10/21/2016
Seven years ago this week I opened The Basement. Around this time of year I always get nostalgic and a little sad. Closing The Basement was one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make. It felt like a part of me died.
I've been thinking a lot lately about all the friendships and positive memories that I made during those years that I was lucky enough to be involved in the local music scene in Ogden. I then think about all the hard work so many people put in to building a wonderfully amazing local music scene. I get a little sick when I look around and see how far it has fallen.
I've recently been toying with the idea of reopening The Basement. Honestly, I'm not sure anyone even cares about music anymore. Back when we opened, we took a functioning scene and amplified it, allowing everyone to prosper. Towards the end of the three years that I was involved in the scene, I watched it go from thriving to struggling in a few short months. I think part of that was my fault. I stopped caring about the music and the people and I started looking to make money. I watched friendships falter, for which I take full responsibility. To all those people that I hurt or offended during this time, I am deeply sorry for my role in allowing our friendships to suffer.
More often lately I've had this feeling that there was unfinished business with The Basement, like I walked away too soon. I wonder what would have happened if I had kept it open. I am happy with where I am today, but I don't take defeat well, and I feel like I need to try again to prove that I can come out on top.
Ogden deserves better than it's gotten over the past few years. It deserves a venue where musicians can share their passion. It deserves a place where art can flourish. I'm sorry that I abandoned you, Ogden. I don't know if Ogden is ready yet, and I don't know if I could take the rejection again if it didn't work out.
I just can't shake the feeling that Ogden needs The Basement. I'm not convinced that now is the right time. Nobody has proven to me that a venue in Ogden is viable at this point. Not yet, anyway.
If you've taken the time to read this, sorry it was so long. I just needed to get some things off my chest.
RIP, The Basement...Gone but not forgotten.
