by Travis Mateer

I was reminded in a circuitous way how critical it is that someone pays attention and documents what’s happening in a microcosm like Missoula. By paying attention to things, like the loud silence from the stage at the Top Hat, and then documenting it, things might even change.

It started off with a flyer at Ear Candy Music for a poetry reading happening at Free Cycles. I ended up going to the reading, but that’s a post for another day. What’s important is the venue, and how a synchronistic article in the Missoulian clued me in to something stirring at the Top Hat.

Before we get to the quote, I’d like to give a nod to the reporter, Cory Walsh, who has lasted at the Missoulian for quite some time. And for THIS type of reporting, I’m hoping Nick Checota gives him some free tickets, or maybe Nick can help run his non-profit arts/music venue capital campaign, were he to desire one.

The most important thing about this excerpt is what you will NOT read, and that’s the name of Checota’s music biz, Logjam Presents. The emphasis is definitely mine:

The re-opening for live music, which occurred over the course of several years through multiple surges, changed the landscape of available venues. Bars like Monk’s and the Union Club have resumed concerts; new ones like Stave & Hoop and Old Post host live music; others, like the Top Hat, have not booked indoor concerts since March 2020. The company is “looking to restart music at the Top Hat this fall,” according to Ryan Torres, vice president of marketing and communications. 

The company? Does the company have a name? Yes, Ryan Torres works for a company, and that company’s name is Logjam Presents.

Ryan looks like a nice guy, possibly a little stoned on Checota’s side-gig, which is weed, but pretty laid back. Were we to see his smiling face on my little blog, Ryan might wonder why I’m harshing on his good times.

There’s a lot of reasons I’m cranky, Ryan, and none of them have anything to do with you, so good luck on “looking to restart” music at Nick’s restaurant.

And if it doesn’t happen, well, I’ll be curious to find out why.

Thanks for reading!