From Cristen Motty, of Hampton Photo Arts & Framing:

Why We Created Our Playlist

Ben was playing his usual Bossa Nova covers at the store, and I thought, I can't listen to this all day Saturday. So I asked myself, what could work for everyone? That's when I went through my own playlist and created these chillish, slightly edgy tracks that felt both accessible and cool. Thus, the HPA Playlist was born.

Annual Musical Refresh

Since 2022, we've created a new playlist each year specifically for the store. Every January 1st, we debut that year's mix and play it throughout the year. Sometimes we'll throw on a different year's playlist just to change things up, but mostly we stick to the current year's selection.

Genre-Bending Selection

Our range surprises people. You might hear Dolly Parton followed by White Lies. I include indie bands from all over and try to find new music that people haven't heard yet. 

Each annual playlist runs about five to six hours. 

Here's how particular I get: I listen to the entire mix unshuffled, asking myself if each transition works. I'll get excited and tell Ben, We'll go from French punk to the Strokes! And somehow it all flows together.

Musical Evolution

The HPA Playlist has expanded both our tastes. I can't keep playing the same artists over and over, so I'm constantly discovering new music through Spotify's explore feature. I'll think, What dark wave bands could work here that everyone will enjoy?

This ongoing curation means our customers experience something fresh each year — a soundtrack that reflects both our evolving tastes and our commitment to creating the right atmosphere for our shop and our community in the Hamptons.

Inside Tip 🪄

Want to hear what we're playing? The current HP Playlist streams here.

Inside Tip 2 🪄

There's this great dark synth band called Urban Heat that I've been featuring in our HPA Playlist. 

They're from Austin, Texas, and they capture this really authentic 80s vibe while keeping a modern pop sensibility.

What I love about Urban Heat is their range. They have songs chill enough for drawing or creative work, but they also deliver harder, darker tracks perfect for those angsty, gothy moments when you need something with more edge. That versatility is why they've made it onto our shop playlist for two consecutive years.

Their track Seven Safe Places is on this year's mix, and it's a perfect example of what makes them special. The song starts off sounding almost like a classic 80s track, then evolves into something more contemporary. They really capture that Depeche Mode / New Order influence in their sound.

Contacts

🌐Hampton Photo Arts

🌐Urban Heat

About

Cristen Motty and Ben McHugh co-own Hampton Photo Arts & Framing, the artist-centric framing, printing, and archival center that's served the East End's creative community since 1989. Cristen and Ben run the Southampton shop as fellow artists who've exhibited in local galleries, participated in art collectives, and co-created the Off Hampton Film Festival.

Lead-in Image

"Clam Boat" by David McHugh, 1974, 120 film; sold by Hampton Photo Arts & Framing