The Talent Farm: An Influential History

The Talent Farm

Homestretch @ The Talent Farm

Title Fight @ The Talent Farm

( Picture 1: Broward Palm Beach Times, Picture 2: ZacWolf Photography, Picture 3: Jaykon Blog/Photography )

The South Florida music scene is full of talent and potential, and from 2004 to 2014, gave bands a chance to show their true musical talent and bring in their friends and fans.

I remember the first time I went to The Talent Farm. I hadn’t had the time to go until 2013, and I saw Kill the Poets and Seaway. There were so many people there who were on the same wavelength as myself, and genuinely loved music. The venue was comfortable and had a homey feeling to it.

The venue itself saw bands like Never Shout Never, Red Car Wire, and even groups that have toured with groups like The Maine and All Time Low like Mayday Parade.

After ten years however, The Talent Farm was forced to close its doors to the public. The people who went were outraged. It was losing a place that was close to home and where you got to hang out with like-minded people. While the venue saw its end, the influence that the venue had on musicians upholds a history of fond memories and musical influence.

The Talent Farm, according to Broward Palm Beach New Times, was an all-ages venue that was “initially built as a state-of-the-art recording and rehearsal studio with a large room for showcase performances.” The owner and operator Kevin Burns brought in bands and offered a safe place for musicians and those that appreciate the music.

From the interviews I conducted especially, musicians spoke highly of him and still do. Burns would let bands sleep in the venue if they didn’t have a place to stay, which is helpful for bands on the road as well as provided a DVD recording of their performances.

“Kevin Burns was such an influential person in many people’s lives. I know I can speak for many people when I say I am not sure where I would be, nor who I could be without that man in my life with that venue.” Jeremy Hunter, who was in Funkman’s Inferno and currently in groups We Are the Union, Insignificant Other, and 11:59, said about Burns. “The Talent Farm had blessed me with so many great friends and unforgettable relationships that have shaped the quality of my life, and It makes me sad inside that those who worked so hard to have it closed down really ruined a life-saving place literally thousands of people.”

For Hunter, The Talent Farm was his first job.

“The owner Kevin Burns is the best man you will ever meet. So genuine and good-hearted, you could never miss him. He was always smiling and enjoying himself which made the experience at his venue great.” Eric Green of Above the Skyline said. Green played in a band called Unarmed for Victory at The Talent Farm. “When I heard that The Talent Farm was closing, I cried. I grew up there as a musician. A second home was being taken away from me.”

Green and Hunter both hold amazing memories of the place, and the venue helped shape their musical experience.

The experiences of both musicians for their first show and their most memorable experience is important and holds memories for them. From Hunter’s first show sees the Eskamoes for a benefit show for Toms to Green’s experience where it was so crowded that people had to stand outside to hear the music, The Talent Farm gave musicians a place where they could be positively influenced.

The venue was forced to close down when Burns was unable to renew the lease. The musicians and fans across the nation created a GoFundMe and raised three thousand dollars to help Burns re-sign the lease. Only one thousand dollars was needed for the re-sign.

“The landlord and the neighbors were doing all they could to get him out. It felt really surreal like it couldn't happen, because it was such a significant place to so many people's lives and the music scene in South Florida. I was away from South Florida when it did close, so I really didn't feel it until probably when I got back, but lately it's been hitting me hard three years later.” Hunter said about the closing down.

Three years later, The Talent Farm’s influence is still going strong. Many bands that played there are either making it big with a larger record label or still doing what they love, touring the state and the nation. The venue truly was inspirational.

“As corny as this sounds, the spirit of what the talent farm was still lives on in those who were heavily invested in that place. Go out and play shows, attend shows, make friends, make people feel welcome. Give people compliments, talk to out of town bands, create a community, and have each other's back.” Hunter said, “That's what makes punk so special, and that's what made the talent farm such an outstanding venue.”