Playlist 03: Alyasha Owerka-Moore

For the third instalment of our guest playlist series, we have invited skater, designer, creative director, and record aficionado Alyasha Owerka-Moore a.k.a. Stack-Aly who brings us a two part series.

Raised in Brooklyn, New York during the colourful 1970’s and 80’s, Stack-Aly now resides in sunny San Diego, California where he continues to work in the creative industry after 20+ years. Considered an early pioneer of "streetwear”, Stack-Aly began his career as a graphic artist designing board graphics for the legendary Shut Skates, NYC’s first skateboard company, before making the natural transition into the garment industry. During the ‘90s golden era Stack-Aly played an important roll helping define skateboarding’s look with his work for DC Shoes, Dub and Droors, and his own board company American Dream Inc, before going onto found what was regarded as one of the most progressive brands in streetwear at the time: Alphanumeric.

More recently Stack-Aly has managed to weave his love of the past into the present by becoming brand ambassador, historian and archivist for American sneaker brand PF Flyers, and Thee Teen-Aged, a vintage inspired denim company he started in San Diego. Today you can find Stack-Aly working on a number of projects from Creative consultant for Shoyoroll, and Director of Apparel and accessories at Super7 toys.

What made you want to pursue a career in the creative industry and how did it all start
My mother was/is hands down my biggest creative influence. She was teaching art history and art education at UMASS at Amherst and then got a Rockerfeller Foundation scholarship at the Metropolitain museum of art, in the art education dept. This is how we ended up in NY. However lofty that sounds, we were really poor and my mom was really resourceful and creative as to how to keep me entertained. Mostly drawing, painting, sewing, building things… Etc… As a Child I was bummed that I didnt have lots of toys, but now I’m really grateful for being raised the way I was.

Growing up in New Yorks pre Rudy Giuliani era seemed like such a lawless and creative time, would you say the city also played an important roll in what you do today
Absolutely! “Lawless” is the perfect word for the environment. To that point, it was a petri dish of creative expression, experimentation and adrenalin. It also forced me to make some perhaps unhealthy, but necessary survival decisions. Ultimately hanging out with the “bad” kids after being tired of being a prey animal. Right wrong or indifferently, this shaped how I looked at opportunity and dealt with adverse situations. As I got older I stripped away the coping mechanisms / survival mechanisms that didn’t suit me anymore.

What or who first introduced you to skateboarding
My friends Jake Burlingham, Alistair McKevitt, Greg Gomory & Paul MIttleman

Where was your favourite spot to skate in New York, and who was typically there with you during those early years
The Upper Part of the Brooklyn Bridge Banks to this day was one of my favorite spots ever. Would skate there a lot with: Stanley Lambert, Bosko, Bruno Musso, Gina LaTessa, Flip, Hugh Gran, Kamau Patton, Peter Westra, Tito Deler, Harry Jumonji, Pepe Torres, Aaron Lennox, Cory, Tony Converse, LA Rob, Bill Thomas, Jim Moore, Spencer Weisbond, Clarence Nathan, Loic V, Beasley, Wiley Singer, Obed Rios, Kenny Usamamont, Qulon Douglas… The skate generational thing in NY is strange. I could make a list of literally hundreds of people I skated the banks with A LOT.

How did your love for music come about

Good question… I’d say my mom again. She always listened to a lot of different types of music. At some point in college she traveled with Paul Revere and the Raiders doing psychedelic light shows for them. She would play records and bop around the house with me in one of those papoose things strapped to her chest.

My dad was a self taught Jazz musician (Poet and African American Lit professor.) when they broke up, she got most of the vinyl collection. I would explore the records from an early age. Jazz, RnB,Classical, Rock N Roll. Later in HS, I got into NYHC and Punk, Hip Hop was everywhere.

Photo by: Tim Hardy

What can listeners expect to hear from your playlist
I wanted to make the first part mostly RnB. What I thought black kids that grew up in the city might be listening to if they skated in the late 50’s into 60’s. The second part Rockabilly some RnB and Surf.

It was really difficult as both Thomas’ and TSPTR had such killer playlists. I struggled with editing it down to one 2 hr playlist… Then decided to make it 2 parts, as per your suggestion.

What is your favourite track from the playlist
Hmmmm Thats a tough one.

"Daddy Rolling Stone” by Derek Martin is my favorite iteration of that tune, “My Baby Likes to Boogaloo” is heater. Doug Sahms cover of Larry Williams “Slow Down” is one of my favorite songs.

What are your three desert island records
Oh man… Hmmm

Best of Fats Domino double album my mom has
DEVO “are we not men”
"One Flight up” by Dexter Gordon

Have any holy grail records in your collection
Soundtrack to “Le Stance A Sophie” by Art Ensemble of Chicago (Mom Hand Me Down), “Attica Blues” by Archie Schepp (Mom Hand Me Down), “Scuba Scuba” and “Motorbike Beat” Revillos 45’s that I bought as a kid, “Salad Days” 7in Minor Threat.

Last record you bought
Charlie Crocket “The Valley”

Favourite spot to dig for records
Kobeys Swapmeet and PackRatt Records

Follow Stack-Aly here

Playlist 03: Alyasha Owerka-Moore

For the third instalment of our guest playlist series, we have invited skater, designer, creative director, and record aficionado Alyasha Owerka-Moore a.k.a. Stack-Aly who brings us a two part series.

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