The Monster on 3rd Ave: A Night at the Trunk Space

PHOENIX - The Trunk Space is the only venue in Phoenix where patrons are greeted by a mural of a giant, green-horned monster smiling at the audience from behind the stage.

In some ways, the monster reflects the non-profit venue’s attitude towards arts and music. On its website, the Trunk Space advertises itself as an “an open, uncensored space for performance and art of all kinds, with an emphasis on that of the weirdo persuasion.”

“You don’t need to audition, if the day is open on the calendar, it’s yours.” said Andrew Tait, a regular volunteer at the Trunk Space.

The Trunk Space, located on 3rd St. and Roosevelt, has a history of hosting artists of all genres and backgrounds ranging from indie pop to noise music. Its all-ages policy allows these artists to showcase their work to all audiences, including younger audiences that may get turned away from other venues.

On Tuesday, that day on the calendar was taken by the indie pop singer Lael Neale, playing the second stop on her Star Eaters Delight tour. She was supported by Morphia Slow, a local singer-songwriter, and Seattle-based indie pop artist Lane Lines.

At this show, Tait was volunteering behind the front desk checking and selling tickets, which he said range from eight to twenty dollars. According to him, the venue averages around 50 people per show, and splits ticket sales in a way that favors the artists.

“We normally split 50/50, but we cap the venue’s cut at $200, and the rest goes to the artists.” Tait said.

Tait has been an unofficial volunteer since the venue first opened in 2004, at its former location on Grand Ave, and an official volunteer since 2016.

“I started coming because of my cousin’s band, and then for other bands, and then I just started coming without knowing who’s playing.” Tait said.

In 2015, the venue was forced to relocate from their original venue on Grand Ave. where the venue had been located since it opened in 2004. Tait attributes the move to a rent hike that the venue couldn’t afford.

After they were forced out of Grand Ave., the Trunk Space held pop-up shows at various locations, until they were offered space on the grounds of Grace Lutheran Church in 2016 where they remain today.

Mandi Kines performed at Tuesday’s show under her stage name Lane Lines, and she’s been playing at the venue since 2012, at their original location. She sees the Trunk Space as a venue where artists can experiment, without the expectations other venues and audiences might place on smaller artists.

“It’s a place to just try something, a place to take risks.” Kines said.

She values the venue’s all-ages policy and lack of alcohol, which allows her to play to all audiences.

“It was one of the few venues I was allowed to visit, and it gives children and young adults access to live music. Also, the fact that it’s sober is a plus.” Kines said.

Kines is a Phoenix native currently based in Seattle, who makes a point to play at the Trunk Space whenever she’s in town.

Logan Nordhoff, 21, is a volunteer sound engineer for the Trunk Space who ran the mixing desk for Tuesday’s show. As a volunteer, he helps bands set up their instruments, and controls the sound and house lights from a small mixing desk.

He has volunteered at the venue for the past five years, which he does roughly twice a month. The venue is entirely run by volunteers, who receive a gas and meal stipend according to Nordhoff.

Nordhoff originally started to come to the venue as a teenager, and he said that the venue’s all-ages policy is a key reason he became a regular at the venue.

“As a teenager, it’s easier to convince your parents to let you see a punk show at a church than it is at, say, a bar.” Nordhoff said.

Nordhoff is also in a band called the Logan and Kyle Experience, which has played shows at the Trunk Space.

Compared to the other venues he’s played at, he prefers the Trunk Space for its open atmosphere and willingness to let more “out-there” acts showcase their music.

“I remember seeing three high school kids do a noise show with a folding table and some scrap metal with contact mics. You’re not going to see that at the Valley Bar.” Nordhoff said.

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