Life & Work with Preston Walker

Today we’d like to introduce you to Preston Walker.

Hi Preston, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
It all started at the Green Monster House in 2014–15 when a friend of mine let me borrow an extra room for my makeshift studio so we could have a place to chill out and record our music. We had a birthday party that was an open mic. and decided we should do more events like that. and over time, Studio 785 had its beginning. Hosting events that supported the underground music scene

2015-2019, The Wabash Block Party. Ray Winter (of Weech Music) and I decided to put on a block party. During that time, and even now, Topeka doesn’t have a lot of venues just for music. So we took it upon ourselves to host something that hasn’t been done in a while. Don’t get me wrong; there were block parties around the town, but the majority was corporate. The first year, we didn’t know what the hell we were doing. We pretty much used what we had. a trailer bed, some cheap Walmart party lights, and an iffy sound system. But what happened that night was surreal. Almost 500 people showed up. That was the start of something new. So we continued for the next four years. It was trial and error, but we made the Wabash block party a staple in Topeka’s underground music scene. And if it weren’t for Weech, we would not have gotten our own speakers and stage for future block parties.

The start of La Casa Blanca (LCB). My partner and I finally got our house to ourselves. The roommates have moved out. Young Mvchetes the band I’m currently in was using the living room as a practice space. I have thrown a few events at my house. but I was never able to make the most of the space. But since we didn’t have any roommates, I decided to bring in the stage that we used for the block party. The real reason I brought the stage was that I was afraid Kansas weather would destroy it if I stored it outside. So in December 2019, I wanted to start a DIY space for music. not knowing that COVID would change everything. We only had one show in February then the shutdown occurs. It was a blessing and a curse, at that time. I wanted to involve the space in something that hasn’t been done before. My goal was to have my space have the aesthetic of a real music venue in my living room during that time, COVID restrictions were in place, so we had very few events and did live shows online. LCB gained a lot of traction from its themed events, but all good things must come to an end. But that didn’t stop me.

Black Chamber Diy, February 2022; So I had to shut down LCB. To be honest, it hurt. But the people that showed up didn’t understand my vision. We had a few concerts that packed the house and had amazing vibes, and then there were a few events that didn’t go so well. That made me feel like it went against everything I stood for. Now I had a few weeks to think about what I wanted to accomplish and if it was going to even make an impact on anything. I’ve said this before. Topeka doesn’t have a lot of Venus dedicated to music; we have bars that provide music, so I decided to start a black chamber. A space for the underground music scene That felt like a real music venue, but in my living room. With only music-based events, Black Chamber had gained a lot of traction from out of town. Not knowing this would have a very big impact on our musical sense, Topeka hasn’t had a DIY space in over 15 years, or since I’ve been doing shows. Multiple bands from the surrounding Midwest and out-of-state come to Topeka, Kansas, If you want to know more, talk to me in person. I tried to keep this as short as possible. It’s still an underground space in Topeka that is the best-kept secret.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It’s been a journey; a lot of people don’t know it’s all run by one person. Trying to book, keep up with DMs of bands wanting to come out, promote, run sound, and be a doorman at the same time can get really stressful, but there’s a part of me that gets a rush out of doing all of these things.

Maybe it’s my ADHD, ha. I can go on, but it will feel like I’m complaining. I can’t go Without saying, I had a lot of help along the way, and I’m so grateful for all the friends that helped me through my journey at Black Chamber.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Electronic DJ, audio engineer, and lo-fi/experimental noise musician.

I’m proud of a lot of things, but mostly the Wabash block party and the Black Chamber. also bringing something different to Topeka’s musical sense.

Even if I don’t have anything, I’m determined to make it happen.

If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Well, I was pretty quiet and shy; I was a church kid, to be honest, every Sunday and Wednesday. But even at a young age, I was always fascinated by microphones and audio equipment.

I used to break countless karaoke and tape player systems. just to see how they worked I used to sneak into the audio room at church and “tweak” the system but luckily I never got in trouble for it. They understood I had a passion for messing with audio equipment, so they let me run the ministry for a while.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackchamberdiy/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blackchamberdiy
• Twitter: twitter.com/blackchamberdiy
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/blackchamberdiy
• Other: https://blackchambercollective.bandcamp.com/