Hey Brooklyn

Episode 45 — Ryan Greer

amber — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 06:05:16 +0000

Ryan Greer owns an apparel company called Flux. He started his company with $400 – rent money – that he used to buy and silkscreen a run of 100 tee shirts. Then he hit the streets to sell them. It worked; they sold and he was able to pay his rent and produce more tees. Now he has several silk screens in a studio space and recently expanded his company to include bags and wallets as well.

This former art model has the entrepreneurial spirit that dictated he wanted to move away from having his worth determined by someone else, a concept we love here at Hey Brooklyn.

Catch Ryan at the Brooklyn Flea on weekends, on Etsy at FluxProductions.etsy.com and on the street in Manhattan “sometimes, somewhere between Greene and Wooster on Prince Street”. If you see him, tell him Hey Brooklyn says hello.

Episode 44 — Dennis and Kelsey Kleiman from Stomping Ground

amber — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 07:33:01 +0000

Dennis and Kelsey have reinvented the stiff-smiled school picture, replacing them with genuine portraits that capture the joy of childhood in fun, happy photos. Each child gets about 3 and a half minutes in front of the camera (as opposed to the usual one-take shot) and is allowed to bring favorite toys, dress in fancy costumes and act as silly or as shy as they’d like. Flip through their portfolio for a whole batch of charming, happy kids!

Kelsey visits the school a few days before picture day with a Dennis-the-photographer puppet to get the younger kids excited and warmed up to the idea. They brought him along to our interview to show me. (During our photo session with the three of them we got a few chuckles out of the construction crew nearby!)

Isn’t the resemblance funny?!

StompingGroundPhoto.com

Episode 43 — Stephanie Thompson

amber — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 05:00:01 +0000

I met Stephanie at a house party she was throwing for previous Hey Brooklyn guest Ken Wheaton, and she gave me a gold star. She does this for a lot of people she meets, people that need to have a gold star because they’ve made an effort, they’ve tried, or they’re trying. It’s a sparkly yellow foam star, just a sticker, but it meant a lot to me, and brightens the days of others who get them, too.

She keeps a blog called Gold Star 4 Trying where she chronicles this effort to make the random strangers she meets every day a little happier, and talking to her was so, so good.

GoldStar4Trying.com

Stephanie is new to Twitter – she is @SaysSteph

Episode 42 — Jess Draper

amber — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 06:34:52 +0000

5th Avenue in Park Slope is some of the best shopping in Brooklyn, but when it comes to clothes, you’re more likely to find a party dress than a pair of Levis. It was a welcome change, then, when Alabama native Jess Draper opened Hog Mountain 192 5th Avenue. It’s clothes for manly men! They also have a beautiful collection of handmade ties and general store items like soap and deodorant. Jess has also created a few “man outings” for customers coming up – go cart racing, golfing and paintball trips! Stop by the store to sign up, and get a handcrafted silk tie.

Doesn’t he look dapper with this orange striped scarf? You can get one in-store.

Become a friend on Facebook or visit the store’s website HogMountainStore.com

Episode 41 – Pearl and the Beard

amber — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 06:19:16 +0000

Emily Hope Price, Jeremy Styles, and Jocelyn Mackenzie
This trio of musicians met in the “elevator of life”, and good thing! The music is uplifting, warm and engaging; you will want to want to sing (and stomp!) along to their song “Oh Death!” (And yes, Jocelyn was actually standing on a chair while we recorded this song.)

PearlandtheBeard.com

follow them on Twitter: @pandtheb

God Bless Your Weary Soul, Amanda Richardson for sale in MP3 form on Amazon.

Buy the physical CD from TheFamilyRecords.com or at one of their shows. Check the tour schedule to see when they’re coming near you.

Don’t forget to enter the Troop Beverly Hills: The Experience ticket giveaway!

Episode 40 — Shana Faust

robblatt — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 05:00:14 +0000

I wasn’t sure about everything that “being a stylist” entailed when I first contacted Shana, but I knew that her portfolio inspired me to create something beautiful of my own. I also knew she was definitely someone others would want to hear from!

