Live music venues in the Boston area play a never-ending game of musical chairs. Some come, some go, some remain constant, and some reinvent. Atwood’s Tavern has managed to pull off those last two at the same time, (while also watching the first two from their slightly out-of-the-way perch in East Cambridge), and this week celebrate a decade of live music with a series of events and special guests that run through this Sunday.
It’s a bit of an eye-opener, as Atwood’s is often mentioned as one of the new live music stages that has helped replace the gap left by the shuttered venues like T.T. The Bear’s Place, Johnny D’s, and others. That bump in visibility and activity is attributed to booking agent Randi Millman, who has turned the rootsy, country-tinged room into a viable haven for all artists and performers with an eclectic calendar. Next month, for instance, they will celebrate the life and legacy of Prince.
As Atwood’s celebrates the big 1-0 — tonight’s lineup features the Dennis Brennan Quatro and Andrea Gillis Band — we asked Millman about the anniversary and the scene’s response to the room over the past few years. Check out the full run of shows after the Q&A via the flyer, designed by Daykamp Creative.
Michael Marotta: How’d you go about booking the lineup for the 10th anniversary?
Randi Millman: The lineup mostly includes the musicians that started with Atwood’s from the beginning. Tim Gearan and his band played the night before the opening, and have played a Friday residency ever since. Vapors Of Morphine started eight years ago on Wednesday nights, nearly two years ago we moved them to Saturday nights. Folks like Sean Staples, Jimmy Ryan, Eric Royer, Duke Levine… all part of the Atwood’s family, playing in one form or another since our inception!
Does it reflect all 10 years?
Yes, I think the lineup reflects all 10 years with the inclusion of Jesse Dee, Dwight Ritcher of Dwight & Nicole, The Silks, Roy Sludge, Jeffrey Foucault.
Are you surprised by the city and scene’s response to Atwood’s?
I’m not surprised that bands and fans love the room. Ryan and Patrick Magee (brothers and owners) created a sanctuary for performers, respecting their talent and craft and not counting heads and dollars. Their love of music is reflected in the way our entire staff treats the performers. I knew national acts would feel the love as well. You can feel from the jump when you walk in the door that there’s something special happening!
What kind of venue do you see Atwood’s as 10 years from now?
In the words of Ryan and Patrick, if we’re still doing what we’re doing now in 10 years, we’ll be happy. Our food, drink and music sides of the business are working in perfect harmony, we feel we do all three things very well. My hope is we continue to nurture our Nashville connection and get those up and comers for their first few plays in town. As long as someone looks at our calendar and says holy shit, I can’t believe __________ is playing Atwood’s, I’m doing my job.”
Of course, filling in blanks is part of what got Atwood’s to 10 in the first place. Here’s what on tap this week:
