February Album Party + NAMM Recap
How can it get any better than this?
Hello friends! Several exciting updates this time around. Here’s the overview:
New tiki studio!
Shopwarming/Album Listening Party on 2/21
NAMM Recap
Upcoming exhibitions
New Studio!
After several years I have outgrown my adorable home shop and moved into a new workspace. I will miss the outdoor garden setting, but I could not be happier to stretch out into some space. I’m currently in the midst of buildout and it’s got to be Just Right (of course it does).
The Good News is I’m hosting February’s album party (see below) at the new space! So it’ll be a combination album/shopwarming party. I’d love to see you there! I promise it’ll be built out by then. If you can’t attend the party, you can always schedule an equipment demo to stop by and hear the tiki amps in action.
Fun Fact: this space was originally a dealership for Ford Model T cars. How it’s survived as an industrial space I have no idea.
February Album/Shopwarming Party - Friday 2/21
For the second month in the year I’m hosting a two-part party. An old-school progressive. Starting at 7pm there will be a shopwarming party at the new studio, with drinks and live music. My shopmates are all throwing down for this and it should be a blast.
At 9pm we will retire to my nearby bungalow to listen to the ur-classic album Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon. This record was the genesis for my album parties several years ago; a friend had never heard it before so I called an intervention, sat everyone down, turned off the lights, and put on the vinyl. I won’t add much else since you’ve probably heard of this record, but when was the last time you heard it?
You can attend either the shopwarming or the album listening, or both! That said, RSVP is required if you’re attending the album listening as space is limited. If you’re only attending the shopwarming, you do not need to RSVP. That’s only for the album section :). More info on the eventbrite!
NAMM Was Dope!
This was my first NAMM show and what a trip. So much positive response to the Tiki Tube Amps, and the looks on people’s faces as they thought “what’s that?” never gets old.
One highlight was when a blind attendee came up and asked if he could feel the amps. I jumped up and started talking him through the different parts, making sure he felt around to the toggle switches, the natural ridges in the wood, the flush mount screws, the shape of the eyes, and so forth.
Watching him experience the amps as palpable objects was incredibly moving. Two particular aspects stand out. First, that there’s actually something to feel - most amps are boxes (and they all feel the same), but the tiki amps can be experienced with your sense of touch in addition to sight and hearing. And smell, if you’re close enough. Isn’t that cool?
Second, I myself largely experience the amps through touch. I make them, I carry them around…I’m intimately familiar with how they feel. One reason I quit my programming job to build these was because I wanted to work with my hands. So to be able to share that experience with an individual - one whose sense of touch is probably highly refined - was a real communion. The moment brought joy to both of us. And that’s why I love doing this.
Anyway, thanks to everyone who stopped by my booth in the back corner of the basement. Hope to see you all again next year!
Upcoming Exhibits
I’m exhibiting the amps and speakers at the following events. Stop by and say hi!
February 16 - Palm Springs Vintage Market (Modernism Week), Palm Springs, CA
June 6-8 - T.H.E. Hifi Show, Costa Mesa, CA
have fun ✌️