5 Questions With: Aaron Pfenning
“5 Questions With” is a series spotlighting some of Brooklyn’s most exciting and influential creatives. (You can explore our archive of picks here.)
You might recognize Aaron Pfenning from his time with then-upstart indie band Chairlift. Although he has since parted ways with that crew, he’s still making music on his own, in various incarnations — including showing up on the set of sure-t0-be-cult films like Adam Green’s upcoming surrealistic take on Aladdin.
Record you’ve listened to most in your life: Born To Be With You by Dion, produced by Phil Spector. I think my parents must have played Dion while I was in the womb, because this record has followed me ever since. It’s a near perfect album—eight songs, thirty-five minutes. It was born to be with me.
Up-and-coming Brooklyn-based band to look out for: Beverly. One of the first friends I made when I moved to Brooklyn plays in this band. He’s an incredible producer and musician and song writer. Combined with a super sexy lady and raw, real pop songs… I feel like these guys are dialing into something special.
Fave place to see a show: I’m sure this has been said many times before, but I’m still in love with Glasslands. I’ve lived in Brooklyn for nearly a decade, and Glasslands has essentially become like a second living room for me. So many memories and solid friends have spawned from that space.
Fave bar: This is tough because I don’t want to pick just one and offend my other favorite bars by accident… Does it count if I say Zebulon? It doesn’t exist anymore but it was both a place for reading a book at five in the afternoon with white wine, and for seeing eccentric, sweaty music shows at night.
Go-to drink: Mezcal, grapefruit, lipstick. It’s a drink I invented. Mezcal neat, sliced grapefruit on a side plate with coarse sea salt. The lipstick is ideally applied to this beverage by a beautiful woman sitting next to you.