E08: Loft Culture

Hear the full episode here:

In this week's episode Tim and Jeremy are exploring the emergence of 'loft'-style living in downtown New York in the early '70s. Set against a backdrop of deindustrialisation and middle class flight to the suburbs, they detail how artists, bohemians and party hosts moved into these vacated loft spaces, affording them the space and time to exhibit their art and - crucially - throw parties.

Tim and Jeremy discuss David Mancuso's first party venue, at his loft space at 647 Broadway, along with some of the other parties which took his loft style, such as Nicky Siano's The Gallery and the more exclusive Tenth Floor. We hear some of the biggest records from these parties, consider the changing demographic makeups of their clientele, and finally ask: were these experiments in alternative styles of living inherently political, or were they opening themselves up to cooption by capital?

Produced and edited by Matt Huxley.

Tracklist:

Stevie Wonder - Living for the City
Barrabas - Wild Safari
Patti Jo - Make Me Believe In You
Brenda Holloway - Just Look What You've Done
The Temptations - Law of the Land
Suicide - Ghost Rider