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REVOLUTION WAREHOUSE SALE THIS FRIDAY
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SENYOL | SALON 91 SOLO SHOW PHOTOS
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Tag Archives: Interview
TOMMY SANDOVAL INTERVIEW
What are you looking forward to most about coming to South Africa?
Seeing a Lion in the wild, going on a safari, and seeing the differences between our cultures. It will be cool to skate uncharted spots as well.
What is the furthest country that you’ve been to so far and what difference there made the biggest impression on you?
Australia might not be the furthest, but it had the most memorable spots and was really exciting and seeing all the wild left a pretty big impression on me.
Do you ever have to deal with fatigue when touring? If so, what do you do to manage with it?
Absolutely, there’s a lot of driving, skating, time differences etc. All of those factors play into how hard you’re working your body and how it’s going to effect you. There’s no “dealing with it” really. I just try to get as much rest as I can and take care of myself, and just keep going.
Lately, what music gets you hyped before you go skate?
I listen to a little Soul Music, Reggae of course, occasional Hip Hop, and Doo Wop.
When playing a game of S-K-A-T-E, what’s your go-to-trick that you know no-one else will get?
I don’t think that even exists anymore. I think people are too good these days to have tricks nobody else can do.
If you were cornered by an angry Elephant or Rhinoceros and had to escape, which do you think you’d be able to out-smart and why?
I’d give it to the Elephant in hopes to have a better chance of running away I guess. I wouldn’t know what to do really.
MARIA LEBEDEVA INTERVIEW
When did you first get into art?
I developed an interest in art at the sensible age of 1, as most people do. It was a sideline interest for most of my life after that, but it only occurred to me a couple of years ago that one could dedicate their life to drawing pictures.
How would you describe your work to someone?
My intention when drawing is to create illustrations that resonate with people emotionally, and tell a story. But I feel that it’s all very high and mighty trying to describe your work, in the end it will be interpreted differently by everyone who sees it, so I can only hope that my intentions materialise every now and again!
Who or what influences you?
I am influenced by stories people tell, especially if the events involve a time long gone, I love to imagine what it was like “back in the day”. If the story-telling happens over some tea and cake, all the better for me inspiration-wise! I am also influenced by other illustrators, I love looking at how other people solve visual problems, so I spend a lot of time online, doing “visual research” (a glorified term for procrastination).
If your work was music, what would it sound like?
This is probably the most difficult question I’ve ever had the misfortune of answering! After a thorough inspection of my iTunes, I would have to say something soft, emotive and folksy like The Foals, or The Tallest Man on Earth.
What are the things that you enjoy most about picture books?
I don’t think there’s anything I DON’T enjoy about them! I have a collection of picture books to rival most children’s nursery bookshelves. I think what I love the most is seeing how each illustrator deals with a topic visually, how they choose to construct their layouts, what the characters look like. When it comes to making picture books myself, the thing I enjoy the most is figuring out how to make the storyline work, and how it will develop from one picture to the next.
You studied Information Design. What made you decide to get into illustration?
Information Design was a four year long process that I learned a lot from. One of the things I learned was that design is not what I want to do. But the realisation that I want to be an illustrator took a very long time to dawn on me. I could insert a very exciting made-up event here, but in reality the story is very long and undistinguished, so I will refrain from boring your readers with it!
Do you have any tips for people wanting to do illustration as a career?
I think the most important thing is to really love drawing, as cliché as it might sound. If you aren’t the kind of person who can happily sit and draw for hours at a time, every day, then it’s definitely not for you! If you’re up for spending hours one-on-one with your pencil, then the best advice I can give is to get your work seen, any way you can. Make a website, get connected online, sell some illustrated crafts, make lots of business cards, and sneakily slip them in anywhere you can. Also, make some friends (real, or of the imaginary kind). The freelance illustrator’s life is a lonely one!
BILLY MARKS INTERVIEW
What are you looking forward to most about coming to South Africa?
Just being somewhere different and new! I’m tired of the same old trips.
What is the furthest country that you’ve been to so far and what difference there made the biggest impression on you?
Not sure on the furthest, maybe Russia or Turkey. China is far too, but maybe Turkey. There are just crazy kids out there that know everything about skating.
Do you ever have to deal with fatigue when touring? If so, what do you do to manage with it?
Yeah, all the time. I usually take a day off and just chill.
Lately, what music gets you hyped before you go skate?
I listen to so much junk it’s hard to pick one. I’ll say Pink Floyd.
When playing a game of S-K-A-T-E, what’s your go-to-trick that you know no-one else will get?
Probably nollie laser flip.
If you were cornered by an angry Elephant or Rhinoceros and had to escape, which do you think you’d be able to out-smart and why?
I’ll say an Elephant. Rhinos just seem too gnarly! Elephants probably can’t turn around too quickly so I’d just run around it.
