Last Call for The Electric Company on Varick St.
By: Chelsea Rarrick
Updated: May 11, 2012
Part owner, Anthony Donaldson, or as the community knows him, "Zee," says they have run their course with The Electric Company on Varick St. in Utica.
Opening it up back in 2002, Zee says the main purpose was to have a place to showcase independent bands and live music.
And as a musician, it's only natural that Donaldson would have a love for music.
Traveling to places like Rochester, Syracuse, and Albany for live shows, back in 2002 he realized something was missing.
"There were no shows coming here in Utica at all, so when this opportunity presented itself, we took the ball and ran with it," said Donaldson.
The bar has focused on being a spot in Utica for independent live music for the last 10 years.
"There were a lot of cover bands in the area and still are, but we were trying to sway away from that and let people open up their creativity," said Donaldson.
One of those given the chance to share that creativity was lifelong Utican, Rick Short.
"Seeing musicians get on the stage, being invited onto the stage as a musician, it was inspirational and motivational. You go to not only perform and do what you what to do, you got to see a ton of other performers do what they do," said Short.
"You get a diverse group, but you get a lot of different musical acts that would never come to Utica, except to come play at The Electric Company from all over the place," said Gabe Lockwood.
With the Electric Company providing the stage as a second home for many musicians, some can't help but wonder what's going to happen to the live music.
"The independent music scene doesn't exist in Utica other than this place, and also local musicians have played many open mics here and so many bands have gotten their start here in this place," said longtime customer, Eric Phillips.
And while it may be a sad time for some music lovers, there is always going to be hope for the future.
Opening it up back in 2002, Zee says the main purpose was to have a place to showcase independent bands and live music.
And as a musician, it's only natural that Donaldson would have a love for music.
Traveling to places like Rochester, Syracuse, and Albany for live shows, back in 2002 he realized something was missing.
"There were no shows coming here in Utica at all, so when this opportunity presented itself, we took the ball and ran with it," said Donaldson.
The bar has focused on being a spot in Utica for independent live music for the last 10 years.
"There were a lot of cover bands in the area and still are, but we were trying to sway away from that and let people open up their creativity," said Donaldson.
One of those given the chance to share that creativity was lifelong Utican, Rick Short.
"Seeing musicians get on the stage, being invited onto the stage as a musician, it was inspirational and motivational. You go to not only perform and do what you what to do, you got to see a ton of other performers do what they do," said Short.
"You get a diverse group, but you get a lot of different musical acts that would never come to Utica, except to come play at The Electric Company from all over the place," said Gabe Lockwood.
With the Electric Company providing the stage as a second home for many musicians, some can't help but wonder what's going to happen to the live music.
"The independent music scene doesn't exist in Utica other than this place, and also local musicians have played many open mics here and so many bands have gotten their start here in this place," said longtime customer, Eric Phillips.
And while it may be a sad time for some music lovers, there is always going to be hope for the future.
