Meet Ian McGregor of Eye Design in Allston

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ian McGregor.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Eye Design started as a hobby when I first moved to Boston. I really didn’t know anyone when I came here, but I immediately saw the potential in the burgeoning music and art scene. As an avid show-goer, I started taking photos and shooting videos, which I later posted under the name Eye Design. In 2012, Eye Design started to become more than a hobby and I began booking shows consistently. The first one was in April 2012 at Great Scott, the beginning of a monthly event called Treat Yo Self: Creative Industry Night. TYS was a night featuring local music, art, food, and games. Those nights made me realize how much I liked putting shows together and so I put more focus into that moving forward. After 6 years, I’ve turned my attention to creating a space that would serve as a multifaceted venue. It would be like TYS, but all the time. Deep Cuts Deli will be that space. The idea of Deep Cuts Deli came from my passion for working in the restaurant industry (for over 15 years), for being a part of the local community, and for showcasing great music and art.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
As a freelance booker and promoter, it’s not always the most lucrative job to have. The bands and artists are the real talent so I’ve always wanted to put them first to make sure they’re promoted and compensated appropriately (adequately) (in the best way) (fairly). In the meantime I’ve worked as a bartender/server to pay the bills which has taken time away from starting Deep Cuts earlier. I’ve wanted to do this for a while so while the road hasn’t been too bumpy, it’s definitely been a long road.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Eye Design story. Tell us more about the business.
Deep Cuts will serve as a safer place for bands and artists to practice, play, and connect with the community. By day, we will provide quality deli sandwiches and food in a comfortable environment featuring music and artwork from local artists. We will also offer a range of workshops specifically aimed at aspiring artists and musicians. By night, we will provide showcases of bands, movie screenings, and art shows to our clientele. We hope to offer practice and recording rooms for bands on an hourly basis via an app similar to the Zipcar© concept. We aim to create a reciprocating relationship between the local community and artists where the products of food, music, and art continue to satisfy a growing audience.

Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
Working at Soulfire in Allston (R.I.P.) led me to booking my first show at one of the best venues in Boston, Great Scott. I got to meet a lot of great people in the industry and a lot of aspiring or already established artists. I worked at restaurants that also serve as venues like Firebrand Saints (R.I.P.) and The Automatic let me take over and host shows, fundraising events, and markets, have been key opportunities for me to build experiences for people and a name for myself. They also proved that a mix of quality food and fun events is something that the Boston community thrives on and we need more of. Deep Cuts will help fill that void.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.eyedesignma.com
• Email: showlove@eyedesignma.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eyedesign
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EyeDesignMA
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/EyeDesignMA
• Others: https://igg.me/at/deepcutsdeli

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