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Musical Shopping
Must have tunes, technology & clothing to fit your musical tastes!
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New York is a music-loving city. We probably have more venues and bands than any other place in the world. Walk a few blocks and you’re likely to pass a concert hall, music store or someone who looks like they play music. In honor of our appreciation of all things musical, here is a fun music-inspired shopping guide:
The design team behind Funtote has us stylish, practical commuters in mind. Not only is this musical tote bag the perfect size (16.5″w x 15″h x 4″d) to schlep all your daily essentials, including gym clothes and lunch, but its unique outside vertical zipper pocket allows for easy access to your wallet and Metrocard, so you’ll never have to dig to find anything again! Hand silk-screened by a painter who once exhibited at the Bronx Museum, this tote shows one’s fondness for music with a piano, violin, clarinet and French horn. $32
Available at Shatzi, 243 E. 86th St. 212-289-1830, www.funtote.com
Although we still love listening to vinyl records, carrying them around the city from gig to gig can be a hassle. With many DJs depending on computers and MP3 players to keep the crowd moving, Urban Outfitters has created its UO DJ Mixer, which connects two MP3 players or iPods. Complete with reverb and two effect programs, this mixer is powerful and compact, making it great for home or professional use. $120
Available at Urban Outfitters, 166 Atlantic Ave. Brooklyn, 718-488-7143
Like reality television, novelty t-shirts aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. With technology advancing as quickly as ever, we’re betting the next incarnation of the t-shirt is one like this interactive Electronic Drum Kit. Upon first glance the tee could look like the guys at The Onion created it, but it’s not a joke. Complete with built-in speaker, you can play a drum solo on your chest! Prefer playing guitar? ThinkGeek, has one of those too! Think of it as the new, hearable air guitar! $29.99 each
Available at www.thinkgeek.com, 888-433-5788
Some of my fondest memories of seeing live music are when the singer finishes a set by throwing a microphone to the floor. But not all microphones are created equal, nor should all of them be thrown, like the new, innovative JZ Vintage line handcrafted by JZ Microphones. The first in the series is its flask-shaped V47. With a five-year warranty and uncompromised dedication to creating high quality vintage sound, this one is bound to shake things up in the studio! $1,999.00
Available at Pro Audio Star, 49 Bogart St. Bushwick, Brooklyn, 718-522-1071 www.proaudiostar.com
Sometimes the best statement is in the details. For example, take this rock ’n’ roll pillow: it’s simple and stylish, yet it says so much about who you are. Silkscreened onto 100% denim cotton, the pillow will “wear like your favorite pair of jeans!” Like the Rolling Stones’ infamous Sticky Fingers album cover designed by Andy Warhol, it also flaunts an exposed metal zipper. Made up in the Bronx by Laid Back Home. $60
Available online at www.laidbackhome.com
There aren’t many bands I can listen to on repeat. Beach House is an exception, as are Fleet Foxes. Beach House is a dreamy pop group that hails from Baltimore. Their new release, Teen Dream, was recorded in a church called Dreamland with Chris Coady, known for his work with TV on the Radio and Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Fleet Foxes hail from Seattle. Their music draws on vocal harmonies and you can hear folk—almost Southern— influences. Maybe it’s the beards? Both albums are on SubPop.
Available at Sound Fix, 44 Berry St., Williamsburg, Brooklyn 718-388-8090