For nearly two years, the Copper Owl has been a go-to music venue for emerging bands performing in Victoria. Since opening their doors in early 2013, the venue has hosted hundreds of performances by artists of all different genres, including folk, metal, electronic, and indie rock.
Jzero Schuurman and Renee Crawford took over the venue, located above Paul’s Motor Inn, after the previous tenants were forced to close.
“Renee and I had been attending shows at Castle Video Bar put on by friends,” says Schuurman. “We wanted to put on fundraisers for the Fifty Fifty Arts Collective but found out the space was closing. After inquiring, Renee decided to put together a business plan and propose us taking over the space at Paul’s Motor Inn. The landlords were stoked on our idea, thus the Copper Owl was born.”
The music scene in Victoria has been a hotspot for up and coming talent for many years. Musicians such as Aidan Knight, Japandroids, Hot Hot Heat, Frog Eyes, and even Nelly Furtado all got their start here. Considering everything these artists have achieved, it would be easy to assume that Victoria would be host to several venues showcasing newcomer talent, but many of the venues have either shut down or are constantly struggling to stay open.
This was the case with former downtown staple the Fort Street Cafe. They were forced to shut their doors in December 2012 after the building’s landlord deemed them no longer suitable for the premises. (The Fort Street Cafe recently announced they will be re-opening in May at a new location.)
The opening of the Copper Owl came as a relief in the wake of Fort Street Cafe’s closure, but it hasn’t been without its own challenges.
“It’s hard for bands on a tight budget to deal with rising ferry costs,” says Schuurman. “We don’t have a budget for that, so we’ve had to take some hits on shows in order to encourage out-of-town bands to keep coming back.”
Schuurman believes that the key to the Copper Owl’s success so far has been their very open-minded approach to the acts that come and play the venue. Additionally, he says that they have a space that’s adaptable for diverse programming.
“We can host DJ nights, karaoke, quiz shows, private parties, wedding receptions, photo/video shoots, book launches, craft fairs… Diversity is definitely key, and adapting to our clients’ needs and budgets,” says Schuurman.
For those interested in running their own venue, Schuurman says it’s a lot of hard work and foresight.
“Be patient, diversify your programming, and be ready for the workload,” he says. “You also need to be open-minded and prepare to take hits here and there.”