Resilient underground-electronic record store Halcyon opened its fourth incarnation earlier this month, inside of Williamsburg club Output. The hybrid cafe/record shop, which launched in Carroll Gardens in 1999, took over the space previously occupied by Output’s Stilton House room and is now hosting a weekly open decks Record Party on Sundays from noon to 6 p.m. It’s described as “every vinyl diggers dream opportunity to climb behind the decks and show off their proudest finds.”
Sign-ups for 30-minute slots start at noon sharp and are decided on a first-come, first-served basis. But be warned, selectas: The Facebook event states, “Sunday afternoon in a cafe is not where you will find your 15 minutes of fame… which is to say, ‘The Record Party’ is not an audition for prime time slots at Output.” So think “Erotic City,” not “Faxing Berlin.”
DJ Hunter Laine (right) got some compliments on his 30-minute slot on Sunday, February 21.
Notwithstanding a stern warning about what wax is and is not appropriate for their wheels of steel, the open-decks event has an open door policy and welcomes everyone from wallflowers to wannabees to white-label wizards. Staffer Zeni Karpuzi says the social vibe is important for building a sense of community amongst local artists, something he thinks is lacking in a city that baits and books so much international talent.
If you’re one of the few people in Williamsburg who isn’t a DJ, don’t worry. The Funktion-One sound system, an undeniable improvement upon earlier iterations of the store, sounds better on the other side of the ones and twos anyway. Custom-made record storage bins by woodworker Traven La Botz are another nice, new touch.
(Photos: Karissa Gall)
And if you score a house, techno, bass or hip-hop dub plate somewhere along your search of their 5,000 titles, there are three proper listening stations on standby.
Halcyon the Shop, 74 Wythe Ave., at North 12th St. in Williamsburg; 718-260-9299.