Every once in a while as we gallivant through the world of men admiring their exterior Babe qualities we actually get to sit down and talk to them. This is the most amazing part of our course in Babe Studies because this is when we get to discover the incredible depth of beauty and knowledge within these Man-Babes. And not only is it a thrilling find, but it is also totally inspiring as you’ll see below.

Today our lovely correspondent, Sister Of Night, takes you on a nice journey through her experience of meeting the hyper-creative superman behind Pendu NYC.

Having felt like an awkward outsider my entire childhood, there was always something about the alienation and sincerity of expression apparent in Goth culture that made sense and wrapped itself around me like a comforting blanket. I approached Todd Pendu, the visionary founder of “Thee PenduCult”, at a recent show at Secret Project Robot and asked for an interview, not really knowing what to expect. I was instantly disarmed by his engaging smile and his silky brown mane of hair that makes him look like a Viking warrior.

Pendu Sound Recordings is a Brooklyn based music label that is one of the forerunners of the genre that is often referred to as “Witch House” or “Drag” or “Haunted House” depending on what blog you are reading.  Actress/porn star Sasha Grey’s music project aTelecine is on the Pendu label. The world of Pendu– which for the unacquainted means “the hanged-one” in French – encompasses a music label, Pendu Disco parties, NY Eye & Ear Fest, art gallery, magazine, fashion label and a erotic film production company called Scorpio Cinema.

While he identifies with and infuses Goth, occult and pagan themes in his work, Todd is a surprisingly open and engaging person, radiating positive energy. He explained this seeming contradiction by stating that when one fully expresses the darkness within, there is a cleansing of the spirit and psyche which results.

Todd, a single, Pisces-Aquarius cusp, is the product of rigid and extremely religious Christian parents. He rejected organized religion, finding more truth and meaning in the occult and philosophy. Growing up on a steady diet of Goth, death metal and booty bass, he discovered new music in a scavenger hunt fashion: by scouring record stores in the mall, randomly picking out albums and researching the artists credited in the liner notes.

He moved to New York in 2003 and started the Pendu label in 2005. Interestingly enough, Todd never originally set out to create the unique world that eventually unfolded in the years to come. Upon arriving in New York, he got a job at the Strand bookstore and got his feet wet in the music scene by asking people what local bands were noteworthy.

Todd is truly a Renaissance man, with the easy confidence of a self-made, self-taught man. He pulled himself out of a drug-addicted abyss living on the streets of Atlanta by reading existential literature and becoming self-aware enough to realize he had the power inside him to change his life for the better.

I found Todd to be a fascinating blend of opposites, composed of both dark and light, and with an aura steeped in forces equally positive and destructive in nature.  Magnificently flowing head of hair aside, he is that rare blend of brains, drive, kindness and spirituality that will make a lady weak in the knees.

One of the bands Todd supports and who plays Pendu parties, Light Asylum, has been referred to by the NY Times as the “future of New York dance music,” and has an awe-inspiring energy due to the inimitable raw vocal style of the lead singer, Shannon Funchess (who has lent her voice to !!! and TV on the Radio in the past). Light Asylum plays Coco66 with Mirror Mirror and AbleHearts TONIGHT!!! Saturday, March 5th. There will also be a MOOG-sponsored SXSW party Pendu NYC is co-hosting with Static Tongues (Neon Indian) and Switched On showcasing a number of bands and including a DJ set from Todd @ The Victory Grill in Austin, TX on March 17th.