Justin Carter and Eamon Harkin on Soundsystems, Nightclub Design and NYC's Nowadays
Jan 16, 2024
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Justin Carter and Eamon Harkin, founders of Mister Saturday Night and Nowadays nightclub, discuss NYC underground scene, soundsystems, nightclub design, and cultural shifts impacting the underground. They also talk about their journey of opening and managing Nowadays, creating a welcoming atmosphere, diversity in the DJ booth, and advocacy for New York City's nightlife.
Creating a hospitable and safe club environment is crucial for an enjoyable dance music experience.
The quality of a sound system can greatly impact the immersion and enjoyment of a clubbing experience.
The club scene in New York City has evolved, with a shift towards more educated and respectful club-goers, but media coverage still lacks accurate representation.
Deep dives
The importance of creating a hospitable club experience
The podcast discusses the significance of providing a hospitable and welcoming atmosphere in a club setting. The hosts emphasize their own experiences and frustrations with poorly organized clubs, which led them to take control of every aspect of their parties. They highlight the need for good sound systems, friendly bartenders and security, and setting clear guidelines for behavior through a safer space policy. They believe that creating a comfortable and safe environment allows people to feel comfortable, let loose, and fully enjoy the dance music experience.
The influence of sound systems on the clubbing experience
The podcast delves into the impact of sound systems on the overall clubbing experience. The hosts explain how a good sound system can enhance the enjoyment and immersion of the crowd. They share personal anecdotes about memorable sound systems they encountered in various clubs, emphasizing the importance of clean and well-tuned sound that can physically and emotionally connect with the audience. They also discuss the design and engineering efforts put into the sound system at their own club, Nowadays, to ensure optimal sound quality and a distinct sonic character.
The evolving club scene and the maturing club-goers
The podcast explores the changing dynamics of the club scene, particularly in New York City. The hosts observe a shift in the behavior and understanding of club-goers over the years. They note that initially, there were many uninformed individuals entering the club scene, but with time, people have become more knowledgeable and respectful. They discuss the importance of educating newcomers about club culture, etiquette, and the significance of leaving phones off the dance floor. They also highlight the positive steps taken, such as the establishment of the Office of Nightlife and the evolving acceptance of dance music, while acknowledging that traditional media outlets still often fail to provide meaningful and accurate coverage of the culture.
Creating a Welcoming Space
Nowadays prioritizes creating a comfortable and inclusive environment for its guests. They have designed the club to have a wide entrance, no bottlenecks, and separate spaces for dancing and conversation. They offer plenty of seating, free water, and even provide food during their 24-hour parties. They take into account spatial planning and acoustic considerations to ensure that guests can enjoy reasonable conversations without shouting. Their aim is to help people lose themselves and have a good time.
Diversity and DIY Ethos
Nowadays aims to reflect the demographics of New York City in their bookings, ensuring a diverse range of DJs. They acknowledge the historical whitewashing of dance music and strive to be a force of correction by supporting diverse young talent. They actively track and evaluate their DJ bookings to ensure diversity in terms of race and gender. They also discuss the performative nature of DJ culture, emphasizing that the focus should be on the music and creating an engaging dance floor experience. Nowadays also shares how they dealt with political challenges, such as the cabaret law, through advocacy and collaboration with city officials to create safer, more inclusive spaces.
Justin Carter and Eamon Harkin are DJs, founders of the parties Mister Saturday Night, Mister Sunday, and Planetarium and the Mister Saturday Night record label, as well as New York City nightclub Nowadays. In part two of our interview, we dive deep about opening and running Nowadays, the NYC underground scene at the moment, and how cultural and political shifts impact the underground. If you’re interested in soundsystems, nightclub design, Brooklyn after dark and/or what it takes to run a club, this episode is for you. Hosted by Vivian Host (aka DJ Star Eyes). For more info and extras, visit Ravetothegrave.org or Instagram @ravetothe.grave.
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