I was absolutely delighted and honored to be profiled in the Peninsula Pulse by arts writer Sam Watson. I hope you’ll enjoy reading about my many years working in music (and a bit about magic, too!) as well as DJing and record talks in Door County. Thanks so much, Sam!
You can read the piece here: On the Record: Local Collector DJ’s with Huge Assortment of Vintage Vinyl, 78s
Happy Holidays!
Wow!!! I had such a fun time the over last three weekends spinning some vintage Yuletide favorites on vinyl and shellac at the incredible Door County, Wisconsin Christkindlmarkt. Thanks so much to John Nelson, Pat Palmer, Don Bumpus and everyone at the Christmas Market. I’m already looking forward to seeing everyone there next year!
I just created a new holiday playlist on Spotify with highlights from all of my 2022 Christmas Market sets. Below that you’ll find my holiday playlists from the last few years as well. I hope they bring some musical cheer to the season.
Wishing you and yours a joyous holiday. Wassail!
I’m delighted to announce a series of gigs at one of my favorite new Door County traditions, the magical Chistkindlmarkt at Sister Bay’s Corner of the Past Museum. I’ll be spinning crowd-pleasing favorites from my collection of rare holiday music on vinyl and shellac. Come join us from 3-5pm Friday November 25 & Saturday November 26, Saturday December 3rd, and Friday December 9 & Saturday December 10.
Learn more about the Christmas market at www.doorcountychristmasmarket.com
Wassail!
What a blast to open the season with an outdoor gig in front of a beautifully restored vintage trailer! I got to spin an all 45s set on May 6th for the open house and flea market at Heather Weasler’s gorgeous Drömhus office and event space in Sturgeon Bay, WI. Drömhus is a lovingly remodeled church in the heart of Sturgeon Bay. You can see pictures of the interior here. Thank you Heather and everyone who stopped by!
Since moving to beautiful Door County, Wisconsin last September I’ve enjoyed getting to know the people of this wonderful community. I especially love learning about Door County history. I also got to spin some vintage pop, soul, and R&B sets on 45rpm and 78rpm records for several fun private events and the grand opening celebration for the newly revamped Fish Creek Beach. See photos below, with more to come!
Seasons Greetings, friends!
Anything new with you? Oh, everything? Me too! First off, I hope this finds you safe and well. 2020 brought lots of changes, including a big move for my family. We now live in beautiful and historic Door County, Wisconsin.
I spent the first part of the pandemic spinning online, including at the Quarantuned Music Festival, on Instagram Live, and on Facebook. It was a great way to connect with friends and share my collection while staying safe at home. Then we moved more than halfway across the country and I’m still digging boxes of records out of storage. I did find my Christmas records, just in time. I hope you’ll join me on Facebook Live next Saturday, Dec 19th and Thursday, Dec 24th (8pm CST/6PM PST), for two sets of rare, weird, and wonderful holiday tunes. Please visit here to watch. Warning: watch live if you want to see the full sets.
I’ve really missed DJing for you, and I hope you enjoy these sets! I’ve saved up some of my very best records to bring a little holiday cheer into a difficult year.
Ho ho ho,
DJ Wassail Watkins
DAVID WATKINS DJ: VINTAGE MUSIC - REAL RECORDS
"The party rode on the wings of David’s sensational selections, setting the perfect mood for the fab festivities!" --Charles Phoenix, The Ambassador of Americana
“If you want an eclectic mix of music that is fun and varied and all full of cheer, you should check out David Watkins. He is… Awesome!” — DJ Lance Rock, Yo Gabba Gabba
Specializing in unique and sophisticated vintage music in a wide variety of styles, as well as Christmas music people actually want to listen to, Los Angeles DJ David Watkins spins thoughtfully curated sets from real records (78s, 45s & LPs) on modern equipment, bringing an analog feel to a digital world. Clients include Charles Phoenix, Bob Baker Marionette Theater, Live Nation, and the Magic Castle.
Find me on Instagram here!
Happy Halloween! I'm excited to announce I'll be spinning 78s for The Growler's Beach Goth Halloween show at the legendary Hollywood Palladium on Saturday, November 2. Tickets are still available.
It's been a busy fall so far. I had an absolute blast DJ-ing at Soap Plant / Wacko at the launch party for Charles Phoenix' awesome new book, Holiday Jubilee. I played a mix of vintage styles at a fun private art opening and got out the 1920s & 30s shellac for the Heritage Square Museum's 50th anniversary party. The museum is a Los Angeles treasure and they have Halloween tours coming up, so be sure to visit.
You can see photos from recent events below!
Planning a winter holiday gathering? I have been collecting wild, weird, and wonderful vintage yuletide tunes for years and can bring my unparalleled collection to your party or event. Read more about my holiday sets here.
"If you want an eclectic mix of Christmas music that is fun and varied all full of holiday cheer, you should check out David Watkins. He is… Awesome!" -DJ Lance Rock, Yo Gabba Gabba
I had the opportunity to work a lot of great events this spring, including spinning a swinging all-45rpm set for the incomparable Charles Phoenix at the spectacular Valley Relics Museum in May. The cars, the neon, the Kodachrome! An outrageously fun time was had by all.
Other cool gigs included Ladies Night at Playclothes Vintage Fashions in Burbank and a private party and performance on Museum Row in L.A.!
Check out the photos below.
I’m available to bring my collection of rare vinyl or shellac (78rpm records) to your event, and can spin on modern gear or on two wind-up Victolas. See my sample set lists to inspire ideas for your spring or summer bash!
Happy New Year! 2018 ended on a high note with a flurry of great gigs, and I’m looking forward to more in 2019. First of all, I have the coolest clients. It’s always a blast to create sets for their unique events.
I was honored to close out 2018 at the world-famous Magic Castle in Hollywood, spinning swinging tunes at their New Year’s Eve party. The theme was Casino Royale and I had great fun creating an all-vinyl set of 1960s soundtracks from classic spy films. Of course, I had to wear my gold 60s suit jacket and Sansabelt slacks while I played Goldfinger! The set was so well received, I’ve added it to my list of offerings. (Plus a new one called Rhythm & Burlesque. Check them both out here.)
Perhaps equally thrilling was being invited to create a soundtrack for Charles Phoenix’s annual Holiday Show. I provided a series of weird and wonderful Christmas tunes to open and close his famously fun retro slide show.
It’s become an annual holiday tradition to bring my collection of rare Christmas music to Amoeba Music in Hollywood. See photo below!
In November, I brought my dueling victrolas to the Topanga Vintage Market to entertain the holiday shoppers at their last show of the year. I love playing for other vintage enthusiasts, who always have great questions about my equipment and 78s, and lots of knowledge to share.
Thanks so much to everyone who invited me to their events. Here’s to more musical adventures in 2019!
Spinning a Casino Royale themed set at The Magic Castle on New Year’e Eve. Photo by Taylor Wong.
Hello Friends,
It's the hottest L.A. summer on record, so I've been breaking out the beach and BBQ tunes! I've got a variety of sets to keep your summer soirees cool including vintage Hawaiian music, classic R&B and blues, and 60s surf & beach instrumentals. As always, sets are all vinyl or shellac (78rpm). Check out my set lists here or email me for more details.
Best,
David
