Let's make some noise. Vote for the best thing you've heard this year, be it a tune or a life lesson.
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Leyla Safai Heartschallenger
Leyla Safai is the founder of the Heartschallenger ice cream truck. She doles out international candies, trinkets, and band paraphernalia while pumping her own get-up-and-dance-now tunes through the PA system. Read More
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Originally published on May 16, 2007
Major Concession Stand
Heartschallenger Ice Cream Truck
Would summer’s soundtrack be complete without blood curdling screams of children chasing the warped, tinny song of the ice cream truck?
Now add joyful yelps from kids like us listening for the sound of Heartschallenger, the mobile treat shop from L.A. that’s making its way to our side of the country. While on a summer fun run, the truck will stock city-centric trinkets like Cobrasnake tees, graffiti stickers, zines and buttons from aNYthing, along with international ice creams and Japanese mix tapes.
Hail it down at street corners for Mexican fruit bars, Russian teddy bear bars, Italian spumoni slices, Pixy Stix, fudgesicles, and kosher bubble gum. Or hire the ridiculously adorable vehicle for a birthday bash or block party, and let guests clamor for yo-yos, paper fans, and indie-band paraphernalia.
The whiz and driver behind the West Coast hit, Leyla Safai, plays her own electronic music over the PA system and plans to take the van (and her band) on tour in Europe after hitting up Fashion Week and the CMJ Fest.
Sound like a treat or what?
For more information, go to heartschallenger.com. -
Dan Giove DubSpot
Dan Giove founded New York City's first DJ, VJ, and electronic music production academy to give novices a chance to try their hand at spinning, scratching, and mixing records. Read More
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Originally published on February 2, 2007
Decked Out
DubSpot Electronic Music Production Academy
Those with monophonic and polyphonic tendencies need not scratch their heads about where to develop their talents.
They can learn the art of scratching, mixing, and recording at DubSpot, New York’s first DJ, VJ, and electronic music production academy.
New classes start next week, when novice spinderellas and iPod jockeys are groomed alongside suit-and-tie hobbyists and tech geeks, using cutting-edge gear (Pioneer, Technics, Serato) and expert software (Ableton Live, Pro Tools, and Logic Pro).
Get on deck with experienced instructors and turntablists. Classes, limited to six students, ensure plenty of hand holding and teacher’s pets.
Tuition practically guarantees a nightclub gig, which, incidentally, is the final exam (yikes).
Would-be Samantha Ronsons repeat after David Bowie: I am a DJ … I got believers (kiss kiss) believing me.
DubSpot, 348 West 14th Street, between Eighth and Ninth Avenues (877-382-7768 or dubspot.com). Open house Saturday, noon-7 p.m. -
Sam Valenti IV The Ghostly Store
DJ Sam Valenti IV, of premier electronic record label Ghostly International, launched an online shop showcasing limited-edition lifestyle products and design collaborations along with a vanguard music collection. Read More
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Originally published on September 18, 2007
I Ain’t Afraid of No Ghosts
The Ghostly Store
If you’ve ever wept to an album (and hit repeat), been convinced a certain track is your theme song, or tattooed the likeness of Björk on your backside, you know the music you listen to isn’t just a label, it’s a lifestyle.
Which got record label Ghostly International thinking about other ways to make a twelve-inch go round.
You already heard about their USB-as-CD alternative for design store Moss, collaboration with Cyberoptix TieLab on men’s accessories, and Avant-Pop tees.
But their latest project, The Ghostly Store, sent us spinning. The web shop is equipped with the newest digital electronic music offerings, artsy postcards, designer partnerships, action figures (coming soon), and the new Ghostly International Jewelry Collection.
We’re all over the phantom necklace, a fat little ghoul (fit to run in Pac-Man’s circle) last seen at Colette in Paris. The acrylic pendant — in clear, black smoke, or mirrored-back gold — hangs on a gunmetal or vermeil chain and costs less than 50 bucks (and stands for a lot more).
So you can branch out without selling out.
Available online at theghostlystore.com.