She has a cool career path and is currently a freelancer working with all sorts of different clients. She is also working on a weddings DIY book with the ladies from the stationary outfit Hello Lucky.

Visit her gorgeous portfolio, and keep your eyes peeled for her book coming out later this year.

Shana asked me to use her author photo for this post, so we’re getting a sneak peak!

This episode of Hey Brooklyn is sponsored by:

Episode 39 — Matt Timms

amber — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 07:00:07 +0000

Matt Timms is the host of a series of “takedowns”, or casual cookoffs for amateur chefs. Most take place in Brooklyn, and he has plans to expand to other cities this year. The “takedown” is a laid-back response to typical cookoffs with rigid guidelines; a quote from his blog reads, “At the Takedown, we embrace chaos.” In other words, the rules are pretty flexible.

The first was a chili competition that quickly spawned others, including December’s fiercely competitive Cookie Takedown. Bakers showed off family recipes and original creations while audience members tested and voted for their favorites. (Tied for first place was my good friend Emily with her warm, gooey, caramel and sea salt cookies. You should make them. They are awesome.)

Matt has developed a hotsauce, too, called the Facemelter which you can buy at Chilli-Takedown.com, Marlow and Daughters and Soft Spot (it goes great in chili, but not on cookies). Matt also hosts a trivia night at Soft Spot on the first Tuesday of every month with Matt Langland.

Follow the Twitter account of the Chili Takedown: @chillitakedown

Episode 38 — The Bloodsugars

robblatt — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 07:00:36 +0000

The Bloodsugars have released their first full-length album I Can’t Go On, I’ll Go On available for MP3 download or purchase of a physical CD on their website. We were only able to get 3 out of 4 band members together, but they played for us as a trio anyway.

I loved these guys, and I really loved their advice to budding musicians: “Be real, and that’s beautiful.”

Episode 37 — Laura and Dina from Hey Girl Hey

robblatt — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 07:00:44 +0000

In the studio this week is Laura and Dina. These two hip ladies are fellow podcasters, and their show, Hey Girl Hey, is a hilarious mixture of celeb gossip and girl talk. Their description is: Think Overheard in New York, meets In Touch, meets Taxi Cab Confessions. It’s a saucy, sometimes raunchy, and always fun. I love these gals!

You can listen by typing “Hey Girl Hey” into iTunes or on their website HeyGirlHeyPodcast.com

Episode 36 — Ken Wheaton

robblatt — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 07:00:58 +0000

Ken Wheaton discusses his job working for AdAge and his latest book The First Annual Grand Prarie Rabbit Festival available for pre-order now, in stores next week on December 29. As a special treat (and Hey Brooklyn first) Ken read a selection from the book – it’s at the end of the interview.

Join the book’s group on Facebook, read Ken’s blog (it’s hilarious!) and follow him on Twitter, @KenWheaton.

I forgot to take a photo of Ken (lame!) so he sent me this one of him drinking a beer in argyle.

Episode 35 — Seth Olenick

robblatt — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 07:00:45 +0000

Seth takes amazing, quirky portraits. Check out his tumblr account, Shits ‘N’ Giggles, to see his current 3-year project. He’s shooting portraits of the younger generation of comedians – Demetri Martin, Samm Levine, John Hamm, Charlyne Yi have all been in front of his lens – and he has plans to turn them into a book.

Seth is a great guy, but I was still nervous about turning my own camera on a photographer! It was cold and dark out, so we shot in the hallway of the studio, and he literally climbed the walls. I tried to get my shots in before the security guard yelled at us. We made it, but barely!

Episode 34 — Stephen Valand and Erica Shea of the Brooklyn Brew Shop

robblatt — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 07:00:24 +0000

Stephen Valand and Erica Shea started the Brooklyn Brew Shop, a company that makes gallon-sized, apartment-friendly home brew kits. I asked if they were nervous about starting a company in a recession (they’ve only been in business since July 2009 and quit their jobs to focus full-time on beer), and Stephen answered that working in their regular jobs was scarier. I love the entrepreneurial spirit!

