Cave 9 interview with Angelica

AP: So what started or how did the whole Cave 9 venue start in Birmingham?
Angelica: My partner Aaron and I have been friends for a while... one day we were talking and kind of like dreaming (like if I won the lottery, this is what I would do).... he's wanted to do something like this for a while (he used to work at American Beat in Birmingham)we started talking about it seriously--like how much it would cost, where we'd want it, etc... I called around, found the place where we are now and told him we needed to look at it... we're getting a great deal, so there's no reason for us to close.

AP: Awesome. So do you guys split the responsiblities? Like what duties do you take care of...anything specific?
Angelica: I wanted to do it because of what I'd seen in Birmingham lately... there were venues (gone now) that just didn't feel right. I wanted something safe and fun and open to everyone... not snobbish We kind of split it, but I am MAINLY responsible for the money end (rent, lease stuff, etc), and he is mainly responsible for booking, but we switch it up or pick up the slack in other areas. We have a great working relationship.

AP: So do you just book shows as bands get in touch with you? I remember him saying something like you can only do shows on certain days cause your landlord gets the days inbetween shows or something?
Angelica: We book shows as bands get in touch with us... we try not to do more than 3 per week... sometimes we go over that... we don't want to over saturate the birmingham scene, and we both have pretty busy lives outside of cave9 (full time jobs, Aaron is married, I go to school at night).

AP: What are you going to school for?
Angelica: I am an education major concentrating in English... I want to teach high school.
AP: How long have you been going to school?
Angelica: oooooooohhhhhh.... a LONG time... I graduated high school in 1996. I go part time and I pay for it myself, it's tough, but totally worth it. Hopefully I'll graduate before I'm 30.
AP: Yeah, I graduated last year from the University of Southern Mississippi.
Angelica: What was your major?
AP: My major was Graphic Design. I was pretty relieved to get out of there.
Angelica: That's pretty good...do you do all of the artwork for the band? It's really good stuff.
AP: Thanx, I get into it. I really like graphic design and the ability to be able to explore new ideas and media. I mean I majored in graphic design but i don't have the desire to go work for a corporate advertising agency so i can do conservative layouts for banks and hospitals.
Angelica: that's really cool... we have a great local band called plate six... 2 of the three members are graphic design guys... they have some really good stuff.

AP: So who does the promoting part for the shows at Cave 9?
Angelica: I do most of the fliers. If we have a local on a show, they do fliers... we try to have a flier with at least a weeks worth of shows posted...
Angelica: one of the reasons I want to teach is because it actually means something... you're shaping your own future based on how well you prepare your kids for theirs.

AP: So are you originally from Birmingham?
Angelica: I'm from Montevallo, about 30 minutes south of Birmingham.

AP: So then you probably been going to shows in Birmingham for some time? What was the first show you went to if you can remember?
Angelica: Actually, I haven't been going to shows for that long... I was really really really painfully shy. I wouldn't go because it would just about kill me to be around that many people. I think I'm reliving a lot of what I missed out on through this
AP: I've played in Montevallo before, its a pretty quaint town with what seems like a small population. Do you like the coziness of Montevallo better or the city life? Angelica: I love living in Birmingham. I love it. There's so much to do, and even though it is the biggest city in Birmingham, it still feels cozy.

AP: What are some of your favorite shows to put on or watch, as far as the kinds of bands that play?
Angelica: I love This Bike is a Pipe Bomb... they are super super nice people and they put on an awesome show... The Against Me! show was awesome too because they pulled such an emotional response from the crowd. I like the shows where the bands have something to say and they actually believe in what they are saying... oh, and you guys OF COURSE.

AP: Ha ha ha, sweet talking. Do you ever get stressed out with the bigger shows?
Angelica: Oh my god! We had Hopesfall play a couple of weeks ago... we had about 500 kids come out to that show... we had to cut off the door... the bands did two shows so everyone could get in.... that show was really really stressful... we kept running out of bottled water, and it was super hot inside... but, everything went smoothly... as stressful as it may get, it is still always a lot of fun
AP: As long as you're having fun is all that matters.
Angelica: we are having a blast... I would love to do just this, and not have to worry about having a "real" job.

AP: Have you had any complaints from neighbors or getting hassled by the cops since you've opened up? Angelica: none at all... it's weird... It's good, but weird. All of the businesses around us close at 5pm, so we don't bother them... we make sure we abide by the Birmingham city curfew for the underaged kids... the only real complaint we've had has been about trash... we've been making sure to clean all of the surrounding parking lots and sweeping the sidewalks really well as to not get on anyone's nerves... we don't want to lose what we've got, and by being a pain in the ass to our community would be the best way to do it.
AP: Right on
AP: Do you guys ever have like strangers walking down the street and poke their head in while a show is going on? Like ask "what all this about?" and just kind of wonder in? I saw some shady guys at the show the other night who seemed a little out of it, you get alot of older folks like that alot at the shows?
Angelica: Sometimes we do, but we can't really turn them away... they usually leave pretty quickly anyway... the only thing we can do about the shady folks is watch them and try to protect our kids. Aaron and I are really good about watcvhing out for our kids.

AP: Has anybody gotten naked at a show yet?
Angelica: Treephort gets naked at every show... well... Kyle does at least. They are completely bonkers. Aaron said he got naked one night while he was in there alone before we opened, just to bond with the building... but honestly I don't think he really did

AP: Whats the deal with the toilet on the second floor? Its just kind of out in the open. Is it functional?
Angelica: It was in the building when we moved in... we found all kinds of crazy stuff. I think it's funny. I'm sure it would work if it was hooked up.

AP: So you guys live there at the venue or somebody else does or nobody does? I thought i heard somebody said that some guy lived there during the off days?
Angelica: No... I live a couple of blocks up the road from it, and Aaron lives about 45 minutes away from it... I think Aaron has camped out in there before, but that's about as close as we've gotten to living there. It wouldn't be a bad place to live.

AP: So you guys are pretty much in it hardcore until either the building burns down or ...........?
Angelica: Yes... I don't ever want to stop... I've met some great people and have seen some awesome bands... I hope we never have to stop... I love doing it...
AP: Well, i think thats pretty much it. Is there anything you wanted to add or comment about, maybe adress in the Birmingham scene?
Angelica: Hmmm... take care of what you've got...that sounded pompous... don't use that.
AP: Ha ha ha, ok. How about....POWER TO THE PEOPLE!!!
Angelica: How about "NASCAR!!! WOO HOO!!!"
AP: Right on.
Angelica: Just kidding.