New season for Couch Sessions Ocala
This unique event pairs artists and musicians for live performances.
Couch Sessions Ocala Season Nine will kick off July 3 in Ocala. Some of the locally involved artists include, from left, Gabi Zuniga, Sean Gaffney, Aine Webber and Duke Gaffney, with Couch Sessions creator Olivia Ortiz seated. [Photo courtesy Couch Sessions Ocala]
There is a special collaborative partnership in Ocala in which musicians and artists blend their talents in real time. It’s called Couch Sessions Ocala, and it is kicking off season nine.
“Couch Sessions is where the spark of creativity takes center stage. It’s an immersive experience where live music and visual art unfold together in real time—each brushstroke moving in rhythm with the music, each note painting its own emotion. You’re not just watching from the sidelines—you’re part of it. The artists and musicians open up about their journeys, sharing the stories, challenges and inspirations behind their work,” according to the website.
Couch Sessions Ocala began as a passion project led by Olivia Ortiz, Mike Wall and Tony Ortiz. Their idea was simple—to bring people together around art and music in a space that feels relaxed, open and inspiring.
The ninth season will kick off July 3 at Weide Automotive, with FeverDreams and Gavin Pate, followed by sessions on Aug. 7 at the Muddy Lotus Kava Bar and Sept. 4 at The Heart of the Park.
To learn more, the “Gazette” did a quick Q&A with Olivia Ortiz.
What was the initial impetus for Couch Sessions?
Couch Sessions was born in our old band house living room. We would have friends and guests over to draw or create things while we practiced and wrote songs.
We used to have this wood table and markers, and we would let our artists and friends draw and tag it while they listened or watched us…it was such a natural and relaxing thing, our band house became known for being the place to hang out and chill on practice nights.
We translated this idea to our friends Megan and Mark’s business, The Keep, on Tuesday nights once a month because they informed us it was a very slow night and they had difficulties getting people motivated to come downtown then. It started something and we made the decision to move it to different businesses that would host us in order to get people in…that was nine years ago.
From then, we have learned that the small intimate sessions in a listening room environment are best and it encourages a creative environment for both the musicians and artists to show us their stories of creation and an audience to witness it.
What are some of your favorite memories?
I have to say that no two couch sessions have been alike.
When we are pairing artists with their counterparts, we focus on what we think will bring about interesting and creative moments. In the past some of our artists have gone on to be brave enough to explore in different mediums and different styles that have become their signature style that they are known for around town and to collectors…some examples of this are David D’Alessandris and his “Oneliners” and Maggie Weakley’s backward glass paintings with interchangeable paint pour background.
My favorite things are when the artists and musicians get together and work together on projects before the show. Justin Alsedek and Charity Cox ended up creating a song together (which is on Spotify) and Megan & Caly did an earring series with paintings on them from Disney artist Michelle St. Laurent.
In the next sessions, why an automotive shop?
I think a better question would be, why NOT an automotive shop…it is an enormous space with high ceilings, plenty of power plugs for a large band to play (nod to literal garage band) and wide open for our artist to create without the confines of mediums as Gavin tends to use spray paint in his art.
In the past when working with different mediums like this (and welding, which we did at a welding shop), we have done them in locations that can handle their specific type of work without much alteration to how it is done. They have adequate ventilation systems in place already as I would assume, it is part of engine painting work sometimes.
Plus, I think the sound in there with Feverdreams is going to be phenomenal…it was when Propaganjah played at the welding shop and the buildings are very similar in size and material structure…bonus is plenty of parking as well and a local business owner who has been a patron of Couch Sessions and past Couch Sessions artists (I believed he hired Sky, a past couch sessions artist, to paint his logo) and he expressed his desire to host it in his cool new place.
Why should people attend one or more sessions?
Couch Sessions is the answer to supporting the arts and artists in an exciting and intimate way…one gets to experience the creation story firsthand and is immersed in the world of these artists heads for two hours or so.
It isn’t’ the same old same old thing. There is variety in art form, expression and the audience gets to be a part of the show as it takes place in real time…I have never attended an art exhibit or show like this before.
Plus, the business owners get introduced to artists and musicians who they can call upon for future endeavors and, at these shows, they meet people who are like-minded like them in supporting the arts and some even become clients.
These elements are so vital to the health of a community as a whole. Arts are life, they breathe color, life and vitality into otherwise dark spaces. Think about how you feel when you are surprised by a beautiful, colorful mural in an otherwise cranky, dark alleyway. It just puts a smile on your face and brings beauty to the forgotten.
Art is about remembering who we are…creators… Couch Sessions is here to highlight those who are pursuing it and lifting up and beautifying our communities one note or stroke at a time.
The season nine lineup includes:
July 3, 7-9pm, Weide Automotive, 822 NE 14th Street, Ocala; FeverDreams and Gavin Pate
Aug. 7, 7-9pm, Muddy Lotus Kava Bar, 520 NE 1st Ave., Ocala; RosePrimevere and Wrought Iron Tongue
Sept. 4, 7-9pm, The Heart of the Park, 516 NE Sanchez Ave., Ocala; DJ Reynolds and Dan Bennett and Javier Gonzalez
A Couch Session passport allows access to all three shows.
To learn more, go to couchsessionsocala.com
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