Conversations

Record Console Concert: The Return of the Family Dance Party

Once upon a time, dropping the needle on a record loved by the family unit after dinner was the norm. No screens involved. Dance moves in rare form. The next best thing to a live show is a concert-like experience in the comfort of your own home—specifically, the family dance party.

Photo credit: Kristy Horst

Console: The Standard

Wrensilva: Why is dancing to vinyl (free of phones) essential to you?

Lauren Thomas: Music doesn’t always have to be in the background. Gathering around a small space and picking out records, discussing music, and dancing is an intentional activity that everyone in the family can contribute to. It stimulates conversation and it’s an opportunity for everyone in the group to feel heard and seen. Believe it or not, our kids actually welcome having to put their phones down for gatherings such as these and also at the dinner table. Putting away the phones means putting the present moment first – which is our family in our living room – and I believe that setting this precedent creates a ripple-down for future generations.

Wrensilva: What are the Thomas’s vinyl rituals?

Lauren Thomas: We all sit in our family room next to our Wrensilva console, either before or after dinner. One person will pick out a record and cue a song, meanwhile, another person queues up a song from their phone and plays that song next using the Bluetooth feature, and they alternate back and forth between the two methods. Since our console can play vinyl and also has Bluetooth capabilities, it mixes it up a bit. There is no other engagement on our phones, rather it is a fun activity that we all feel we are contributing to being a member of the family DJ.

  • The crackle of vinyl has the power to elevate even the simplest of moments—morning coffee, a slow evening by the fire, or the gentle rhythm of snowfall outside your window. With this in mind, we’ve handpicked a collection of albums designed to complement the season, each offering a distinct kind of coziness when played through a Wrensilva.

  • Miles Davis – In a Silent Way (1969)

    Envelops listeners in a warm, hypnotic blend of ambient jazz fusion.

  • FKJ - Just Piano (2021)

    A minimalist masterpiece of gentle, improvised piano compositions that flows calmly. Ideal backdrop for slow evenings spent curled up indoors.

  • Junip - Fields (2010)

    Earthy folk melodies with dreamy, synth-infused textures, carried by José González's serene vocals.

  • Arthur Verocai – Arthur Verocai (1972)

    Lazy morning jazz out of Brazil. A legendary album that deeply influenced hip-hop sampling.

  • Bon Iver – Bon Iver (2011)

    A sonic tapestry, layered with intricate harmonies and lush instrumentation, that is both intimate and expansive, evoking a sense of longing and nostalgia.

  • Weyes Blood - And In The Darkness, Hearts Aglow (2022)

    Creates an atmosphere of wonder with its blended genres and soothing vocals.

  • Each of these selections was chosen for its ability to transport, soothe, and enrich your winter rituals. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the luxury of slowing down.

Photo credit: Matthew Johnson / The Johnson family

Console: LoftWrensilva:Why is dancing to vinyl (free of phones) essential to you?Matthew Johnson:Music brings us all together in that we can all experience something together. When listening to music and dancing, it is a judgment-free zone. Our children get to see how much music can enrich the moment, and they are free to just be themselves. Who cares how you look when you dance? The most important thing is to have fun and make some memories. Music paints a time period, and we hope that as our children age they will hear songs we played in their youth, and it will just bring them back to the family dance and listening parties they had as children and put a smile on their faces. They won’t remember the time they spent on the phone or iPad. They will remember the dance parties… hopefully.Wrensilva:What are the Thomas’s vinyl rituals?Matthew Johnson:I would say we try to involve everyone in the process. We have five children, so it’s tough to have everyone involved at the same time. Everyone gets their turn, from picking the album to turning on the turntable and lights. My wife and I generally drop the needle. Then the party begins. Not every night is a dance party of course – sometimes we just hang out, talk or just play with toys while the music is in the background. The one ritual we try to maintain is that while the music is on, we avoid electronics.

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