Playlist Friday...

This weeks playlist is a mix of new pop-indie bands I have found over the last few weeks. Maybe you have heard of some or maybe you have not...crank up your vintage stereo, grab a Pabst and enjoy the weekend!

Record Store Day at The Record Parlour...

Want to dig through crates of quality vintage records? Find music you grew up with? Discover music you never knew existed and discuss it with other music enthusiasts? The Record Parlour on Selma Avenue in the heart of Hollywood is a one-stop shop for all things music. They specialize in hunting down vinyl records, cassettes, old school turntables, and band memorabilia creating a culture of community that the neighborhood desperately needs. Attracting everyone who has a passion for the music, with over 20,000 vinyl records, vintage stereo gear and music memorabilia, the Record Parlour is quickly becoming a staple hang out for the surrounding hipster youth.

Since it opened, almost two years ago by owner Chris Honetschlaeger and manager/partner Chadwick Hemus, the store has been building a name for itself by hosting exciting in-store showcases, pop-up performance gigs, album playbacks and DJ sets to entire live performances recorded and transferred directly to vinyl onsite. Honetschlaeger has a background in vintage equipment and Hemu’s pedigree is as a vinyl curator for the original Amoeba (San Francisco)—which ensures that the sound and quality are outstanding.

Rooms and rooms and rooms filled and organized with albums...

For Record Store Day on Saturday, April 18 The Record Parlour hosted a series of events and live performances kicking off the celebration with the debut vinyl collection from the estate of philanthropist Marshall Howard. The heavily curated collection features extremely rare original finds—including Jazz, R&B, Classic Rock, Soul, Blues, Exotica and Folk. Bands that performed included Isaac Rother & The Phantoms, Lee Bob and The Truth and Big Jay McNeely & Rob Stone: Chicago Blues; and there was a book signing of Record Store Book: Fifty Legendary and Iconic Places to Discover New and Used Vinyl by author Mike E. Spitz and photographer Rebecca Villaneda.

We had a chance to sit down with Honetschlaeger to see what makes The Record Parlour tick.

M2M: How long have you been serving the community?

Honetschlaeger: We opened August 2013, so a little over a year and half. It took me four months to build. It was all offices before. I basically knocked out all the walls to keep the space open. The idea was this building has so much history being an old print shop in the 20’s. If you look around Hollywood these buildings are going away with all the development going on. We just basically came in here and reconfigured the whole joint.

M2M: What makes The Record Parlour different from other record stores?

Honetschlaeger: I don’t think we’re a record store at all. We’re a record / lifestyle store. I am not offended by the record store [title] but I just think we are bigger than that and here’s why, the three P’s: Purchase, Perform and Produce. That’s the vision here. We go past the one-dimensional place to purchase music. The second “P” stands for “place to perform music.” We built a stage and an incredible sound system. We have had little bands and big bands play here and they tell us it sounds amazing. It sounds amazing because we make it amazing. Venues operate 24/7. If a speaker goes out they can’t get to it for two weeks. I have a tech on staff, so if something goes out, it’s fixed immediately. Also, we don’t stack bands. There is only one band per night, except for today, which is special because of Record Store Day. One band per night gives the band time to hang out and sell their merchandise. If you have ever been a musician it can be pretty hectic to be rushed around. The third “P,” which we started rolling out in January, stands for “a place to produce music.’ So downstairs, right below us, is going to be our control room. So literally you come play, cut a record on our record lave, perform it that day and sell your records. Again, Purchase, Perform, Produce.

M2M: What is on your personal turntable right now?

Honetschlaeger: Well I have a five year-old daughter so nothing is ever on my turntable. I don’t know if you have kids, but it will get destroyed. [laughs] But what was on my turntable was, well like to tinker with DJ’ing. I am sort of good at it, not that I am a scratchy turntable-ist but I know how to put songs that are BPM (beats per minute) related together and that’s hard because you’re tying into the vibe of the song, or to the break of a song, or the bridge of a song. Nowadays with all these DJ’s I have to say it’s pretty easy. I mean everything is BPM or beat tracker. Back in the day all we had was vinyl. Everyone who comes here spins records. I’m talking about real records and that’s really, really hard, especially if you’re not tapping them out or matching BPM’s. But what’s on my turntable? As of right now. Rick James.

Honetschlaeger’s passion for detail and love for music is what makes The Record Parlour an undeniable epicenter. The rustic feel of open space, brick walls and exposed wood beams give the space character that is accentuated by its enthusiastically helpful staff. Whether you want to find that KISS album you had in your teen years, acquire a first pressing of Changes by David Bowie or catch a concert of local The Record Parlour is a must.

The Record Parlour owners hard at work...

THE RECORD PARLOUR is located in Cahuenga Corridor: 6408 Selma Avenue: Hollywood, CA 90028. www.therecordparlour.com

Secret Shows at SoFar...

Are you sick of spending a ton of money to go to an over-crowded music venue with a terrible view? Are you ashamed of your “old-man” earplugs because now you’re an adult and you’ve realized that your addiction to loud music is slowly destroying your hearing? Well if you said yes, we have discovered an underground secret show circuit that offers that intimate setting to appreciate live music, a good view, and enjoyable volume level. The best part is that it doesn’t require any cash – only your respectful attention. Sofar Sounds, the answer to your musical prayers!

These events showcase emerging talents in the indie-music scene, as well as well-established artists. The performers are kept a secret until guests arrive at the venue and see discreet posters taped to the walls listing the menu of talent for the evening. So, why all the secrecy? “Keeping SofarSounds as  ‘secret shows’ creates a sense of curiosity, which keeps drawing people back for more. Many like the fun, spontaneous element of surprise, ” shared Monina Castillo, Sofar’s L.A. PR rep. “People also feel special being part of an “in-the-know” music discovery movement and community that offers a different experience than the typical music venue or club.”

The shows are free and you can BYOB so you’re not spending $10 on a can of PBR. However, Sofar welcomes donations to help pay their videographers and editors, who put together the performance videos of each band on Sofar’s YouTube channel, where you can keep enjoying them over and over.

You may ask yourself: “How do I get into one of these super awesome secret shows?” All it takes is the Internet and a little patience - no need for a famous uncle, a small fortune, or forged backstage passes. Head over to http://www.sofarsounds.com/, sign up, and RSVP for the shows you’d like to attend in the city of your choice. You’ll get an email confirmation a couple of days before the show letting you know if you’re invited. Heads up though, since the shows are in small intimate spaces, they can’t accommodate large numbers at a time, so sometimes it can take a few tries before getting invited. But don’t be disappointed and RSVP as many times as you want because the organization works hard to make sure everyone gets a chance to see a session eventually.

Photo: Zane Roesell @ zrofoto.com

In keeping with the spirit of Sofar Sounds, the first show I went to was a totally last-minute adventure. A friend of mine had finally received an invitation after months of waiting. Luckily for me, her original +1 fell through. We arrived at an amazing three-story loft in Atwater Village, early enough to witness the videographers setting up shop in the kitchen across from a menagerie of instruments set up in the living room. That night we indulged in the musical stylings of The Parlour Suite (http://www.theparloursuite.com/), Sales (http://wearenotsales.com/), and My Double My Brother (http://mydoublemybrother.com/). I had never heard of these bands before and I had awesomeness-induced goosebumps the entire time. I was hooked. 

Whether you’re interested in discovering new artists or praying to the music gods for an intimate show with one of your long-time faves, these shows are an amazing experience you’ll never forget. I promise the awesomeness will give you goose bumps, unless you’re a soulless robot. In that case please skip the show and save that spot for a real live music lover.