New Bedford Past, Present and Future: Abstrakt Music Returns to its Roots

abstrakt music

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abstrakt music 〰️

By: Busola Awobode

Abstrakt music, owned and operated by New Bedford native Michael “Mikey Life” Monterio III, has found its home in one of the city’s older infrastructures on N 6th Street. Mikey, after having been around the world and being based in Los Angeles for around 20 years, has come back to New Bedford to fulfill his plan to headquarter his business in the city. Through this, he hopes to purposefully give back and highlight the amazing city he grew up in. Abstrakt music primarily deals with music engineering, audio-recording, podcasting, live-music shows, pop-up shows and events. Mikey himself also produces his own music as well as music for other artists. The company also boasts of a clothing line that highlights and showcases New Bedford pride. 

For Abstrakt Music, the building which houses the company is a focal piece of his business and embodies his relationship with New Bedford. The Zeitz building which has stood as a respected area icon for almost a century has housed many previous New Bedford businesses. As Victoria, Mikey’s partner says, having a building with such strong roots in the community brings a touch of the past to the company in its character and history. Utilizing pieces left behind by previous owners or donated by other local businesses helps to maintain that link between the business and the history of the city. Additionally, being able to also work on the space themselves with family to make it their own has also made it a labor of love. As Victoria says, they have “put themselves into the building”. 

Abstrakt Music’s contribution to the New Bedford community extends beyond the immediate business of the company. They work to house local creatives and provide them with a space to express themselves. Artists can rent spaces to use as they feel and make the space their own. They also work with local artists, displaying local art on their walls and at their events. Walking through the building and seeing its walls lined with work from various artists is a testament to their commitment to protecting and fostering creativity in New Bedford. Additionally, Abstrakt Music works with schools in the area from middle school to college to foster and validate their creative interests. As Victoria says, “it is important for Mikey to set people up for success” and Abstrakt Music hopes to help a wide variety of kids create their own paths for success. One of the biggest ways the company does this is by taking on interns who are given the space to explore their creative interests and build skills. By inviting all artists and creatives into a space carved out for them, Abstrakt Music hopes to, as Victoria says, “create a facility that is a one-stop-shop where any creative from any background at any level can come and get what they need”. 

Though Abstrakt music hopes to continue to represent New Bedford and foster creativity, when speaking on future ventures, the company hopes to “diversify the market”. With music, entertainment and retail being their foot in the door, they hope to grow and expand as a diverse company. Particularly, says Victoria, Abstrakt welcomes other ways to “develop and show an economic opportunity for people of color”. Whether it be a restaurant, sneaker shop, intercity connection or more, look forward to what Abstrakt music hopes to bring to their business and to the city of New Bedford. 

More information on Abstrakt Music is available on the company website Here.