Justin Carter and Eamon Harkin on Mister Saturday Night, Post-9/11 NYC Nightlife, and Making Partying Their Job
Jan 13, 2024
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Justin Carter and Eamon Harkin, NYC nightlife shapers and owners of Nowadays, discuss the 15-year anniversary of Mister Saturday Night, fog dos and don'ts, wild times at Motherfucker, DIY spaces, and the music that shaped their endeavors.
The importance of consistency, building relationships, and maintaining musical variety in DJ sets.
The influence of DIY parties and venues on NYC nightlife, allowing for musical exploration and unique club experiences.
The evolution of Mr. Saturday Night from a party with guest DJs to a long-standing event with a consistent musical voice, leading to the need for a permanent venue.
Deep dives
The Evolution of New York City Nightlife
Justin Carter and Ayman Harkin, two influential figures in New York City nightlife, discuss their experiences and the evolution of the scene. They talk about their journey from working at iconic clubs like APT and Studio B to becoming owners of Nowadays, a renowned club in Queens. They also delve into the parties, DJs, and music that have shaped their endeavors, highlighting the significance of iconic parties like Body & Soul and Motherfucker. Both DJs emphasize the importance of consistency, building relationships with their audience, and maintaining musical variety in their sets.
The Impact of DIY Parties and Venues
The podcast explores the influence of DIY parties and venues on the New York City nightlife. Justin and Ayman discuss their experiences with underground parties in spaces like Market Hotel and 12-turn-13, and how these venues allowed for musical exploration and creativity. They emphasize the importance of finding the right balance between intimacy and energy on the dance floor, and the role of lighting and ambiance in creating a unique club experience. They also highlight the significance of long-running parties and the dedicated following they have built over the years.
The Musical Palette of Mr. Saturday Night and Mr. Sunday
Justin and Ayman discuss the musical palette of their parties, Mr. Saturday Night and Mr. Sunday. While they acknowledge the presence of disco in their sets, they emphasize the diverse range of genres they play, including house, techno, synth-pop, and more. They highlight their passion for DJing and their inspirations from parties like Body & Soul, The Loft, and Optimo. Both DJs express a desire to create cohesive sets that build energy, tell a story, and surprise the audience, reflecting their long-standing dedication to exploring different genres and providing unique experiences on the dance floor.
Success and Evolution of Mr. Saturday Night
Mr. Saturday Night has evolved over the years, starting as a party with booked guest DJs to eventually becoming a long-standing event where the organizers DJ most of the parties themselves. This led to a more consistent musical voice and stability for the party. However, finding and maintaining suitable DIY spaces was challenging due to closures and restrictions, eventually leading to the need to establish a permanent venue. The evolution of the scene in New York involved a reaction to the commercialization of clubs and a desire for a more underground, punk ethos. The opening of legal venues and greater acceptance of nightlife by local government has shifted the dynamics and allowed for the coexistence of both legal and DIY parties.
15 Year Anniversary Celebrations
Mr. Saturday Night is celebrating its 15-year anniversary with a 30-hour long party that spans from Saturday night into Monday morning. The lineup for the celebration represents the history of the party, featuring artists like Donnie Krivitt, Optimo, Avalon Emerson, Rose Quartz, Dwayne Harriet, and Analog Soul. The anniversary also coincides with the launch of Non-Stop, a 24-hour party series happening every week at Nowadays. The label is also releasing a 15-cassette box set featuring mixes from artists who have played at the party. Additionally, there will be a Planetarium event, where deep listening and ambient music will be enjoyed in a communal setting.
Justin Carter and Eamon Harkin have spent the last 20 years helping shape NYC nightlife but these days, they're best known as the owners of Nowadays in Ridgewood, Queens, which is, in many people's estimation, the best club in New York right now. Justin and Eamon are also DJs, run the record label, and are the hosts and residents of long-running parties Mister Saturday Night, Mister Sunday, and an ambient chill-out affair called Planetarium. In part one of this two-parter, we talk to the duo about Mister Saturday Night's 15-year anniversary, the dos and don'ts of fog, wild times at Motherfucker, DIY spaces, post-9/11 NYC and the parties, locations and music that shaped all their endeavors. Hosted by Vivian Host (aka DJ Star Eyes). For more info and extras, visit Ravetothegrave.org or Instagram @ravetothe.grave.
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