Deep Crates Charleston celebrates five years of keeping vinyl spinning
by Lorne Chambers | Editor
In an age when virtually any song ever recorded is just a few taps away, a group of Charleston music lovers is still doing things the old-fashioned way: digging through crates, dropping needles, and letting records play.
Deep Crates Charleston celebrates its fifth anniversary Friday, Sept. 4, with an all-vinyl night and record show at Tin Roof in West Ashley.
What began as Charleston native Fred Schwuchow’s 45th birthday party has evolved into a monthly gathering of DJs, record collectors, vendors, artists, and music fans. Better known behind the turntables as DJ Thematik, Schwuchow is a longtime b-boy, graffiti artist, and DJ who originally saw the party as one last spin before stepping away.
“Funny enough, my 45th birthday party was also my unofficial retirement party,” Schwuchow said. “But we had such a good turnout and so much fun, Tin Roof asked us to make it a monthly night.”
Deep Crates quickly grew beyond an excuse for Schwuchow and some old friends to get together once a month. He persuaded several DJs to come out of retirement with him while also giving others their first opportunity to perform in front of an audience.
Within a few months, DJs from New York were asking to participate while their own city remained under pandemic restrictions. Deep Crates began inviting record vendors, and similar vinyl nights soon began appearing around Charleston.
Five years later, Deep Crates bills itself as Charleston’s longest-running vinyl night, featuring a rotating roster of local DJs alongside guests from Iceland, the Philippines, New York, Philadelphia, Atlanta, and North Carolina. It has also expanded to pop-up events at venues across Charleston.
Since its beginning, Deep Crates has served as the official DJ crew for the North Charleston Record Show at the Keith Summey North Charleston Library, formerly held at The Sparrow as the Park Circle Record Show. Those events have helped the crew develop relationships with record stores and vendors throughout the area.
For its anniversary, Deep Crates is going bigger with its first full-fledged record show. Seven vendors are scheduled to bring LPs, 12-inch singles, and 45s, along with vintage clothing, collectibles, and art. Schwuchow said guests can expect “some great finds and amazing deals, as well as some awesome music.”
That physical experience remains an essential part of vinyl’s appeal, even as digital music has made listening easier than ever.
“There’s nothing like holding an album in your hands, the smell of the cardboard and vinyl, the artwork, the liner notes, the sound of the needle hitting the groove,” Schwuchow said. “You don’t get that with any other format.”
Schwuchow enjoys the convenience of digital music but said it can make it easy for listeners to fall into familiar routines or simply play whatever is popular. Digging through records encourages discovery and pushes DJs to think beyond the obvious choices.
Vinyl also demands more from the person behind the turntables.
“There is no auto-sync with vinyl,” he said. “So when you see a DJ playing records, you know they’re actually doing something.”
The anniversary lineup includes DJs Riggle, Mosaic, Thematik, Paul Got Records, Doc Circles, and Jesse Lockman, spinning hip-hop, funk, soul, jazz, disco, classic rock, breakbeats, and more. Vinny’s Steaks & Burgers will provide food.
Deep Crates Charleston’s fifth-anniversary celebration runs from 7-11:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4, at Tin Roof, 1117 Magnolia Road.
