The PENDV LOGO used in all of our online and print materials was designed by Todd Pendu. It is a stylized re-imagining of the symbol for the “Magnum Opus” of the Alchemist combined with a visual pun of uniting an inverted cross and triangle; it is also related to the Tarot card known as The Hanged-Man, or in French as “Le Pendu”. It has been used in various incarnations since 2005, when the Pendu brand was birthed. Learn more about the meaning of the symbol here.

PENDV is an “Iconoclastic Style Haus, Concept Brand & e-Store” under the creative direction of Todd Pendu. It is notable for its unique vision in design as much as for its status as a tastemaker in music circles. The PENDV label that is stamped on each production, is used as the connector for several diverse but compatible projects; from designing imagery used for fashion accessories and apparel to working on diverse media productions such as photoshoots and videos to curating art and music events.

PENDV founded the NY EYE & EAR FESTIVAL AND RECORD FAIR which ran for 3 consecutive years (2008-2010) as well as the PENDU DISCO parties (2010-2012). Over the years, PENDV has booked hundreds of musicians and DJ’s including: Gatekeeper, Black Devil Disco Club, Alexander Hacke (Einsturzende Neubauten), SALEM, Light Asylum, Kingdom, HTRK, Chelsea Wolfe, Sasha Grey, Wolf Eyes, White Ring, Growing, Lauren Flax, Blank Dogs, Traxx, White Car, Gavin Russom, Indian Jewelry, DJ Star Eyes, Laurel Halo, Prince Rama, Led Er Est, Tearist, Veronica Vasicka (Minimal Wave), and so many more…

PENDV curated and hosted art shows in the short-lived PENDU GALLERY featuring artwork (including video, painting, drawing, and collage) by cult legends such as Nick Zedd (founder of “The Cinema of Transgression”) as well as emerging artists such as Bunny + Amber Ibarreche, Jesse Gelaznik, and Adriane Schramm. PENDV has also collaborated with Hazel Hill McCarthy III in presenting group video shows that have included Genesis P-Orridge (of Throbbing Gristle & Psychic TV).

PENDU SOUND is a NYC-based independent record label and sister to PENDV. After releasing a slew of limited edition cassettes and CD-R’s of noise and synth music in the deep underground including several of Todd Pendu’s musical projects, Pendu Sound surfaced in 2006 with the release of the NYC-centric compilation LP dedicated to John Cage’s idea of “Getting Rid Of The Glue” which included NYC experimentalists such as Excepter, Big A little a, Talibam!. The compilation landed on a number of year-end “best of” lists including Thurston Moore’s “Top 80 of 2006″. PSR has since continued as the first label to release recordings by the experimental music unit known as aTelecine featuring the ex-porn-star-turned-film-actor, Sasha Grey. PSR also released the first two albums from critically-acclaimed songstress, Chelsea Wolfe. PSR was the first to release vinyl from the enigmatic Witch House pioneers, Mater Suspiria Vision and has worked closely with White Ring, releasing a mixtape of exclusive remixes and unreleased material including epic re-workings of Rick Ross and Waka Flocka Flame. In early 2012, PSR became part of the prestigious new distributors, FRENCHKISS LABEL GROUP. PSR’s ongoing mission is to seek out and release new exciting music from artists who create a “total aesthetic” that is both substantive as well as highly stylized. highly stylized.

>>>>>>>>>>>

The story of PENDV’s origins begins in 1997 with the founding of Disillusion Records which released the late-90′s classic DIY Hardcore compilation, “The 49th Parallel” featuring Acrid, Still Life, MK-Ultra, and Submission Hold. In late 2000, Disillusion Records was renamed ‘Transition Media’ in conjunction with a vision for covering visual arts and music. In March 2005, Transition Media was re-christened officially as PENDV. A compilation entitled “Getting Rid of the Glue” featuring Big A little a, Talibam!, and Excepter came out in November 2006 as the first vinyl release for Pendu Sound Recordings and made it into Ecstatic Peace! as one of Thurston Moore’s Top 80 Records of the Year.

PENDV exploded in the NYC scene in 2008 with the unveiling of the first NY EYE & EAR FESTIVAL. From 2008 – 2010, PENDV curated and hosted the annual NY EYE & EAR FESTIVAL which exclusively featured artists and record labels who call NYC “home” featuring bands including Sightings, Xeno & Oaklander, Liturgy, White Ring, Blank Dogs, Silk Flowers, Blondes, + over 100 more as well as a record-fair featuring NYC-based record labels such as Lovepump United, Wierd Records, Tesco USA, and ESP-Disk, + over 40 others.

In January 2010, the infamous PENDU DISCO dance parties began with a kickoff premier event featuring SALEM and GATEKEEPER on the same night, both of whom were playing their first major shows in NYC and have since become major names in the industry. The parties have continued bringing bands such as HTRK, Cosmetics, Light Asylum, Black Devil Disco Club, Cult of Youth who have performed alongside epic DJ sets from phenomenal special guests such as oOoOO, CREEP, Gavin Russom, Traxx, plus so many more.

In Summer 2012, PENDV began a series of collaborations with Leather Fashion Designer ZANA BAYNE in creating limited edition leather accessories based on the PENDV Logo. (see here)