Are You A FOODIE?

Visalia On the Music Map-
Where it’s At: The Sound N Vision Foundation
by Daniel Rice

Perhaps unknown to many of its residents, Visalia has been developing into a cultural hotspot in recent years due to its burgeoning music scene. Hosting nationally touring bands that regularly play shows in venues with capacities ranging from the mid hundreds into the several thousands, not to mention nationally broadcasted late night TV show appearances (Vampire Weekend, Local Natives, Billy Corgan). As a short stop between the cultural Mecca’s of Los Angeles and San Francisco, Visalia has been able to offer both big name and up-and-coming independent bands an opportunity to play in intimate and engaging settings like Howie & Son’s Pizza, The Cellar Door, and even the Fox Theatre. This new music scene has been fostered almost entirely by one man with support from his friends, family, community leaders, and a cadre of volunteers. The man is Aaron Gomes, executive director of the Sound N Vision organization, a non-profit agency responsible for booking numerous national and local artists, as well as sponsoring arts events and promoting benefits and charitable efforts. Heading the list of recent accomplishments in 2010 is a free compilation CD called “Hope Vol. 1” which features local artists and benefits the Tulare County Suicide Prevention Task Force (www.sptf.org).
Other efforts that have benefited surrounding communities include money raised for local school music programs and numerous collaborations with local art organizations in sponsoring youth art events, including hosting several classes at the Tulare Boy’s and Girl’s Clubs. “The manager, Jenny Batista…has done a lot for us with the kids in being able to do different classes, and we’ll do that again this summer” says Gomes, who states that this summer’s event will allow kids an opportunity to learn music, rehearse it with professional musicians, design covert art for a CD, and, finally, record their music on a CD to take home. Gomes explains: “I just think back to being a kid, and everyone has those moments when it’s like –Wow! That really shaped who I became as an adult, and so I want to give kids that same chance to at least be exposed to music, art and multicultural events…because with that education, it will broaden who they are, and they may find themselves along the way.”
Gomes’ appreciation of the arts, especially music, began at an early age. His father led a church choir in Tulare, and musical instruments were always around at his family home in the small community of Waukena. Aaron recounts that his first experience at a live rock show, Fugazi on their tour supporting the album “Repeater”, was one of the inspirational moments that led to his involvement in music on a do-it-yourself level. Aaron continued to travel all over the West coast to shows with his friends, and eventually his wife. As the Gomes family grew with the addition of three children, Aaron and his wife Stephanie realized that traveling to their beloved concerts would be a thing of the past. Rather than give up on this part of their life, they decided to bring the shows to themselves, trading shows with other bands and booking the occasional big indie name at Cask ‘n’ Cleaver on South Mooney Blvd. Eventually, the organization as it exists today started to develop as Aaron’s vision began to intersect with that of others in the community. “We’re an official 501 c(3), so it’s a non-profit organization” says Gomes, “but before that, my wife and I would take on these shows with our teacher’s salaries”. At times incurring financial losses, a close friend and present board member advised Aaron Gomes to file for non-profit status. City manager Steve Solomon assisted with expediting the process with the IRS, “and within a matter of a couple of months we were set” says Gomes. With this step the financial questions of the organization’s early years were answered, and additional stability came to the organization with a socially conscious board of directors who shared Gomes’ vision for programs that benefited Visalia and surrounding communities.
Community leaders’ support for the creation of a constructive young adult nightlife is a no-brainer, and downtown businesses also stand to benefit economically as a result of late-night shows that support local restaurants as well as hotels sought by out-of-town concert attendees, says Gomes. “They all like this idea that it’s turning Visalia into an arts and music, progressive college town kind of feel with only a J.C., y’know?”. Gomes’ vision merging with that of Visalia’s civic leaders’ and area youth is nothing short of ideal, bridging a cultural gap often demarcated by age and social status – and this is thrilling for Sound N Vision’s leader. “When I grew up, skateboarding wasn’t all that cool and a lot of underground music wasn’t all that accessible, and so it was odd to become an adult and try to make this stuff happen for kids now and [have] everyone really embrace it.”
