Olympia, Washington

Located just about halfway between Portland and Seattle on I-5, Olympia is the capital of Washington and independent music. Surrounded by the Olympic Mountains, Mount Rainer and Puget Sound, Olympia boasts not only natural beauty but also a rich history as the breeding ground for Pacific Northwest alternative culture. The hometown of Kill Rock Stars and K Records, Bikini Kill and Beat Happening, Olympia has long carried the DIY torch. It sprouted the origins of grunge and riot grrrl, and introduced twee and indie pop to the circuit with the International Pop Underground Festival. Today, the Experimental Music Festival is a local favorite and the free-form Evergreen State College’s KAOS radio station is a nationally recognized independent music staple. Boasting a large number of all-ages spaces, DIY house venues are also big here. One of these, the infamous punk house and home of Scream Club, Red House, has hosted many seminal bands in its basement over the past 15 years and has recorded the likes of Beck, Calvin Johnson and Sleater-Kinney – a local band who got its moniker from the road of the same name passing through the eastern part of the city. As supportive of independent music as ever, Olympia has a wealth of local bands that can (and do) help promote – so find some on MySpace and team up!

Book a Gig: Venues

Capitol Theater

206 5th Avenue SE, Olympia, WA 98501

(360) 754-3635

www.olyfilm.org

This 772-capacity 1924 theater serves as a film and performance venue, hosting all-ages shows at least six times a month from a wide array of genres, including rock, jazz, country and world music. Email Audrey Henley, audrey@olympiafilmsociety.org, at least six weeks in advance to book.

Jakes on 4th

311 4th Avenue E., Olympia, WA 98501

(360) 956-3247

www.myspace.com/jakeson4th

Olympia’s premier gay bar regularly hosts live music of all genres (as long as it’s not racist or homophobic) and offers a great stage, lighting and a sound person. Call Alex Hoss at (360) 485-6774 at least one month in advance to book.

Le Voyeur

404 E. 4th Avenue, Olympia, WA 98501

(360) 943-7029

www.myspace.com/levoyeur

Olympia’s “freakiest” venue, this small 21+ performance space has a small PA and hosts free punk, experimental and electronic shows up to four nights a week. Note: there is no sound or door person. To book, call John Manini at the number above or email him at voyeurbooking@gmail.com – do not MySpace.

Midnight Sun

113 N. Columbia Street, Olympia, WA 98501

(360) 250-2721

www.myspace.com/themidnightsunspace

This downtown all-ages music and theater space hosts predominantly experimental and punk shows, though is open to any genre. There is stage lighting but no in-house PA. To rent, call Elizabeth Lord at the above phone number or send a message to the MySpace.

The Clipper

402 4th Avenue E., Olympia, WA 98501

(360) 943-6300

Downtown lounge showcasing all genres most Friday and Saturday nights. To book, call Regina at the above number during the day on Tuesday through Friday, a good three months in advance.

Eastside Club

410 4th Avenue E., Olympia, WA 98501

(360) 357-9985

www.theeastsideclub.com

Everything from reggae and funk to bluegrass and Americana to gypsy string ensembles take the stage each week at this venerable Eastside pub. Booking is done through www.myspace.com/theeastsideclub or by calling Andy at the above number after 7 p.m.,Wednesday through Sunday.

4th Ave. Ale House & Eatery

210 4th Avenue E., Olympia, WA 98501

(360) 786-1444

www.the4thave.com

This popular watering hole hosts a wide variety of live music Thursday through Saturday. To book a show, call Eric at (360) 951-7887 or send your EPK/weblink to booking@the4thave.com.

Promote a Gig: Media

KAOS, 89.3 FM

Evergreen State College

2700 Evergreen Parkway – CAB 301

Olympia, WA 98505

(360) 867-6888

www.kaosradio.org

Send hard copy CD submissions to main address, marked “Attn: Music Department,” and send show info for events calendar 2-3 weeks in advance via email, kaos@evergreen.edu, or by calling the number above. Interviews are done on an occasional basis and coordinated by the individual DJs.

The Sitting Duck

1919 Evergreen Park Drive SW #10, Olympia, WA 98502

(360) 753-3836

www.thesittingduck.net

Olympia’s free alternative paper comes out the first and third Thursday of each month and features upcoming event info, show previews, CD reviews and live coverage. Send show details to infosittingduck@peoplepc.com by 5 p.m. the previous Thursday – sooner if possible. CDs can be mailed to the address above.

The Olympian

111 Bethel Street NE, Olympia, WA 98506

(360) 754-5400

www.theolympian.com

Submit upcoming show info for Nightlife Calendar by sending a press release to weekend@theolympian.com at least one week in advance.

Record Stores

Rainy Day Records

301 5th Avenue SE, Olympia, WA 98501

(360) 357-4755

www.rainydayolympia.net

Gear/Repairs

Capital City Guitars

108 4th Avenue E, Olympia, WA 98501

(360) 956-7097

www.capitalcityguitars.com

Buy, sell and trade new and used instruments and pro-audio gear. Walk-in repairs on most instruments and amps. Open Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Music 6000

3738 Pacific Avenue SE, Olympia, WA 98501

(360) 786-6000

www.music6000.com

New and used instruments and gear. Walk-in repair on most instruments, amps and electronics. Open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday, 12 a.m. to 5 p.m.