Mo's Desert Clubhouse has been an oasis for Gold Coast creatives for four years – a survivor of the pandemic and a testament to grassroots community and what a genuine love for music and the arts can achieve.
The venue is the brainchild of Kim, Christian and Emilia: three friends who met in the Mojave desert and brought those vibes to a bare warehouse in Burleigh's industrial estate."Originally we were going to book bands and store our cars and we lived upstairs, and we weren't quite sure what we'd become, but after a while we had mates coming around and we put in a little stage and basic light setup and PA," explains Christian Tryhorn, who also runs Beats Cartel alongside Kim.
"From there it sort of started with people bringing their eskies in a BYO setup, we had a charity licence for a while, and after a year or so of that we decided to go all in."
After two years of council applications and red tape, Mo's became an official venue in 2019. Just in time for COVID to devastate the live events industry.
"We probably only pulled through from grant success, really; we went pretty hard on applying for grants, and we scored I don't know how many, but it kept us afloat in that time," Christian says.
"I think we had 6 months of under 50 patrons [per event], and it was a logistical nightmare trying to control people from dancing, or sitting down at a metal show, and that kind of thing."
In the few short years since, Mo's has expanded to accommodate all kinds of creative endeavours. Christian and co. moved out of upstairs, making room for co-working spaces, a rehearsal room and recording studio and a podcast studio onsite.
There's also a new cocktail bar and deck called El Ranchero, which opened only three months ago. "We always think we're done and then a brainwave comes along," Christian laughs.
"From here we're focusing on keeping it all rolling and getting bigger shows, and we'd like to apply for grants to do things like air-conditioning and extra things, but I don't think there's too much more we can squeeze into the space for now."
The venue has also played host to a number of acts even Christian – a booking agent and professional touring musician himself – never imagined. "We had Sunk Loto's first gig back after ten years, so there were grown, bearded men crying in the audience – that was huge," he laughs.
"We had Cog and bands like Ocean Grove, Psychedelic Porn Crumpets, Children Collide and Phil Jamieson and idols of mine growing up, so when you get to meet them and host them in your own venue it's pretty special."
In spite of the pandemic hindering a good portion of their business thus far, Mo's was named Live Music Venue Of The Year in 2021 and 2022 by Gold Coast Music Awards.
Christian says the secret is simply creating an accommodating space with great staff and an open mind. "We've created a relaxed and inclusive environment, and with that comes shows of all genres, and people of all demographics," he says. "I'd say that's a definite strength, just keeping variety and a sense of fun."
This September, Mo's Desert Clubhouse will celebrate its fourth birthday with the biggest birthday bash to date, with 12 bands performing across 2 stages.
"This year it's a bit of a challenge with the current markets with the cost of living and stuff, but we're going hard," Christian says.
"We had it pegged for the same weekend that BIGSOUND was in town – the following weekend – so we thought we might as well reach out to a bunch of those bands, so we've got a big chunk of BIGSOUND bands performing, plus some of our favourites and some touring bands as well."
As with previous years, there will be a dress-up theme. Last year it was ultimate 3way – this year it's awesome 4some. "We thought more so the Beatles or the bobsled team from Jamaica," Christian laughs.
"We usually do a dress theme, people tend to get into it and we've got some prizes and stuff for that. Just for something different, to have a laugh and change it up a little bit."
Mo's Desert Clubhouse 4th Birthday takes place Saturday 9 September from 2pm.
Mo's Desert Clubhouse 4th Birthday Line-up
Thunder FoxMiss June
Boomchild
Alt Fiction
Cakes
Salty Season
Dr Sure's Unusual Practice
Turtle Skull
Rinser
Annoying Neighbours
The Merchants
Dusty
Event MC: Aaron Gocs
