Sonic Visionaries: Exploring Baltimore's Music Empire with Bryan Burkert

Step into the gallery of imagination as we appreciate the artistry and innovation on 'The Truth in This Art' with Rob Lee. On today’s episode, we have Bryan Burkert, a prominent entrepreneur and the visionary owner behind some of Baltimore's beloved small businesses, including the iconic Soundgarden record store. His ventures extend to Fletcher's, an enchanting live music venue, and The Rockwell, a cutting-edge projection wrap venue. Bryan's deep passion for music drives his commitment to curating immersive and captivating spaces for patrons to revel in. With a reputation for excellence and creativity, he continues to make a significant impact on Baltimore's cultural scene, captivating music enthusiasts and creating unforgettable experiences for all.

ABOUT Soundgarden

It began back in 1993 in Baltimore, Maryland and since then we've been the recipients of over 50 Best-Of record store awards. In 2014 we were voted the 2nd best record store in the United States by Rolling Stone Magazine.

The Sound Garden, located in historic Fells Point in Baltimore, Maryland, opened in 1993 in a tiny space across the street from our current locations. Our little independent music store quickly established itself as the award-winning Baltimore's Best Independent Record Store. In 1994, The Sound Garden moved into its present location - a 6000+ square foot warehouse - where we proudly carry an immense and eclectic selection of music, movies and really cool stuff.Why are we different from other independent record stores and independent music stores? Quite simply - because of the amazing selection of used and new Vinyl, CDs, DVDs, LPs, video games and Blu-Rays we can offer to our always satisfied customers. We stock over 100,000 new and used CDs and DVDs. In addition to having the hot new releases, we carry a variety of imports, obscure and rare titles, and releases from smaller independent labels...at ridiculously low prices! We also sell posters, t-shirts, stickers, books and other random wonderful finds. We are a team of curators. We are 20 year plus Record Store folks, who live to discover and share what moves us with you.If you're looking for something that we don't carry, we'll be glad to order it for you. Special orders can be placed at no additional cost to you and usually arrive within a week. We also invite you to listen to nearly any title in the store before you buy it; just ask one of our music experts who will gladly assist - with no pressure to buy! Visit the Baltimore location (or our Syracuse location) and find out why we've won numerous accolades, including "Best Record Store" from Baltimore Magazine and from the City Paper.

For today's topic:

• Join us as Bryan Burkert shares his inspiring journey as a small business owner, driven by his passion for music and the desire to create a record store that embodies the essence of his childhood memories. Learn how Soundgarden, the iconic record store in Baltimore, came to be and the challenges and triumphs that shaped its success.
• Tune in to discover the secrets of Bryan Burkert's entrepreneurial prowess as he reveals his belief in the power of adaptation and the art of listening to the audience's needs. Uncover the strategies that helped him create and sustain successful businesses like Fletcher's, a captivating live music venue, and The Rockwell, an innovative projection wrap venue.
• Explore the revival of vinyl and its surging popularity, especially among young females, as Bryan Burkert delves into this fascinating aspect of the music industry. Gain insights into the trends and factors contributing to this resurgence and how it impacts the music scene.
• Don't miss the engaging conversation with Bryan Burkert as he highlights the significance of living in the spaces he builds, nurturing a culture of continuous evolution to meet the ever-changing demands of the audience. Learn how his commitment to innovation shapes the immersive experiences he creates for patrons.
• Discover the importance of supporting independent businesses like Soundgarden, and the positive impact it has on the local community and the vibrant culture it fosters. Bryan Burkert shares his passion for building a thriving community through his entrepreneurial ventures and the value of sustaining the unique charm of small businesses.

Don't miss this exclusive interview with  Bryan Burkert as he shares his journey as a small business owner and discusses the evolution of his business strategies over the years. He emphasizes the importance of listening to the audience and adapting to their needs. Burkert also talks about the resurgence of vinyl and the role of record stores in the music scene. He encourages people to embrace new experiences without regret and to support independent businesses in their communities.

Mentioned in this episode
The Sound Garden
Akio Evans

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The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore). 

Host: Rob Lee
Music: Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard and TeTresSeis.
Production:

• Produced by Rob Lee & Daniel Alexis
• Edited by Daniel Alexis
• Show Notes courtesy of Rob Lee and Transistor

Photos:

• Rob Lee photos by Vicente Martin for The Truth In This Art and Contrarian Aquarian Media.
• Guest photos courtesy of the guest, unless otherwise noted.

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