First off, I just wanted to wish you all Merry Christmas Eve. For local and upcoming bands, Santa came early this year. For anyone looking to play a show in the NY/NJ area, they should check out The Space Station. The Space Station is a not for profit organization of young music lovers. They book shows for young upcoming musical acts from metal to indie at their venue of the same name in Downtown Jersey City, New Jersey. I had the chance to speak with Mike from The Space Station to find out a bit more what his company is all about. Interview and links after the jump.

Q: Tell us a bit more about The Space Station process and walk us through what you do for these upcoming artists.

A: The Space Station all started when the Lastletters had their cd release show in Bayonne, NJ sometime in April/May and the idea of a venue for everyone to play at came in mind between my friend and I. The next day we had a “test” run show with Lastletters and crusade and it was a success. We started having more serious shows and even had the chance to have two national acts perform. We have shows here and at other venues to help the local bands and musicians be heard by everyone! We had an average of around 75-80 people per show with a record of 200 people attending one show. People from the area came to help support their friends and others came out of curiosity and found some new bands/made new friends. I try to have blended shows so that there is a little something for everyone and also to have people get exposed to different genres.

Q: Where else do you help book shows for the artists? Just around the Jersey City area?

A: I plan on in the upcoming year to book various other venues, such as: 10th Street Live in Kenilworth,NJ, Lot 13 in Bayonne,NJ, Sullivan Hall in NYC, as well as, Gramercy Theatre.

Q: How many bands do you currently work with to promote and/or book?

A: I currently promote personally the instrumental/post-rock band crusade, but I try to promote all the bands that have played at the Space Station thus far. I also try to help any close friends whose bands that have not gotten a chance to play a Space Station show.

Q: If an upcoming band would like to contact you about booking a show, how would they do that?

A: They can either contact me at the Space Station’s Facebook page, my own personal Facebook page, or email us at spacestation501c3@gmail.com.

Q: We both work to help promote upcoming and local acts. Why do you think it is important to be a part of the local music scene?

A: I think the most important part of being a member of the local scene is the sheer happiness knowing that other people can enjoy great music on a DIY level and realize the talent that local musicians have. I love to see bands who I knew from long ago have fans from across the world tell them that they are amazing or how they helped them through some emotional problem. That makes me not only proud of the band, but also proud to call them my friends.

Also, NJ’s music is sadly dying out a little but I believe if we all pull together we can save this scene and bring back a whole new wave of great music for everyone to enjoy.

Q: Finally, with all of this talk about the Space Station, just out of curiosity, what are some of your favorite venues to see shows?

A: I’m a show junkie. I love going to all different venues and I still have so many I have still yet to get to. I love 10th Street Live, Casey puts on great shows there! I also love going to Maxwells, Gramercy, Terminal 5, Le Poisson Rouge, Webster Hall/Studio of Webster Hall and of course Starland Ballroom.

Special thanks to Mike from The Space Station for allowing us the opportunity to interview him. If you would like to contact him for booking info, email spacestation501c3@gmail.com or message him on Facebook.

And please don’t forget to like QMG on Facebook.