There is little more inspiring than a community effort to create a haven for art and music. It’s no surprise that we find such an effort coming to life in the heart of Sedona, Arizona’s own mystical center. Studio Live is much more than an intimate venue for locals in-the-know, it is the heart of a growing collective of artists, musicians, and volunteers unified in their commitment to promoting local arts in Sedona.
A recent visit to the area brought the fortunate encounter with one of the Studio’s songwriter circles featuring Sedona musicians Decker, Jake Payne, Jay Fout, and Saith. The area has been harboring some of the state’s more promising songwriters, apparently, and the drive definitely proved worth the experience. Decker, who goes by his surname (his first name is Brandon), and Saith, who goes by his middle name but will reply to “Muffin” according to his stage banter, sandwiched the songwriters’ round. Decker’s doleful tunes remain upliftingly playful, creating the unique binary experience found in the comfort of shared woe. I, for one, will be marking the calendar for his October 15th album release. Jake Payne was the evening’s trump. Having the privilege of crossing his musical path before, I see that Payne’s development finds him continually sculpting an exquisitely crafted sound to support the meditative and wistfully observant lyrics of his songs.
The space of the venue itself is a live music aficionado’s little haven. The size of a hole-in-the-wall dive, the Studio surprises unsuspecting visitors with its dark, pristine interior and impressive sound and lighting capabilities… the perfect setting for intimate encounters with performers. April Payne, one of the site’s volunteers, explained that Studio Live was a sideline endeavor of musician Suzie Schomaker and other Sedonaites (Sedonaians?) who began meeting to organize a community effort to push forward local talent by constructing an informational website for Sedona music.
Studio Live has also joined forces with other local art events such as Sedona’s annual Gumptionfest, set for September 11th and 12th this year. Gumptionfest started five years ago as a way to draw attention to the growing group of younger artists in town. This year’s event will feature hundreds of artists, musicians and vendors from the area as well as a local arts gallery and a host of activities for the whole family.
Community, cooperation, and art… I’m all about it, and Sedona has a good thing going with Studio Live as its new hub for a growing movement committed to local arts. Get out to Gumptionfest to catch up on all the new life in this town or check out Studio Live and support your local artists!
