Jackson Free Press

If you've been to Martin's Lounge more than twice, chances are you know Robert Arender. He's been a regular fixture behind the bar there for nearly 10 years now. For about eight of those 10, he's been bringing some of the best independent bands in America and elsewhere to the tiny stage in the front of the bar, slowly putting Jackson on the indie circuit.

Way back in 1994, the music scene at Martin's consisted of a random showing of an 11-year-old Leanne Rimes singing along to a backing tape. Then local faves Cornflake started playing gigs. In 1998 and 2000, two other bands you may have heard of played their first shows there—The Vamps and Living Better Electrically, respectively. Mark Roemer and the Superband Wasteband guys staged some of their earliest infamous performances in Martin's.

That's where Robert comes in. This guy, who knows how to pour a perfect drink and always has a grin on his face, convinced some bands and promoters to bring some shows to Jackson as one-overs from sister cities like Memphis, New Orleans and Birmingham. "It was me and some other local radicals, Wes (Williams) and Marsh (Nabors), basically using our friends and contacts in other towns, and bugging bands until they came here to play," he says.

Robert recalls the early days fondly. Asked what some of his favorite shows have been, the list is long: American Analog Set, Dear Nora, The Mooney Suzuki, Matt Pond P.A., VHS or Beta, Mates of State, Ladybug Transistor, Enon, Of Montreal and many others. And of course, Robert always takes care of the band members—from cooking for them to donating a place to crash for the night.

In addition to his duties at Martin's, Robert manages the bar at another Jackson institution—Little Tokyo II. When that location expanded a few years ago, he created the beverage and wine menu and set the bar up. He dreams of opening his own venue—combining great food and drink with a large performance space. And with downtown Jackson on the verge of a dramatic rebirth, this dream may not be too far off.

So what's next at Martin's? There's more in the pipeline, Robert assures me, grinning and laughing. The first few months of 2005 are already filling with bands who have stellar credentials—bands that regularly play in Austin and Portland and Boston.

"It's gonna be a good year," he says.