Hailing from the land of steel plants, abandoned warehouses, overgrown canals, and dirty, dirty rain, The Loft Collective is a community focused on expression and creativity outside the normal for-profit channels and venues found mostly in larger cities and agreed upon as the gatekeepers of “good” music and art.
Phew. Make it through all that? That is to say, Loft Co. is a bunch of friends who appreciate each others’ work and try to help each other out in the search for sustainable ways to create on their own terms. Because it’s like, fun. And stuff.
Friendship is the key concept. Started in Trenton, Ohio, in 2003, Loft Co. began as a small group of musicians playing in a shared practice space graciously provided by the Smallwood family. The space became a meeting place for musical and creative types. Never tied to a single genre, diverse bands like Angry Ryan and the Nosebreakers, The Industry, NMMBO, Delhi Drive, Yale, and Slay Bells sprang up among members of the collective. Friendships were formed and rivalries developed, many of which continue to this day. More than any band, website, or location, these bonds and connections make up the true Loft Collective.
Much has happened since. The Smallwoods’ original loft practice space has become a full-fledged studio called Avalon. In many ways, it is still the musical heart of the collective– Loft Co. bands often record, mix, and master here.
Meanwhile, the collective has expanded from Trenton into surrounding Middletown, Franklin, Hamilton, and elsewhere. Yes… Hamilton! Clearly, Loft Co. is well on its way to world domination. With the expansion, new bands like Orange Lazarus, Invisible Strings and Okay Lindon began making significant contributions.
In Spring 2006, some members of the collective moved into the Loft Co. House at 2020 Central Ave. in Middletown. The house has become a sort of meeting place for the collective– a place for ideas, the occasional show, and of course, friendships to arise. It has also earned a reputation as a slightly stinky, slightly crazy party house at times. It can’t be all productivity all the time, one supposes…
From its beginnings as a few bands above a garage to a collective which records its own albums, organizes, books, and promotes its own shows, does its own design, and even makes its own T-shirts, Loft Co. has come a long way. After a number of releases and a myriad of shows by member bands locally and regionally, the members of the collective look forward to continuing their work and meeting new friends along the way.
The immediate future holds releases by a number of bands, more shows and touring, and the aforementioned world domination. Ok, perhaps not the last one. The collective DOES intend to expand its focus beyond music to the talented visual artists and writers among our friends. Eventually, this website will showcase many of their efforts as well.