Brick 15: A New Acoustic Venue Comes to North County

Brick 15, Del Mar’s new acoustic music venue.

Liam and Laura Murphy, owners of Brick 15.

If you like top quality acoustic music with something to say, singer-songwriter material, bluegrass, Celtic music, and the like, and if you can get comfortable in an inviting venue with great sound, snacks, and a top-notch coffee bar, then you’ll like the new venue Brick 15, which just opened at the corner of Camino Del Mar and 15th Street in downtown Del Mar. It offers an open mic on Tuesdays from 7-10 pm (free; signups at 6:30). And, they are well into booking weekend acts, having presented Jack Tempchin (songwriter and performer) and Forest Sun and Ingrid Serban (songwriters from San Francisco) in August, their inaugural month.

Coming up are more nationally prominent touring acts, including the Lowest Pair (old-time roots music, featuring claw hammer and Scruggs style banjo) on September 16 and Michelle Lewis (internationally recognized folk singer) on September 17, On October 1 Richard Shindell (originally from New York and touring regularly) will appear and on October 15 the bluegrass band Chatham County Line. October 21 brings Luneaux, (three friends originally from the Del Mar area) and Jeffrey Foucault (internationally touring roots musician) plays on October 31. November 5 brings Jill Sobule (singer-songwriter and author of “I kissed a Girl,” and the soundtrack for 1995’s film Clueless), with more to come in the future. The plan is to capture top quality touring artists as they pass through the area.

Brick 15 is the creation and passion, of Liam and Laura Murphy. Originally from Massachusetts, the couple has had a lifelong love affair with acoustic music. Liam and Laura moved to San Diego in 2004, working in the “real” world until they were able to pursue their dream of opening an acoustic venue. While in Massachusetts Laura worked at Club Passim on Harvard Square and learned the roots/Americana ropes at that famous venue. She also plays violin and flute and was active in the choir when younger. She is modest by nature, though, and doubts you will find her on the Brick 15 stage.

Liam has played percussion since age five and guitar for the past 15 years, being accomplished on both, with lots of band experience. Both he and Laura say they plan to feature singer-songwriter types with something to say at Brick 15, selecting quality acts from a variety of genres. They are well on their way to proving the truth of that statement with the bookings they already have which bring fine examples of folk music, singer-songwriter, roots-blues, bluegrass, and old-time music to their stage.

Brick 15 isn’t just about music, though. It offers an outstanding coffee bar, with snacks, sandwiches, pastries, salads, and the like at reasonable prices. It has indoor table seating and a beautiful outdoor patio. Open from 5:30am, Brick 15 hopes to become a place to meet, hang out over coffee, and maybe play some chess. Laura is planning kid’s activities to come on Saturdays. Other activities are under consideration, too, including poetry and spoken-word events, all seen as a way to engage the community and foster collaboration among artists. Laura and Liam say something will be happening every night.

In the evenings the coffeehouse will convert to a music venue. Some shows will be row seating and some will retain in the table layout. The room will become a great listening room, with top-notch equipment and acoustics. There is ample parking in their parking lot and more on the street. Read more about Brick 15 at its website: www.brick15.com. Even better, stop by for a coffee and chat with Liam and Laura and check the place out yourself, or sign up for open mic on a Tuesday. Brick 15: 915 Camino Del Mar, Del Mar, CA 92014. Artists who are interested in playing the venue may send a portfolio to Laura Murphy, Booking Manager, Brick 15, 915 Camino del Mar, Del Mar, CA 92014. Or email: booking@brick15.com. Please include links to your marketing materials, bio, and music