"Don't Let Skegss Stay The Night" & Other Lessons From The Foundry's First Year

About a year-and-a-half ago, Brisbane's live scene experienced a brief flash of joy with the original arrival of The Foundry, an all-purpose venue and community hub set to change the face of local music.

Then — brought unexpectedly to the fore by an over-enthusiastic crowd literally shaking the building to the sounds of Velociraptor at the venue's opening party — The Foundry was over as soon as it had begun, put back in the box due to unseen issues with the space's flooring. It was a swift and unexpected blow to the burgeoning industry hot spot but, thankfully, its impacts were short-lived; a handful of months later, The Foundry was back, re-floored and better than ever, ready to make good on the promises and potential we were so sure it possessed when it first reared its head. And, with a year of experience informing the statement, we're comfortable saying that it has absolutely done just that. 

Now, 12 months and countless shows later, The Foundry is getting ready to celebrate its first birthday with a massive party this Thursday, 18 August, featuring those original mischief-makers, Velociraptor, as well as offerings from an eclectic spread of excellent musicians such as Golden Vessel, Yuuca, Astro Travellers, Straight Arrows, Whalehouse and The Jensens.

To prepare for the shindig, we asked some questions of Patrick Balfe, the venue's booking agent, and Amy Brandon, who recently wrapped up her stint as venue manager, about their important moments and takeaways from the first year getting The Foundry up and running.

For Brandon, the notion of getting on at the ground floor with The Foundry was a no-brainer, as she was instantly taken with the vision posited by building manager Brett Gibson and general manager Richie Haines. "I was super into the idea of creating a music-industry hub in the Valley, combining live music at Foundry, recorded music at Records, and then all the behind-the-scenes people upstairs doing their thing in the Studios," she tells The Music. "Brett and Richie had a great vision for the space and I wanted to get in on it!"

Balfe, meanwhile, has relished the opportunity to expose himself to the city's rich tapestry of live music, as well as being granted a front-row seat to witness the development of several local acts from being up-and-comers through their journey to headliner status.

"The main thing I love about working at a venue is watching bands grow and develop," he explains. "Bands like The Belligerents and Cub Sport and The Creases have been working hard for years and it's great seeing them selling out larger venues and finally getting the attention they deserve. It's been great watching newer bands like Good Boy, Bugs and Feels Club really start to kill it over the last 12 months too."

Balfe came to The Foundry from a once-a-week booking gig with stalwart local music night Trainspotters, at the Grand Central Hotel in the city, and says that taking the reins for The Foundry's booking spread was a unique learning experience for which no amount of theory could prepare him.

"Before I booked the Foundry, I was booking one night a week at Trainspotters, so going from one night a week to four nights a week has been one of the bigger challenges," he muses of the past 12 months. "Booking a venue isn’t really something you can get a degree or an apprenticeship for, it’s a lot of tacit knowledge and trial and error. You can't always please everyone and you’re not always going to have a sold-out show so you have to take the good with the bad. That and not getting too caught up in partying four nights a week!"

Brandon seems less concerned with the challenges thrown up during her year as venue manager — she quips that "trying to wrangle karaoke mics out of the iron grips of The Good Sports guys" stands out as her biggest trial in the job — but is effusive when recounting her high points: "Pulling off the Tame Impala afterparty DJ set even when everything was going wrong from my point of view, and seeing some incredible local bands (like Ivey and Lastlings) find their feet over the year. Also trying to be a mentor to the Foundry Bar Babies, and meeting all the amazing regulars who I ❤️."  

Balfe echoes Brandon's sentiments of the venue's collaborative nature; indeed, camaraderie is basically built into its framework, being the home of several local industry businesses from diverse walks to provide a vibrant and active community buzzing about The Foundry's halls.

Brandon does concede, however, that it hasn't all been smooth sailing and good-natured karaoke wrestling — especially when Byron Bay trio Skegss come to town, apparently.

"Foundry was my first time as venue manager, so I would have mountains of advice to tell past-me now," Brandon reflects. "Picking only one it would probably be: 'When things get hectic, take a mid-shift shower upstairs!' Or 'Don't let Skegss stay in the accommodation room.'"

Balfe, too, has come out the other side armed with fresh advice for his past self: "Mainly, like I mentioned earlier, you can't please everyone," he says. "It can be tricky having so many amazing artists and promoters in Australia but only limited space in the calendar. Also — pace yourself at BIGSOUND." 

Despite the odd spot of damaged property (or damaged liver, from the sounds), Balfe and Brandon are undeniably stoked with how The Foundry's first year has panned out, all things considered.

"As a team we really wanted to create a space that felt like home for the local alt/indie crowd in Brisbane, whilst also being the best-sounding small venue," Brandon says. "I think we nailed the brief on that.

"As an individual, I wanted to make a little mark on the Brisbane scene, and rise to the challenge of opening a dope venue. I'm pretty confident I did that too!"

For his part, Balfe was primarily concerned with creating "a relaxed, easy-going venue where everybody feels welcome" — "I think we've achieved that pretty well," he says — as well as boosting the scope of the venue's activities, a goal that remains on the booker's primary horizon as the venue prepares to blossom into its second year of activity.

"Obviously, booking bigger artists and events more and more often is the goal of any venue," he explains of his plans. "We’ve got some really exciting international bands coming through early next year and I'd love to keep booking more of that kind of stuff. However, it's also important to not forget what makes this venue great, and that’s the young, up-and-coming bands and promoters that are excited about putting on some of their first-ever shows."

That commitment to remembering where the venue came from, that its success is the product of several people's hard work and dedication, leads Balfe to ultimately and concisely reflect on his first year by way of "an old, ancient proverb" that rings as true today as whenever it was first uttered: "Don't be a dick. Just be nice." 

Additionally, although she's moved on to new pursuits, Brandon is deeply proud of her accomplishments — and those of The Foundry's team — over the past 12 months (plus, she got to see some shit, which never hurts). Looking back over the calendar, she has ample reason to be pleased with herself, and the venue — and comfortable that it's in a position to capably thrive in the future.

"Before we opened, Brisbane's nightlife had been expanding but the alt/indie scene was lacking in heart a bit," she explains. "I think The Foundry revived that. 

"I am always warmed by how much of a community the Foundry fostered; two gals once thanked me on the front verandah for managing the place, because they met each other at Foundo and they were best friends now. I love that shit."

So, with so many bands and solo artists and punters and industry types passing through The Foundry's doors, has there been any other particularly memorable moments in the past year?

"One time I walked into an otherwise empty greenroom and saw Bridie McQueenie doing body shots out of Nash Johnson's sunken chest," she says. "I'm glad I saw that."

We're glad we asked.

Tickets for The Foundry's First Birthday Party, proudly presented by The Music, are available now.