Q&A: Shred or Pie Festival is Bringing A Unique Blend of Art, Music, and Community to Bushwick
ONE OF GREATEST STRENGTHS OF THE MUSIC COMMUNITY IS THEIR ABILITY TO GET CREATIVE AND BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER FOR A CAUSE. New York’s upcoming festival, Shred or Pie, is the brainchild of creatives seeking to build a community-oriented event free from the constraints of cliques or trends. Created by indie band Middle Part and manager Luke Montgomery, in collaboration with Richie Quake of Real Life, the festival aims to be inclusive and diverse, offering a refreshing take on festival culture. Drawing inspiration from the DIY ethos of 90s and early 2000s festivals, Shred or Pie aspires to be more than a music promotion; it's a celebration of art, culture, and creativity.
Rooted in Bushwick's rich history of music and skate culture, Shred or Pie pays homage to the area's artistic roots while injecting a fresh and contemporary spirit. Partnering with local businesses and creatives, such as The Luna Collective and vintage vendors, the festival brings a unique blend of music, art, and community engagement. It's an invitation to everyone, encouraging participation without conforming to specific scenes or tropes. Jenna Shot's artwork adds a distinctive visual identity to the event, inspired by iconic artists like Frank Kozik and Chris Coop.
Shred or Pie promises an unforgettable experience for festival-goers, with groundbreaking art and music that transcends pretension. It's a celebration of the local creative scene in Bushwick, bringing together diverse styles and art forms. Attendees can expect inclusivity, fresh talent, and a sense of community that celebrates the creativity in their own backyard.
In an exclusive conversation with The Luna Collective, Middle Part and Richie Quake reveals the inspiration behind Shred or Pie and how it distinguishes itself from conventional music festivals. Read below to learn more about the upcoming festival and get your tickets now.
LUNA: Can you tell us about the inspiration behind Shred or Pie and what sets it apart from other music festivals?
MIDDLE PART, QUAKE: We wanted to put together something that is community oriented and outside of pandering to any clique or trend. The mission is to be inclusive and diverse while inviting any and all to come and enjoy the festival. We got tired of trying to fit into a certain scene and decided to build something ourselves outside of promoters or standard venues and use it as a creative means outside of merely putting on a concert. There were many festivals from the 90's and early 2000's that we drew upon as references for our intent to put on an event that did more than just promote the music.
LUNA: Bushwick has a rich history of music and skate culture. How does Shred or Pie pay homage to this heritage while bringing something new to the neighborhood?
MIDDLE PART, QUAKE: It pays homage to the old Buswick that was a hub for artists because of its affordability which in turn bred a space for creativity. The neighborhood was home to a DIY scene that over time shrank due to spaces being closed and rising rent prices. Roberta's is rooted in the heart of the area and the owner is a fan of skate culture especially. The restaurant used to be host to skate pipes and dirt paths on the premises-throwing insane parties. "Shred or Pie" is supposed to channel that era along with a nostalgic element to bring visibility to what you can achieve today with your community.
LUNA: Can you share how the collaborations are impacting the festival's mission and the artists involved?
MIDDLE PART, QUAKE: We tried to focus on small businesses and creatives who we think bring a fresh element to a local show. Working with y'all aka Luna Collective, who has been a big supporter of us and of the artists that we're trying to highlight, feels especially appropriate given the fact that we're trying to focus on a community-based approach. We're also bringing on vintage vendors like Giddy, Flora Zhai, Ponte Las Pilas along with Archway editions and powerHouse books, who happen to be friends of ours, to create a unique experience along with collaborating on merchandise with Roberta’s. The event is also being presented by “Totally F***ed Up” which is an event curation project that Luke Montgomery and I formed to put on exciting experiences like Shred or Pie as well as teaming up with Richie and his show series @Real.life.nyc.
LUNA: The festival is deeply connected to the local community. How do you see Shred or Pie contributing to the cultural fabric of Bushwick?
MIDDLE PART, QUAKE: Shred or Pie contributes by being inclusive and abstaining from pandering to any "scene". The festival is an open invitation to everyone and preaches that you don't have to play into any certain tropes in order to feel that you can be a part of what's occurring locally and under the radar. The event has something for everyone whether you're looking to hear music, experience art, or just enjoy some great food. These things don't need to exist within a bubble and remain exclusive. It's exhausting trying to maintain relevancy and we really just wanna have fun and illuminate artists that don't fit into some mold.
LUNA: Jenna Shot's artwork adds a distinctive touch to the festival. Tell us more about this end of the creative process.
MIDDLE PART, QUAKE: Jenna is an artist that we’ve collaborated with in the past, and as already being fans of her work it felt only natural to bring her on board to create the visual look for the festival. I've been into the work of artists like Frank Kozik and Chris Coop (Coop) and cited their art as a reference for Shred or Pie's branding. The character featured on the poster (slappy) is inspired by a t-shirt design from the 90's for a festival that No Doubt played; Very derivative.Brian Zaremba of Middle Part helped arrange the layout of the poster too, who both really did a good job of bringing our vision to life.
LUNA: What can festival-goers expect in terms of the overall experience at Shred or Pie, both musically and culturally?
MIDDLE PART, QUAKE: They can expect art that’s exciting. It is devoid of pretension and we aim for this festival to be diverse in both the styles and artforms that are presented. Shred or Pie is meant to highlight the artists and vendors in the Bushwick area and a means to bring a community together while also bringing visibility to creativity occuring in its own backyard.
LUNA: What do you want attendees to know about this festival?
MIDDLE PART, QUAKE: We'd like to let them know that this festival is for any and everyone. There's no flashy promoter attached, it's born from two underground artists, and it aims to bring you something fresh and exciting that is going on in your local zip code. Richie and I have been friends for years and wanted to create something inclusive rather than trying to fit in some preexisting scene. Totally F***ed Up & Real Life aims to bring this to the scene. Come have some chaotic unadulterated fun!
