There are playing of so-called “retro” or “old-school” theme nights and dance parties around Boston these days. And to that, Johnny Dalton says “hold my phonograph.”
The Boston Music Award-winning engineer, musician, and owner of Kung-Pow! Recording & Mastering sets up a throwback shop tonight (August 19) for an Antique 1900s soirée at O’Brien’s Pub, spinning antique Victrola DJ sets and turning the Allston dive into a laid-back speakeasy. In addition to the sounds from a pair of vintage record players from more than a century ago, the night, curated by Bellforge Arts Center’s lead audio engineer, also features acoustic performances from Doss and Joanne The Band.
“Besides recording music and engineering awesome shows, my other passion in life is learning history,” Dalton tells Vanyaland. “I put this show together to combine these two passions, to strip it all back and actually experience the pinnacle of what was technologically possible over 100 years ago. Forget the algorithms, forget wireless, forget streaming services, and step into a world where people were able to bring a record and music into their homes for the first time ever. This is decades before vinyl, people!”
For decades, nightclubs and venues were places where attendees could hear music that was not so easily available, and Dalton’s Antique 1900s party leans back into that vibe. Shazam doesn’t stand a damn chance tonight.
“Some of the music and artists you’ll hear aren’t on streaming apps anywhere, or can only be found mentioned in government copyright archives,” Dalton adds. “You’ll hear the earliest influences of jazz, like The Original Dixieland Jass Band, vocal pop sensations The Stirling Quartet — the Backstreet Boys of their day — and the beautiful classical serenades of John McCormack and His Orchestra.”
This is how great-grandma got down. Go maker her proud.
ANTIQUE 1900s VICTROLA DJ SETS :: Tuesday, August 19 at O’Brien’s Pub, 3 Harvard Ave. in Allston, MA :: 7 p.m., 21-plus, $10 :: Event info and tickets
