Meet John Pence | Venue Manager & Musician

We had the good fortune of connecting with John Pence and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi John, what’s the end goal, career-wise?
At The Spot on Kirk, my goal has been the same ever since starting as a volunteer back at the venue’s start in 2016. I want to book great shows in Roanoke, VA, in a very special room. While constructing these shows, I strive to forge friendships between touring and local musicians and would like to see cool things come out of those relationships. If it’s done right, our community will strengthen and we can inspire others to make their own art. I guess that’s what I would like to see, and maybe people will think of The Spot on Kirk as a place that inspired them in someway.

As a musician and producer, the ideal end goal is to have enjoyable snapshots from different eras of inspiration. I’d like to look back and know that I challenged myself and grew with whatever instrument, genre of music, and group I was experimenting with at the time.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I graduated at Berklee College of Music in 2016 and got my BA in Songwriting. Since graduating, I came back home to Roanoke, VA, and quickly found work at The Spot on Kirk, doing production over at StageSound for a couple years, and even playing music for patients as an Artist-In-Residence with The Healing Arts Program at Carilion for multiple contracts. I’m currently finding lots of work and meaning as the Venue Manager at The Spot on Kirk.

Musically, my interest shifted towards instrumental music since graduating so I started making electronic music and DJing as The Grand Total. My main gigging band for the past 5 years has been playing keys in the instrumental surf/rock/exotica outfit, Cinémathèque. Of course, I still like to write songs and I play acoustic solo to showcase new songs when I get asked (see picture). Recently, I joined The Young Sinclairs on drums which has been super fun. I’ve learned since there are so many ways paths you can take in this life, value your time and if the answer is not “Hell yes”, then it’s “No”.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
For a full day of exploring Roanoke, I would start out with coffee at RND or Sweet Donkey and then go record digging at Vintage Vault. I would either drive or hike up to the Roanoke Star to get a look at the city and from there probably get food and a cocktail from Sidecar. There’s a lot of music to catch in Roanoke so I’d see who’s playing that night. Of course, I would suggest The Spot on Kirk, but there’s plenty of choices and flavors for a good show. After all that, Lucky is a nice night cap, and then Martin’s or Community Inn is where I’d go for a late night hang.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
First off, I’d like to give many thanks to Bruce Bryan and all of the board at The Spot on Kirk for believing in me to step up into the Venue Manager position at my favorite music room! I’d also like to thank Jennifer McFadyen for her love and listening to all my questions and concerns from home. Of course, I have to give my mom and dad thanks for giving birth to me and also listening to me ramble about my work and dreams. I’m also happy to recognize the support from Roanoke Arts Commission for their support in helping The Spot on Kirk make Roanoke a cool and inspiring place. Lastly, I’d like to thank all of our volunteers, sponsors, patrons, musicians, and engineers that make things run over at The Spot on Kirk.

Website: www.thespotonkirk.org

Instagram: www.instagram.com/thespotonkirk

Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheSpotonKirk

Other: This is all for The Spot on Kirk. I’m also fine with you all sharing my musical website which displays my upcoming shows and endeavors: www.johnpencemusic.com

Image Credits
My solo shot is from Jamiel Allen. The couple shot with Jennifer McFadyen was taken by Ivy Archual. The one of me working at The Spot on Kirk on my laptop and the one of my on stage was candidly taken by Jennifer McFadyen. I can give names of everyone in pic if needed. Full Cinémathèque band photo was taken by Jamiel Allen. Again, I can give everyone’s names if needed. The DJ photo was taken by Cloud Bobby.