Form + Function: two of our favorite words, made even better when paired together. Bonsai, a new speaker from Seattle based Redwood Audio plays perfectly off of both. Its sleek and compact design features a warm modern look, thanks to a natural bamboo case which houses a surprisingly powerful Bluetooth 4.0 speaker.
Talk tunes and the magic of sound with Redwood Audio designer Derek van Whye at our next Meet the Maker event on Thursday Nov 30th from 5p-8p.
UPDATE: Derek is unable to attend our event 11/30. We will be open until 8p with the speakers available and discounted to $80.
How would you describe what you make?
I designed a portable bamboo Bluetooth speaker that is an ideal music companion for days in the forest, an afternoon at the beach, or the comforts of home. It was designed for portability and ease of use; two things that are musts in the lives of modern day wanderers.
Can you tell us about your favorite piece in the current collection?
Currently, the Bonsai is my favorite offering (albeit the only one thus far, but still a fav). The bamboo aesthetics alone give a neutral and calming sensation to anyone listening nearby.
If you could collaborate with anyone (living or not), who would it be and why?
I would have loved to collaborate with Edward Abbey. Ed was the author of the Monkey Wrench Gang, and an overall wilderness advocate. His mindset towards living a life off the land and in harmony with nature was a huge inspiration for the start of this design.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
Although short, “Don’t worry.” is my favorite piece of advice I gladly give to anyone these days. It’s a hard piece to truly practice, but there are very few things in this world that are truly worth worrying about. Once you understand that worry is a losing game for everybody involved, you can begin to live a much happier and healthier life.
Can you describe your favorite part of the process in your work?
I enjoy the end goal of bringing music to peoples’ ears. I believe music (or vibration) is the answer to many things. It acts almost as a catalyst; bringing inspiration and love to anyone around. And how cool is it that music is just moving air!
When you are in the studio, what are you listening to?
I like to listen to music I can flow with; an album that takes you on a sonic journey. Bonobo is one of my favorite artists. His simple, yet beautiful and flowing beats allow me to tap into a state of prolonged focus and concentration.
What is your most treasured handmade possession?
When this project first started off, I was building prototypes of speakers nearly every month. The first one I completed sounded terrible, but looked amazing, and worked as intended. The accomplishment I felt after completion was one I won’t soon forget.