Better Know A Blogger: Sheena Beaston
We all came up with slightly-off names of some pop idols. I think one of us was deemed Cyndi Flopper… and hence I chose Sheena Beaston.
As Sheena Beaston, blogger, DJ and East Village Radio host Hannah Rad steadily doses New York's fiendish music lovers with choice indie and electro cuts. Originally from a small town outside of Pittsburgh, PA, where her neighbors were literally cows, Hannah is comfortably "boo'd up" in South Park Slope, Brooklyn, these days. It's a great neighborhood for food, dogs, and babies, but like a true local she admits, "Tell me which of your friends actually likes to travel there?" We check in with Hannah to get her take on where New York's pretty young things are currently running wild.
How long have you had your blog?
It’s been well on over three years now. 2008 seems like eons ago!
How would you describe your blog?
The blog was started as an Oh hey, I’m oddly bored at work for once occurrence, in which I legitimately started it as alternative to e-mail my friends to grab cool tunes. I’m pretty sure that some of my first posts were as deep as “Ryan, you will really like this song!,” and I’d post an mp3. Word caught on quick and readership really took off on a rapidly upward pace. So that’s more of a background, but if I had to describe the blog? SheenaBeaston.com is a world of new music, mp3s, exclusive interviews and remixes; a small slice of what I think is rad… straight from my brain to your hard drives.
How did you settle on that name for the blog?
Back in college, a group of friends and I were in the midst of an all night “study session” and we got to talking... “Oh, hey what if we're in a covers band?” So we all came up with slightly-off names of some pop idols. I think one of us was deemed Cyndi Flopper… and hence I chose Sheena Beaston. Years later when starting the site, I felt musically beastly enough to take on the moniker for blog-worthy writings.
What era Sheena is your favorite, pre- or post-Prince?
Any Sheena. All the time. Being the remix lover that I am, I’ll go with any 12” white label extended version of any era Sheena Easton. Ever.
Has she ever approached you about using a similar name?
No, but… I always worried about that from the jump. Then I thought, hell… what has she really been up to lately? Nothing? Okay, I think I’m alright then. If anything, maybe I’m giving her more publicity. I kid (somewhat), but there is definitely a contingency plan in place should a cease and desist letter ever find me.
How long have you had your show at East Village Radio?
I’m in my second year now, although I started filling in on other shows a few months prior to that.
How did you get involved with East Village Radio?
Because of the Beaston! We started working together to cross-promote a one-off Echo & the Bunnymen concert. Then they took me to SXSW to help with artist interviews, and I ended up getting pushed into our mobile studio there when no other hosts/DJs were available. I interviewed GWAR and was not freaked out enough to have the team here keep me on board post hence. That was a radly weird and successful day.
Favorite nightclubs or party nights at the moment?
Club Bed, with a nightly residency by the one and only DJ Pillows. For serious, in recent months as I spin out more, I’ve been curtailing my “goings outs” and spending time in relax mode. Truth! For the more posh party minded seekers, I’d recommend Le Bain on Sunday nights. Disco, dancing, and a diamond hot tub (which I refuse to set foot in) make it pretty radical. Superb sound system there. For something a little more underground-ish, check out Tandem in Bushwick for Friday night deep house parties which pit semi-unknown spinners with big name DJs.
Parties or clubs that you missed that you wish you could've been to?
Peaches did a one-night DJ/host stint in NYC here earlier this summer. I’m not one to miss her in any capacity, and I did. Shame on me.
Favorite DJs at the moment?
Give a listen to Brenmar’s mixes. I had him on my radio show a few weeks ago and he melted the decks with his hot hands. He was so precise even though I made him use control vinyl instead of CDJs, as he’s more accustomed to. Really inspiring to watch.
