as the covid-19 pandemic continues, many venues that were once filled with people are struggling to remain open. Bring Music Home — written by former Rolling Stone events head Amber Mundinger and Tamara Deike, with art direction by Kevin W. Condon — documents the crisis with photographs of more than 200 empty venues across the country, and more than 375 interviews. A portion of the profits will go directly to the National Independent Venue Association, which has lobbied Congress for much-needed relief for venues. “We wanted to save something we saw early on as so vital to our culture and yet so very vulnerable,” Mundinger says. Adds Condon: “I’m just terrified of watching venues wither, and I truly hope it doesn’t happen. I hope that this book does something to remind people they can help.”
THE STONE PONY, ASBURY PARK, N.J.
“It’s beyond flattering to have somebody like that come on board to help,” Condon says of photographer Danny Clinch.
HEIGHTS THEATER, HOUSTON
“We had a T-shirt made, and all proceeds went to staff who were out of work,” writes events manager Adrienne Joseph.
KINGS THEATRE, BROOKLYN
The team at the ornately refurbished theater, says Mundinger, is led by a group of “amazing women [who] support the Flatbush community fiercely.”
Bring Music Home bringmusic home.com $75
MAJESTIC THEATRE, SAN ANTONIO
“I remember thinking about the countless concerts that have been ongoing for the past 90 years and suddenly came to a dead stop,” says photographer Oscar Moreno. “There was this eerie silence throughout the theater — not your normal silence of an empty venue.”
BOOTLEG THEATER, L.A.
“You could feel the magic in the room even with absolutely no one else around,” producer Daniel Oakley says of the hip warehouse venue.
NEIGHBORHOOD THEATER, CHARLOTTE, N.C.
“The message on the marquee is something we all feel,” says photographer Justin Smith.
BOWERY ELECTRIC, NEW YORK
“We all grew up down here, going to hardcore matinees, drinking 40s on the street,” Jesse Malin, musician and co-owner of the downtown venue, writes in the book. “I don’t think I’ve ever met a more New York musician,” Condon says of Malin.