Public Chalk

This week has been pretty epic for me in terms of parties and events here in NYC. Two nights ago I ended up at 3×1 denim’s SoHo store – at 15 Mercer – for what I believe was their opening or launch event. As soon as we turned the corner onto Mercer from Grand, we could see a flock of people in front of the place, and immediately assumed we had most certainly arrived at the place to be. We knew right away that the commotion in front of us was where we were heading, and that was already a great indicator of the kind of night we were about to, and ready to have.

As we approached that raucous scene ahead, the shadows in the distance began to take detailed and very defined forms. And boy! were those some of the prettiest and most beautiful forms and faces I have seen in one place, at least since my last former epic night at S.L. a few weeks back. Arriving at the front, we were asked for our names by the stunning door girls who were so sleekly accessorized with iPads for Guest list check-ins. As one of the brunettes outside began typing our names onto the interactive list: “C-Y- ah there it goes; go right on in”, we noticed another rather attractive crowd in a long line to our left, and, in we went…

I picked this song out of the EMPT selections because of the title. I mean, “Peanut Dreams”, how could anyone not be curious? Anyhow, as soon as the track started playing, the funky bass line, that vintage crackling sound that old records make as they’re being spun, and the airy melodic vocals captured me right away. The feel of the song and the groove of it immediately brings me back to that corner, on Mercer. I feel as if this song should have been spinning that night as we rounded that corner and approached that door. Randomly enough, prior to arriving at the 3×1 event, I was being my usually idealistic self and explaining to my friend how I wish that every block in NYC had outdoor speakers, and music playing through them, of course. In my perfect New York, this would have been something that was incorporated way before the blueprints to the city were even drawn. ‘Think about it’, I say. ‘Every block, or neighborhood, would have their own style and feel of music. It would be paradise no?’. He silently nodded in agreement as he himself wondered about all the possibilities, and probably even the logistics of getting something like that done now…

Back at the entrance of 3×1 we walked passed a few of the models that were in that line to our left. The store was sexily outfitted with just the right amount of lighting and what was just a sick rotation of some serious sounds. So much so, that I had to ask one of the employees where the music was coming from. The lovely seamstress wasn’t too sure but she did manage to tell me that College and Electric Youth were the evenings entertainment, and so it all made way more sense. Bopping my head and making our way to the back of the store to grab a drink, we arrived at another station full of more beautifully styled people in line at what ended up being the bar. With Kettle One vodka as a sponsor, and all of the beautiful land and soundscapes provided by 3×1, every one of our senses was kept satisfyingly busy the entire night. It was definitely a party scene out of a movie, and this Grand National record helps me to recapture the great vividly vibrant visual summary of that night, as if an episode trailer of ‘Next Time On: How To Make It In America.’

And then, there was last night. I got a text invite from a DJ friend who was providing her talents to an office party that she has been doing so at for a few years. Making my way down Fifth Avenue at night, and watching the cab and car lights gleaming, I thought to myself, at that moment, ‘What a wonderful city’. Fine, I’m obsessed with NYC, but who wouldn’t be? Sure I was born and breed here, and? Whatever, point is, that I could completely hear this tune playing on that street last night, in my visual memory bank at least, and it would have been perfect. Walking down Fifth Avenue, beautifully styled people in long overcoats, tall boots, sexy scarves and hats, and all of them ready for their beloved city night to whisk them away and party. This theme plays out the entire time, even as I’m arriving at my destination while being greeted by the traditionally outfitted doorman as his white gloves pull on the well polished brass handles to let me in, and then approaching the front desk to announce my arrival. I guess it’s got that “cool” walk flow to it, in it, because this song, for me, is all about the vibe that it lets out, and that’s precisely how it makes me feel every time it repeats on my iTunes as I write this. Even as Autumn, who has literally turned her coldest shoulder on us on this Halloween weekend; that, or her sister Winter is definitely in town on a visit because it’s freezing outside, this song just makes me want to go out, in all of my sartorial splendor, and make the entire city my next epic party ― today; right now!

Give me daylight, 

Give me sundays, 

Give me strokes with the folks and their peanut dreams…” 

From the Dream Dictionary:

Peanuts - To see or eat peanuts in your dream, symbolize the need to get to the truth or core of something. You may also need to start pushing yourself and utilizing your full potential.

-cp’11

Grand National – Peanut Dreams

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