Memphis Listening Lab marks 2-year anniversary with slate of events in June
Since opening nearly two years ago, the Memphis Listening Lab (MLL) has become one of the Bluff City’s unique cultural resources.
Located in the Crosstown Concourse, the MLL is a nearly 3,000-square-foot audio library that is free and open to the public. It also features an events space, a dedicated listening room and other amenities including a podcast studio/editing suite.
The MLL's contents are built around the collection amassed by the late John King, a co-founder of Ardent Records, a longtime Memphis music promoter, radio historian and ravenous record collector. His gift of 30,000 45 rpm singles, 10,000 LPs, 20,000 CDs and more than 1,000 other pieces of musical ephemera form the foundation of the lab, which launched in July 2021. The lab has continued to grow its collection since then with other donations from private individuals and record labels.
The MLL — which operates from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday — allows patrons to check out records and play audio at 10 different listening stations that are set up around the space. In addition to a dedicated SoundRoom, ideal for listening sessions, the main library room also serves as a flex space that is equipped to host events, including record release parties, book signings and educational seminars.
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The MLL is part of a group of philosophically linked resources at Crosstown, which includes the free format radio station WYXR and Southern Grooves recording studio, owned by Grammy-winning engineer/producer Matt Ross-Spang.
Formed as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the MLL is overseen by a nine-member board and run by longtime University of Memphis special collections librarian Jim Cole. Over the last 24 months Cole has developed a slate of regular events and programming, and the MLL’s June schedule will feature more entertainment and educational offerings.
To kick things off, on June 4 at 6 p.m., the MLL will present a ticketed fundraiser and membership drive featuring a performance by Susan Marshall and Kortland Whalum. Tickets are available through Eventbrite and are $10. Admission is free for members of the lab — an annual membership costs $120.
Additionally, the MLL will host a series of events in June — a mix of educational programming, music presentations and book signings — that are free and open to the public.
For more information go to Memphislisteninglab.org.
Free Memphis Listening Lab events
June 7: She DJs
A resource group for women who are currently working as DJs or looking to get started, this educational program starts at 6 p.m.
June 10: Grateful Dead Listening Event
The MLL will focus on the Grateful Dead’s 1970 classic, “American Beauty” during a Saturday afternoon event in its SoundRoom. Hosted by musician Louis Leibovich, the listening session will start at 3 p.m.
June 13: Memphis Concrète Listening Event
Ahead of the annual Memphis Concrète experimental electronic music festival — set for The Green Room on June 17-18 — the MLL will host a preview event in its SoundRoom, playing music from some of the artists who will appear at the fest. Music starts at 6:30 p.m.
June 14: WYXR Stereo Sessions
A regular event at the MLL, WYXR’s Stereo Sessions focuses on a lesser-known Memphis album and includes a panel discussion along with a listening session in the SoundRoom. The June edition will focus on the Young Men From Memphis’ 1959 soul-jazz LP, “Down Home Reunion.” Although the event is free, it is recommended that patrons reserve their seats at wyxr.org. Music will start at 6:30 p.m.
June 20: Rob Jungklas Listening Event
Acclaimed Memphis singer-songwriter Rob Jungklas will discuss and play selections off his new album, “Love Songs for the Dying of the Light,” in the MLL’s SoundRoom. Music starts at 6:30 p.m.
June 28: Trey Draper book signing
A rare non-music-related event will take place at the end of June, with a book event by Trey Draper. Draper — a former University of Memphis basketball player and currently a trainer for Grizzlies star Ja Morant — has a new book out titled, “Winning Language — the Power of Relationships, Loyalty and Integrity.” Draper will discuss the book and sign copies in the SoundRoom at 6 p.m.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis Listening Lab: What's planned in June
