Top Toy: Custom Fabric Made From Playable Audiocassettes
In addition to playable clothing woven from old audiocassette tapes, music fans can now buy custom-recorded swatches of fabric suitable for use as suits, shirts, pants, sofa upholstery or album covers, among other applications.
Bands and enthusiasts have the option to commission unique pieces featuring so-called “Sonic Fabric” creations on request through August 30th at concept artist Alyce Santoro’s website, with 20-yard patches available in exchange for tax-deductible contributions. While unique recordings can be embedded on audiocassette tapes before tailoring, don’t expect to turn your loveseat into an interactive tribute to Widespread Panic or My Chemical Romance, however.
Running a tape head over the fabric does produce actual acoustic results. But resulting output is more akin to warbling underwater echoes than anything actual resembling “Driving Song” or “Bulletproof Heart.”
Still, with current fans including Phish drummer John Fishman, who’s worn Sonic Fabric dresses on-stage before, it’s potentially a unique way for budding interior decorators to make any living room sing.