Ventura, CA

Situated 30 miles southeast of Santa Barbara and 60 miles west of Los Angeles on Highway 101, the coastal city of Ventura boasts an average annual temperature of 75 degrees and a very eclectic music community. The area has a rich music history as the birthplace of both Nardcore — ‘80s-era hardcore punk out of Oxnard — and Stones Throw Records’ Madlib. Punk and “805” hip-hop continue to thrive in the area today alongside alt-country, indie folk, power-pop, alt rock and indie rock. Even classical music is recognized locally with the annual Ojai Music Festival in the nearby inland city of Ojai. Local community colleges keep the venues full of young music lovers and the area’s music community manages to stay cohesive and support its diverse array of artists with top-notch venues. Just an hour out of L.A., yet distinctly its own, bands traveling along California’s Gold Coast should not miss Ventura.

GUIDE TO GIGGING IN VENTURA

Book a Gig: Venues

ALPINE
1954 GOODYEAR AVENUE
VENTURA, CA 93003
(805) 650-1213
www.alpineventura.com
A unique all-ages space, Alpine features two different venues, a skate park, laundromat, hair salon, gaming room, study space and café, and books everything from acoustic to metal. There is a smaller show space upstairs, and a large main stage downstairs (500-person capacity) with professional lighting and sound. Fill out the online booking form (www.alpineventura.com/booking) two to three months in advance, and have local bands in mind to play with first.

ZOEY’S LOFT
451 E. MAIN STREET SUITE 8
VENTURA, CA 93001
(805) 652-1137
www.zoeyscafe.com
Zoey’s Loft is a small, 50-person capacity all-ages venue and cafe in downtown Ventura with superb acoustics and owners who are serious about showcasing great music. Zoey’s will occasionally book a rock band or two, but is geared towards singer/songwriters. To book, contact zoey@zoeyscafe.com or mail CD, press kit, contact info and available dates to the address above, attn: Steve Hoganson, three months in advance.

MAJESTIC VENTURA THEATER
26 S. CHESTNUT STREET
VENTURA, CA 93001
(805) 653-0721
www.venturatheater.net
The Majestic Ventura Theater is much like the Warfield in San Francisco and the Wiltern in L.A. The theater mainly books national touring acts, but they do host the occasional local show, and book regional/touring acts of all genres for opening slots from time to time. Contact loanne@venturatheater.net.

BUFFALO RECORDS
105 S. OAK STREET
VENTURA, CA 93001
(805) 648-3345
www.buffalorecords.org
This eclectic downtown record shop frequently hosts free, all-ages in-stores. To book, contact Eric Kayser at the phone number above three to four weeks in advance. Buffalo also sells CDs on consignment.

BILLY O’S
2819 E. Main Street
Ventura, CA 93003
(805) 652-0327
www.billyosventura.com
“The best little dive bar in Ventura,” Billy O’s blows up downtown Ventura every Saturday night with free live rock shows by local and touring bands. To book, contact Brian Parra at saturdaynightbob@yahoo.com two months in advance.

SALZER’S RECORDS
5777 VALENTINE ROAD
VENTURA, CA 93003
(805) 639-2160
www.salzers.com
40 years in operation, Ventura’s mighty independent music store often hosts in-store performances. Salzer’s will also sell CDs on consignment and is a key place for bands to post show fliers before a local gig. For in-store booking inquiries, contact Brandon Salzer at the phone number above, ext. 30.

Promote a Gig: Media

VENTURA COUNTY REPORTER
700 E. MAIN STREET
VENTURA, CA 93001
(805) 648-2244
www.vcreporter.com
Ventura’s alternative weekly features CD reviews and show previews. Email A&E editor Matt Singer with show info at matt@vcreporter.com, and mail CD and press pack to the address above at least two weeks in advance.

VENTURA COUNTY STAR
550 CAMARILLO CENTER DRIVE
CAMARILLO, CA 93010
(805) 437-0000
www.venturacountystar.com
Ventura County’s local daily newspaper has a weekly A&E supplement, Time Out. Email event info to Entertainment Editor Mark Wyckoff at mwyckoff@venturacountystar.com and send him CDs and press kits at the address above at least three weeks in advance.

80.5 FM
(805) 288-2256
www.805hiphop.com
This local internet station is dedicated to supporting independent hip-hop artists. Email mp3s and contact info to D-Tragic at dtragic@805hiphop.com. There is also an events calendar, artist bio page and message board on the website.

Gear/ Repairs

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC
3171 E. MAIN STREET
VENTURA, CA 93001
(805) 654-9388
www.instrumentalmusic.com
Sells guitars, bass, amps, keyboards, pro audio, drums and accessories. Favio Montes does in-store repairs on guitars on Tuesdays and can be contacted for on-call repairs at (805) 377-1159. Open weekdays 11-7 and Saturday 10-6.

GUITAR CENTER
1741 E. VENTURA BLVD. SUITE E
OXNARD, CA 93036
(805) 278-2600
www.guitarcenter.com
Carries a wide variety of guitars, keyboards, amps, drums, accessories and pro audio. Open weekdays 11-9, Saturday 10-8 and Sunday 11-6.