Just steps off Louisville’s Main Street, Little Horse Vintage is an invite to another time—one filled with sleek mid-century furniture, film cameras, and, of course, vinyl records. But twice a month, often on the first and third Friday, walking down the steps is a whole new experience as the space transforms into the Electric Room, complete with moody lighting, drinks, and either listening parties or live music.
Mike Price, a poet and longtime bookseller, opened this location in 2011, and he also has stores in Boulder and Fort Collins. Since opening, he saw potential in the guitar and amp repair shop downstairs and wanted to create a space for audiophiles of all levels.
Price was inspired by jazz kissa (ジャズ喫茶) or jazz cafés that were incredibly popular in post-WWII Japan. Because imported American jazz records were too expensive for individuals to buy, these subterranean spaces became dedicated listening rooms known for their high-quality stereo equipment, dim lighting, and extensive music collections. They also served coffee and alcoholic drinks for people to enjoy while they sat and listened.
Thanks in part to the new retail establishment liquor permit, Price is able to put on these jazz kissa-inspired events twice a month. Unlike a typical event permit or a full-blown liquor license, this allows him to do 24 events per year for one small fee.
At the heart of the events is the music, so Price’s standards for the equipment are very high. He has JBL 4355s, a massive pair of speakers built in the 1970s that were popularized by The Who. They weigh 265 pounds each and are quite a presence in the space.
He also uses McIntosh amps and preamps, which he says last longer, are of superior quality, and are more reparable than their more modern counterparts. They also look as good as they sound—with big dials, meters that bounce around, and lights—which is important when you’re trying to create an inviting atmosphere for people who have never listened to music this way before.
“You’re stepping into a room that sounds like a live performance,” says Price. “The sound is so rich and warm that it blows a lot of people away.”
Price loves to see the impact of the space and sound as people descend the stairs. He also loves introducing people to a potentially new HiFi hobby and helping bring a new energy to downtown.
Louisville is Price’s hometown, and he hopes these events can help with the vacancies on Main Street. He sees the Electric Room as an opportunity to bring more of that city experience to the small town while still getting everyone home at a reasonable hour.
This month, they'll have Mister Niño and Soul Beat Girl on May 2nd and Madrone & DJ ROOTZ on May 23rd, each going from 7-11 PM. For tickets and more information, head to @littlehorsevintage on Instagram and check out their link in bio.