THE DIRTY SKIRTS INTERVIEW
Photos by Justin Polkey
How would you describe The Dirty Skirts to someone who doesn’t have the first clue about music?
You mean a music critic? The Dirty Skirts is four guys who love creativity, making music and performing. Our music has impulsively emerged and at different times occupied the indie, pop, electronic and alternative quadrants of rock music. Our current offering “Lost in the Fall” is heavier and darker than the last album, and takes the listener on a journey from man’s earliest rebellion against God to the joys of aged incontinence.
How have you found people’s reactions to your new album, “Lost In the Fall”? What can people expect from it?
Surprise. Confusion. Delight. Depression. Everything we hoped, really. Some people have called it our best. Others won’t get the leap we have made. That’s just how it goes.
Who or what are your influences as a band?
As individuals we draw inspiration from different sources. That’s what makes a collaboration like this interesting and unique. But to answer the question, all examples of free and inspired creativity such as architecture, technology, photography, illustration, music etc. but also individuals and even natural phenomena such as the alluring power of the ocean. It’s all there in our music.
Explain the idea behind your new music video, “Don’t Throw Away Your Dancing Shoes”. The visuals obviously tie in with the new album artwork?
That is not the music video for “Don’t Throw Away Your Dancing Shoes”. We used the visual language that supports our live performance as the backdrop to the song so that people can ‘listen’ to it on YouTube etc. We plan to release much more content in support of “Lost in the fall”. There will be music videos but these are still being planned at this stage.
You guys have done some extensive touring, playing SXSW in the States, the UK, United Emirates, and obviously around South Africa. Do you have any good tour stories?
Indeed. Some stories are not suitable for public consumption. We are not exactly Motley Crue, but we know how to enjoy some good ol’ rock ‘n roll. The boys moved a police car once and they locked up some innocent guy for it. Er, perhaps I should stop there…
Do you have any pre-show rituals?
Tequila. Hugs.
Who are your favorite SA bands right now?
We are big fans of the SA music scene. It has enjoyed a massive explosion of talent over the last while from electronic music to rock. There are too many to mention… But we LOVE Jack Parow en sy PEP store broeke.
What does the future hold for The Dirty Skirts?
We aren’t sure. There are no plans to start writing another album. We will appear at select performance opportunities, and will focus on making sure the current album gets heard, because we love it and are proud of the achievement.
WESLEY VAN EEDEN BLOG
Introducing Steve Kotze from Durban, South Africa. He is a teacher at a local design school and we talk about monks, his favourite movie and what makes him happy.
GARRETT HILL INTERVIEW
What are you looking forward to most about coming to South Africa?
I’ve heard amazing stories that people have told me about the safaris out there. I’ve been to zoos before and I’m excited even seeing the animals behind an impenetrable glass wall 100 feet away, but to see them in the wild close up is an experience I look forward to the most.
What is the furthest country that you’ve been to so far and what difference there made the biggest impression on you?
I think the furthest country I’ve been to is China, and the thing that made the biggest impression on me was the interest that pedestrians took to skateboarding. They seemed to be amazed by it, and I think it’s because a lot of them had never seen it, or even heard of it for that matter. I’m guessing we might get that same reaction in South Africa.
Do you ever have to deal with fatigue when touring? If so, what do you do to manage with it?
Fatigue is unavoidable on tour. A lot of people don’t really know just how exhausting some tours can be. You get really excited the first day of tour. It’s like the first day at camp, in the aspect that you want to do everything, all at once. You’ve got to learn how to pace yourself so you don’t burn out on the trip right away. That’s why I never really skate the first day of tour. I’ll roll around, but I won’t try and film a trick or skate a huge spot, like I feel my body irrationally wants me to do. Especially after a long flight, you’ve got to let your body adjust to the time change and jet lag and everything.
Lately, what music gets you hyped before you go skate?
Pentagram, Black Sabbath, Eddie Cochran, Black Keys and Jay-Z.
When playing a game of S-K-A-T-E, what’s your go-to-trick that you know no-one else will get?
I usually go with a frontside 180 late shovit. That’s my go-to when I’m in a bind and really looking for a letter. No one’s landed it in a game yet, so for the time being, that’s my ace in the hole.
If you were cornered by an angry Elephant or Rhinoceros and had to escape, which do you think you’d be able to out-smart and why?
I’d take my chances with a Rhino any day. Firstly, they’re a lot slower, less aggressive and less intelligent than Elephants. Elephants CAN and WILL outrun you, smash you, and deliver a healthy dose of tusk up the rump. All you have to do to outsmart a Rhino charge is run in a zigzag… Their tiny brains get confused and bored, which in the end will leave you looking more knowledgeable than Bear Grylls.
SHEPARD FAIREY VIDEO INTERVIEW
THE RISE from OBEY CLOTHING on Vimeo.
