twin nights out: a collabo post

On Saturday night I brought a few trusting friends out to see Selector Dub Narcotic, DJ Ian Svenonius and DJ Jonathan Toubin lay down a very serious dance party at Glasslands in Brooklyn. On Monday night, Alex attended the Santos Party House version.

PATRICK’S NIGHT

This weekend just so happened to mark my one year anniversary of moving to New York City and I can honestly say this was the most fun I’ve had since leaving Los Angeles. This in thanks completely to Calvin and Ian who kept the floor moving non-stop all night, trading dancing in the crowd and record selection duties from 11 p.m. to 3 a.m. Calvin classifies his playlist as Soul New Wave Punk Rock’n'Roll Dub Pop Hip-Hop Country etc., this night however was almost entirely Soul and Doo Wop 45′s from the 50′s 60′s and 70′s with a few twangy early country dancers tossed in. At the risk of sounding overly dramatic, it really felt like there was something special happening, something oddly nostalgic that no one there was actually old enough to remember. Everyone there was dancing, but not just that, everyone was dancing carelessly, like they just learned how. Which seems to only happen when you’re having an amazing time and you don’t care who’s watching. Being with friends helps, but our clique managed to merge fluidly with others throughout the night which made it feel like we all were there together. I know how hippie that sounds.

What came across more than anything though was that those in charge of commanding the party are without question vehemently and exhaustively in love with music and sharing it with others. The lives they’ve led so far has been a testament to this fact through the countless projects they’ve been involved in over the past 25 some odd years and the undeniable effect they’ve had on their respective genres. I have to say, it was a thrilling and revitalizing experience just to do something as basic and simple as: go out somewhere, hear good music, and dance like an idiot. I’m ashamed to say it’s been a while.

ALEX’S NIGHT

I got to Santos unfashionably early, of course. I was excited about Crystal Stilts being on the bill, but didn’t realize there’d be two bands before them. The first was sloppy-by-design crash pop/punk band German Measles (mems cAUSE co-MOTION!). The Measles should always, 100%, 1000% of the time play house parties or basement venues with no stages. On the big (and big-sounding) Santos stage, the whole punk/DIY/etc. charm was pretty much washed away. (Ed note: THIS IS NOT A DIS, SWEAR).

The second band, Puddin’ Tang, didn’t betray the spirit of their name (cheesy to the point where it’s not even “so bad it’s good”). Main dude was all MC5′d out (tight white suit jacket, whiteboy ‘fro), but it ended up being pretty unremarkable butt-rock.

Stilts were great: booming sounding, lots of reverb on the guitar and (relatively) new drummer Frankie playing with a bit of a reckless swagger. A bunch songs from the forthcoming Alight of Night, which is a current office fave (keep an eye out for it in October).

In between (and after) bands, Calvin, Ian and the house DJ played non-stop, obscure ’50 n’ ’60s soul. Stomping soul, at that; I’ve never been quite clear on the distinction of “Northern Soul” but this is what it sounds like in my head. Four-to-the-floor, quick n’ brassy, big choruses, lots of floor tom. Perfect three minute song after perfect three minute song, a few whiskeys, some like-minded flailing dancers (including Calvin and Ian themselves — wild, great fuckin’ dancers) and a couple of hours passed *likethat*. There was no self-consciousness, no “celebrity DJ” separation/awkwardness, no chin strokers bemoaning the mixing.

The night was defined by — as much as I hate to drag this term out — Good Vibes. It was full-hearted and straight up FUN. If they make it out to your town, don’t hesitate.