I found out brewing quality beer in your house is not expensive, complicated or smelly with one of their kits, and they offer a variety of flavors already pre-measured.

You can catch them at the Brooklyn Flea and at the Flea’s holiday market, Gifted (tell them Hey Brooklyn sent you!) or order online.

Follow them on Twitter, @bklynbrewshop.

Episode 33 — David Zweig

robblatt — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 07:00:30 +0000

David Zweig is a musician and an author, with a documentary film brewing in his brain: another awesome multi-creative in the studio! I got some good advice out of him for young musicians and young writers.

We discussed his debut novel, Swimming Inside the Sun. Set in the early 2000’s, shortly after 9/11, the book follows Daniel Green, a 27-year-old New Yorker reeling after the loss of a record deal. I won’t give too much away, but I’ll say this: the novel is so well written that, while reading, I literally rolled my eyes and got annoyed when I felt the character was being annoying. It is such a pleasure to read a book that made me feel so much, and fascinating to read a book that made me a little angry at the character.

David got into the ins and outs of writing, the underlying themes of the book (especially Dan’s self-awareness), and our interview became an in-depth look at the process of writing.

DavidZweig.com is the “hub” of all things David Zweig, including his music, and you can use buy his book from Amazon.com

Episode 32 — Amy Cao

robblatt — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 07:00:12 +0000

Amy Cao is a food writer who can’t cook! Instead she writes about other people’s food on her website Amy Blogs Chow and sticks to making quick treats that are “stupidly simple”. In addition to her own site, she writes for Zagat and offManhattan and is a free-lance writer for several other food publications.

Embedded is her recent video explaining how to make a pumpkin pie milkshake for Thanksgiving. You can follow her on Twitter, @AmyBlogsChow, and watch her YouTube series called “Stupidly Simple Snacks” on YouTube.

Amy’s photo is a press photo, and was not taken by me.

Episode 31 — Kheedim Oh

robblatt — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 07:00:29 +0000

Kheedim Oh has been in the studio before – he’s a member of the rap trio the Beatards, episode 17! When he’s not rapping, Kheedim is cooking up batches of kimchee using an old family recipe. After his friends encouraged him to sell it, he started Mama O’s Kimchee, a name with a nod to his mom who taught him how to cook in the first place.

In our interview I found out what kimchee actually is, got a crash course on preparation, and found out why Mama O’s is so much better than the mass-produced kimchee often commercially available.

You can buy Mama O’s Kimchee at different stores around New York City:
Jeffrey’s in Manhattan
Marlow and Daughters (Williamsburg)
Foragers (DUMBO)
Stinky’s Brooklyn (Carroll Gardens)
Get Fresh Table and Market (Park Slope)

Better yet, come out to meet the chef at Greenpoint Food Market on November 21st, 2009, the Hungry Filmmakers event on December 15, 2009 (hosted by episode 28’s Cathy Erway!) and at the New Amsterdam Market on December 20, 2009!

Episode 30 — David Wingo — Ola Podrida

robblatt — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 07:00:04 +0000

David is a self-taught film score composer and a singer songwriter, an unusual combination that stemmed from both his natural disposition and working with childhood friend, filmmaker David Gorden Green.

The latest film he’s composed for, Gentlemen Broncos, is in theaters now and his second album, Belly of the Lion, comes out on Tuesday, November 10, 2009. It is phenomenal.

In our interview I got the story on his quirky band name, and this story involves a mouse costume. He also talks about overcoming hurdles in creativity, something I specifically asked him in hopes of inspiring young musicians (and maybe some older ones, too).

You can check out OlaPodrida.com for more information including tour dates, listen to some songs on MySpace, and become a fan on Facebook.

