Jen Chura – An Xperience Interview

Jen Chura – An Xperience Interview – by Rob Smittix.

RRX: I appreciate you doing this with me. Lots of people are going to read this. So no pressure.

(Both Laugh)

RRX: First of all, I am so happy that Empire Live/Underground is in Albany. It kind of morphed from being Northern Lights to Upstate Concert Hall (Clifton Park), but then came into Albany a few years back. For me, the move was ideal. It’s a great spot for live music. So thank you for being a part of it.

JC: Absolutely.

RRX: What is your exact title there?

JC: Operations Management, I guess. I do a lot of different things. I have about 20 different hats I wear, so it’s very hard to nail it all down, but that probably sums it up.

RRX: Well, I mean … it was even hard getting you on the phone today because you have a show going on tonight. It’s a lot of work, I don’t think people realize what putting on these events actually entails.

JC: Yeah, we’re close to a sell-out tonight, so pressure’s on.

RRX: That’s awesome, but yeah, it is a lot of pressure. People simply open up the Xperience Monthly, or they go to your website (EmpireLiveAlbany.com) to find out who’s coming to town, never putting any thought into what it takes behind the scenes.

JC: Every show is different, but it all kind of stays the same when it comes to the booking side of things. Obviously, the show gets booked after negotiating all of the numbers. From there, it goes right to ticketing and advertising, then into show day and full-blown production.

RRX: Yeah, I ran into you at one of the Upstate Punk Rock Flea Markets at Empire Live, which was on a Sunday. So I know, you even come in on the weekends to make it all happen.

JC: Yeah, there’s no off-time typically for myself or David (Siewert); the two of us operate this place. Obviously, we couldn’t do it without our staff. We have a few people that are … I guess, department heads, but the staff is what really keeps it all together. While David and I are the ones who run the venue, they are the reason we’re here.

RRX: Of course. I think back to when ESPN commentator Rebecca Lobo said, “Good luck finding something to do in Albany,” because that is so far from the truth. And Empire Live is at the center of it all! On any given night, you’ll see the massive lines outside waiting to get into Empire Live, while simultaneously, you’ll have an awesome show going on downstairs at Empire Underground. It’s a scene, and it feels like it.

JC: That’s great to hear. Again, we couldn’t do it without our staff. It takes a village, you know? We are very lucky to have some really wonderful pillars that actually keep us held up.

RRX: I can’t even keep up with the number of shows that you guys have going on there.

JC: Me either (Laughs).

RRX: No, it’s crazy, but when I see some of the acts that are coming through, I’m like … wow, what a great get! I mean … the shows have always been good there, but it seems like in the last few years, the game has been stepped up quite a bit, and maybe that’s an ode to you?

JC: Not really, not to me. I’m pretty low-key. There are a few of us who deal with booking and bringing the acts to the area. We all know Mike Valente brings shows to the area, but our other two partners are pretty well known in our industry; credit really goes to them, too, for the booking.

RRX: And you’ve got something for everyone, all the time. If someone’s not really into what’s happening today, something’s happening tomorrow that they will probably be into.

JC: Right, and that honestly was our goal even when we were located in Clifton Park. We really wanted to expand, and we were supposed to be in Albany in 2020 … but obviously, with COVID, shutting down and everything, that didn’t happen. David and I worked with people to get this place together for when we could be open. We had our first show upstairs in August of 2021. Our first show in the Underground was in November of 2021. And ever since then, we’ve been working to tweak things and make them better because … nothing is ever completed. There’s always a project.

RRX: Always is. You mentioned the pandemic, and I kid you not … Empire Live was the reason I got the vaccine. I wasn’t really feeling it, I didn’t know who to trust, but I knew I wanted to go to concerts.

JC: (Chuckles)

RRX: Well, awesome. Any last thoughts for our readers?

JC: Come on out to shows. See bands you like, see bands you don’t even know you like, and enjoy yourself. We just want people to come, have a good time, and feel comfortable and happy. That’s our goal. The best part about this job is when you have multiple shows per week and seeing the crowds change. But one thing that always stays the same is the fans watching their favorite bands and seeing their faces when they hit the stage. It’s a really cool feeling to know my staff and I made that happen for these people. Just like right now, the production is pretty heavy today, but our staff is killing it, and it’s gonna look phenomenal.

RRX: Well, I know you’re busy and you’ve got stuff to do, so I’m gonna let you go ahead and get to it, but I appreciate your time, Jen. Thank you.

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