Wow!!! I had such a great time chatting with my good friend Annika Johnson of Al Johnson's Swedish Restaurant & Butik , for her latest episode of Door County Girl. We talked about how I started my vintage music mobile DJ service, how I got into magic and how my family and I ended up moving to Door County, Wisconsin. And, I revealed what I have learned about the magic connection to Ephraim, Wisconsin. Please check it out!
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
What a fun afternoon! The weather could not have been nicer and we even had a dance floor going. Thanks so much to Al Johnson’s, Bryn, Chase, and everyone who came out to hear me spin some classic sixties soul 45s on August 6th at The Stabbur at Al Johnson's Swedish Restaurant, one of my favorite places in Door County -- or anywhere! I hope the goats enjoyed it as much as. I did.
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!
Over the last 20 years I’ve created complications of rare and rocking vintage Christmas cuts for friends, as well as for Charles Phoenix’s Holiday slideshow and amazing retail stores such as Artel in Prague and Amoeba Music. This year I created three playlists of some of my favorites on Spotify for all to enjoy! Wassail!
Please take a moment to check out my new promo video!
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!
Had a fun afternoon spinning 45s for Charles Phoenix’s Holiday Jubilee book signing at the amazing Valley Relics Museum’s 11th Annual Car Show and Toy Drive. Thanks, Charles and Tommy!
Well folks, spinning 78s at the legendary Hollywood Palladium for The Growlers was the biggest Halloween thrill I could ask for.
I feel lucky to have played some of the most historic places in Los Angeles, and being on that iconic stage is something I'll never forget! You can see video below.
DJ David Watkins spinning Big Maybelle's "Strange Things Happening Every Day" on 78rpm at the Palladium in Hollywood for the Growlers' Beach Goth Halloween Show (Nov 1, 2019). www.davidwatkinsdj.com
DJ David Watkins spinning Wingy Manone's "North Hollywood Blues" on 78rpm at the Palladium in Hollywood for the Growlers' Beach Goth Halloween Show (Nov 1, 2019). www.davidwatkinsdj.com
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 a great time spinning ukulele and Hawaiian music from the 1920s to the 1940s on 78rpm at an anniversary party for the Jumpin’ Flea Circus, a group of ukulele enthusiasts who’ve been meeting to strum their ukes in Sherman Oaks for 15 years! Thanks to all the fleas for the warm welcome and the chance to spin some of my all time favorite records. The joint was jumpin’!
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.
We had a blast at the grand opening of Ruby’s Shake Shop in North Hollywood, a classic hamburger stand with delicious shakes, burgers and fries. I played a selection of rockin’ 1950s and 60s 45s for a very happy (i.e. full) crowd. Thanks, Ruby’s! It was my tastiest gig yet.
I'll be launching my new "victrola" service at several events starting this Sunday. I can now DJ your event on two wind-up record players from the 1930s -- no electricity required. It's a fun, portable, and highly engaging show. (I have to crank the players and change the needle between each song!) It allows me to bring music almost anywhere. Sets include wild, weird, and wonderful 1920s and 30s dance, jazz, international, Hawaiian, hillbilly music and more, all on 78rpm records. See pics from a private party below.
If you want to hear for yourself, I'll be cranking it up at the Encino Farmer's Market this Sunday, August 26th, and at the Topanga Vintage Mart on November 25.
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
I rang in the New Year in my straw boater with the Great Cardini playing a four hour all-78rpm set from the 1920s at one of my very favorite places in the world -- the world famous Magic Castle in Hollywood -- for their roaring 20's New Year's Eve celebration. What a way to begin 2018!
Photo by AMA photographer Taylor Wong.
In December I DJ'ed two all vinyl and shellac Christmas sets from my collection of rare holiday LPs, 45s, and 78s at Amoeba Music in Hollywood. You can see some pictures below, including a visit from the great DJ Lance Rock!
I don't know if I can adequately describe the joy that a DJ takes in making a crowd dance. It's possible there are no more tireless or inventive dancers anywhere than the legendary Bob Baker marionettes! Getting to be part of the landmark LA theater's gala fundraiser was an honor I won't soon forget. I even got to go through Bob Baker's records and include some in my set. Check out the pictures below to see what I mean. And please visit the Bob Baker Marionette Theater soon to see a show and support their amazing work. It's always a magical experience!
I was honored to get a peek at the epic record collection of legendary puppeteer and puppet maker Bob Baker. I'll be DJing at Bob Baker Marionette Theater's "In L.A. to Stay" Winter Gala hosted by Charles Phoenix on December 2nd! I'll be spinning my own records plus sides from Bob Baker's personal record collection. Tickets include food, drink, music, and an amazing variety show. Proceeds help to keep the legendary theater in Los Angeles for good!
Visit here to learn more and get tickets. Hope to see you there!
I was thrilled to DJ for the Ambassador of Americana, Charles Phoenix, at the release party for his amazing new book, Addicted to Americana. I played a set of rare and groovy 45s from the 1950s and 1960s. The party was at the astonishing Modernica Props in Atwater Village, which houses one of the largest collections of midcentury modern furniture in the world.
Special guest entertainment was provided by classic Bob Baker Marionettes, and Mr. Phoenix served up some of his signature jaw-dropping desserts. As a longtime fan of Charles Phoenix, it was truly a dream gig.
He also gave me a really great quote: “The party rode on the wings of David’s sensational selections, setting the perfect mood for the fab festivities!” An amazing time was had by all. See some pictures of the fun below!
