Austin Venue Owner Locked Out of Empire Control Room Over Unpaid Rent

Landlord 606 Holdings LLC has barred Stephen Sternschein from accessing one half of the Red River music venue.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 10:23pm

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A photorealistic studio still life featuring a set of heavy metal keys and a padlock on a clean, monochromatic background, symbolizing the lockout of the Empire Control Room music venue due to nonpayment of rent.The locked gates of the Empire Control Room venue reflect the financial strain and legal disputes threatening the future of independent music spaces.Austin Today

Stephen Sternschein, the owner of the Empire Control Room music venue in Austin, Texas, was recently locked out of one half of his venue by the landlord, 606 Holdings LLC, due to alleged nonpayment of rent. The landlord's representative, Trey Spaw, posted a notice stating that Sternschein would not be provided a new key until all past due rents were paid in full. This lockout follows ongoing financial issues at the venue, including missed paychecks and mismanagement allegations reported in a previous Chronicle story.

Why it matters

The lockout of Empire Control Room highlights the financial challenges facing independent music venues, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic which severely impacted the live events industry. It also raises questions about the relationship between venue owners and landlords, as well as the potential impact on artists and concertgoers when a venue is forced to close or limit operations.

The details

On April 3, the landlord 606 Holdings LLC locked a side gate to the Empire Control Room venue and posted a notice stating that owner Stephen Sternschein would not be provided a new key until all past due rents were paid. A separate notice was posted on April 6 listing Trey Spaw's LLC, Treysian, as the manager of the 606 Holdings landlord. Spaw is a co-owner of the venue along with Sternschein. The venue's online calendar has been largely blank for April, but it is advertising some upcoming shows that will now take place in the adjoining Garage space.

  • On April 3, the landlord 606 Holdings LLC locked a side gate to the Empire Control Room venue.
  • On April 6, a notice was posted listing Trey Spaw's LLC, Treysian, as the manager of the 606 Holdings landlord.

The players

Stephen Sternschein

The owner of the Empire Control Room music venue in Austin, Texas.

606 Holdings LLC

The landlord that locked Sternschein out of one half of the Empire Control Room venue due to alleged nonpayment of rent.

Trey Spaw

Also known as William Spaw III, he is the representative of the landlord 606 Holdings LLC and the manager of the Treysian LLC that is listed as the manager of 606 Holdings. Spaw is also a co-owner of the Empire Control Room venue.

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What’s next

The future of the upcoming concerts scheduled at the Empire Control Room venue remains uncertain, as the lockout has forced the shows to be relocated to the adjoining Garage space. The legal proceedings between the landlord and venue owner will likely determine if and when Sternschein will regain full access to the venue.

The takeaway

This lockout highlights the financial fragility of independent music venues, especially in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. It underscores the complex relationships between venue owners, landlords, and the artists and concertgoers who rely on these spaces. The fate of the Empire Control Room serves as a cautionary tale about the challenges facing the live music industry as it works to recover.