Headstash

Lot To Legitimacy: The Headspace Empowers Artists

Like so many people, when Headspace founder Brett Dowis stumbled upon the jam band/electronica music scene, he was immediately hooked.

Through his travels, he quickly realized the tight-knit community and tribal-like culture was something that he wanted to get involved in and something that he could be proud to be a part of.

Inspired by the art around him, Dowis decided to utilize his skills as an organizer and a hustler and began The Headspace in the summer of 2011 as a vendor with 12 pin designs in a gun case.

Since then, Brett and his team have begun acting as “brokers” in order to expose artists to a wider audience via their website.

STS9 "Monkey Music" Pin

“Through The Headspace we hope to create a bigger and stronger infrastructure in community art for the artists to live better and to create more fans of the art,” he said. “We hope to continue to not only put art in the hands of those looking for it, but to inspire more people to become interested in it.”

Now, less than one year later, they have reached a nationwide distribution circuit, retailing and wholesaling artists’ works to the masses. Their website has over 100 pin designs (from bands like Phish, STS9, The Disco Biscuits and more), various types of jewelry, custom apparel, hats and more available for purchase.

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The Headspace is committed to putting money back into the artists that work so hard and travel the country vending regional and national tours along with a street team made up of a few dozen people. They will be official vendors for Bassnectar’s current “VaVa Voom” Tour.

“The look toward the future is very bright for us,” Dowis said. “We want to spread art and assist in [Bassnectar’s] mission to spread the importance of getting involved in community. Our music scene is expanding rapidly, and I feel it is very important to bridge the gap between jamtronica and EDM by reaching out to those new faces.”

Dowis says one of the best things about working within this particular scene is the openness of communication and collaboration. But that level of dedication also means people often question motives.

“I attribute it to people just being protective of the community they’ve grown to love so much,” Dowis said.

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Check out some of the most popular items on The Headspace and see what Dowis has to say about trends in the fashion scene below. Get more information about lot fashion from our Lot Couture feature story.

Hat Pins

According to Dowis, pins have quickly become one of the most popular types of merchandise in the jam band, livtronica and EDM scenes. Artists like Stanley Mouse and many other live painters and graphic designers have even begun creating designs specifically for the medium.

“This value comes from the idea of wearable art,” Dowis said. “It's nice to customize your home with beautiful art, so why not take that mobile by throwing some pins on your hat? It's a way to have art you love with you at all times, and to represent an artist or musician that you appreciate.”

Flat Bill Hats

“There are rumors and speculation as to why flat bills grew in popularity, but we all know the real reason to be 'because they’re gangster,'” Dowis said.

Between Grassroots California, Ciren and Mind Cradle, there are plenty of companies in the scene capitalizing off their explosive growth.

Dowis says customizing flat bills has become very popular as well with artists like Nick Yingst and his line of “Psychedelic Samurai" featuring beautifully pieced together patchwork with the occasional stone inserted into the bill.

Being an intimate community, fans have taken to sending their favorite designers solid color hats to be customized. Andy Reed, Will Bowers, Chelsea Lynn Graeber are just some of the up-and-comers doing particularly great work.

Wire Wraps

“People in our community are looking for jewelry that is hand made and custom,” Dowis said. “Over the years, the skill of wrapping stones with various precious metal wiring has turned next level.“

From the machine-like hands of Jason Burruss, creating flawlessly symmetrical pieces, to the whipping and winding free-form style of Paradigm Shift Jewelry, each piece is unique and special to its owner.

“It’s a very forward moving, quickly-evolving art form,” Dowis added.

 

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The Headspace encourages any interested artists to contact them for potential collaborations and partnerships. Visit their official website check out all their products, buy amazing art or contact the team.