Music memories are often made at 628 Divisadero Street in San Francisco. It’s been that way since the 1960s, when the address was home to the Half Note Club, which  hosted shows by jazz legends like Miles Davis  and Thelonious Monk.

In the 1990s, 628 Divisadero Street was silent for a few years. But music and memories once again began to flourish at this spot in the city when The Independent opened its doors over two decades ago. True to its name, the 500-capacity club has charted an independent course hosting acts representing just about every musical genre imaginable, including stars like The Black Eyed Peas, Green Day and John Legend, as well as local musicians

Carter Adams is one of the countless music lovers who formed a lasting memory at the iconic club. In 2008, shortly after he arrived in the Bay Area from North Carolina, he went to the club as a fan, and saw his favorite band, STS9 perform on its stage. Around this time his interest in learning how to program a light show had just begun.

As Adams recalls it, STS9 shows were a major influence in strengthening his commitment to join the industry.  He wasn’t certain that day, if he would ever light a show at The Independent, but for the past eight years he has been one of the house LDs at the venue, he feels he has “gone full circle.”

Adams, who is busy lighting festivals and touring acts like The Allen Stone Band, when he isn’t running lights at club, took some time to talk to us about working The Independent.

We understand you’re one of several house LDs at The Independent, Can you tell us how often you light shows at the club? 
“Usually, I work 2-4 shows per month in between my freelancing gigs.”

Do the different house LDs ever get together to share ideas/observations?
“Generally, we all stay pretty busy outside of the venue. Sometimes other LDs will ask to take a peek inside my punt file to see how I lay things out. I’m always happy to share knowledge with people willing to learn.”

The Independent has a relatively small stage (25ft x 14ft), considering its legendary status and the level of acts that sometimes perform there.  Can you tell us about the challenges of working this club? 
“The size of the stage can be a challenge, especially if the touring act is bringing in a floor package. An added challenge is that we don’t have dedicated audience lights and blinders. This means that I usually have to stomp out whatever the US moving wash are doing and use them to light the crowd.”

Do you have any input into how the house rig is put together?
“Brooke Kimple is the designer who puts together the rig  for The Indy and another legendary local venue, The Fox Oakland. He did both initial designs and also handles scheduling the LX teams at both venues.”

When you’re lighting a visiting act for the first time at the club , what are the things you do to make sure you are able to reflect their music in light?
“Before I confirm a show,  I like to listen to the artist online and maybe check out a few videos to get a feel for the music. This is to make sure that I appreciate the vibe as some styles of music are not a good fit for me. Most bands that come through The Indy without a touring LD will have general lighting notes. Some even have detailed set lists with requests for each song. If this info is given to me in a reasonable time frame, I will usually do a basic cue-stack for each song and add punt effects on top.

How did you start working at The Independent?
“I started working at the club in June of 2017. Before then I came through with a couple tours and local acts, so I was familiar with the space and I had met Brooke a handful of times.”

Who are some of your favorite acts?
There are so many! But, if I had to pick some of them are Theo Katzman, Joey Dosik, Bernhoft, Cannons, and Allen Stone.”

What is the best thing about working this club?
“Definitely, the staff. From the GM and Production Manager all the way to bartenders, security and box office. It is a family vibe and everyone who is there does it for the love of music and live concerts.”