
The Knocks
Photo: Joe Perri
Record Store Recs: The Knocks Reveal The Grooviest Shops In Brooklyn And Online
With the unprecedented global disruption of COVID-19, it's important to support the music community however we can. With Record Store Recs, GRAMMY.com checks in with vinyl-loving artists to learn more about their favorite record stores and the gems they've found there so you can find some new favorite artists and shops.
New York-based electro-pop duo The Knocks–consisting of Ben "B-Roc" Ruttner and James "JPatt" Patterson—have made a name for themselves with their upbeat bops and energetic live shows. Their last album, 2018's New York Narcotic, is a kinetic tribute to the city they love and that loves them back. On Feb. 5, after a year without concerts, Ruttner released his vibey debut solo album, Holiday87 (which is also his solo project's name).
While New York may have finally caught up on sleep in 2020, the pulse of the city—its music—never really stopped. For the latest Record Store Recs, Patterson shares the act's favorite vinyl hot spots and what's on their vinyl wishlist.
What are three to five record stores you love?
Second Hand Records in Brooklyn, New York
Superior Elevation Records in Brooklyn
Human Head Records in Brooklyn
Discogs (online)
Juno Records (online)
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The Knocks' Ben Ruttner
Why do you love these shops? And what kind of goodies have you found there?
Second Hand, Superior and Human Head are all run by great DJs and have well-curated selections. They also happen to be good friends, and we love supporting the community. We have found some great older house records and rare disco cuts there.
For at least one of your favorite shops, share a recent record or two you bought there and what you love about the record/artist.
We haven't been doing as much analog digging due to COVID restrictions and basically quarantining for a year with no gigs. We have, however, purchased a few jams online, one of which we've been obsessed with by a relatively obscure artist named Jesse Henderson. It's called "I Did It Again" [1977, Lasso Records].
What's an upcoming/recent release or two you have your eyes on picking up and why?
There's an Al Kent release that's coming out [on March 8 on Million Dollar Disco] called "The Loneliest One" that sounds like an absolute melter. It's definitely on our Juno wish list. There's also a Dimitri from Paris edit pack on the way. We are always excited about his stuff because it's usually heat.
How would you describe your record collection in a few words?
Funky house, disco and edits mostly—for getting the party started.
In your opinion, what can music fans do to better support Black artists and businesses?
I think real fans are already good about showing support by purchasing/streaming/sharing our music, but I think the industry could do better about supporting Black artists and artists in general by giving us bigger cuts of money being made off the music we create.