SEATTLE — Pioneer Square has long been a musician's stomping ground. In the 1920s, big-band jazz sounds from legends like Duke Ellington echoed through the Square. Then, decades later, Pioneer Square became the world’s mecca for grunge, where bands like Nirvana got their start.
These days, however, a growing housing crisis has made it harder and harder for many musicians to even afford rent in the Emerald City. But a soon-to-open music venue aims to bring more musicians back into Pioneer Square.
Ryan Granger, lead guitarist of Seattle-based band The Grizzled Mighty, is busy putting the final touches on his brand new music venue called Baba Yaga, located at 124 Washington St.
Granger told KING 5 he is working to make Baba Yaga the music venue he always wished he'd had.
"It's gonna be kind of an all-day clubhouse," said Granger. "There needs to be more places like this around. I think the model has gotten a little skewed, so I'd like to kind of kick it back towards the artist."
One might ask: who better to cater to artists than an artist himself?
"If the artists weren't here doing what they do, there wouldn't be any venues anyway. So I think the power has been in the venue's hand for a long time, and like to get some power back to the musicians," he said.
His recently purchased historic space includes original brick from the 1890s and also has an upper level and bottom level that will each be clad with a stage and a bar.
"We'll be able to have two events going on at the same time if we want," he said. "We have a really great booker, Nathan Chambers, who's real experienced, and we're looking to get national touring bands, regional bands, local bands and kind of get some of these smaller bands in with some of these bigger bands to get some more eyeballs on them."
On the mezzanine, they're decorating the area to look like a 1970s-style living room with vintage couches and lamps.
They will also be serving food by a chef who came from Mexico City to be a part of the start-up. They plan to serve breakfast, lunch and dinner, said Granger.
"It's gonna be tacos, tortas and burritos," he added.
Granger said he hopes to open Baba Yaga within the next two weeks. Once it has debuted, the business will be open from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m., he said.
Granger also said he is fashioning the space to feel like a home away from home for music lovers.
"Coming in for a coffee or an early adult beverage," he said.
Speaking of homes, Granger said he plans to run his business while keeping in mind how expensive homes are in Seattle. Average rent in Seattle right now is upwards of $2,000, according to Zillow, and it is recommended that renters make $6,700 per month.
But the problem right now, particularly for musicians, is that "wages have not increased," said Granger.
"For opening bands, a lot of times it's, 'Yeah, here's $100 and half off your beer or something, and then on your way,' which is a really piss-poor model," he added.
Because of this, he is hoping to pump life into Seattle's music scene by trying to provide them with better wages.
"And make sure all the shows are well attended and promote them," he said. "I know a lot of venues around here rely pretty much solely on the artists to promote, but we're going to have our own promotion league out here, so we get good shows, and bands enjoy it."
He said he would even be giving the many musicians on his staff the time off they might need to tour and play shows.
"It's hard to find jobs that will allow you to tour," he said.
In opening his business, Granger said he has a great deal of hope for a post-COVID revival of Pioneer Square.
"Can't keep Pioneer Square down!" he said. "One of the most historic neighborhoods in Seattle, and it's ready for something new."
On Fourth of July weekend, Baba Yaga is already scheduled to be a host venue for Pioneer Square Fest, a "block party" gathering that will bring locals to the area for live music, vintage and vendor shopping, eating and drinking.