Collaborative creative spaces bolster Columbia’s art, music scene

On a Monday night at New Brookland Tavern, a plethora of notes fill the air as guitarists tune their guitars. Singers belt scales to warm up their voices as the stage lights brighten.

The tavern’s Open Jam is one of several artistic showcases on Columbia’s creative scene that was built by artists to give others a space to display their ability and network with other artists. The scenes allow artists and musicians to interact with others who share similar passions. Whether connecting musicians, providing a space for shows, or showcasing a myriad of artistic mediums, these creative spaces depend on locals to thrive. 

At the weekly Open Jam, musicians are allotted time to perform any music of their choosing. Ryan Pellatt, lead singer and guitarist of Columbia-based band The Third Floor, said the openness of the jam is what allows it to be helpful to the city’s music community.

“I would say it’s incredibly important because I’ve seen several bands form just at the open jam,” Pellatt said. “That gives people a space to practice. And like I said, there was no pressure, so people can just form a group that night and get up there and play songs.”

Columbia-based band Hell’s Maid formed after the band members met through the jam. Dominic Bruzzesi, the band’s lead singer and guitarist, fondly remembers bonding with his bandmates at the jam.

“It was kind of a spontaneous start because I started playing the open mic nights at New Brookland,” Bruzzesi said. “And I happened to meet those guys there because we all bonded over the fact that we’re all big Queens of the Stone Age fans.”

Hell’s Maid still plays frequently at the open jams. The band’s drummer, Malachi Smalls, often gives earplugs to members of the audience because the band is known for their loud and intense style.

“Take these,” Smalls said to an audience member. “We’re playing, so you’re going to need them.”

Mosh Moments

Vibrant murals line the walls, and dim multicolored lights illuminate the living room. A drum set sits in the center.

John White, guitarist for Columbia-based band Rectoplasm, decided to turn his house into a music venue and never looked back. Commie House, located on Palmetto Avenue off North Main Street, frequently hosts shows featuring local bands and hip-hop acts.

“I wanted to create an open space where any and everyone is welcome to play or show up and rock out,” White said. “I love seeing people make memories at the shows. That’s my favorite part of it all.”

University of South Carolina sophomore computer science major Mathew Punjab frequents Commie House. On a Saturday night in October, as he and a friend were buying tickets at the door, he described his favorite memory there.

“I want you to imagine a cat crowd surfing,” Punjab said. “It’s insane. You hear cymbals crashing and the gnarliest guitar solo you’ve heard in your life, and then you just see one of the band members’ cats being passed over your head.”

Electrician Arkell Johnson, 23, said he enjoys the small venue because of how it affects the sound of the music and the energy of the audience. This more condensed space makes moshing easier and more intense.

“Since it’s smaller than most venues, the sound is more closed in, so the volume of the music rattles your bones,” Johnson said. “We’re all close together. So the energy is always rampant. The pits are some of the craziest I’ve been in.”

One of the most important parts of the branding of Commie House is the accessibility the audience has to the musicians who play there.

“It’s very local,” Johnson said. “The bands talk to everyone right after the show. And it’s really fun to be on the ground level in the grassroots, meeting musicians and getting to interact with them.”

Fashion Forward 

Founded in Clover and traveling to both Rock Hill and Columbia, Thrift Street has showcased local creators of different varieties across several events.

The traveling vintage market has featured crochet art, paintings, clothing, and music. Thrift Street founder Amir Diba said that using his market to display local art is one of his favorite parts of running the events.

“Our vendor fee is cheap, like $5, for real,” Diba said. “I love putting any kind of art on display. If you care about what you do and you’re dedicated, show it off.”

Although some of the clothing sold at Thrift Street events is that of mainstream brands, locally created clothing is abundant at the market. Some of the events have featured performances from local musicians.

The marketing of Thrift Street has also given opportunities to local photographers and videographers to hone their skills. Diba has a team to help with video and photo shoots created as promotional material for events.

Thrift Street videographer Aaron Jacobs said that his involvement in the vintage market has helped introduce him to others who share his passion for artistic expression.

“It was always super hard finding other people doing the same thing or motivated by the same creativity,” Jacobs said. “With Thrift Street, I sensed more people that felt the same way I felt about art, and that became a gateway to me.

Although all three of these creative outlets appeal to different niches, there is a shared similarity. All of them are built on a sense of community.

Because they are facilitated by and platform locals, these spaces serve as symbiotic entities that help shape the creative makeup of Columbia.