Episode 29 — Fiona Bloom

robblatt — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 07:00:23 +0000

Fiona Bloom is a British-born lifestyle marketer and marketer for new up-and-coming musicians, authors and artists. Her story is very interesting: she was classically trained on piano and was drawn to hip hop! She writes for books, she networks with stars and she reads to little kids for fun. You’ll be swept up by her enthusiastic spirit.

Follow her on twitter: @fionabloom and visit her website thebloomeffect.com

Episode 28 – Cathy Erway

robblatt — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 07:00:02 +0000

Cathy Erway is the blogger behind Not Eating Out in New York in which she chronicled the ins and outs of her stint boycotting restaurants for two years – not easy to do in a city known for it’s great eateries. In the process she learned to cook for herself and started Hapa Kitchen, a supper club with a penchant for fusing Asian and American cuisine (Hapa is a word for someone who is half-Asian; Cathy’s mother is Chinese and her co-founder Akiko Moorman is half Japanese.)

Now she is writing a book about her experiences which is due out in February of 2010 and has a radio show on the Heritage Radio Network called . It’s about love, dating and food that airs Fridays at 3pm.

Follow her on Twitter: @cathyerway

Episode 27 — Amy Braunschweiger

robblatt — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 07:00:17 +0000

Amy Braunschweiger is a freelance writer who is the author of the recently published Taxi Confidential: Life, Death and 3 a.m. Revelations in New York City Cabs. For those of us who love stories, this collection of anecdotes from the brief and temporary relationships New York City cab drivers have with their passengers is deeply satisfying. Talking to Amy taught me how the industry has changed since the 1970’s (these stories span for years!) and I got the fascinating story on how she collected all of these wonderful tales. Also, the question that every Brooklyite wonders is answered in this interview: I found out why cabs never want to go to Brooklyn. The answer is more complex than I thought.

Amy also dished on her next project, in which she will write about Walleye fish!

Episode 26 — Erica Reitman

robblatt — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 07:00:15 +0000

Erica writes the popular, snarky Park Slope blog Fucked in Park Slope. Since it began in November of 2008 it’s grown to a group of 8 – 10 writers who are “equal opportunity judgers” of the people in Park Slope, both “Breeders” (those with “bebes” and toddlers) and “Ballers” (the kid-free and loving it crowd). They keep up with local events and even host a few of their own.

You can follow them on twitter: < href"http://twitter.com/effedparkslope">@effedparkslope and online at FuckedInParkSlope.com

I forgot to take a photo of Erica, so she sent me her wedding photo. Cute!

Episode 25 — Daniel Delaney from VendrTV

robblatt — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 07:00:32 +0000

Daniel Delaney is the host of VendrTV, a weekly video podcast about street carts around the country. His show is so fun! He talks to the vendor about their food and the location, highlight the unique aspects of each.

You can catch VendrTV by going to vendr.tv or typing “vendr” into iTunes. You can also follow Daniel on Twitter; he’s @DanielDelaney and VendrTV has it’s own account: @VendrTV.

Episode 24 — Rachel Lee Walsh

robblatt — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 07:00:40 +0000

Rachel Lee Walsh is a charming folk singer with a warm, soothing voice. She’s a musical story teller; her lyrics are straight forward and well written. I appreciate this so much.

We talked about her upcoming album, which she is funding via fan support. If you’d like to help her make her next full-length CD, you can go to the donation section of her website and chip in. (There’s lots of cool extras to people who donate larger amounts). To give listeners a taste of what the new album will be like, she’s released an EP of three songs from the album, and you can listen to them here.

Her main website is RachelLeeWalsh.com, and you can follow her on twitter: @rachelleewalsh and be her fan on Facebook.

Episode 23 — Anna Jane Grossman

robblatt — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 07:00:21 +0000

Anna Jane Grossman is a freelance writer, journalist, and author of two books including the recently published Obsolete: An Encyclopedia of Once-Common Things Passing Us By.

We discussed her career, advice for people who are wondering how to be writers “when they grow up”, and waxed nostalgic about all the stuff from our childhoods that are becoming obsolete, many of which have been immortalized in her book.

