Greenpoint-based ecommerce site Insound is known primarily for its encyclopedic trove of indie rock—and in physical forms both new and old. While the store has hundreds of mp3s, according to Matt Wishnow, Insound founder and president, 60 percent of the store’s sales are vinyl records.
But being in what is arguably America’s indie rock capital in the moment—as well as “so many great record stores in Williamsburg,” as Wishnow put it—Insound sought to differentiate itself a bit. Enter its collection of art and screen printed clothing selections. On display and on sale from Thursday through yesterday at Williamsburg event space 303 Grand, located at its namesake address, the looks embrace a major undertone of the sound that has put the Williamsburg-Greenpoint area on the map during this decade.
And certainly, 2000s Brooklyn scene darlings such as Department of Eagles and Clap Your Hands, Say Yeah get their due in the Insound 20 line of posters, t-shirts and sweatshirts. Released last year, the collection features the designs of Oakland artist Jason Munn, a.k.a. The Small Stakes and says Wishnow, was the first time posters have been commissioned to feature a group of bands independent of a concert tour.
More time-honored tunes have a nod in the Insound Classic 10 collection, as Wishnow puts it, sort of visual timeline of rock from 1970s Lower East Side punk group “Richard Hell and the Voidoids to The Promise Ring,” a 1990s Wisconsin band; or in a more conventional calendar, from 1977 to 1997. Featuring hand-drawn art by Brooklyn artist Mike Perry, the limited-edition line includes t-shirts and tote bags.
The shop closed yesterday evening. But if any of the above strikes your gift-giving fancy, Insound is open 24/7 online. Given that its office is but two G train stops away from 303 Grand, the shipping is sure to be swift. If you’re still stumped on what to give the indie rock fan in your life, check out Insound’s Can’t Miss Gift Ideas 2009, compiled by Wishnow.
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