New Orleans Record Press, the city’s first and only independently owned and operated vinyl record manufacturing plant, is throwing a massive Winter Bash from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on December 6.

Before the event, there will be a private record pressing demo from  5 p.m. to 7 p.m. that you are welcome to join if you’re the curious sort of person who likes to see the way things are made. 

Arrive at 1336 Montegut St. ready to dance! The School of Rock House Band will kick off the event. Then Big Chief Juan Pardo and Erica Falls will join The New Orleans Suspects for a raucous performance. Video really can’t do justice to the magic and energy of The Suspects, especially when joined by the chief — but if you’ve ever stayed at The Maple Leaf for every set until close and been to a traditional Mardi Gras Indian second line, you’ve got an idea. 

OffBeat was recently graced with an in-studio performance by Erica Falls, best known as the principal guest vocalist for Galactic, now recording solo songs and branching out. 

There is so much to be said about the chief, who brings an unusual background to the sound. “From 1996 through 2005, he worked in the hot Atlanta hip-hop scene as a producer and beat maker. Since his return to New Orleans in 2006, he’s recorded with Galactic, Bo Dollis, 101 Runners, and performed with Dr. John, Monk Boudreaux, Trombone Shorty, Patti LaBelle, Cyril Neville, and Anders Osborne… Big Chief Juan Pardo and the Golden Comanche bring Mardi Gras Indian rhythm, chant, and splendor to the party. The New Orleans Suspects supply groove-heavy music inspired by New Orleans’s classic funk and rhythm and blues.”

If the music doesn’t tempt you enough, know that there will also be free beer and wine with admission, for those over 21, provided by the Zony Mash Beer Project, and free vinyl for everyone!

Proceeds from the show will benefit the NOLA Musicians Clinic, which provides the invaluable service of affordable, comprehensive health care for the musicians and culture bearers of this city.