Hole in the Wall struts into Labor Day weekend with Hole-O-Rama – The Daily Texan

Blue lights coalesce over the face of Brotha Trav (Travers La Ville), while his guitar wails with the sound of blues. The light flitters from shades of cobalt and maroon to chartreuse for Bergman Beach, flowing from an emotional sound to a gritty indie rock.

Hole in the Wall held its inaugural Hole-O-Rama event on Sunday. The variety show brought together local musicians at the storied location on the Drag. Hosted by DJ Paul the Selector (Paul Carrubba), the event featured music from Andrew Cashen, Bergman Beach and Brotha Trav that combined rock, blues and indie influences from across Austin.

“I was taking shots with Paul the Selector … and I was like ‘I wish I could do an old school radio party with you, but I can’t afford that,’” La Ville said. “He’s like, ‘Well, let’s chat.’”

Bergman Beach singer Yola Blake Page reminisced on her time at UT going to shows at Hole in the Wall.

“I was itching to come back to Hole in the Wall,” Blake Page said. “(Labor Day weekend) was a weekend that I came to Hole in the Wall every year that I came back, so it feels like a homecoming.”

The event invited vendors like Rhylli Ogiura, owner of Amarhyllis Studio, a dice jewelry business. Her first time at Hole in the Wall, Ogiura said she enjoys the people in the Austin music community.

“(Hole in the Wall) is a classic music dive bar vibe, which is important to have around,” Ogiura said. “(There are) big, nicer venues … but those are nice for those reasons. Places like this that have character, that (have) history, are really important.”

Hole in the Wall first opened its doors in 1974 and has hosted a variety of acts, spanning from Townes Van Zandt and members of R.E.M to Stevie Ray Vaughan. The venue continues its legacy by hosting events like Hole-O-Rama for burgeoning artists.

“I was a student right across the street 20 years ago, and this was still here,” Bergman Beach bassist Chris Sanchez said. “Coming to see shows here back then, the fact that I’m still able to come see shows 20 years later — not just go see shows, but now I’m able to play on these stages. That is a privilege.”