By: Jordan Castaldo, Staff Writer
Located on 25 Temple Street in Portland, the Portland House of Music provides a place for a wide variety of people, generally over the age of 21, to experience new and local bands for a cheap price. Not only do they provide music lovers a place to see great bands, but they also create a safe, enjoyable space for local bands to perform. Tickets are easily accessible online to these bands and shows and can often be bought at the door for walk up sales, if the show is not sold out. Owner Ken Bell previously owned The Big Easy in Portland, but decided it was time for a change. Jamie Isaacson, Bell’s business partner, and Bell himself therefore created the Portland House of Music. The two conducted a simple yet meaningful mission statement. Bell explains the first part of the mission statement. Bell says,
“…[To] support local, regional and national talent in an intimate venue setting that values the artist and the guest experience.”
Portland House of Music also looks to embrace the chance to host music in the form of varying artists as well as events. This unique house has hosted every event from a wedding reception to a nonprofit fundraiser, with the hopes of bettering the community and while embracing Portland’s diversity and love for the arts. Many of the events are for people 21 years and older, but the venue may actually be useful to USM students and faculty. With their easily accessible website and fast e-mail response times, Portland House of Music may be the next best place to host any large event, for people of all ages. Bell discusses what else they have had the opportunity of hosting.
“We have hosted multiple under 21 events including concerts, proms, fundraisers, dance parties, and private events.”
The locally owned venue attracts a wide assortment of local bands and musicians at all levels of skill. With the professional atmosphere containing a large stage with quality lights and marvelous sound, Portland House of Music attracts musicians who really want to share their music and become successful. It is an opportunity for them to play for a big audience with an adept environment. You may never catch the same kind of show twice. Though they do host quite a number of funk, soul, jam and rock bands. The venue, located in downtown Portland, is able to hold up to 300 people, with easy access to hotels, restaurants, parking and scenic views.
With his previous experience managing The Big Easy for eight years, Bell’s Portland House of Music turned out to be everything he ever wanted and more. It is a place of comfort for musicians and music lovers alike. Many of the artists who have played on the stage of Portland House of Music have proceeded on to multiple levels of success. In fact, many Portland artists are currently on tour throughout the country, playing the music they once shared at the club for the country.
Because of Bell’s love for live music and working with musicians, he created something that all of Portland gets to enjoy. This music-loving owner believes that his responsibility and ownership of the club and its environment makes for a comfortable place for live musicians to play and music lovers alike to attend. Bell states,
“I love working with musicians and watching them display their creativity and talent. I believe that as a club owner, it is both the responsibility of the band as well as the club to get people in the doors. I feel I need to do my part to create an environment that people want to go to no matter who is on stage.”
This month, there is a wide variety of artists and events performing at the club including “DAMN Gina and The Red Eye Flight Crew Summer Residency” every Monday night, “The Maine Dead Project Summer Residency” every Wednesday night, “The Awesome” and so many more. Every show begins and concludes at a different time. To find out the exact time of the shows you’d like to see, visit portlandhouseofmusic.com or call (207) 805-0134 for more details. To book a private event for your club, corporation, school, etc. and for details on package pricing, be sure to email Ken Bell at [email protected].