We also discuss body hair and $10 bikini waxes.

You can see her fun tumblr account focusing on obsolete items at ObsoleteTheBook.com, find links to her other writings on AnnaJane.net and follow her on twitter: @AnnaJane.

Come by her Brooklyn book signing Monday, September 21 at 7pm, which will be held at Book Court, 163 Court Street.

Episode 22 — Sean Kershaw of Sean Kershaw the New Jack Ramblers

robblatt — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 07:00:04 +0000

Sean Kershaw is a country musician, and I was so excited to have him come to the studio IN A COWBOY HAT! You can catch them in a variety of shows around the area, and see them every Wednesday night in September 2009 at Hill Country in Manhattan.

Go to SeanKershaw.com for more details, and check out his MySpace page, too.

As with all our musical guest interviews, this one has some rockin’ tunes at the end. Yee-haw!

Episode 21 — Josh Mease

robblatt — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 07:00:54 +0000

Josh Mease creates dreamy music, both in sound and in substance: his writing often alludes to dreaming of being somewhere else.

JoshMease.com for more info

Episode 20 — Artist and Inventor Adam Frank

robblatt — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 07:00:34 +0000

Adam Frank is an inventor and an artist. You can see his work at AdamFrank.com, and you can also find out more about Lumen and Reveal lines by visiting his web site. Fun fact: Adam is married to Denise Fasanello, who was episode number 14!

Episode 19 — Neil Carlson from the Brooklyn Creative League

robblatt — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 07:00:40 +0000

Neil Carlson owns office space. This doesn’t sound particularly interesting, but I promise you it is! He has a fantastic story about how he started this unique place to work and why it’s a great alternative for smaller business. Also, he’s keeping it green with eco-friendly building materials and environmentally conscious office practices. If you’re a free-lancer or small business in the area you should definetly check out the Brooklyn Creative League, located at 540 President Street. Visit BrooklynCreativeLeague.com for details. Follow him on Twitter at @CreativeBklyn

Episode 18 — Porter Block and Casey Shea

robblatt — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 07:00:20 +0000

Porter Block came by the studio to talk about music and his new album Gowanus Yacht Club. It’s a collaborative album with other singer-songwriters recorded here in Brooklyn and featuring a large assortment of artists, most based in NYC. The album is being supported by a city wide tour where Porter will perform with some of the guest songwriters in their home turf venues.

Along with him came Casey Shea. Casey is one of the artists featured on Gowanus Yacht Club, and is a co-producer of the album.

The links:
myspace.com/porterblockmusic
porterblockmusic.com
caseysheamusic.com

Porter and Casey’s photos are press photos, and were not taken by me

Episode 17 — The Beatards

robblatt — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 07:00:24 +0000

The Beatards may be the most energetic people to come to the studio! Three guys: Chuck Wild, DJ O, and UTK make up the group. “Peep” their website (yo) for upcoming shows, and check out the back half of this week’s episode to hear a few tracks they recorded in our booth!

You can check out their website at TheBeatardsNYC.com, and follow them on twitter: @thebeatards.

Episode 16 — Eric Rochow from Green-House.tv

robblatt — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 07:00:51 +0000

Eric Rochow is a good friend of mine and Rob’s. We met in his apartment (a mere two blocks from us!) to talk about his online community The Green House, the two video podcasts he does, and the Ford Fiesta he gets to drive around for the summer, courtesy of Ford! During the week, Eric can be found all over Brooklyn hanging photos and building shelves. If you need a handy man, this is the guy to call.

Making a special guest appearance are Henry and Charlie, the Labrador dynamic duo that appear in a lot of Eric’s videos.

To get in touch with Eric go to Green-House.tv and to reach him with home improvement projects, visit < href="http://handymaneric.com/">HandyManEric.com. On Twitter he is @ericgardenfork.