Sound N Vision’s status as a non-profit finally began to pay off within the last year, as Gomes relates: “For the first time, we started to get community donations…It was cool to see what started out as just this small thing that we wanted to see happen, with everyone else now fostering it and making it happen…I’ve always felt like we’re all in this together, but it was the first year where people really did step forward on a financial level…It’s cool to get high-fives and all that, but at the end of the day it’s all gotta make sense, and I think now it’s at a point where it’s going to sustain itself for as long as I can keep doing it or pass it on to someone else.”
Sound N Vision’s emphasis on community and volunteer work is central to their published mission statement (www.snvfoundation.org) according to Gomes. “We want people to come in with their ideas and let them do their thing, and we can just be like an outlet for them. I only have so much time during the day, I’m getting older, and it’d be cool if, y’know, people would come in and do their own thing through us.” Sound N Vision has also been exceptional in providing support for local musicians, often pairing these artists with nationally touring bands. “I think it’s cool if we put these bands with other bands that are coming through nationally, and they kind of get connected…with it and hopefully someone will pick up on it and move them along” says Gomes. “I love to, as much as I can, push locals…you always want to represent your town the best that you can.”
As for national bands, the appeal to play in Visalia is based on reputation – “The word of mouth through the artists has been big” Gomes says – “We treat people really well. The artists that come in, we’ll house them for free…and give them lots of food. The hospitality’s really good.” Still, the real draw for artists has to do with the music, and Visalia’s scene has it where it counts. “A lot of them play to bigger crowds here than in even bigger cities because we’ll get the advertising out, and the city’s been good with advertising for us.” This reputation has resulted in big-name bands like Modest Mouse and Sonic Youth’s Thurston Moore requesting to play in Visalia at pivotal points in their tours, not to mention careers in years past. The year 2011 also presents a big first step for the Sound N Vision organization with a confirmed 3-concert “residency” at the Cellar Door, featuring The Black Crowes’ frontman Chris Robinson and his exciting new band. In addition, Sound N Vision are currently working to secure some big names that are in route to play the 2011 Coachella Music Festival, as Gomes states: “Every April we host very popular bands from around the globe that are en route to Coachella. They enjoy playing an intimate show to a few hundred in Visalia, as opposed to tens of thousands at the outdoor festival. Just like fans like to see artists in intimate settings, bands often enjoy a more connected small show as well.”
For those valley residents not savvy to the world of independent music, it’s easy to begin. Sound N Vision’s shows are a great way for a person on a budget to attend big city caliber entertainment and get a firsthand look into the scene. Simply attending shows and paying the cover (usually only $5) helps to fund the organization’s efforts, though further donations are welcome and encouraged. The visual art-inclined also have a chance to be a part of Sound and Vision’s efforts to enrich the community. “I think I want to get away from just the shows” Gomes says. “I wanna have more of the art focus thing, and part of that is collaborating with the local art organizations.” These events have and will continue to be held in neighboring communities including Tulare, as “my idea of local is Central Valley” Gomes definitively states. Details on volunteering for local art events benefiting area youth can be obtained at www.snvfoundation.org.
For those who wish to assist in another manner, a primary concern for the Sound N Vision organization in 2011 is finding a new venue for all-ages shows. “Our all ages shows sort of diminished. That’s partly because the venue we primarily work at…wasn’t wanting as many shows” says Gomes – “So, I’ve been looking for an all-ages venue that would make some sense. I would have every show all-ages if I could.”
With its own unique challenges and exciting new possibilities, this upcoming year promises to be a dynamic new chapter in Visalia’s arts community, with myriad opportunities for local citizens to get involved. Considering the growth of its responsibilities, Sound N Vision will no doubt continue to expand its efforts to enrich the lives of those who reside in the Central Valley, requiring more volunteer support, donations, and increased dialogue with residents and community leaders.

“I’m really excited to see how Sound N Vision Foundation grows and evolves during this upcoming year.  As I look back, I’m amazed at our progress thus far.  It’s been quite a ride!” –Aaron Gomes
 

Go to Sound N Vision’s website at www.snvfoundation.org for more information including dates, times, and locations of events, as well as information on donations, volunteering, and other support.