New Developments in Wetlands
The Wetlands Preserve, New York clubland's home to environmental politics and the hippy jam band vibe, has a new talent booker, Jake Szufnarski. Szufnarski founded the independent Which? Records (Brian Jonestown Massacre, Joe Gallant & the Illuminati and Shining Path) and has been a manager at Wetlands for the last five years. He replaces longtime taste-maker Chris Zahn, who is starting his own artist management and production company, Intrinsic.
The Wetlands has long been an artist favorite because of its "fast-track" booking policy. Outfits designated to have "potential" get to work Wetlands regularly, open for big "names" to increase their exposure and then move to headline slots. Fast-tracking at Wetlands broke Dave Matthews, Hootie and the Blowfish, Phish, Blues Traveler, the Spin Doctors and the recently-signed moe.
Szufnarski pledges to continue fast-track booking but forecasts two changes for Wetlands: "We're going to be open to more punk rock. The Wetlands' emphasis is still improvisational jam rock and jazz funk, but we're committed to anything that shakes your ass." Secondly, Szufnarski told CitySearch that "New York's recent club closings presents an unfortunate opportunity. We'll have a greater range of acts, but this is not how the Wetlands wanted it. We share a real sadness with other clubs and clubgoers. New York rents are too high to support live music."