Episode 15 — Liz Gutman and Jen King of Liddabit Sweets

robblatt — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 07:00:23 +0000

Jen (l) and Liz (r)

Jen Gutman and Liz King from Liddabit Sweets are candy makers, and came to the studio bearing gifts of amazing goodies! I chatted with these two newly-sprouted entrepreneurs about getting a business off the ground, the benefits of being in Brooklyn with so many other “food nerds” around here, and we discussed, in depth, the essence of a s’more (seriously!)

What is a slurtle? How do they pay tribute to Elvis? Why are these two girls so excited about gay bars? Listen and find out!

You can find them on Twitter at @liddabit

Episode 14 — Denise Fasanello Floral Design

robblatt — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 07:00:19 +0000

Denise Fasanello owns Denise Fasanello Floral Design, a boutique floral design and events company specializing in a modern, stylish vision. Here she talks about running a successful start up in this economy, her artistic background, and answers some questions that my friends suggested for me (thanks, guys, for the great ideas!) I find out what a “billly button” is!

Visit her website at DFasanello.com and her blog at littlepheasant.blogspot.com

Episode 13 — Dan Seda

robblatt — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 07:00:01 +0000

I found Dan Seda in an unusual way, and we had an unusual interview. For first time listeners: this is not typical fare for Hey Brooklyn! I loved meeting Dan and am very happy to consider him a friend now. Take a listen to what he has to say. I think you’ll enjoy it, too. You can get ahold of Dan by emailing him at singingSeda at yahoo dot com or tracking him down on Facebook – Dan Seda. His phone number is +1-917-621-7243.

Episode 12 — Liz Libré of Linda and Harriett

robblatt — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 07:00:03 +0000

I met Liz Libré at this year’s National Stationary Show and asked her to come on Hey Brooklyn. Her response was, “Oh, I’d be so nervous!” She came on anyway, and by the end we were chatting like old friends!

Her company is Linda and Harriett, named for two inspiring ladies in her life.

We chatted about her design process and inspiration, creative uses for otherwise useless cards, and our mutual love of all things dogs! She also brought along some cool stuff from her line for me, including thank you cards and 2 calendars, a 2009 one and a 2010 one, which we talk about in our interview. The 2010 version can be turned into postcards when you’re done with the month, so you don’t have to throw away the beautiful designs. Clever! I took these photos to show how it works.

The calendar is long and thin with the month name and dates at the top and a pretty design at the bottom.

At the end of the month you cut the pretty design off of the calendar page. The back is printed as a postcard!

Read her cute blog here: lindaandharriett.blogspot.com and follow her on Twitter here: @lindaharriett

Go to the website for purchases or to see a list of stores her products are available in.

Episode 11 — Jenna Park of Whimsy & Spice

robblatt — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 07:00:34 +0000

Jenna Park and Mark Sopchack own Whimsy & Spice, a confectionery here in Brooklyn. I had an interview with Jenna to discuss the inter-workings (and delicious creations) of this unique operation. Visit WhimisyAndSpice.com to see their entire line of baked goods, visit sweet fine day to read their blog, and follow them on Twitter: @whimsyandspice.

The top photo is by me. The bottom photo is a press photo from Jenna of her and Mark.

Episode 10 — Breck Hostetter from Sesame Letterpress

robblatt — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 07:00:19 +0000

This interview was fun; I’ve been a fan of Sesame Letterpress for ages. There is a mood to their work that is so very them, and still every new thing they come out with feels new. We met in Breck’s studio, and the room was a touch noisy which you can hear on the recording – a hazzard of recording live and in-person!

Visit Sesame Letterpress at sesameletterpress.com and Brooklyn Social Cards at brooklynsocialcards.com

If you’re in Brooklyn this weekend, swing by Breck’s booth at the Renegade Craft Fair at McCarren Park.

Episode 9 — Nina Gilbert from WomensLaw.org

robblatt — Fri, 29 May 2009 07:00:40 +0000

Nina Gilbert works for WomensLaw.org, a website filled with state-specific information for women who are victims of domestic abuse. Her cause is near and dear to my heart, and I was honored to have her come speak on the show. You will learn a lot from this powerful, moving interview.

