BY DOMONIQUE TOLLIVER
If you know, you know. Couches is back to uplift artists and provide the community with a place to vibe.
“It's primarily a turn down kickback vibe show. Kind of something a little different than the normal turn ups scenes, we are an alternative to them,” Wilson said. “We really wanted to feature artists in intimate settings.”
Even though Couches launched in 2014, they took a break after the COVID-19 pandemic erupted and shut down the world. The group is needed as the pandemic barred artists from live performances and as a result, from making a living. Lead producer Michael Wilson said he wouldn't necessarily describe the group as a collective, but as a platform for artists to come and perform.
The nightlife entertainment group heavily focuses on the vibe of their spaces, filling performances with large couches and comfortable seating.
Wilson himself is a lover of live music and wanted to create a show that connects artist and audience. The group focuses on all senses as they highlight the smells and tastes in the event.
Wilson said when creating a show, the group focuses on sight lines – setting up the space to where everyone can enjoy the show.
“I think the design of the show is meant to kind of break down that invisible wall between the artist and the listener, and to try to really open up that exchange of energy and vulnerability,” he said. “I find those to be the most magical shows, the most special shows, where you kind of all feel like you're on the same plane and you're not just watching somebody from a distance. You can really feel their presence.”
Wilson said making this intimate space also allows the artists to feel the audience and get a sense of who they're sharing space with.
Producers C. Gypsi Lewis and Lenny Raney are significant to Couches as they add special touches to the show’s environment and overall feel.
“They came on a couple years into the show but Gypsi is a really amazing vibe curator and alchemist with drinks, tinctures and smells,” Wilson said. “Lenny is one of the founders of Ascendance, a collective in the city which is a bit different from us.”
Ascendance is a collective of artists who host monthly events aligned with community interests. While many people may assume Couches is a collective, Wilson said they don't feel that title fits the group.
“The three of us, we talk about this, like what Couches is and how we're set up versus how Ascendance is set up, and it's not exactly the same,” he said. “To be honest, I think we're still kind of navigating that and figuring out what it looks like as we grow.”
The group works to heavily curate the best spaces for artists to flourish and for the audience to find a place of connection.
“It's meant to kind of highlight artists that we want to really signal boost because we feel really moved by them and their work,” Wilson said.
Wilson said the shows benefit the community in two ways – to support the artists and to create the best show for the audience.
“The big thing with what I want to accomplish is I want to be able to put artists on in a setting where they're well received. And sometimes when you're a new artist, that's hard to do,” he said. “You end up taking opening slots or low paying slots. We're trying to make it possible to put people on who maybe don't have a huge audience, but then we work to make sure that people want to come to the show, regardless of who's performing.”
While New Orleans is a community of artists, Wilson said the show is larger than just the city. The show travels and has grown significantly, but that has come with its challenges.
“I told somebody the other day, for years I was cool to be that ‘if you know, you know’ show. The truth is, that gets harder and harder the longer you're in the game,” he said.
Couches is giving the community what they never know they needed– a space to unwind, connect with others and be exposed to new artists.
“I want the audience to feel really good about coming to spend their money and hopefully make what they've experienced worthwhile. ”
PHOTOGRAPHY BY SOFIA LUCIANO SANTIAGO
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