Evans brothers, Mike & Roberto take a quick picture on the last night of The Exchange. The show featured Archer Sounds (Pa), Josh Dease, and Something With Hands.

A Tough Call..And Thank You’s

After much thinking and discussing, Mike & I have decided to close The Exchange.  It was a tough call, but at this point in our lives it makes sense. I (Roberto) am busy running Gifthorse , and Mike has his full time job as a mental health and addictions counselor. It just seems like the right time to graduate this chapter of our lives.

Before we say bye though, we have some Thank You’s. Want to thank everyone that was a support, encouragement, artist or came to a show. Thank you if you listened to me banter about an idea in my head. The reason we  started this whole thing is because we believed in the uniqueness and creative expressions of this local community. Gainesville is awesome. There’s been so many great shows – you really made it what it was. Its been an amazing ride.

I (Roberto)  want to give a big ‘thank you’ and mad props to Mike. When I opened Gifthorse, I planned on closing The Exchange. There’s no way I’d be capable of running the two. However, Mike stepped up and took the reigns of  The Exchange. This is almost exactly a year ago, almost to the day. (Eerie, I know.)  Since then he’s done an amazing job booking and coordinating shows, in both the musical and visual arts, as well as dance parties and community events. Sheesh, he’s done a good job. Buy this guy a drink if you see him.

As for the future

Mike and I both love music – and we may even be writing some together in the near future. ..be on the lookout for it. Mike plans to continue producing and promoting music shows. He also has plans to continue his education in the mental health field.

I’m stoked about the direction gifthorse is going, and even busy developing our store’s our own line of upcycled clothes. Besides that, I’ll be devoting more time  to my own art and music projects. (Ps: I have a solo art show in November at The Bull . )

The location at 815 West University will now be used by the Taigwa Crepe’s place next door. They have plans to unite the two spaces and make an awesome crepes and coffee shop. Sounds tasty.

Just to mention, a few things we’ve learned (Mike & I’s combined list)

• God gives ideas & dreams. You should probably pay attention to those. Write them down. Tell people who you can trust. Don’t tell everyone. Again, don’t tell everyone. Even if you have to incubate the dream, and keep it going subtly – then keep it going subtly.
• Be ok with timing. Somethings you can’t rush or  push. Sometimes that’s a heads up slow down.  Do what you can to prepare, but in the end there’s things out of your hands. Its just the way it is. Keep patient, but keep the ball movin. (Remember the dream thing? It’s like that-even if subtly and only you and a trusted few know about it, keep it moving.)
• Business with friends is fine. Just clearly define the expectations clearly. Don’t assume your bestee “knows” what you’re feelin.
• You really do need that extra bag of ice.
• Enjoy what you do. En-JOY it. If you can’t, you really should ask why you’re doing it. Maybe its just changing how you do it, or the style. A million people could do the same business, the way you do it will be different. What unique flavor and style do you bring?  Yeah, there’s a time for doing what you have to do, but still, always, keep the ball moving and keep the dream burning.

THANK YOU !

Roberto & Mike

Ps: If you want to collaborate & scheme on some projects. My phone number is 347-ROBERTO

Archer Sounds – the new music project by Hilary White.  Hilary was the songwriter behind Lion Vs and is also known    a  Listen to them hear:  http://www.reverbnation.com/archersounds .