Tonic was a music venue located in New York City founded by Melissa Caruso Scott and John Scott. First opened in 1998, it described itself as supporting "avant garde, creative and experimental music" and known for its commitment to musical integrity.Requiem for a Club: Saxophone and Sighs Nate Chinen, The New York Times, April 16, 2007, Retrieved September 29, 2007 Tonic was a former kosher winery and after opening quickly became a focal point of the downtown avant-garde scene. The small and unassuming building provided a sense of intimacy by setting the performers within arm's length of the audience. Tonic also doubled as a place for a variety of musicians to record live.Federico Cribiore (2000). "Tonic is a special place.". Tonic [CD booklet]. Hollywood: Blue Note.
In April 2007, Tonic would permanently close its doors due to soaring rent on the Lower East Side.Lower East Side Is Under a Groove Allen Salkin, The New York Times, June 3, 2007, Retrieved September 29, 2007 As gentrification spread through the Lower East Side, apartment high-rises were built on either side of the club, eventually pushing the club to close its doors. On Friday, April 13, 2007, Tonic would host its final show, an evening of improvisation organized by John Zorn and a techno party, The Bunker, hosted by Bryan Kasenic (DJ Spinoza). The closure the following day was accompanied by a symbolic protest. There were more than 100 protestors and two musicians, (Marc Ribot and Rebecca Moore) refused to leave, resulting in an arrest for trespassing. The Bunker moved the following week to Luna Lounge in Brooklyn which was also a club that had recently displaced from the Lower East Side. The Listings: April 20 – April 26 April 20, 2007, The New York Times, Retrieved September 29, 2007
Selected recordings Medeski Martin & Wood, Electric Tonic, July 4, 1998 R. Stevie Moore, More Moores Than Smiths – Live at Tonic, September 6, 1998 (DVD) Medeski Martin & Wood, Tonic, March 16–20 & 23–26, 1999 John Zorn and Masada, Masada Live at Tonic 1999, Summer 1999 (DVD) Erikm, DJ Olive and Christian Marclay, September 17, 2000 (during the Electroluxe Festival) William Parker Clarinet Trio, Bob's Pink Cadillac, August 1, 2001 Avey Tare, Panda Bear and Deakin, Campfire Songs, November 2, 2001 (only full performance of the album, later classified as an Animal Collective album) John Zorn and Masada, Live at Tonic 2001, 2001 Wally Shoup, Paul Flaherty, Thurston Moore and Chris Corsano, Live at Tonic, September 14, 2002 Ted Leo and the Pharmacists, Live at Tonic, June 25, 2002 Fred Frith and John Zorn Duo, July 15, 2003 Dennis Gonzalez NY Quartet, NY Midnight Suite, August 2003 Marina Rosenfeld, Toshio Kajiwara and Christian Marclay, August 21, 2003 (Subtonic phOnOmena) Milford Graves and John Zorn, September 8, 2003 Sunny Murray, Perles Noires Volume I, October 10, 2003 Xiu Xiu, Live at Tonic, March 20, 2004 Club d'Elf, Live at Tonic, May 26, 2004 White Out w/ Jim O'Rourke and Thurston Moore, Senso, December 18, 2004 Christian McBride, Live at Tonic, January 10, 11, 2005 Sir Richard Bishop, [www.youtu.be/5oXOhibkEU4?si=kDWqN1EzQcVI4BNa], March 24, 2006 Wood Brothers, Live at Tonic EP, July 25, 2006 Marco Benevento, Live at Tonic, November 1, 15, 22, 29, 2006 John Zorn's 50th Birthday Celebration Series recorded at Tonic
References
External links t o n i c – official site The Bunker – official site Tonic Group Photo Pool at Flickr