Bobby sits soundlessly
on the stool and begins his song with no introduction. Fingers become one with
guitar as he weaves an introspective refrain. He repeats it several times, his
eyes fixed on a crack in the floor as if it contained all the pain, mystery and
wonder of mankind. He looks up and takes a singer’s breath—deep, not desperate.
His voice pierces the air. It is haunting and sweet. It is the chill of winter
and the hope of spring. It is a searching soul. After his fingers pluck the
last note, the audience remains transfixed and silent for a few beats before erupting
into applause.
According to Bobby Swingler, music not only allows
him to escape, but it takes him to a higher place.
“(Musical performance) is an outlet for stress and
for describing things that words alone can’t really do justice,” Swingler said.
When Swingler started school in Provo, he discovered
the local live music scene and fell in love. One live music venue in particular
caught his eye: the Velour Live Music Gallery.
“What Velour’s owner, Corey, has created there— the
eclectic atmosphere, the unique setting of the Velour is what caught my
attention,” Swingler said.
The Velour Live Music Gallery sits on N. University
Avenue. Inside, the ambiance is comfortable and mysterious. The walls host
eccentric decorations, including but not limited to bizarre paintings and rare
guitars. Crimson velvet drapes frame the stage. Colored spotlights shine softly
on performers. A vintage chandelier hangs on the ceiling and stained glass
windows grace the back of the stage, adding an element of reverence to the
room.
Swingler got his start playing Open Mic Nights at
Velour on Tuesday nights. After Swingler’s second time performing at an Open
Mic Night, Velour owner Corey Fox pulled him aside and requested his contact information.
A few weeks later, Swingler played two paid weekend shows at Velour.
Taj Sivertsen, a sophomore at BYU, attended one of Swingler’s
shows. Sivertsen is a self-proclaimed “live music junkie.”
“Bobby is so talented. I loved how the unique and
intimate feel of the venue added to his music. I felt connected to his
performance,” Sivertsen said.
Not all Provo citizens are as supportive of venues
like Velour as Swingler and Sivertsen are.
“Personally, I have no interest in going to Velour,”
Justin Smith, BYU senior said. “It just seems like a bunch of hipsters hanging
out, listening to quiet music and thinking they’re better than everyone else.”
When asked what he thought of the alleged snobby
stereotypes associated with the Velour Live Music Gallery, Swingler claimed he
had not even noticed any stereotypes.
“There is actually a very eclectic mix of different
musical genres at Velour, and with that comes a wide variety of personalities,”
Swingler said. “There are surprises waiting at Velour for those who haven’t
experienced it yet. For example, some people don’t even realize that huge names
like Imagine Dragons, Fictionist and The Moth & the Flame all got their
start at Velour.”
Swingler invites Provo citizens to set any
preconceived notions aside and to give local live music venues a try.
