Pete Baxter was playing in Melbourne bands and running the DIY label Smooch when he jetted over to the States for an Aussie-themed music conference in Brooklyn. While there, he visited The Lot Radio, a non-profit online station operating out of a shipping container at a busy intersection. Baxter would get a coffee there every morning, wondering if a similar concept might work in Melbourne.
Back home, artist and musician Steph Hughes provided him with a breezy logo, and he launched Hope St Radio as a weekly DJ night (and live-streamed program) at Melbourne’s popular Rooftop Bar. He tapped friends and musos, many of whom weren’t proper DJs but had great taste in music, and the concept soon evolved into a much-loved pop-up radio station. But when lockdown closed most venues, Baxter considered putting a pin in it.
Then he met Jack Shaw, who had been on the verge of opening a restaurant when the deal fell through. They found an open space at community hub Collingwood Yards and drained their supers to get the ball rolling on a permanent venue. Now Hope St Radio is as well known for its natural wines and local produce as it is for its off-kilter DJ nights and live performances.
To celebrate the release of the new Cadillac LYRIQ EV, we talk to Baxter about creating an accessible luxury experience, and how his team carved out a unique identity in Melbourne’s healthy food, drink and music scene.
Warm, welcoming design
Walk into Hope St and you’re immediately struck by the elegant design. The space has a warm and fluid aesthetic, courtesy of Baxter’s friend Peter Frederick Cole, with custom joinery, curved lines, wood furnishings and gorgeous poured-resin benchtops. Artist Alice McIntosh, who’s had a regular show on Hope St Radio since the beginning, contributed the colourful, childlike illustrations on the walls. This was a rare chance for everyone involved to level up as their work took centre stage.
“It all came together with the work of so many different people who really cared,” Baxter says. “It gives you confidence, like, ‘People are on our side.’ Everyone wants it to work, so that feeling was really nice.”
Like the Cadillac LYRIQ, Hope St’s sleek design is visually striking while also cultivating a sense of calm and inspiration. It subtly supports Baxter’s mission to bring communities together across music and food in an immersive, welcoming environment.
A hi-fi listening experience
Hope St Radio made its name with music, so it wasn’t enough to just have a good-looking space and a savvy menu. Glen Eugen Ellingsen of Hot Wax built a custom sound system with components from places as far-flung as Hong Kong and New York. The results combine the absolute best audio quality with a surprising amount of heft, much like the LYRIQ’s state-of-the-art AKG Studio sound system.
“The speakers are massive, obviously,” says Baxter. “Glen was really excited because he had never had so much room to play with. It’s become an iconic part of the venue when we do live performances or parties.”
Making luxury accessible
As an all-electric SUV, the Cadillac LYRIQ was designed for drivers who value staying connected and ahead of the curve. Hope St Radio has a similar ethos. It combines the best in local indie music and food and wine, and bridges any gaps between the two communities by sharing information about each to keep things accessible.
“We never want it to be elitist at all,” Baxter says. “That’s the opposite of the spirit of it. With food and wine, it’s trying to pass on the passion and the joy around it. When you have the context, you treat the experience with more reverence – you slow down and think about everything that has gone into that moment.
“That’s a big part of why we lean towards natural wines – because of the craftsmanship. It’s the same as thinking about experimental musicians: it’s not a pop recipe for making as much money as possible. It’s about getting the most incredible result.”
Baxter and the Hope St team try to source all their produce from small-scale, hands-on growers. That might mean a higher market price for customers, but they know it’ll be worth it.
“Often you think about luxury and privilege as very intertwined. But we had these incredible tomatoes last summer from this woman who collects seeds and grows them down on the peninsula. It’s all dry-grown and she’s got, like, 150 varieties, with one pot of each. Those tomatoes are the epitome of luxury: how luxurious can we make this one tomato?”
This article is produced by Broadsheet in partnership with Cadillac.
