An Intimate Setting: Chatting with Marissa Levy Lerer of The Listening Booth

(Marissa Levy Lerer: Photo Credit Gypsea Dawson)

The way music lovers interact with their favorite artists has changed drastically since the internet and the rise in popularity of social media. It’s hard to believe that only a few decades ago the only way for a music fan to interact with a musician was through their recorded music or live performances. Even then, it’s probable that nothing could make one feel more connected to an artist than witnessing them play their songs in a listening room. No one believes that and sees the value it brings to a community more than Lewes, Delaware, native and owner of Delaware’s premier listening room The Listening Booth, Marissa Levy Lerer.

Lerer is musically versatile with a background in musical theatre, playing music professionally for 20 years counting, and graduating from NYU with a major in music education with a concentration in Opera. In 2018, she decided the next chapter in her life would be to provide a place for her fellow musicians and artists to come and share their gifts. Since its conception, The Listening Booth has hosted countless touring musicians, organized consistent and locally adored open mics, and offered music lessons. We chatted with Lerer about their journey to venue ownership, the highs and lows, and how music lovers can help support their local favorite  music venues.  

What inspired you to start your own venue?

I’ve always wanted to do something important in music and touring and living out of my car was never really it. I had a long career as a computer programmer so I always thought I would do something musical in tech but it never quite clicked. My last tech job was for a company called RecordShop which sold NFTs for Electronic Dance Music. I thought I had finally landed a tech job that also was music related and I was pretty excited. I worked there for 12 days before they laid off a third of the staff, myself included. I also had just broken my ankle. I decided it was time to do something different with my life. I had also been accepted into the Launcher Program which is an educational program that teaches entrepreneurship to people trying to start their own businesses. I decided to give this idea a fair shake and give the 12 week course a try.

What sets your venue apart from other venues in the state/area?

Well we are really the only venue in the area that does strictly original music. There is another listening room in the area but they do a lot of the tribute stuff as well. We really want to keep focused on original music and underserved music. Also we are big on community building here. We want people to feel like they are home when they walk through our doors. We don’t want it to feel stuffy or unwelcoming.

(Nate McCormick musician, open mic host, sound technician, and music instructor Left Marissa Levy Lerer Right: Photo Credit Gypsea Dawson)

What's been one of your favorite memories at the listening booth?

Oh wow that’s a tough one. Open mics are really magical. When I got to open for Ellis Paul and he started playing MY song - that was pretty fun. Also we’ve had shows that haven’t been well attended but there’s a certain type of alchemy in the room where even if there are 8 people there it feels like there are millions. That’s really special. It’s also really fun to see bands who build a rabid fan base here. The Rough and Tumble opened for Dar Williams 2 years ago and now they have a huge fan base here. They are Slower Lower rock stars now. That’s fun and I’m glad we had a little part in that.

(Ellis Paul plays to a packed audience: Photo by Bryan Kremkau Photography LLC)

What has been the hardest obstacle to overcome as a venue owner? How do you battle that?

Money is always the biggest obstacle. It’s like financial whack-a-mole. Once you feel like you’ve tackled one unexpected expense there’s always another. Plus you’re always learning. There’s always another rule or regulation to learn about, especially as a nonprofit. But I love to research, I love learning. It’s fun to grow and become a holder of all this knowledge. I also love teaching my staff what I know so that we all become experts.

Is there anything you wish concert goers and music lovers should know about venues? (their importance, how to better support)

BUY TICKETS IN ADVANCE. We often gauge whether or not to even run the show based on advanced ticket sales. So if we haven’t sold enough tickets by a certain date, we may cancel the show. So even if you’re thinking about coming, buy those tickets. Support the venue! Support the artists! There’s an entire ecosystem of live music supported by small venues like ours and we need audiences to get their butts in seats! Also please please please bring your friends. And if you can’t afford a ticket, just ask us! We always have a few comps to give away to true music lovers and we’d rather have you there than have the seat go to waste.

(Photo by Bryan Kremkau Photography LLC)

 Any big plans/concerts/news new followers should know about? 

Jill Sobule returns in December, Dar Williams is coming back for another Inland Bays Fundraiser in March (date to be announced on giving Tuesday), Ellis Paul returns in February, Vance Gilbert makes his debut in April and Lucy Kaplansky also makes her debut in April.

For show schedule and ticket information at The Listening Booth visit their site, here.