Geoff Cass’ passion for music grew while jamming with other musicians at the Elbow Room on Elgin Street. There, he met lifelong friends with whom he would go on to play for decades. Years later, Cass is paying it forward by opening a live music venue in Old Ottawa South that caters to musicians.
Cass hopes the new venue, named Red Bird, will serve as a hub for the music community that includes all ages and backgrounds when it opens on Oct. 1.
The music venue will serve Italian bar food alongside a café menu. Cass said he is also planning on offering music lessons through the venue, hiring a variety of experienced instructors to teach guitar, drums, banjo, vocals and more, in four private teaching spaces.
“We’re going with a really comfortable lounge-type feeling, [like a] neighborhood living room,” he said.
The venue will feature mostly acoustic Americana acts, but Cass said he plans to eventually expand into gospel and other genres.
“There’s a lack of venues for singer-songwriter acoustic acts that want to attract about 100 people,” Cass said. “I’m not trying to compete with the other venues, just fill a void that I think has been here for a long time.”
Mike Murphy, a local acoustic musician, agreed with Cass. He said that there’s a need for more live acoustic venues with a capacity for larger acts.
“A lot of bands have been condensed into duos in wake of the pandemic,” Murphy said.
Cass said he fears the loss of a lot of recreational musicians in the wake of the pandemic and his goal with Red Bird is to offer a place for performers of all levels to connect.
“[The pandemic is] going to be a pretty significant talent drain I think,” he said. “I wanted to have a place for musicians to land when we’re able to get going again.”
Dax Cardoso-Grant, a drummer in the local band Sorry Snowman, said his band has felt the COVID-19 struggle.
“Before COVID-19, it was a lot easier to book gigs,” he said. “Cancellations are really common, especially when bands have to book so far in advance.”
Growing up playing hockey in Toronto, Cass got the chance to practice at Maple Leaf Gardens, home of the Toronto Maple Leafs. He equates this experience of playing in the same arena as professional hockey teams to what student musicians will feel at Red Bird.
“[Music] students can come and see really great musicians play… and sort of have that inspiration to work at what they’re doing,” Cass said.
Students will have access to professional equipment and get the chance to perform onstage, according to Cass. Cardoso-Grant said this pairing of lessons with live music is not one he’s seen before.
“I’ve seen this from music shops, but I’ve never heard of a venue that offers music lessons,” he said.
Even patrons will be encouraged to participate in impromptu jam sessions, Cass said. He has already begun collecting acoustic instruments that will be available to the public and there will be a piano available at all times. With this open access to instruments, Cass said he hopes to build the confidence of emerging performers.
As an avid birder with a background in environmental science, environmental sustainability is also a priority for Cass.
“All of our decisions will be made with an environmental lens,” he said.
More specifically, he said Red Bird will use compostable takeout containers and maximize the sustainability of its lighting, HVAC system, air quality and cleaning supplies.
Cardoso-Grant said that Red Bird’s inclusivity of a younger crowd is a welcome change.
“A lot of the venues in Ottawa are geared toward an older audience and there’s a definite need for younger spots,” he said.
Music lovers can visit Red Bird when the venue opens to the public next month at 1165 Bank St.
Featured image by Saif Rahman.
