While Victoria’s music scene is reeling over the consistent loss of venues, Al Smith and Christina Morrison are filling the gap with The Coda. The two are no strangers to the music community and knew they had to step up to save what is left of a piece of history in Hermann’s Upstairs.
Smith and Morrison share their ties to the old Hermann’s Jazz Club as far back as they can remember.
“We both went to Hermann’s lots,” says Smith. “When we were younger and all through the years, and it has a super special place for both of us.”
Morrison says the space hosted her first gig when she started playing.
“I used to go to the jam sessions down there all the time because it was a place you knew that all the top musicians in town were going to be,” she says. “And they would teach you things.”
The personal attachment to the space and community made for an emotional decision when it came to saving this piece of local music history. With worry about the future tenants not jiving with the jazz club space below, they felt something had to be done.
“There was nothing except that we just didn’t want it to die, so we’re going to make it work,” says Morrison. “We didn’t want to see whatever this was affect Hermann’s downstairs because the sound travels [and] it might affect the success of the jazz club. [It] was super important to me Hermann’s Jazz Club sticks around.”
While making sure that sound quality is in check, there comes a price to pay for labour, even when it’s the at the expense of your own back. While Morrison handles the bookings, coordinates bands and permits, Smith has taken on sawdust and design.
“We’re so picky about the sound gear that goes in here. We 3D modelled this room and had it sound engineered,” says Smith. “Little dings in the walls—let it go, who cares? It better sound good.”
Community is a high priority for Smith and Morrison. They hope those who visit the venue come from all walks of life and appreciate a good groove and the hard work that goes into keeping music alive.
“We want to also build a following of people that just love live music,” says Smith.
Smith hopes when people decide to go out on a Friday they think of The Coda.
“[I hope people say] ‘I’m going to go and listen to some great music and hang out with some cool people. I know there’s going to be cool people there,’” says Smith.
With word spreading fast, Morrison says they have already received interest from out-of-town bands.
“We’ve had some touring bands call and ask if they could do part of their album release tours here,” she says.
Morrison is excited to continue the momentum and be able to accommodate musicians who hope to play for anything from small crowds up to a larger following of fans. The ability to have two separate rooms for beginner performers and larger-scale acts makes this one of the more versatile spaces for music performers and lovers.
While there is still lots to be done, the aim is to be open mid-February and to allow for all-ages daytime shows in the future.
“We’ve never done this before. So we’re using our combined experience… Coming together is a great combination for it to be able to work. And for so many musicians relying on this, and so much community relying on this, we just can’t fail. So… no pressure,” says Morrison with a laugh.