Doug Emhoff, the husband of U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, made a surprise appearance at the Latchkey record store in Philadelphia on September 11, 2024, to showcase his latest vinyl purchases. Accompanied by California Governor Gavin Newsom, Emhoff drew attention to LPs from renowned bands The Stone Roses and New Order. "These are two records that I still listen to, to this day," he remarked during the visit.
In a video shared on Emhoff's social media, he displayed his newly acquired vinyls, including The Stone Roses' self-titled debut album from 1989, as well as New Order's 1986 release, 'Brotherhood'. Newsom joined in the conversation, revealing his own record choices, which included Miles Davis' iconic 'Kind of Blue' and Jackson Browne's 'Hold Out'. He remarked, "There's only one late, great Miles Davis," emphasizing the enduring legacy of the jazz legend.
The visit coincided with the lead-up to a presidential debate between Harris and Donald Trump, highlighting the often-overlooked intersection of music and political discourse. Marc Faletti, owner of Latchkey, recounted the engaging discussions among the trio, which included a light-hearted debate over the terms "dad rock" and "yacht rock" and whether they were deemed offensive.
Emhoff's appreciation for vinyl reflects a shared interest with his wife, Kamala Harris, who showcased her own vinyl collection earlier this year, featuring music icons like Charles Mingus and Ella Fitzgerald.
Additionally, just as this event took place, New Order announced plans for a deluxe reissue of 'Brotherhood', set to release on November 22, 2024. This upcoming edition will include a vinyl LP and CDs with remastered tracks, unreleased demos, and previously unseen DVD footage from historic performances.
For fans of both the political and music worlds, this intersection represents a unique cultural moment.