Brisbane venue The Zoo has been sold

Image: Joc Curran with new owner Pixie 

PRESS RELEASE:

Iconic Brisbane venue The Zoo will change hands in June this year.

Co-founder and manager of The Zoo, Joc Curran, has steered the venue through over 23 years of service to the Australian Music and Arts Industries. Along the way, bands too numerous to mention have performed there, art has been displayed, weddings have occurred, films have been shown and music festival after-parties and club events have raged long into the night. Over this time, literally hundreds of people have worked at The Zoo, many young artists, managers and musicians, all doing time on the bar, at the door, as a glassy or duty manager. Many of these people, the ‘Zooies’, have continued to become highly accomplished in their creative fields.

In 2005, Joc started Give Some Back, an initiative in partnership with Brisbane Youth Service to raise awareness and funds to assist homeless young people during the Christmas holiday period. Creating this breeding ground of creativity and strength of community has been the great achievement of The Zoo, and for Joc personally.

“23.5 years ago two young girls started with a dream to open a space that celebrated independent music, art and creativity,” explains Joc, “We happened upon a deserted warehouse loft in the Valley and started making it our own. We called it The Zoo and we are still here doing what we set out to do.”

“I have been its captain for these 23 years and a lot has changed in this time. We no longer use soda stream machines for soft drink. You don’t have to eat food, even though we loved our veggie curries, we now have Eftpos. What has never changed is our commitment to supporting, fostering, encouraging and promoting live independent music. For all of you who know the Zoo and it’s family of champions, the people who work to keep its heart beating and thriving, it is with such a full heart that I wish to say it is time for a changing of the guard.”

“Every story has different chapters and it is time to begin part two of The Zoo and let it grow again with a new generation. Thanks for the memories and all the times it felt like we could make a difference, even just to each other. The baton must be passed to someone worthy of the challenge that is set before them.”

Joc has introduced the new guardian of the keys, Pixie – an all-round renaissance woman, musician, passionate foodie and business owner.

“I have spent a large part of my life changing my mind. I have had over 21 different jobs since the age of 14, many times juggling 3 of them at once,” explains Pixie, “From making pizzas, managing musicians and artists, interning with a couture fashion house, office and corporate account management, waiting tables & serving beers, sales, cleaning, & call centre work. I have spent a whole lot of time hating where I was and confused as to what I was doing. I have since started 4 businesses successfully, made mistakes along the way but always learning how to succeed.”

“So now I have finally made up my mind. My number one and absolute passion in life is music. My dad is a musician, I grew up immersed in it, I love to listen to it, learn about it, write it, play it, sing it. I wanted it to be my job, but it is a tough industry to crack. I knew where I wanted to be, I just didn’t know how to get there. So I started Lost Boys, where I could combine many of the things I loved like organic food, mental well being and music. Feeding the touring artists is my way of reaching out to the industry. It was this inadvertent path that has led me to exactly where I want to be.”

“It’s been a long and windy road, but I have realised that all the times I changed my mind and all the times I felt lost, were for a reason. I feel incredibly lucky & thankful to be where I am today, having arrived at the Zoo. Joc is an amazing woman and I am privileged to have her guide me through this new undertaking of owning and managing The Zoo.”

“I want nothing more than to continue to nurture & support musicians on all levels. I plan to develop and evolve The Zoo while embracing the changing industry, keeping the Zoo held tightly within the Brisbane music scene for many more years to come.”

To mark this important occasion, The Zoo is throwing one gigantic party.

This event will be called 23.5 and will feature many artists and musicians who have been entwined with The Zoo’s history – all appearing to say goodbye and pay the deepest respect to Joc and also to joyously welcome Pixie.

The date of the event will be Saturday 25 June 2016. Further details and line-up will be announced shortly.