This month, we’re headed to Austin, TX, to highlight Aviator Nation, a space where Texas local music meets California ‘70s vintage style.
Aviator Nation in Austin, TX. Photo by Phillip Johnson
Before we talk about the Austin shop, we gotta dive into a little background. Aviator Nation is a 1970s California inspired lifestyle brand founded by Paige Mycoskie (sister of Blake Mycoskie, founder of TOMS Shoes). Back in 2006, Paige was working in a surf shop during the day, and teaching herself to sew at night. Eventually she launched a store in Venice, CA, which then grew to stores all around the U.S., including the Austin, TX location that opened in 2018, where you can find a Sofar show nearly every month.
For Aviator Nation, music is key to the vibe. “Music’s something [Paige is] very inspired by when she’s designing not only products, but our spaces,” said Lizzie DeGroat, Aviator Nation’s Event Director in Austin. Each of the stores have a designated space for live music, but Austin’s carved out the biggest one, including a stage backdropped by vintage record covers handpicked and hung by Paige (her dad helps with the hanging, too). The records themselves live in the green room, where artists can hang out and spin tunes before their performances.
Aviator Nation Green Room. Photo courtesy of AV Staff
“We love people being so surprised that we have a stage,” Lizzie said. “It’s fun for the Sofar events because the customers aren’t expecting to go to a retail store to watch a performance. I think it’s just a one-of-a-kind experience because not a lot of retailers do that these days.” And, as a bonus, it’s nice for the retail workers as well. “Sofar Sounds shows are our team’s favorite events to work, it just has a chill atmosphere,” Lizzie said.
Next time you’re in Austin, stop by Aviator Nation to find some new vintage-inspired duds, then head to the back of the store, toward the neon AV sign, where some Sofar artists might be waiting to serenade you for a bit.
Aviator Nation in Austin, TX. Photo by Daniel Amsellem
Interested in hosting a Sofar? Check out more details here.
Photo credit: Aviator Nation in Austin, TX. Photo by Phillip Johnson
