In an evolving post-pandemic landscape, Seattle venue owner Mason Reed is launching an ambitious initiative to rescue the city's struggling grassroots music ecosystem.

Reed, who owns Tim's Tavern, Slim's Last Chance Saloon, and Beth's Cafe, has officially established the Together in Music Society, a 501(c)(3) non-profit aimed at activating public third spaces and guaranteeing fair pay for musicians.

A Broken System for Small Venues

While major arena tours and stadium acts rake in record revenues, small music rooms across the city are breaking even or operating at a financial loss. Reed noted that smaller venues act as essential stepping stones for emerging talent, but current economics make surviving almost impossible.

"We need a farm league before we can have a major league," Reed explained. "You can't have one without the other".

In July alone, Tim's Tavern and Slim's Last Chance Saloon has lost money when all told on production costs for live shows, forcing Reed to cover expenses out of pocket. Reed stressed that small venue owners are not getting rich from booking bands.

"There's no profit being made at Slims and Tims," Reed said. "I'm not looking to buy a Lambo... I'm interested in keeping the scene alive and keeping art and music flourishing". He's also committed to keeping people employed and the community being served by a lively and functioning business.

A New Model for Live Performance

To fix what he calls a "broken model," Reed's new non-profit proposes shifting the financial burden off venue owners and independent musicians. Under the Together in Music Society framework, the non-profit will handle booking, hire musicians, and guarantee fair compensation. Participating venues simply provide the performance space and sell food and drinks.

"You, the venue, just focus on your food and your drinks and providing a space, and we're going to put the show on," Reed said. "We're going to make sure the musicians get paid what's fair".

Beyond club stages, the organization plans to bring live music to public locations, including Sound Transit stations, downtown parks, Pioneer Square, and the waterfront. In addition, the Together in Music Society will offer free and low-cost legal assistance to artists, grants for recording and touring, and a gear library where musicians can borrow equipment.

Investing in the Cultural Future

To fund the initiative, the organization is targeting corporate sponsorships, government subsidies, and individual memberships. Discussions are already underway with King County and Sound Transit to help facilitate public performances.

Reed emphasized that supporting local culture requires recognizing live performance as a vital public good. "The first step is agreeing that live music and art are an essential part of a healthy society," Reed noted. "And then once we agree on that, then we can agree to subsidize it".

"Seattle's a music town," Reed added. "We've always been a music town and we always will be a music town".

To learn more about the initiative or support the mission, visit togetherinmusicsociety.org