The Slope Survey returns for its 28th installment, this time with resident and writer/performer Michael Hearst.
Michael Hearst is a composer, multi-instrumentalist, and writer. His most recent project is a four-part book series, each book geared toward a grand theme: Unusual Creatures, Extraordinary People, Curious Constructions, and Unconventional Vehicles. Each book includes a companion album, and Unusual Creatures was also made into a PBS Digital series, hosted by Hearst. His previous album, Songs For Ice Cream Trucks is currently blared by at least 50 ice cream trucks around the world. And Songs For Fearful Flyers, which includes voicework by fearful flyer Whoopi Goldberg, has soothed many nervous travelers. Hearst has also composed soundtracks for the movies To Be Takei, Magic Camp, Chicken People, and The Untold Tales of Armistead Maupin among others. Michael Hearst is also a founding member of the band One Ring Zero, who released nine albums. Hearst has performed and given lectures and workshops at universities, museums, and cultural centers around the world. He has toured with The Magnetic Fields, performed with The Kronos Quartet at Carnegie Hall, and has appeared on such shows as NPR’s Fresh Air, A+E’s Breakfast With The Arts, and NBC’s The Today Show.
What brought you to Park Slope?
At the turn of the millennium I was still living in Virginia, however, my band, One Ring Zero, was performing regularly with an Off-Off-Broadway production called The Pumpkin Pie Show. I would come up just about every weekend to perform with the show in the East Village. The main guy from the company, Clay McLeod Chapman, lived in Park Slope on 17th street, and I would often stay at his place. When a room in his apartment became available I made the big move to NYC. Soon thereafter, my girlfriend moved up, and we found an apartment together on 11th Street, signing the lease just days before the attacks on the World Trade Center. Being in the neighborhood at that time and seeing how everyone was handling the insane situation made me never want to leave. In fact, I haven’t. We’re still in that same apartment.
What is your most memorable Park Slope moment?
It was probably the night of the blackout in 2003. One Ring Zero was slated to play at Barbès, which was still a relatively new venue at the time. I actually walked over to Barbès moments after the blackout, freaking out, with a small radio in my hand. My panic was contagious, and Olivier (the owner) and I, considered getting in his car and skipping town. We then realized it wasn’t another terrorist attack, and convinced the bodega next door (now Colson) to give us their thawing ice cream. Since there was no power, and no air conditioning, performing in the back room at Barbès was out of the question. Instead, we played an acoustic set out front, and a ridiculous amount of people showed-up packing the sidewalk and overflowing into the non-working-stoplit traffic of 9th Street. Most of the restaurants on 7th and 5th Ave were practically giving away their food. It was like one massive block party (with no street lights). Incredibly fun and exciting . . . especially since the power in Park Slope came on the next morning, privileged bunch we are.
Describe your community superpower.
I would say it’s becoming friends with neighborhood shops, and helping them out. It sounds highfalutin, but I do feel a bit like I’ve been somewhat of an important liaison to several places over the years: the original McSweeney’s shop on 7th ave (where my band performed weekly between 2001-2003); then the Superhero Supply Center (which I helped conceive, and helped build the cape tester among other things); Barbès (I met the owners just before they opened the venue, and my band was among the first to play there. (I also built the stage, and a One Ring Zero banner still hangs in the back room to this day); and Colson Patisserie, where I worked shifts for the first few years, helping to introduce the neighborhood to the shop. Currently I’m having a lot of fun with Leroy’s Place. Serene, who runs the shop is awesome, and the stuff they sell is so much fun (including my books).
Ultimately, it’s a selfish act; finding places that can help with my career. Hopefully, I’m also giving something in return. I’m so grateful for all these places that have taken such huge risks in our neighborhood. One of the main reasons I’m still here is because of these places.
Oh, I’m also the dude who sets up the block parties on my block. Though that’s not much of a superpower. Besides, it’s also selfish. I truly love my neighbors and our block parties!
If you could change one thing about the neighborhood, what would it be?
Affordability! I’ve lived here for 23 years, and I’ve never been able to afford to buy anything. I feel like I’m constantly living on the edge of being kicked out of the very neighborhood that I’ve helped build. It’s incredibly frustrating, and it’s the one thing that makes me feel like I’m still a little kid living among a bunch of grown-ups. I’m grateful that I’ve been in this neighborhood as long as I have, and I’m incredibly thankful for my landlord and my neighbors. But damn it, why can’t I buy a place too! I long for housing stability. Especially since my nine-year-old child is getting bigger, and my 700 square-foot apartment isn’t.
What do you think Park Slope will look like in 10 years?
Five-thousand vape shops. Oh wait, that’s now.
I’d guess it will look pretty much the same, though with even less artists. The rents can keep going up and up, however people like me won’t be able to afford them. And the shops will slowly become more chain and corporate. The ever-increasing gap between the wealthy and the not so wealthy is very apparent in Park Slope. One by one, the multi-family buildings are being renovated into single-family homes, and any remotely affordable apartment units are getting turned into luxury condos. I keep thinking it’s got to bust at some point, but I’ve been thinking that for twenty-plus years now. Maybe the rat infestation will help? I hope. Yep, that’s what it’s come to. I’m counting on the rats to keep it affordable!
What are you reading, would you recommend it?
The Park Slope Reader, of course. Everyone should read it! That, and The Atlantic. I mean, the two magazines pretty much go hand-in-hand. I did just read David Sedaris‘s newest collection– easy and fun stuff–that I could actually get through at 10pm without falling asleep. I also have a copy of David Milch’s memoir that I’ve just begun. I’ll keep you posted.
What is your greatest extravagance?
Living in Park Slope, Brooklyn!
(Okay, I’ll stop with these jokes.)
I do like to get pedicures with my girl-friends. (I would also go with my boy-friends, but none of them seem to have interest.) Honestly, it’s more about sitting in the massage chair. Someone should really open a massage chair place. No need for anything else. Just the chairs. And maybe a cocktail. And wifi.
If you couldn’t live in Park Slope or in Brooklyn, where would you go?
Back to Richmond, VA or maybe the Hudson Valley? New Orleans? Connecticut? I think about this all the time, and I never can quite come up with the answer. I don’t want to leave Park Slope!
Who is your hero, real or fictional?
I have so many heroes, and they are all very tangible people. Basically, anybody who has been generous in supporting the arts, critical thinking, education, etc. Certainly, anybody who has helped support me is my hero! My parents, my friends, my neighbors, the owners of all my favorite places in Park Slope. You are all truly my heroes!
Last Word, What’s is turning you on these days?
Travel! I’ve always loved to travel, however there’s been a combo of hindrances over the past few years, in particular the pandemic and raising a child. But now my child is becoming old enough that it’s become a little easier. And well, the pandemic seems to no longer exist. I just turned fifty in December, and my goal for the year, my way of celebrating, is to travel more. So far I’ve been on a dumb cruise, gone to New Orleans and Chicago, and am heading to England in a few weeks … just for fun! And this is just the beginning. Look out world! θ
