The Floating Laboratories Experiment Ends

Courtesy of Floating Laboratories

Floating Lab's closing was a premeditated act for Harris. No horror stories here; it was just time for a change. "It gets difficult living in an old factory for a long period of time," Harris says.

Harris' living situation isn't quite all, though. Harris felt that the venue had "run its course," that he let too many things happen naturally and that ultimately what the venue became was of its own design.

"Floating Labs operated with only one absolute prerequisite: that the content be such that it offer audience members music that is 'non-traditional' and 'progressive.' The meaning of [these words], as well as logistical details were sort of allowed to happen naturally. I could have set better standards for everything and Floating Labs would have been a more enjoyable experience for those curious and serious about hearing interesting music. At any rate, shows at Floating Labs were always a lot of fun," Harris says.

Floating Labs emphasis on experimental art was not by chance. Harris says he wanted to provide a space "to support music that isn't supported by traditional commercial entities." Much of the venue's direction stemmed from touring bands and the show's content followed suit. While Harris unquestionably supports touring artists, the existing structure left Harris feeling he had less control over the artistic content.

"No one wants a venue where content just happens to happens to fall in their lap. It's always better to choose what you want, but especially at Floating Labs where there is a really narrow, specific kind of music we are trying to put on," Harris says.

Harris began to see the direction he wanted to the take the venue as more and more concerts were played. "With regard to content, I feel it was becoming too complacent. The problem with presenting non-traditional music is that traditions are established quite quickly, and then, the music fails to be non-traditional; it becomes fashionable. It is a very face progression from unique to fashionable to cliche," Harris says.

Floating Labs' evolution was some what happen stance. It began as Harris' personal home, in which like-minded friends gathered to share their art. Some of these friends were promoters and involved in the music scene quickly bumping Floating Labs to venue status. Harris' open-mindedness and loose control allowed Floating Labs to seem like an experimental art installation on its own.