No Sleep for Shaw Written by Kristina Weise Photographed by NickyDigital Opposite Photo of Theo and the Skyscrapers

Motherfucker. Rated X. Glamdammit. Drop Dead, Gorgeous! Loaded. These are just a few of New York City’s heaviest nightlife hitters. The party competition on this island is fierce and it is an understatement to say that only the strongest survive. Everyone wants to get the bodies and the buzz through the door and one company is at the infamous nightlife forefront, Shaw Promotions. Shaw was officially started in New York City in the fall of 2003, but the company began on the West Coast one year prior. Andy Shaw is the man behind Shaw Promotions who caters to his clients needs ranging from grass root/street level promotion to guerilla marketing, management and development of events. “Ultimately I help make my client’s events successful by bringing their message to the people,” says Andy.

DJ Jess

It is refreshing speaking with him. Andy is quite witty and surprisingly grounded for someone who holds the nocturnal skeleton key. It is clear that he enjoys having his finger on the pulse of New York City’s soirees and even though the scene is continuously growing, his ego does not. Ask any party founder or club promoter and they will tell you that Shaw has been instrumental in developing the nightlife culture revolution. Shaw Promotion is the nucleus that unites the party people to the hottest dance floors. When asked what the best thing about running Shaw is, Andy says, “I can get people on the guest list.” He certainly is a successful entrepreneur with a genuine spirit.

Theo of Theo and the Skyscrapers

The idea of Shaw began in 2001 when Andy told himself that he would never again work in an office doing a 9-5 job. He started his do-it-yourself company from scratch, with no money, but a passion for promotion. “ New York City is full of opportunity for people who are creative, dedicated and willing to hustle. With a dream, hard work and determination, I was able to build a business doing fun things and be my own boss. I believe others can too.”

September 21st marked Shaw Promotion’s three year anniversary party held at The Delancey in the Lower East Side. The event featured live performances by We Are Americana and Theo & The Skyscrapers with Michael T. and DJ Jess spinning. “In five years I want Shaw to operate in every city in the United States, like Fight Club. Also, in 2011, Shaw Promotion will be automated and have the first line of all-robot street teams. They will be stylish, fearless and effective,” boasts Andy. His biggest challenge thus far has not been trying to gain new business, but rather replacing sleep with power naps. He does his best to keep his guerilla marketing team out of jail, balances his work and personal life and maintains his secret identity. To this day, I still do not know what Andy Shaw looks like. This interview took place in an abandoned warehouse by the Westside Highway where I was told to put on a blindfold and Andy answered my questions over a loudspeaker.

Michael T

But the truth is that the business behind Shaw operates organically and his personal level approach has been embraced by his clients. “The main thing is that I understand my client's needs and I focus on executing them. At the end of the night, I want to provide happy endings to all, but you know, if anyone tries to get out of my contracts I send my interns to them with pinky choppers.”

Shaw Promotion is the most influential force for any party that not only wants to survive the mean streets of Manhattan, but achieve credibility and ultimate success. Andy concluded the interview by stressing, “letting the good times roll is a serious biz to us. Shaw is the people's promoter - we are your friends. That's what the public should know about Shaw.”

To contact Shaw Promotions please visit: http://www.shawpromotion.com/