I write about cities too and realize how hard it is to hit all the bases, but I was truly curious. Also I'm good friends with Calvin's brother, so it easily came to mind. I've always been kind of sorry I left Olympia right as that scene was coming to the fore.
I grew up in Olympia WA and have gone back regularly since I moved to France in 1990, and I obviously enjoyed this in-depth article. Interestingly -- or by purpose -- most of the places you mentioned were already there in the 80s and even 70s. Rainy Day records used to be off Harrison Avenue, which you mention, "up on the West Side" as we say, in a larger space. It's comforting that it still exists and is even thriving.
I discovered the Chelsea Oyster Bar last summer -- nice place. You probably realized that the Olympia Oyster House is a historic institution, but it's true that atmosphere is not its strong suit, especially since the fire that destroyed it in 2013.
As for the taverns, vibes definitely change. When I was going to them as a young'un, the "4th Ave Tav", as we called it, was the place to be, and the Brotherhood was the scary place, a situation that has reversed itself.
However I'm curious, given your music focus, as to why there is no mention of Calvin Johnson/K records, to which Olympia probably owes its musical vibe more than Kurt Cobain's passage.
That’s so cool to hear from someone that hit these place back in the 80s! And yes, Rainy Day seemed to be doing fine, I hope it always does. Hilarious that 4th Ave Tav was the spot back then. On my visit it was a bizarre and mildly menacing vibe, and I like weird spots.
As for Calvin Johnson/K Records - basically two things happened. It was simply a big oversight on my part, it didn't show up in my pre-research. I only realized all that history once I began writing. And then couple that with knowing I can't see or explain it all. I already had plenty to work with at that point. The silver-lining is that no city can be summed up in one write up, so there's a chance for revisits and small addendums to posts. But it's a good call out, I'm glad you noted it.
I write about cities too and realize how hard it is to hit all the bases, but I was truly curious. Also I'm good friends with Calvin's brother, so it easily came to mind. I've always been kind of sorry I left Olympia right as that scene was coming to the fore.
I grew up in Olympia WA and have gone back regularly since I moved to France in 1990, and I obviously enjoyed this in-depth article. Interestingly -- or by purpose -- most of the places you mentioned were already there in the 80s and even 70s. Rainy Day records used to be off Harrison Avenue, which you mention, "up on the West Side" as we say, in a larger space. It's comforting that it still exists and is even thriving.
I discovered the Chelsea Oyster Bar last summer -- nice place. You probably realized that the Olympia Oyster House is a historic institution, but it's true that atmosphere is not its strong suit, especially since the fire that destroyed it in 2013.
As for the taverns, vibes definitely change. When I was going to them as a young'un, the "4th Ave Tav", as we called it, was the place to be, and the Brotherhood was the scary place, a situation that has reversed itself.
However I'm curious, given your music focus, as to why there is no mention of Calvin Johnson/K records, to which Olympia probably owes its musical vibe more than Kurt Cobain's passage.
That’s so cool to hear from someone that hit these place back in the 80s! And yes, Rainy Day seemed to be doing fine, I hope it always does. Hilarious that 4th Ave Tav was the spot back then. On my visit it was a bizarre and mildly menacing vibe, and I like weird spots.
As for Calvin Johnson/K Records - basically two things happened. It was simply a big oversight on my part, it didn't show up in my pre-research. I only realized all that history once I began writing. And then couple that with knowing I can't see or explain it all. I already had plenty to work with at that point. The silver-lining is that no city can be summed up in one write up, so there's a chance for revisits and small addendums to posts. But it's a good call out, I'm glad you noted it.