Vape Culture Spreads Across Oxford Music Venues

 Approaching the entrance, the vapor-filled Jackson Avenue creates a mental image of small bookshelves filled with liquid bottles, accompanied by handheld gadgets and trinkets.

But in reality, you also step into an authentic and charming realm of artistic expression.

Art spreads across the walls, with paintings depicting Colonel Reb locked in a kiss and the intricate details and vibrant colors of a rebellious black bear on canvas. Co-owned by Austin Wheeler and Donald Scaggs, it welcomes anyone willing to showcase their passion through art.

The atmosphere here is sprinkled with the sweet aroma of grape-flavored vape juice and modern jazz from the speakers near the stage, with last night's performance based on Hattiesburg jazz fusion bringing friends together for a southern flight of the remaining back corner.

Wheeler and Scaggs moved from their original 1500-square-foot vape shop to a new and larger space three months ago. They said they realized they needed more space as they noticed an increasing number of people hanging out and relaxing after the last shop closed.

But the idea of flipping the vast, desolate space into a daytime vape shop and a music performance venue at night started as just talk.

“We brainstormed, thinking, 'How do we fill this space?'” Scaggs said. “This is one of the first nights here, and we thought, 'What if we put a stage in?' It was a joke - we didn’t really mean to make it happen. But we got the tape measure out and started lining up where we could put it and how we could logistically make it work.”

With his carpenter mentor and in-laws, Scaggs built a stage and bar, and everything seemed to just fall into place.

“I had the sound system. He had the stage,” Wheeler said. “It was just like, 'Why not?'”

When they began booking bands through Facebook, email, and phone calls, Scaggs realized that artists really didn’t know what to expect when performing on Wall Street.

“It’s strange, but it’s huge,” Scaggs said. “When a band pulls up at night, we love to watch them and see their reactions. They would double-take, triple-check. They would turn around in the parking lot. They couldn’t figure out if they were in the right damn space. Then they would walk in and feel at ease. It’s a little strange.”

But the vape merchandise counter, covered at night, primarily focuses on the stage, transforming Wall Street into a performance venue like any other.

“It’s a very strange dichotomy,” Scaggs said. “One you wouldn’t think of, but it’s no different than a café or restaurant with a different venue.”

Oxford is home to many businesses that double as stages. Proudly, Larry and Van Brunt have converted their housing into a performance venue after sunset. Therefore, Wheeler and Scaggs didn’t feel Oxford needed another venue; they just felt it needed a different one.

“We want to be able to cultivate music that is lacking in Oxford’s scene,” Scaggs said. “There’s no metal scene in Oxford. There’s no live jazz fusion. There’s no huge progressive or experimental music scene. It shows up every once in a while, but only when it’s a really big act.”

Big musicals often start in smaller places, and Wheeler and Scaggs understand themselves as local musicians pounding the pavement. They hope the walls will be the venue for Oxford, and in just three months, with 75 acts, the two feel lucky to be given such an opportunity. Bands from all over the country find Wall Street to be one of their favorite spots due to its aesthetic and enthusiastic crowd.

“This isn’t to negate anything any other venue has done,” Scaggs said. “We just want to be a place where music can be expressed in different ways. That’s what we’re trying to cultivate here - a safe space for weird music types that aren’t getting played in Oxford.”

Jackson Avenue, rather than a square location, also offers a more music-centric experience for both performers and the audience.

“A lot of times in the square, as any Oxford resident knows, there are a lot of people drinking, and a lot of people stumbling into a show,” Scaggs said. “Everyone who comes here is specifically here to experience music with their peers and to engage with the artist’s intent.”

Friend and bassist Reb Bradford said the audience really gets into the band’s performance on the walls.

“It’s a really fun night,” he said. “The intimacy between us and the audience is the coolest thing. That kind of atmosphere makes you want to play!”

Wall Street’s patrons are also eager to support the bands. Many linger after the show to buy merchandise or express their gratitude for the performance.

“It’s a really strange phenomenon,” Scaggs said. “Eighty percent of them experience this in a different way than you see in some places, and they’ve really embraced how we’ve been able to do this.”

Wall Street’s goal is simple: to care more about artists - whether it’s performance art or visual art. Wheeler and Scaggs hope artists express themselves honestly with those who want to share the experience.

Wheeler and Scaggs also practice what could be called the “golden rule for musicians,” meaning they try to treat their acts the way they would want their own band to be treated.

“Every night a band comes through, [Austin], I make it a point that we all buy merch,” Scaggs said. “We’re always there, and our main goal is to provide a space where all artists are actually cared for.”

Wheeler and Scaggs said they also commit to giving 100% of the night’s performance revenue to the musicians.

“We do what the spirit would want it to be, if we were touring and tired of painting this place,” Wheeler said. “If I had my ideal venue, it would have a great stage, a good sound system, and a super chill vibe with a cooling bar.”

And Wall has it all - art, vaping, music, and even video games.

The venue also features showers and free lodging for those looking for a little R&R after a long tour.

“This is a handmade place, with a unique experience to share with others... We want it to be a community, not just a venue,” Wheeler said.

But the music charity doesn’t stop there. The spirit of the venue only shows up for other acts, and the chemistry is unparalleled, or specifically requested by another band to join in performing on the wall stage. Even so, they still don’t take a penny from the proceeds.

“We don’t want this to be a spirit venue,” Wheeler said. “This is Wall Street - it’s its own thing.”

It’s a place meant for unique experiences and true artistic expression, and Wall Street is definitely presenting a new area of creative outlets in Oxford.

“When people ask about our mission, it’s just honest expression,” Scaggs said. “I don’t care how weird it is. I don’t care how taboo it is. I don’t care how many people show up. I don’t care if it’s just us being able to experience it here. We’re just glad to have the house. To host it. That’s our drive. That’s why we’re here.”