THE RIDER: Panik Flower's Top 10
The band on dog parks, dim sum and the key to finding anything (even bandmates) on Craigslist
Benders are, notoriously, not good.
Unless, you know, it’s the creative kind. Where, instead of losing your job/house/wife/kids, you just… make an album. In which case: plz rock on.
After all, it was during a self-described “songwriting bender”—sparked by the new addition, and apparently excellent influence, of drummer Marco Starger— that New York ~dreamgazers~ Panik Flower cranked out a full EP’s worth of songs in just two months. The quite literal record of this particular bender is rearview: a collection of six tracks that, rather than signifying a spiraling descent, serve as proof and product of both individual and collective growth.
And, ICYMI, it is OUT NOW!
Of the new EP—the band’s second, which dropped April 30—Panik Flower bassist Max Baird says:
“This EP felt like a lot of us finding ourselves as a band — our sound and how we perform. Sage’s spoken word has become such an important part of that and we really wanted to explore it in this project. It contributes a lot to the push-pull dynamic of our music, often adding another rhythmic element on top of an already lush, sonic landscape. Many of the bones of these tracks were brought to us by our drummer Marco, who was our missing piece up until early last year.”
Before heading out on tour this June (plz inform any friends n fans in Philly/Athens/Columbus/Detroit/Indianapolis/Chicago/Milwaukee/Pittsburgh WHEW!), the band will be celebrating rearview’s release WEDNESDAY NIGHT—aka TOMORROW!—with Yeah Baby and Whisper Doll at Night Club 101.
Then read on for Panik Flower’s Top 10 —a list designed to inspire diner hangin’, dog-park creepin’ and good ol’ fashioned Craigslist connectin’.
Have a really great week <3
PANIK FLOWER’S TOP 10
1. Sitting in a coffee shop pretending to do “work”
Depending on your definition of “work,” a coffee shop is a great place to get in the professional spirit. Mila and Sage live up the block from each other and have spent a number of afternoons sipping on cold brews and “working” at Playground in Bed Stuy.
2. Greenwood Cemetery
Hanging out in a cemetery might sound morbid, but Greenwood is one of the most magical public spaces in the city. It has incredible views of the city, in part because it’s the highest elevation in Brooklyn, and is almost the size of Prospect Park but far more empty (at least of living souls). It’s full of history and wildlife, but often quite devoid of people. Max used to live nearby and is obsessed with Greenwood. It’s the perfect place for some Sunday pondering, staring at geese, and getting or lost in thought (or physically lost…).
3. Craigslist 4ever <3
We will always have a special place in our hearts for Craigslist since it brought us both Max and Marco (2/3 “M”s in the band). If you have both the patience and perseverance, you can truly find anything on Craigslist. When putting out feelers for bandmates, we found that being super super specific about what you’re looking for will get you some solid replies (and of course, a few entertainingly bizarre ones too).
4. Three Decker Diner in Greenpoint
Three Decker might be the last good affordable diner in New York with a wide selection of breakfast to dinner food at any hour of the day. They always have an A+ selection of songs playing in the background to go along with their delicious food. Be sure to get there early on the weekends cause the line is another kind of hell.
5. Browsing but not buying
Most of us are avid appreciators of vintage fashion but maybe don’t necessarily have the funds to spend to our hearts desires. Instead, we like to take a browse through some of the best curated vintage shops around the city to pull inspiration for our own closets. Some aspirational NYC shoutouts are Shop 86, Seven Wonders Collective, James Veloria and Kousage Bachman.
6. Temkin’s Bar in Greenpoint
This place used to be a carpet shop back in the day and the bar owners kept the original sign which we think is a nice way to honor the space (we’re determined to shoot a music video here one day). The vibes are great and the prices are fair which make this spot a win in our book. Their negroni on tap is Mila and Sage’s drink of choice but you can’t go wrong with the $4 beers or any of their cocktails.
7. Dim Sum Go Go in Chinatown
This place is our go-to birthday spot and if you go at night you can BYOB (though you can probably do that at any time of day if that’s your vibe). Some PF favorites are the vegetable rice rolls, snow pea leaf dumplings, and garlic eggplant but you can't go wrong with anything on their menu. (Though, no dim sum will ever compare to the homemade dim sum Marco’s mom made us on our stop in New Jersey during our last tour.)
8. Sitting in the dog park when you don’t own a dog
Some people seemingly think this is a faux pas if you don’t own a dog (maybe it’s kind of like sitting in a playground if you don’t have a child but WAY less weird). Anyway, Mila thinks it is perfectly acceptable and it gives you a nice serotonin boost. Shoutout to the Herbert Von King dog park in Bed Stuy.
9. A food tour of Sunset Park
There’s Luigi’s Pizza on 5th Avenue, a real old-school pizza spot with amazing pizza, but possibly even better people watching. Further into Sunset Park, you can hit up the Tacos el Bronco truck on 5th avenue, a neighborhood staple, or Don Pepe’s, a torta and juice spot. Max’s favorite is the fish torta with whatever juice you want. After a food tour, you can head over to Sunset Park to stare at the sunset for another beautiful view of lower Manhattan.
10. Doing a bold eye look but skipping the mascara step
This is honestly such a random one I’m (Sage) gonna throw in here… I started getting really lazy with makeup a few years ago and had the realization I could just not put on mascara with a bold eye look. This is definitely not revolutionary but it has saved me from being shamefully late a number of times. And while it lowkey makes you look like a naked mole rat in some ways, it also gives that effortlessly cool vibe (I think?). Idk, just express yourself and have fun, there are no rules :)
Top 10 written + provided by Panik Flower .Follow the band at @panikflowerband, buy music on Bandcamp and add the songs to your Spotify playlists!
Feature image (provided by the band): Ivan Alexander