By: Chloe Hoy
Formerly a theatre that screened kung-fu films in the 70′s, The Rickshaw Theatre on 254 East Hastings has since played host to a variety of diverse acts, and is celebrating nine years as a live music venue this July. “A vital institution in the ongoing revitalization of the Downtown Eastside,” the theatre has been run by its current owner, Mo Tarmohamed, since the summer of 2011. The Rickshaw sticks by their philosophy of giving performers every opportunity to succeed, and the audience the experience, by focusing on the stage performance.
We spoke with Tarmohamed about his favourite moments as general manager, the venue’s support to the local music scene and its artists, and their upcoming 9th Anniversary show on July 13th, with Art d’Ecco, Sunbathe, The Intelligence Service, Cartoon Lizard, and the Mad Alchemy liquid light show.
Congratulations to the theatre on 9 years as a live music venue! What has been the most rewarding part about operating The Rickshaw Theatre?
Thank you! There are a lot of rewards operating the Rickshaw, but if I were to sum it up into one overarching reward, it would be witnessing the audience and performers connecting on an otherworldly level and knowing that we helped to facilitate that experience.
What has been your favourite show you’ve hosted during the 7 years you’ve been on board as owner/general manager?
Wow, this really is a tough question for me to answer. There have been so many great shows, but I guess the one that sticks out for me is the Bob Mould show in October 2017. I have been such a huge fan of Bob’s music over the decades. I had been trying for over 6 years to convince his agent to book a show at the Rickshaw, and then it finally happened! I had seen Bob’s last Vancouver show at Richards on Richards in March 2008, and so it was such a thrill having him grace the Rickshaw stage last year.
The great part about The Rickshaw is its diversity with shows, between hosting legendary and international acts like The Sonics and The Joy Formidable, to comedy troupes, drag, belly dance showcases, and emerging local artists. How special is it to you that all forms of art and entertainment are showcased at your venue?
It is very special to me to make the venue accessible to all forms of artistic expression. I did not want the Rickshaw to be pigeonholed as a punk or a metal venue. We definitely cater to the metal and punk community, and will always do so, but we also embrace all genres of music and other forms of artistic expression. I am fortunate to be in a position to provide a space to not only established performers, but also to new and emerging talent.
As supporters of the Vancouver and BC music scene, it’s wonderful that these musicians have a space to perform at your venue. With some local venues that have previously hosted these acts closing, or being forced to close their doors, why is this important that the Rickshaw remain a place for these acts to come to?
For local bands, the Rickshaw is a bridge between playing house shows or shows at smaller venues, and seeing what it might be like to make music a career (even if it might be a part-time career). Our demeanor and philosophy is no matter where a band might be on their musical evolutionary cycle, they will receive the same level of production value and attention as a major touring act. We want bands to feel like rock stars when they play our stage and hopefully that inspires them to carry on their musical quest.
Your venue is well-regarded for focusing on the performance, and what’s happening on-stage. This is a fantastic mindset to have and keep implemented! Personally, why is the ‘experience’ so important to you? Have you always felt this way about live acts you’ve seen, even before you owned the Rickshaw?
Live music is all about the experience – for the performers and the people who have come to see them. Our philosophy is to make sure that we give the performers every opportunity to succeed, as best we can. And from an audience perspective, our aim is to provide a welcoming space for them to enjoy the artists. I guess, subconsciously, this is how I’ve always wanted to experience a live concert even before owing the Rickshaw: a friendly and welcoming space that cares about the product it’s delivering. We want going to see a live show an addictive experience.
You have a nice line-up for the Anniversary show – Art d’Ecco (who is no stranger to the Rickshaw Theatre), Sunbathe, The Intelligence Service, and Cartoon Lizard. How did you handpick these acts, with so many who have came through your doors prior? What makes these acts special to you, and what are you looking forward to at the upcoming evening?
The lineup evolved over the space of a couple of months. It started with a conversation I had with Lance Gordon (Mad Alchemy) when he was here doing the liquid light show at the Burger A Go Go shows at the Rickshaw in February. Lance is a huge fan of the Rickshaw. He has done lights here for the Levitation Festival, Desert Daze and the Mad Alchemy Caravan. He mentioned to me that if I ever wanted him to project lights at the Rickshaw, he would happy to come up from California, where he is based, to do so. We checked our respective calendars and targeted July 13th.
After that, I contacted one of my favourite local musicians Art d’Ecco to see if he was available (and luckily he was!) to headline the event. I then approached Victoria’s Cartoon Lizard, who have played the Rickshaw a couple of times before, because I felt that their music lends itself to a psychedelic light show. They are also a great bunch of guys who really help promote shows they are involved in.
A few days later, Pieter Hilton from Portland’s Typhoon got in touch with me asking me if there were any gigs available on July 13th that his other band, Sunbathe (that also includes another Typhoon member, Shannon Steele) could jump on for their Pacific Northwest tour. Typhoon have played the Rickshaw a number of times over the last 6 years and I have become close friends with the members of the band. I wasn’t aware of Sunbathe before Pieter mentioning them to me but after listening to them, I felt that they would compliment the lineup we already had.
I wanted a 4th band on the bill with a slightly edgier sound and it was suggested that I contact The Intelligence Service. Their psyche infused sound also lends itself to a liquid light show perfectly. Once the lineup was set, Alex Pen from The Intelligence Service designed the show poster.
Once again, congratulations on 9 years! Can we expect another 9 years (and hopefully many more) of live music at The Rickshaw Theatre? Tell us about the schedule for the upcoming summer and fall, what are a few highlights?
And once again thanks! It’s actually a double anniversary: not only is it the 9th year for the Rickshaw, it’s also my 7th year owning it. Summer tends to quiet for music venues as everyone prefers to be outdoors enjoying the warm weather and getting their fill of live music at outdoor festivals. Having said that, we still have some great shows in July and August and a chock full of shows in the fall. I am especially looking forward to the return of Mudhoney to the Rickshaw in September.
Read the original article here: https://thepermanentrainpress.com/post/175783504102/rickshaw-theatre-celebrates-nine-years