Episode 8 — Lotta Jansdotter

robblatt — Fri, 22 May 2009 07:00:38 +0000

Lotta Jansdotter is a design label known for earthy imagery and understated, beautiful colors. I spoke to Lotta in her Brooklyn studio about why “designer” doesn’t quite define what she is, her journey of living around the world, and how Brooklyn influenced her palatte.

Episode 7 — Tina Roth Eisenberg of Swiss-Miss.com

robblatt — Fri, 15 May 2009 07:00:42 +0000

Tina Roth Eisenberg is known on the internet as Swiss Miss. She likes this. We sat down to discuss her blog, her design studio and her latest endeavor, Creative Mornings. She’s on Twitter as @swissmiss.

This photo is Tina’s press photo, and was not taken by me.

Episode 6 — Jane Buck from Foxy & Winston

robblatt — Fri, 08 May 2009 07:00:41 +0000

Illustrator Jane Buck launched Foxy & Winston in 2005 as a way to share her colorful artwork with the world. In our interview we talk about the process of screenprinting, inspirational rodents, and growing up in England. Most excitingly, I finally get the answer to the question I’ve been wondering ever since I purchased my first Jane Buck artwork a year and a half ago: who, exactly, are Foxy and Winston?

Episode 5 – David Skokna from HUGE

robblatt — Fri, 01 May 2009 07:00:54 +0000

David Skokna is the global creative director and one of four partners of HUGE. HUGE is an agency that specializes in developing the online aspect of businesses in a sustainable way. Their work includes ikea.com, jetblue.com and miramax.com We talked about his company’s vision of happy brands and happy, healthy employees.

I noted in the podcast that HUGE is hiring. If you’re interested in applying for a position in their DUMBO office there is an application form on the website. They are looking for geniuses!

David’s photo is his official press photo, and was not taken by me.

Episode 4 — Keavy Landreth from Kumquat Cupcakery

robblatt — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 07:00:17 +0000

This week’s interview is with Keavy Landreth of Kumquat Cupcakery. It is called a “cupcakery” because she makes cupcakes exclusively. Each is a tiny two-bite creation, and they come in a variety of conventional and unexpected flavors, including bacon.

The cupcakes are fantastic (although I can’t speak for that bacon one… I’ll work up the nerve to try it eventually!) You can visit her website to order if you’re in Brooklyn or Manhattan. On the weekends you can buy them live and in person at the Saturday Fort Greene Brooklyn Flea, or Sundays at it’s the DUMBO location. Tell her Amber of Hey Brooklyn sent you!

Episode 3 — Aaron Beebe from Coney Island USA

robblatt — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 00:15:59 +0000

Aaron Bebee is the creative director of the Coney Island museum. During our interview I could tell how much he loved the culture of Coney Island and was excited about the task of preserving it’s memory. If you get a chance this summer, you should really take a trip down there. Don’t forget to bring your camera!

For more information on visiting Coney Island and catching shows there all summer, visit ConeyIsland.com.

Episode 2 — Courtney and Ben of Kaiser Cartel

robblatt — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 07:00:18 +0000

This week I talked with Courtney Kaiser and Ben Cartel, a musical couple that form the band Kaiser Cartel.

It was such a treat to have them come to my home studio, and afterwards they played two songs.

You can check them out at kaisercartel.com and hear more of their music myspace at myspace.com/kaisercartel.

The “Season Song” video they are talking about can be found on Grizlet.com

If you’re in Brooklyn and want to see them live, come to their show on April 18, 2009 at The Bell House with Lucinda Black Bear and the Winterpills.

Episode 1 — David E. Johnston of The Bubble Roome

robblatt — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 07:00:56 +0000

Hey Brooklyn, episode number one. I sat down with David Johnston, owner and self-titled “Purveyor of Goodness” at The Bubble Roome. He makes all natrual, environmentally conscious bath products for women in his Park Slope apartment (and they smell great!) Check him out at TheBubbleRoome.com and follow him on twitter @thebubbleroome.