Vinyl Lounge is a free monthly event about discovering and sharing music together in community.
Bring your open ears and open mind, and be ready for a moving experience, whether it’s exploring something new or re-discovering an old favorite.
You’ll be treated to rich, detailed sound on a hi-fi stereo system with an all-analog signal path. Our turntable is carefully set up to bring out the details and textures in the music. Many attendees find themselves hearing new things in familiar recordings and connecting with the music on a deeper level.
Most of our events center around intentional, focused listening. You’ll hear albums in their entirety, with opportunities for discussion and reflection throughout the evening. Some attendees find it helpful to bring a quiet activity to do while listening. We also have fidgets and other sensory items available.
Our diverse album selections include rock, jazz, hip-hop, metal, EDM, showtunes and film scores…every month is different. Scroll down to check out what’s coming up this month.
The next Vinyl Lounge is
Friday, August 28, 2026
at 6:00pm
in the chapel at
1832 W. Dean Ave., Spokane, WA
West Central Abbey
This month, we’ll be exploring the extreme edge of heavy metal with Liturgy’s 93696, an album that just might challenge your preconceptions about the genre.
Black metal is a sub-genre of heavy metal that traces is origins to Scandinavia. It’s known for being especially aggressive, abrasive and atonal. The lyrics are screamed, rather than sung, and there is usually not much in in the way of melody. The subject matter tends to be dark, violent, and anti-theist in its worldview.
Which makes Liturgy’s approach all the more surprising and interesting. The band says their objective is to take the framework of black metal and transform it by adding beauty and joy. They call the result “transcendental black metal”.
93696 combines black metal with classical orchestral arrangements and electronic manipulations. It’s produced by Steve Albini (most known for producing Nirvana’s In Utero).
We’ll dive into it together and ask some tough questions. Can black metal be beautiful? Can metal screams become screams of ecstasy? Can music made to shun the divine become a way to connect to it?
For those brave enough to take on this challenging material, we hope to provide a rewarding and enriching experience. We’ll provide you with a booklet that includes complete lyrics and lots of background information to help you get the most from your listening session.
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more about Vinyl Lounge
What to expect
Our listening sessions typically begin with an introduction to give background and context for the music you’re about to hear. You’ll also receive a pamphlet with track listings, liner notes, and more. Seating is in church pews, and we also have cushions if you’d like to sit on the floor. It’s okay to bring your own chair or cushion if that’s more comfortable. It’s okay to bring food and drinks, and sometimes free snacks will be available. Occasionally, we’ll offer an activity to help you engage with the music, but most of the time, how you interact with it is up to you. You can just sit and listen, but it’s also okay to get up and walk around, or to bring a quiet activity to engage in while listening. Some people bring books, journals, crafts or hobbies. We just ask you to be respectful of those who are focused on listening. We have fidgets, earmuffs, and other sensory items available. There will be multiple opportunities during the event (usually during record changes) for discussion and sharing our experiences with the music. Events can last 1-3 hours, depending on the length of the material.
How much does it cost?
Vinyl Lounge is free, and all are welcome. You don’t need to register or have a ticket. You can just show up. We won’t ask for donations or gratuities and won’t be selling anything at the event. You do not have to be a part of the West Central Abbey community to participate.
Can I bring my whole family?
Children are absolutely welcome at Vinyl Lounge. However, while some of our events are specifically geared toward families with children, many of our events may not be able to meet their needs. There is usually an expectation that attendees will be able to quietly enjoy the music without excessive distraction. Some of the music we play contains mature or explicit content that might not be suitable for a younger audience. We recommend reviewing the event selections ahead of time in order to make the best decision for your family.
This is at a church? Is this a religious event?
Vinyl Lounge is facilitated and hosted by the community of West Central Abbey, which is affiliated with the Episcopal Church, but this is not a “church” event as most people understand it. No religious identity or affiliation is presumed, expected or encouraged. No one will pressure you to join or believe anything. Whatever your identity or beliefs, you are welcome at Vinyl Lounge. So why have it in a church? For one thing, the space is truly beautiful. It’s one of the oldest churches in Spokane, with gothic architecture and stained glass windows. The acoustics are great, and we think listening to music in a sacred space adds something unique to the experience. Even if you’re not a religious person, you may find yourself having a memorable experience hearing artists like Chappell Roan, Kendrick Lamar or Metallica on vinyl in a church space. Additionally, creativity and curiosity are a big part of our culture at the Abbey, so this event fits in well with the work we do in the community.
about our curator
When I was in kindergarten, what I wanted most for my birthday was a Sesame Street record so I could hear my favorite songs whenever I wanted. That record, which I still own and play, sparked a lifelong love of recorded music.
I love digital and streaming, but I’ve always found something special in vinyl. To me, the sound feels lush and beautiful…more real and human because of its limitations.
I love how the mechanical process of playing vinyl encourages focusing on the music. I love the large, tactile album art and holding liner notes and lyric sheets while listening. I love how vinyl encourages experiencing albums in their entirety. Because records are expensive and hard to store, I have to make choices about which records to buy…I love the process of choosing which albums are worth owning on vinyl.
Most of all, I love the experience of sharing music with friends. I love discovering something new and turning someone else onto it. And I love it when someone turns me on to their discoveries. I love gathering around a turntable and seeing how others react to the music…even if they don’t like it. And I love the deep and surprising discussions that come from experiencing music together.
I’m lucky that part of my life is making music with friends at West Central Abbey. And I’m excited that part of my Abbey life is sharing music at Vinyl Lounge.
I hope you’ll join us.
Tim Martin
Music Steward, West Central Abbey
Curator, Vinyl Lounge
more about the stereo
We started this event to share our love of hi-fi with our community. If you love music, but don’t have the time, money and space for a stereo system, Vinyl Lounge is a great way to experience hi-fi without needing to own the equipment…and to share the experience with others who love music just as much.
We love it when people attend having never heard a vinyl record, or having never heard one on a hi-fi system. The music comes alive and is suddenly more detailed, more visceral, more exciting.
We also love it when other hobbyists attend and share their experiences with their own stereos. For hobbyists interested in stereo gear, here is what we are currently using:
Paradigm Premiere 800F speakers
VPI Scoutmaster belt-driven turntable
JMW Memorial unipivot tonearm
Dynavector 10×5 moving coil cartridge
PS Audio GCPH phono preamplifier
Emotiva PT1 preamplifier
Emotiva A2 class AB amplifier
Kimber and Blue Jeans cables