Twittering Machines

photo credit: John DeVore

Last night was the first (of many more to come he types with fingers crostssed) Moviehaus. We watched, well, you know from that image, in its entirety. The Final Cut. On BluRay on a big-ass screen. It was amazing. A movie masterpiece. More human than human.

Then we listened to music. The Moviehaus to Monkeyhaus transformation took all of two minutes. We just removed the big-ass screen. Same hi-fi, home theater 2.0. DeVore Fidelity Orangutan O/96s and Shindo. What more does a movie/music lover need? (hint: popcorn) Music for the evening consisted of soundtracks only, per the Hauskeeper’s rule. Sometimes its good to have rules. They can make things feel more creative because of their limitations. And watching movies and listening to music with friends reminds us that our own point of view is necessarily limited leaving our world-view enhanced and enriched through shared experience.

Bravo, Mr. Monkeyhaus.

“As some/all of you know, Komuro has been helping me with some of the electric at the new apartment (John is moving but he doesn’t even need to change his driver’s license). Today over ham, turkey and provolone sandwiches we were chatting about JC Morrison. We discussed that he was departing the country very shortly, more shortly in fact than Komuro had realized so he called JC right then. This led to that and before I knew it I had invited them both over to Monkeyhaus for a farewell hang.” an email from John DeVore

And so it came to be that last Thursday was the Lastminutehaus as bon voyage for JC who’s leaving his home in NYC for a new home in Mollevången, Sweden. Mollevången, a district of Malmo is “…home to many punks, rockers and other independent people” according to World Travel Images. If ever I’ve met an independent people, it’s JC Morrison.

JC Morrison (holding the original Dinosaur ad from Sound Practices), Komuro, Herb Reichert
photo credit: John DeVore

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Fox River Rockford Red Heel Socks
$12.00 / 2 pair

2-pair pack with instructions to make the sock monkey included. A super-soft everyday work sock.

* Soft, natural cotton provides breathability and absorbency
* Smooth, flat toe seam
* Dimensional knit for a foot hugging fit
* Any size sock can be used to produce a sock monkey doll.
* Sock monkey instructions included with every pack.

Temperature: Temperate
Weight: Light weight
Height/Type: Crew

Monkeyhaus turned one today, I raise a glass. I feel so lucky to have stumbled upon this thing–I suppose I owe a great deal to little Leo, for kicking me out of my own livingroom and forcing me to finish a listening room project started eight years ago. The room was built as a tool, and as a shelter from the bombast that the factory will often hurl.

The first Monkeyhaus event formed fairly organically, friends gathering together to listen to music. A fairly neutral territory, big enough for everyone. Yet professional or just important enough to warrant repeat visits and special occasion whisky, cigars, LPs, even master tapes. Open doors and friendly, but also a sense of truly belonging, membership, family.
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Just arrived:

Tommy James & The Shondells
Crimson and Clover

Sometimes music reaches out and grabs you. At unexpected times in unexpected places and unexpected ways. And sometimes it just whacks you over the head and makes you go all mushy. Yesterday listening to John’s Silverbacks being driven by his 845 amp, Komuro was sucker-punched by “Crimson and Clover”. I can only imagine that it was a combination of memories and present-tense presence but whatever else it was it was a most excellent moment.

On my way home from the ‘FMU record fair, I stopped by In Living Stereo, where I dropped my very heavy record bag on the floor with a deep, breathy thud.
“Oh shit,” remarked Greg through raised eyebrows, “how much this year?”
“300 bucks”
He smiled and nodded. “Same as the last time, what was that, three years ago?”

This dealer below had the most incredible selection of 20th century classical I’ve ever seen: