First time playing vinyl out, at the Studio Collective Showcase in SF. A beautiful evening of live music and a wonderful younger community of musicians and enthusiasts gathered to listen and dance. An ice breaker for me for sure, it was nice to feel nervous! Greatful to Tösh for the opportunity to play.

Tracklist with notes on where I found each of these below. With all music, but particularly vinyl, the act of discovery is such a beautiful part of the process, so thought id share these stories. 

(00:00) David Mayer, Nico Stojan - Fling [Ouie] 

- Nico Stojan and Acid Pauli (Martin) run one of my favorite labels, Ouie. I've had the opportunity to drop in Berlin with Nico a few times and he's kindly sent me home with some of their records over the years. This is a collaboration between Nico and David Mayer. David has also released twice with them previously in 2018 and 2019 and all of this music is excellent. 

(07:40) &ME, Rampa & Adam Port - Confusion (feat. Ali Love) [Keinemusik] 

- Send Return doesn't really need an introduction, particularly given the popularity of this Keinemusik release. I bought the record after a conversation with Ry X over dinner about his work with them on Feeling. 

(12:25) AtJazz - For Real (Versions Remix) [Innervisions] 

- Found this buried in a returns bin at Vinyl Dreams in SF. Surpised to find innervisions there, first time. 2006 release, played the vinyl only versions remix. 

(17:50) Peter (The Drifter edit) Nils Frahm [Philomena] 

- I found out about Philomena after chasing a track that I heard Dixon play at our second Further Future event: Un by Patrick Bishop, remixed by Tuff City Kids. Searching for it led me to Philomena, a sublabel of Innervisions created to release some of their favorites vinyl only across 14 records. I've been slowly chasing them down used over the past few years and finally completed the set last year. 

(23:25) Isolée - Favouride [Pampa Records] 

- Berlin digging at Spacehall with John Dill on our way to Sacred Ground.

(27:15) Mass Digital - Rain in June [All Day I Dream] 

- I find myself generally quite picky about ADID releases, and while I play a lot of Lee's labels music digitally, I hadn't yet felt compelled to own any vinyl. I was at Vinyl Dreams in SF last year for a quick dig and came across this. Rain in June is a track that Dill and I both love and play regularly.

(32:30) Innelea - Confronted Reality [Afterlife] 

- latest Innelea release from Mary Gone Wild before they closed after ADE this year. I spent an afternoon wandering the city with Darren Smith, and we went to Rush Hour, Red Light, and Mary Gone Wild. Their selection of newer work from labels I love was impressive, and I found myself excitedly picking up stuff I might not have otherwise.

(37:40) Robag Wruhme - No [Kompakt]

- Spacehall in Berlin seemingly had everything ever released on Kompakt in one section, which id never had the chance to see in person. It was fun digging through it all. I've always been a huge Robag fan and this track in particular is fantastic. 

(43:05) Massimiliano Pagliara - To A Faraway Place [Ostgut Ton]

- I first learned about Massimiliano Pagliara via a gift from Lorenz Aschoff, who gave me the Live at Robert Johnson compilation records with Phasing Down the Sea on it. This is newer release on Berghain's label Ostgut Ton. I found it at Mary Gone Wild in Amsterdam recently as well. 

(50:00) Robert Dietz - Swallowing Tubes [Live at Robert Johnson]

- Another gem from Mary Gone Wild and the ADE trip. This track in particular was a challenge to mix well, and I really enjoy experimenting with it. Definitely my favorite from the album. 

(53:25) Map:ache - Love (s.o.s) [Giegling]

- From Rush Hour in AMS, vinyl only new release from Map:ache/Giegling.

(58:55) The Veils - Vicious Traditions (Daniel Bortz edit) [Philomena]

- Back to Philomena for the closer. Daniel Bortz reworking the Veils.

Justin Shaffer - [02] - Studio Collective Vinyl Set - SF Oct 2022

A Costa Rican sunrise high up in the jungle to close the celebration of the nuptials of Jake and Dani. Such a pleasure to share music amongst an incredible group of humans gathered to support these two.

I picked up from Jason Douglas around 4am and then started into the sunrise from 45 min in or so. The clouds prolonged what was ultimately a moody, emotional sunrise, and it was a neat opportunity to play with the soundtrack for our shared experience as they teased us with the light. 

Jason rejoined me for the end to close it down b2b - last 4 tracks/~22min.

Justin Shaffer - [04] - Chai-Do Sunrise Costa Rica Nov 2022

Phonobar is the room in San Francisco that celebrates vinyl above all else. A beautiful and thoughtfully put together booth, great monitoring, and a classic ARS mixer. I've gotten to know Chuck this year through Mark Slee and Gunita, and it's always been a dream of mine to have the opportunity to play there. This was a Thursday evening in April 2023, and I'm incredibly grateful to the crew that came out to dance and enjoy the experience together. Thanks to Phonobar crew for letting us run late and carry the energy through what ended up being 6 hours of vinyl.

This is a reflection of where I've been digging the past few months, and evolving sound. Also a reflection of lots of practice with vinyl, but not perfect! Listening back to it, I really enjoy the flow - hope you do too! Some new, some old, many dear friends musical efforts represented, and a broad spectrum of emotion.

I put the tracklist in the comments as it was too long to fit here.

A particularly special thanks to the artists and friends who made this music, contributed to my perspective, gifted records, exchanged ideas, and encouraged me along the way. Not exhaustive, but an effort vis a vis these particular selections: John Dill, Nico Stojan, Vivian Wang, Caleesi, Holmar Filipsson, Benjamin Alexander, Jason Swamy, Mia Maestro, Adar Zango, Gunita, Anthony Naples, Team Philomena, Jay Prouty, Jeremy Loucas, Ashu Desai, Eric Wahlforss, Atish, Mark Slee

Photo: https://www.instagram.com/harrykh_/

Justin Shaffer @ Phonobar SF / All Night Vinyl Session Apr 2023

A gorgeous night in Soho to celebrate Bradley. Bradley and Rachel have been such big supporters of my musical journey over the past year, and it was a pleasure to join them in New York to celebrate his birthday. Reflecting on it, this one just flowed really nicely. An exercise in energetic management, weaving in and out of some deeper dance floor moments and intertwining nostalgia and a darker evolution as the night progressed. I appreciated the feedback on this evolution as it was happening and thereafter. Worth noting, It was fascinating to prepare for as I wasn't sure where I'd be starting energetically after the previous artist, and ultimately I think this made the set more interesting. Chloe definitely influenced me in this regard. Also quite happy to play music from a few artists I've been enjoying that just haven't found the moment to come out yet, particularly Josh Caffe. This is hands down my favorite set all around thus far. Thanks for listening! 

I ended up playing from 12:45-4am. I've included 2 tracks b2b with Jason Douglas at the close as well. Thanks to you both for the opportunity to share music with so many people I love. Happy Birthday Bradley!

Tracklist in the comments.

Justin Shaffer / Celebration of Bradley, NYC May 2023

This was a very special night playing records at RŪMU in Portugal. 

A note about vinyl, a medium many of us love. Playing vinyl for me is more pleasurable, even if it’s less convenient. It’s also more vulnerable, and one thing I like about this set is it’s illustrative of the path travelled this year. This is an unedited recording, straight from the booth at RŪMU. I haven’t shared a set in over a year, largely as my perspective and taste have been shifting faster than my desire to share beyond the dancers in the room when the music is being played.

The set feels like it has three chapters of roughly one hour each. First, a Detroit/Berlin axis exploration with the dance floor. Second, a deeper, hypnotic, broadening of the musical spectrum of the set significantly as I felt more comfortable with the energy in the room. Third, an energetic and more progressive recapitulation of the collective experience. Part of what made the night so special was the feeling of trust and support from the dance floor in going further musically than I might have otherwise.

This year I moved to Berlin to study, to learn, and to go deeper with music. This is my own exploration of music’s connection to my life story and purpose, but it was without a doubt inspired by so many who have moved there long before me. I don’t know where this journey will take me, and I am doing my best to just be present with it in the process and contribute my energy as best I can.

Please enjoy!

Justin Shaffer @ RŪMU Lisbon Dec 2024 / Vinyl

I was invited by a dear friend Gabe to come play records with his community at the Agora shop that he's now working at in Downtown LA. This is the originally intended 2 hour set from what turned into a wild 8 hour session with some fun participation from some local legends as well. If you're curious about the rest.... get in touch. 

Gabe and I met in the early days of building the Robot Heart Residency space in Oakland. He showed up with his partner at the time and they were so open and so kind and curious and their energy in this time continues to inspire me. 

It was an honor to share music with him and the Agora community. Thank you Gabe, Luke and crew for having me! If you're in LA, go and check out the shop - they have a well curated, interesting selection and it is a beautiful space.

Justin Shaffer @ Agora LA In-Store Vinyl Session / April 2025

I am so grateful for the opportunity to return to Fusion for a proper drop-in this year. A brief visit last year gave me just enough of a taste to know I had to come back and start exploring. Deepest gratitude to Kotoe, Michi, Natalie and the entire Bachstelzen crew for having me, and particularly grateful for the opportunity to paint this vinyl soundscape through the haze on friday afternoon.

Time flew by, and we teased each other with the thought of movement while honoring the pause… this will forever be the edging set for me. I can still hear Kotoe saying “whatever you do… don’t start a dance party!”
 
First you must get confused.... then the fusion can occur. 

The mother of all festivals. Dancefloor memories for a lifetime. Beyond words. Thank you, you know who you are.

Justin Shaffer @ Fusion Festival 2025 | Velvet Soup Friday Afternoon

Garbicz Festival. Sunday morning at the Buk Corner Cocktail Bar from 10 am to 1pm.. the last 3 hours of 24 hours of music in good company with the Giegling community. This stage is my favorite at the festival, the only covered dance floor and a very intimate spot by the lake. Last year I was hanging here at exactly this time during the festival with a friend in the rain and dreamed about returning here at this moment in the festival to play some records... and there we were. 

Deeply grateful for the opportunity to realize it. Thanks to Lina, Andrei, Fritz, and the whole crew. Particular thanks to Dragana, Bea, Konsti and Gilles  for the support.

I brought two record bags, one for the rain and one for the sun... it ended up being a moody wander through bits of both them as the sun teased us through the trees and the morning fog burned off. 

The energy at the festival all the way through was exceptional this year. Everyone delivered. I haven't been on a dance floor like the one at the end of Sonja and Dyed's b2b to close monday eve in quite some time.

Album cover is a collage of sketches from this morning courtesy of my dear former brother-in-law Alexander White. Thanks for being there with Iman and for your always unique perspective.

A final hat tip to Sasha, Olga, Andrew and the banya crew. To many more steams together. Thanks for sharing your beautiful energy with the festival.

Justin Shaffer @ Garbicz Festival 2025 | Buk Corner Cocktail Bar

Justin Shaffer is a vinyl DJ and multidisciplinary artist. 

He plays elegant, groove-driven, dance music that inspires movement and is a deep lover of the dance floor and all it represents. 

Born and raised in New York City, he now calls Berlin home. Prior chapters in Seattle and Bretagne, and a thread that still runs through San Francisco. 

His influences include the bittersweet tail of the pre-Giuliani NYC club scene, the Detroit/Berlin axis, and the relationship between contemporary classical and electronic music. 

He is also a sailor, photographer, and audio engineer.

booking@shafferj.com

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