Time Out Market New York has been known to disturb the peace, and we couldn’t be happier about it: Every first Saturday of the month, the rooftop party, aptly named Noise Complaint, takes over. Once a month, DJ LSJ or Gabriel Ashley-Pastoriza rises to the fifth floor of the market hall to spin hip-hop, R&B and Afrobeats tunes. But for the DJ, the name behind the party is much more than a buzzworthy phrase; it's a nod to the Black and brown communities who continue to push the sound of New York forward. We spoke with Ashley-Pastoriza about his DJ aspirations, his worldly playlist and how his party preserves the sounds of the city.
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Tell us a bit about yourself.
Gabriel Ashley-Pastoriza: I was born in Oakland, California, and moved to New York City when I was just eight months old. I’m half African American and half Puerto Rican. I grew up in the Lower East Side during an exciting era when everything in NYC happened in person. If you wanted to hear new music, you went to parties. If you wanted to catch the latest fashion, you headed to Soho and people-watched outside Dean & Deluca.
When did you start DJing?
GA: I started DJing in 2013, originally just trying to promote parties for a friend. From there, I taught myself the craft by staying up late and watching YouTube tutorials. One of my childhood friends, Von Brown, gave me my first shot—he invited me to spin at a skate bar in the Lower East Side called Max Fish. I was terrible at first, but he kept bringing me back. He was the first person who truly believed in me, and I still thank him to this day.
When did you know you wanted to make DJing your career?
GA: I started pursuing DJing seriously in 2019. For the first five years, I focused on learning and mastering the craft before I even thought about promoting myself. During that time, I struggled with impostor syndrome. But as I started sharing my journey—both online and through small bar gigs—I began to gain recognition, and with that, real confidence.
What are some highlights in your career thus far?
GA: One of the biggest highlights was being booked to play at Rasta Beach on Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro for New Year’s 2025, along with a series of other events. The energy out there is unreal—the love and passion for music in Brazil is absolutely contagious.
What kind of music can people expect when you're playing a set?
GA: Because of my bi-coastal upbringing, I’m probably the only DJ who plays Mac Dre and Vybz Kartel in the same set. I spin everything from dancehall, salsa, and West Coast rap. I’ve also been exploring global sounds like amapiano, baile funk, Afrohouse and beyond.
You host a monthly event at Time Out Market New York called “Noise Complaint.” Where did the name come from?
GA: I’ve witnessed firsthand how gentrification can push out bars, restaurants and community spaces that have long served Black and brown neighborhoods. One of the earliest signs of this shift is a noise complaint—a seemingly small thing that signals a deeper change. I created “Noise Complaint” as both a celebration and a statement. The name is a nod to the forces that try to displace us—and a reminder that our joy is resistance.
What's the vibe like at Noise Complaint?
GA: Noise Complaint is about preserving the sound of New York— the music that shaped this city. While the party is open format, I make it a point to spotlight the sounds of the communities that built the boroughs. You’ll hear dancehall and soca for the Caribbeans in Brooklyn, dembow for the Dominicans in Washington Heights and salsa for the Puerto Ricans in the Bronx. New York is a melting pot, and Noise Complaint is a celebration of all the cultures that make it so unique.
How has the party evolved from its inception to its current form?
GA: I never imagined the response would be this big. We’re now seeing over 1,500 RSVPs and 400-plus attendees at every event. I still catch myself thinking, “Wow, I really have a monthly residency in front of the New York City skyline.” It’s surreal.
Where else can people find you?
GA: You can find me at my monthly diaspora party, Furnace, where we spin everything from Afrobeats, dancehall and soca to dembow and baile funk. I also co-founded WYA (Where You At?) with my close friend and fellow DJ, SOUNDSBYGO.
What’s next for you?
GA: It’s always been a personal goal of mine to have a residency at a museum. Growing up, I loved attending a party called One Step Beyond held inside the planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History. Sure, it was about the music, but having a party inside a planetarium was something truly special—and it was accessible right here in New York City. So, I’m putting it out into the universe that my event will one day find a home at a museum like the Guggenheim or the Brooklyn Museum—a space for us to dance and pay homage to New York City’s vibrant culture.
Noise Complaint is held every first Saturday 10pm to 2am on the fifth floor of Time Out Market New York. Check out the next party here.