By Luke Siener

Music is something often associated with Louisville. The city is abundant with local musicians and various venues. Many of these venues, while fairly small, manage to bring in some big-name performers.

Despite their popularity, some of these venues have faced difficult times over the past year. In the case of Skull Alley, these economic difficulties have resulted in closure.

This particular venue has been host to many different musical and artistic events in Louisville in the last few years – showcasing concerts, poetry readings and art shows. It was also known for being one of the only all-ages venues in the city.

The owner, Jamie Prott, ran a screen printing business on the side, which supported Skull Alley financially. The side venture was responsible for 40 percent of Skull Alley’s total income. After the screen printing business was forced to halt due to a fire code violation, the venue’s ability to make a profit was effectively undermined.

“For a period of time, I was faced with the choice between paying the sales tax due each month or the rent,” said Prott. “I gambled and paid the rent, in the hopes that things would turn around after summer ended and the space would recover.”

This lack of income led to a buildup of debt and back taxes, resulting in the loss of the venue’s alcohol license.

“Unfortunately, things never turned around,” said Prott.

Skull Alley closed in January of 2011.

The nationally recognized landmark, ear X-tacy, hasn’t been faring well either. Even though it was rated as the No. 4 best record store by Rolling Stone Magazine in September of 2010, the combination music store, record label and music venue has suffered a great deal of economic strain.

With some community assistance and the decision to relocate, the store was spared from closing down – but it still hasn’t been smooth sailing.

Some students have said that ear X-tacy’s move is a sign of the weak economy.

“I think it is a shame that a local landmark was forced to move due to the poor economy and pressures of the changing media market,” said Brett Allen, a junior biology major.

One of the ways the media market is changing is that people are increasingly downloading music off the Internet, instead of buying CDs. Due to the rising popularity of online music downloading, music stores are inevitably losing business.

Ear X-tacy did provide legal online music downloading for a while. However, as of Feb. 15, the company that managed it, ThinkIndie, shut down and took the service with them.

“It’s unlikely ear X-tacy will try to keep offering downloadable music,” said Rebecca Cornwell, general manager of ear X-tacy. “Store management wants to focus on hosting concerts and offering other experiences customers can’t get elsewhere.”

Times may look bleak, but ear X-tacy owner John Timmons isn’t giving up. As an effort to raise money and awareness for the store, ear X-tacy partnered with Headliners Music Hall for December 2010’s ear X-travaganza, a large fundraising music event.

According to Cornwell, the event sold out and was a great success, but was not successful enough to bring ear X-tacy out of the red. Currently, the establishment is still afloat and is hosting music performances and events. However, unless more local business comes in, it is impossible to know how much longer it may last.

As ear X-tacy, Skull Alley and others struggle, some new venues have made attempts to fill the void.

Since Skull Alley’s closing on Jan. 1, another location has taken up the mantle of the area’s all-ages venue. The new spot is called the Sanctuary music venue and is owned and operated by Louisville’s Sanctuary Church.

Converted from a former nightclub, Sanctuary has ample space, with a capacity for 1,275 people. The venue has a lounge and a music area, and will promote all genres of music.

“We hope Sanctuary will be the new teen hot spot in Louisville,” said Luke Elrod, Sanctuary booking and venue manager. “It’s what we are going to be bringing to Louisville that’s going to bring people in as a Christian-crossover venue. And we’re eager to bring in bands that really want to play.”