Joe Ahearn & Ginny Benson
It's not very often that you can consider one of your peers, let alone a person your own age, someone you look up to with the kind of respect and admiration that you would somebody who had paid their dues and paved the way generations before you. Whether he'd admit it or not, Joe Ahearn is one of those people-- responsible for inspiring a wide variety of individuals and institutions alike, few have been more instrumental in reshaping the art & musical landscape in NYC over the past decade. Joe's often spotted with his better half Ginny Benson, together making up some of the all-star administrators behind SHOWPAPER, The Clocktower Gallery and (of course) the utopian safehouse/arts paradise known as The Silent Barn, this dynamic duo will likely continue to change the game together for many, many years. Unlike any previous Guest Lists on this site, this one is done "battle style" with the two alternating between their picks, like only two trailblazers can. Beginning with Ginny, enjoy this collaborative effort from the Bonnie & Clyde of Bushwick Ave. -AR
Yoni David
Shea and Yoni David go way back. Yoni played one of the first shows at the new Shea with the now defunct Trails and was breifly a staff member a couple years back before going on to be one of the dudes to bring you Big Snow Buffalo Lodge. If you've ever heard us talk about "Shea Fam" you know these guys are our cousins - they even have a couple a SSG-style house bands: Baked, Lost Boy & Leapling. Big Snow is about as well known for their stellar sound as it is for being a haven for touring bands so it comes as no surprise Yoni knows more bands personally than most people can name. He'll talk your ear off (did I mention he's a Long Island native?) but when it comes down to it he's just friendly as all hell. Big Snow & Yoni are prime examples of always putting musicians first in a line of work where they can so often become an afterthought. Keep that in mind while you listen to some of Yoni's favorites from the Shea Archives - showcasing some deep cuts and major jams from the past three years. -LC
Carrie-Anne Murphy
Here's a playlist that's soulful, noisy & definitely funky. It's a combination of tracks that could only have come from the vocal powerhouse behind Bad Credit No Credit & Clapperclaw and one of the top mourners of the lost art of the pop ballad: our own homegirl Carrie-Anne Murphy. If you're already familiar with CA's tunes you'll see pretty easily that this mix does a great job of boiling down all those elements that make those two projects so unique. And if not you're in for a streamlined experience since tracks from both BCNC & Clapperclaw are included here. Listen! Get educated!
Big Ups
Brooklyn's Big Ups make music fit for the sweatiest, most teeth kicking punk shows. Brimming with DIY enthusiasm, it's obvious that they would curate a list that is loaded with beer can-crushing bangers from notable former Shea du Jours such as Double Dagger and FIDLAR. But as this mix unfolds, prepare to be surprised as you learn about the more other-worldly tastes of these boys, as you are catapulted into the atmosphere with little warning. Deep space jams from veteran astronauts Noveller and Lichens prepare you well for the epic 30-minute closing track (a full performance by LA's Lucky Dragons) but this a raucous journey from the mosh pit to the outer limits of the galaxy with pitstops just about everywhere in between. -AR