Michael Jaworski is the booking agent at the Sunset Tavern in Ballard. He also worked at Sonic Boom Records in Ballard and lived in the neighborhood for eight years before moving to Capitol Hill. His current band the Cops, in which he sings and plays guitar, is going on hiatus after a March 14 show at the Sunset.

Ballard News-Tribune: You used to work at Sonic Boom in Ballard and now book acts for the Sunset. What is it about Ballard that keeps you employed here?

Michael Jaworski: Some of the great amenities of Ballard include the wonderful businesses and people who live there. It was a pleasure working for Sonic Boom and working at the Sunset is probably the best job I've ever had. I think both businesses would be the same if they were in a different neighborhood. They're both run by great people who are a pleasure to work for. The fact that they're in Ballard is a coincidence. But I love being in the Ballard neighborhood on a regular basis.

BNT: How does Ballard stack up to other neighborhoods in Seattle as far as nightlife and the music scene?

MJ: It's right behind Capitol HIll, in my humble opinion. Capitol Hill has a few more clubs with bigger capacities, but the Tractor, the Sunset and Conor Byrne represent Ballard very well.

BNT: What's it like to book bands at the Sunset? Is there a certain mix of genres you go for? Is it ever hard to get bands to come play in Ballard?

MJ: Booking the Sunset is challenging, and I love it. I try to mix all genres, although it seems like certain genres may do a little better here. Like alt country or indie rock. Yet, we have had great dance, hip hop and jazz nights too. I think everyone loves to play the Sunset. It's a great club.

BNT: What are your musical influences? Why play in a band? Any downsides to the life of a musician?

MJ: I listen to everything. Working at Sonic Boom greatly expanded my horizons and I look at music as an education for the heart and soul, and I'm hungry for more every day. This is one of the reasons I play in a band, but mainly I do it because I love to be creative, write songs, record songs and perform. I love touring too, but that's a difficult part of being a musician – being away from loved ones. Not to mention, playing music does not pay the bills. Still, I wouldn't trade it for anything. I'm a lifer.

BNT: When and how did the Cops form?

MJ: The Cops formed in the spring of 2004 after the demise of my previous band, Hello From Waveland, which also included Cops' guitar player John Randolph. John and I wanted to form a new band, and he knew our drummer Dave Weeks from college at Ohio U. Later, Drew Church would replace Brian Wall on bass guitar. 

BNT: Why is the band taking a break after the March 14 show at the Sunset? What are your plans, musically or otherwise, during that time?

MJ: Thankfully, we're all still great friends. Ultimately, some people have had a priority shift in life, which is completely understandable. It's hard to tour four months a year with a full time job and a family at home. I still plan on doing it as much as I can. I'm currently playing music with my fiance, and I'm also looking to start a new rock band. I'll be up on my feet again in no time. The break has been nice, though. It can help put things in perspective. Thankfully, I still love playing music and will continue to do so until I die.

BNT: What's been one of your favorite moments playing with the Cops? Least favorite?

MJ: Almost every moment of the band has been great. The best moments include opening for Cursive, playing Sasquatch and Bumbershoot, making great friends all over the country, and being able to spend a lot of time with three of the best friends I'll ever have. The least favorite would be kicking out our original bass player and, of course, the decision to put the band on hiatus.

BNT: What's the best city you've played in? Worst?

MJ: Without a doubt, Seattle has been incredibly good to us. So that wins the best city award. It's always fun to play New York, Chicago, LA and San Francisco, but we've had some of our best shows in Omaha, Tucson, Minneapolis, Austin, and places like Albuquerque and Arcata.  We've never really enjoyed playing Eugene on our own. We had great shows there with the Black Lips and the Hold Steady, but it might be the worst when we're on our own.

BNT: You played with the Saturday Knights for a time. How did that come about? Was it very different playing with a hip-hop group than the Cops?

MJ: I'm friends with Spencer of TSK and the Cops did some shows with them. They needed another guitar player and I joined. It was super fun. The most different thing is that we never practiced. I just showed up and played over beats and samples while the MC's spit fire. It was super fun!

BNT: Who is going to take the Cops' place in the Seattle music scene now that you are going on hiatus?

MJ: No one. The Cops will go down as the best band to ever come out of Seattle...ok, probably not. But, I do think we are a very special band. I really like bands like the Whore Moans, the Intelligence, Unnatural Helpers, the Dutchess and the Duke, Charles Leo Gephardt IV, the Maldives, the Black Whales, Widower, the Know, Dyme Def, Battle Hymns...I could go on. We really live in a great city for music.