Welcome, Michael.

Which record would you play for a stranger first, and why?

Michael Jackson’s Bad. I remember it as the first vinyl my family owned, and putting it on and dancing is my earliest vinyl memory. I’d play it for a stranger because it’s a way of sharing something about myself before we’ve even had much of a conversation. That’s where records began for me: music you move to.

Where do you listen, and what does the room sound like?

In a yurt at my home in Topanga Canyon, right by the state park. I’ve created a little space with music, sound and light, surrounded by nature, where people can relax, listen and talk. The music shares the room with conversation. I want people to feel comfortable enough to settle in and see where the evening takes them.

What was the first record you owned?

I bought a double vinyl of The Best of Bob Dylan at a second-hand market here in Topanga. His songs explore things that connect us, in words and melodies that stay with you. They bring me back to being a teenager, singing around a fire. I love that a record can carry that feeling into another time and place.

Why do you host?

I love bringing people together and helping them take that extra step into play, flow and creativity. I’m a very social person, and I find people especially exciting when they’re in their creative space. Music and imagination help us get there. I host because I love seeing what happens when people feel comfortable enough to open up, connect and surprise themselves.

What should a guest know before they walk in?

Come curious. There are hidden gems in music, and in each other, that we only discover when we spend time together. This is a chance to put your phone away for a while, reconnect and remember a little of what being together felt like before the internet. There’s room for your techno-mystical soul here, too. Listen, talk, relax and let your imagination wander.