In connection with local bands, Flavor World helps sponsor house concerts at The Chop Shop, a DIY venue in Southeast Como. Flavor World started as a clothing brand but has since grown into a record label set on exploring all types of artistic media.
“[Flavor World] started as an outlet for my creative endeavors, and as it’s grown, it’s kind of become an outlet for other people’s creative endeavors,” said Drew Kinkade, the founder of Flavor World.
This collaboration comes after years of Como house shows.
“Como has a really rich culture of house shows,” said Elijah Awada, co-founder of The Chop Shop.
There have long been DIY house venues around the area. But, because most of the houses are rented, they last for one or two years, gain a kind of a legendary status and then go away, according to Awada.
Awada cited The Aquarium as one specific inspiration. The Aquarium was another DIY venue in a house in Como, active until the hosts’ lease ended in August.
“I like the idea that we are a part of this culture,” Awada said.
Como’s population of mainly University students and young adults creates a high demand for the types of concerts The Chop Shop hosts: providing cheap tickets, rowdy crowds and an easily accessible location. This was evident at their show on March 18, with an attendance of about 250 people.
The night included performances by Nothing to Do, The Culture, Rawtwhylah and ZippoMan, all met by a lively crowd.
“You’re really just feeding off the energy of your own community,” said Charmaine Douglas, the leader and manager of The Culture, an alternative neo-soul rock band.
The Culture is currently working on an album called “Morning Glory,” which they hope to adapt into a short film this summer.
The Chop Shop co-founders want to host a diverse collection of bands, whether that’s rock, punk, jazz, R&B or anything else, according to Awada.
“It’s really cool to not be in a bar,” said Mike Green, who played for the third time at The Chop Shop on March 18, this time with drummer Rawtwhylah. “It’s kind of nice to have just more like a community of people.”
The Chop Shop, with support from Flavor World, hopes to help grow the music scene in the Twin Cities, according to Chop Shop co-founder Beck Schacht. By creating space for emerging artists to play and be heard, they continue to work toward this goal.
The Chop Shop’s most recent show was on March 25, with performances by Big Delicious, Lunar Moth, Scam Likely and Dial Tone.
The Chop Shop’s next show is scheduled for April 15 with the lineup yet to be announced.
