For more on Tall Tree Living Room, its schedule (the next concert is Oct. 26) and a link to register, go to www.talltreelivingroom.com.
Wouldn't it be nice to spend a Sunday afternoon sitting on the couch, eating great food and listening to great music, no, great live music? Mark Baker thinks so. That's why the Atlanta musician and entertainment lawyer started Tall Tree Living Room. Once, sometimes twice, a month, featured artists from near and not so near come and play to an audience of several dozen people gathered in the living room of Baker's modern Atlanta home. Baker's girlfriend, Lyn Adler, puts out a spread made with locally grown food. And what's really nice is that Baker opens his house to people he doesn't even know. "The idea is to bring people together who love good music and food and to try to build a community," Baker says. He does ask for a small donation to pay the musicians and a registration to know how many folks to expect.
Q: Where did the name Tall Tree Living Room come from?
A: My house is on Tall Tree Drive and the music is in my living room. Get it?
Q: What was the genesis?
A: About a year ago, a friend asked if I could help someone book a gig in two weeks time. I couldn’t make that happen so I said, “Why don’t we do it ourselves?” We had a good turnout and it was fun. Now we have even begun to incorporate some original artwork that people bring. This sounds a little high blown, and maybe it is, but we are looking to create a bit of a salon feel, like you are in Gertrude Stein’s living room, only you’re not.
Q: Where do the acts come from?
A: Word has gotten out and now we are being solicited. We have brought people in from New York City and Nashville. We are trying to present music that is a little challenging but still accessible.
Q: What do you mean by that?
A: We presented Duet for Theremin and Lap Steel, musicians who play two unique instruments with a fairly limited range. The music they make is largely improvised so there is not a really a song you can latch onto. Nonetheless it is accessible because of the beauty. At the same time, we will present songwriters who write in a standard song format.
Q: Is there any kind of music you wouldn’t want played in your living room?
A: I wouldn’t categorically rule out anything. We look for acts with strong musicianship. Next up is a jazz-based act from Atlanta. It will not be your Kenny G type of jazz.
Q: You ask people for a $20 donation, right?
A: We want to pay the musicians. To the extent we can, Lyn and I would like to cover our costs. We have never covered our costs.
Q: Why do musicians want to play in your living room?
A: Most musicians just want to play music. We find that a lot of them are tired of the nightclub scene. Here they have a rapt audience that is not drunk. They are playing at a reasonable hour. And then, they are getting paid.
Q: Have the neighbors complained?
A: No. One of my neighbors has been at every single show and has brought people.
Q: Do you like doing this or is it a total pain?
A: I do like it and Lyn likes it but it is a lot of work. The payoff is getting to see your house full of people listening to music. Having great bands play in your living room is also really cool.
Q: Is this a way to help young musicians realize their dreams?
A: I do think that. For every Lady Gaga, there are 10,000 equally talented musicians who haven’t gotten the breaks that she has. We have had more than one musician tell us that this more intimate environment is the way of the future.
About the Author
