the solution.

"It's difficult to pay money to go out and see shows and spend money on extra things whenever rent is kind of difficult to get," said Gore. "People are afraid to try new forms of entertainment, like local music or original music that you haven't seen before. A big part of it is trying to provide a place where they can get paid and make money for the service that they're providing. Inevitably, other venues in town have shut down, or musicians stop playing there because they can't get paid. It's really just about trying to perpetuate good things moving forward."

"The community needs a space," said Falcon.

The location in particular was crucial to the north Springfield native, Matt Baker.

"My kids are fifth-generation Springfield, so we're not going anywhere. I'm heavily invested in the north side of Springfield," said Baker. "I would love dearly to see specifically this stretch of Commercial Street just come swinging back to life."

"A lot of people close to me have asked me if this is the right location," said David Bates. "A couple of months ago, Matt said something that changed my perception of what this neighborhood is. It's an actual active neighborhood. Kids are playing and people are around. This is one of the most active street in Springfield. It has real people."

"The city loves good business. The city pays attention to good business, specifically profitable businesses and tax dollars paid by those profitable businesses," said Gore. "I think part of it is bringing the city's attention to this area, specifically this side of Commercial Street, because it needs help, the people around here need help."

Local artists Garrett Melby and Samantha Hubler have painted panels for MoonTown Sound. The owners told Ozarks First that they hope to promote more local artists throughout the venue and invest in more local art.