For the Record, a photo zine by photojournalist and documentary photographer — and former New Brookland Tavern bartender, Sean Rayford, documents the final three months of NBT at it’s original location in West Columbia, South Carolina.

60 pages / Color / 4.9 inches x 6.7 inches

Publication date: April 27, 2024

*************************

At the turn of - and during the first quarter of the 21st century, New Brookland Tavern served as the most influential live music venue in South Carolina. It still does.

A small room with a capacity near 350 in West Columbia, the club made it’s mark as a catalyst for local original music and with national tours punching above the weight of the small venue. Paramore, Taking Back Sunday, O.A.R., KRS-One, The Bouncing Souls, Thursday, Converge, Andrew W.K., Yellowcard, New Found Glory, Dillinger Escape Plan, Hot Water Music, Saves the Day, even LFO and Blake Lewis (American Idol) - the list goes on and on.

It was a spot for local youthful versions of Jake Luhrs (August Burns Red), Chaz Bundick (Toro y Moi), and Justin Osborne (Susto). When Luhrs was a teenager, NBT employed Chris McLane when he wasn’t on tour with Stretch Arm Strong and Luhrs found one-on-one mentorship here with McLane. Also, compare concert footage of McLane and Luhrs.

Setting NBT apart from other venues is its longevity, intimacy and all-ages shows. It’s a pillar of the local and regional art community and a consistent stop for road dogs. It’s a place for a fifteen year-old to see their favorite musicians up close and perform on the same stage the next week. Sometimes, they get to open for them — and their idol tells them, “Killer set,” as they load off stage.

During the summer of 2023, the building that housed the club was sold — threatening its future. Rent would drastically increase in 2024. The owner, staff and community scrambled and found a new building in the college bar district next to the University of South Carolina.

When I learned about the building’s sale in West Columbia, I immediately began this project, knowing the days at the location in West Columbia might be limited. I had been procrastinating a personal photo project about NBT for about a year and I understand the role of photography and the passage of time.

The final show at New Brookland Tavern at it’s original location in West Columbia was on Dec. 29, 2023. The first show at the new location — the next day in Five Points. It was the end of an era but also part a seamless timeline. One where people have always been making original music and going out to see their favorite bands perform live in Columbia, SC. The heart of the timeline now returns to the bar district that launched a band that took over the world — Hootie and the Blowfish.

PRESS

JASPER MAGAZINE: Columbia-based Photographer Sean Rayford Releases New Publication Documenting the Final Days of the Old New Brookland Tavern

POST AND COURIER: New Brookland's final months in West Columbia captured by local photographer in new book