Ethan Silverman
Occupation Co-Founder, Terrible Records
Hometown Wilmington, NC
Current Residence East Village, NYC
WHAT WOULD THE TITLE OF YOUR AUTOBIOGRAPHY BE? “Depressed And Loving It”
WHAT CAN’T YOU TRAVEL WITHOUT? Headphones. There is a specific group of songs that I must hear once I am on an airplane or else I am unable to fly. Also, a book of poems to read during those trying times that take-off is delayed.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE TRAVEL DESTINATION? Tulum, Mexico. The sight of the Young Turks New Years Party remains a highlight of my year/life.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING TO DO ON A SUNDAY AFTERNOON IN NYC? Last Sunday, I went to Rockaway Beach and it was still warm enough to sunbathe with a nice fall breeze. I read Rumi on the beach, swam in the ocean, ate at Rockaway Taco, got an ice cream sandwich from Holland Helado and made it back to Manhattan before midnight. That’s a SUNDAY!
IF YOU COULD CHOOSE ONE PERSON TO SHOW YOU “THEIR NEW YORK CITY,” WHO WOULD IT BE? Lou Reed. He owned this town, and forever will.
WHO HAS INSPIRED YOU RECENTLY? Matt Werth, the owner of record label RVNG continues to inspire me to push forward and experiment with Terrible. No one else that I know has created a business that is more a testament of their own personality and vision of what a label can be, while maintaining integrity and altruism. He’s a true craftsman and an artist.
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE NYC RESTAURANTS? Ippudo for Ramen. River Styx in Greenpoint for their burger. Lovely Day for Hobo Noodles.
WHAT’S YOUR GO-TO SPOT IN NYC FOR DRINKS? Juice Press, to be honest.
WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE NYC BRUNCH SPOTS? I avoid the brunch crowds normally and head straight to “dunch.” I don’t usually eat eggs, but when I do it’s at Cafe Mogador or Marlow & Sons in Williamsburg.
WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR ART FIX IN NYC, AND DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE ARTIST? Some recent favorite exhibits: Camille Hernot and Chris Burden at the New Museum, Christoph Schlingensief at MoMA PS1, Sigmar Polke at MoMA, and Carl Andre at Dia:Beacon.
WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE LATE-NIGHT HANGOUTS IN NYC? Fat Cat for it’s live Jazz and Ping Pong. 151 Rivington was newly reopened by the team that brought us Death & Co. with great cocktails and fine decor.
WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR UNDER THE RADAR MUST-DO RECOMMENDATIONS FOR NYC VISITORS? Take the Staten Island Ferry, just for the ride. Get lost in Central Park. Get lost in general.
WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE NYC STORES? Assembly for clothes. A1 for records. Moscot for glasses. Homecoming in Greenpoint for terrariums and coffee.
WHAT MUSIC ARE YOU LISTENING TO THESE DAYS? Lots of amazing demos for upcoming albums from Terrible artists such as Le1f, Empress Of, Porches, Regal Degal and Sick Feeling. I’m also feeling Junglepussy a lot! The “Dub DJ crew” Blazer Sound System has the best party vibe going right now. Dev Hynes (Blood Orange) does a lot of A&R work for me as well, and hearing new stuff he’s making is always a treat.
WHAT ALBUM OR SONG WOULD YOU CONSIDER YOUR PERSONAL SOUNDTRACK TO NYC? Song? Milk and Cookies’ “Not Enough Girls (In The World)” – shout out to the legend Justin Strauss. Albums? Chet Baker’s “Sings” and Arthur Russell’s “Calling Out Of Context.”
WHEN YOU THINK OF NYC, WHAT IMMEDIATELY COMES TO MIND? I’ve been here eight years, and there is still no comparison to the feeling of driving over the Williamsburg Bridge listening to Hot 97 with your favorite people in the car. New York is where I met my second family.