Now that Taix Lounge (also known as 321 Lounge) in Echo Park may be closing and is slated for reconstruction, I’ve been prematurely grieving the loss of my favorite musical home. There were a few venues where Rubyfish performed in the day that we all loved, but there was nothing for me like Taix. Though we are sheltering-at-home here in California, I am daydreaming of the time when I was doing regular shows at Taix, and like everyone, I am dreaming of a day when the world is a safer place and we can bring people together again.
When I think of how much I enjoyed Taix, I think of Mason Taylorson, the booker, who was supportive and encouraging, and helped make Taix the wonderful venue that it was. Mason would often ask me to play on short notice, and other times, would let me grab a last minute gig when I felt like playing. Several times I performed under a pseudonym; I could show up and play and not run into anyone, especially on Mason’s “Six Pack” nights where I would share the bill with six songwriters that I’d never heard of (sans Robbie Rist). Other times, Mason booked me with notable acts such as Mike Stinson, Juliette Lewis, Danny Harvey, Quazar and the Bamboozled, Dallas Don, and others.
