Since its opening in 1998, Black Dog Coffee and Wine Bar has helped the Lowertown neighborhood in downtown Saint Paul emerge as a Twin Cities hotspot for music and art. Occurring every other Friday evening, The Black Dog’s regular music series, Community Pool: Deep End, has been at the forefront of this effort.

Hosted and curated by Brian Roessler and Nathan Hanson of the Fantastic Merlins, Deep End features a diverse range of live and improvised music from local and national groups. Along with co-owner of the Black Dog Sara Remke, the Fantastic Merlins discuss what makes performing in this venue unique.