Shepard talks about the influence graffiti, skateboarding and punk rock had on his life and the ways it shaped his art career. Key moments such as a school trip to NY and the melding of styles by brands such as Shut Skateboards allowed him to develop his techniques. Look out for some classic 90′s skate footage as well.
TOM ASTA INTERVIEW
What are you looking forward to most about coming to South Africa?
Just the full experience of being there and seeing the skate scene.
What is the furthest country that you’ve been to so far and what difference there made the biggest impression on you?
I’ve been to China and it was awesome. I really like it there. I’ve actually been there 3 times. I just like the skating there, and the culture is so different and cool. It was just a good time everytime I went there.
Do you ever have to deal with fatigue when touring? If so, what do you do to manage with it?
I just kinda go with the flow. No matter how you’re feeling, you’re still on the tour so you kinda just do what you want. If you don’t feel up to skating you kinda just hang out with everyone and it’s still a good time.
Lately, what music gets you hyped before you go skate?
I like all kinds of music but really hip hop gets me hyped.
When playing a game of S-K-A-T-E, what’s your go-to-trick that you know no-one else will get?
Umm… I don’t really have one of those. I try to just do weird or uncomfortable tricks that aren’t very popular I guess, not something someone would practice.
If you were cornered by an angry Elephant or Rhinoceros and had to escape, which do you think you’d be able to out-smart and why?
Elephant. They’re so big that I think you could run around him before he could move his body.
THE PLASTICS INTERVIEW
Photo by Ian Engelbrecht
Explain the idea behind your new music video, “Caroline”. When will it be online for us to see?
“Caroline” is the most laid back, sentimental song on our album “Shark”. The video is all about those moments between two people where nothing else that happens around you matters. It’s a sexy video! The video will be debuting during our live appearance on Studio 1 on the 1st of September on MK. We’ll put it online shortly after that.
Who or what are your influences as a band?
Each of us listen to quite a wide variety of music but we’re open minded enough to appreciate everybody else’s tastes. As a live band, I think we all bring in the energy of our youth, being into punk. But, as time’s gone on, we’re looking further back in time for inspiration in bands like The Beatles, The Kinks, Cream etc. We also appreciate and love a lot of the indie bands out there.
In your opinion, what bands should people be listening to nowadays?
The Black Keys’ “Brothers” album is absolute magic! It’s produced by Danger Mouse, who’s work I always seem to dig. Also, the new Beastie Boys album is great, one of their best in a long time. There’s also this really cool Argentinian band who, like us, were produced by Gordon Raphael, called Calendar. Locally, there seem to be loads of bands making waves like We Set Sail, Peachy Keen and Red Huxley, that are great live acts.
Photo by Adriaan Louw
What are your favorite and least favorite things about South Africa?
The people here are awesome. We’ve got so many different cultures to take in and learn from and that’s what makes us unique. Cape Town specifically seems to have awesome entertainment on every night of the week. You never get bored in a city like this. One thing I don’t enjoy is the fact that good music is so difficult to find. Unfortunately, there aren’t that many commercial platforms to expose people to music other than the top sellers. So sometimes it takes a while for things to catch on over here.
Photo by Adriaan Louw
What’s the most extraordinary thing that’s ever happened at one of your shows?
Well, it wasn’t at one of our shows, but it was at our guitarist Juki’s old band’s gig in Stellies that one of my favourite stories happened. He used to jam the kazoo live in a song and someone in the crowd thought it was a pipe and put weed in it!
If your music was an animal, what would it be, and why?
A polar bear. Seemingly chilled most of the time, but can be fast and aggressive when it needs to be.
What does the future hold for The Plastics?
We’re definitely going to be touring the country a lot more than we have in the past. We’ve always enjoyed a good response up north and on the coast so we want to be heading out of Cape Town way more often. At some stage we’d also like to head overseas as well. But for now we’re busy working on some new music that we’re really excited about.
Photo by Ian Engelbrecht
TRAVIS MILLARD INTERVIEW
What inspires you?
Friends, family, and a little troll that only I can see.
Any weird phobia’s or habits?
Oh probably, but only weird and phobic to others.
You started Fudge Factory Comics in 1997. What is it exactly?
Back then it was the result of getting fired for drawing on the job from enough employers that I figured I should just start my own factory and pretend to be working. Over time it’s grown into whatever it is today. I still almost fire myself all the time.
Where does the name (Fudge Factory Comics) come from?
I was doing a number of weird comics with different titles, Fudge Factory being one of them, and a friend encouraged me to get a website. So I was searching some titles, and Fudge Factory seemed to pull results from porn and candy sites. I figured it was probably somewhere in between there.
Your work has a lot of humor in it, but a lot of it is very dark as well, often at the same time. Is this your intention?
It’s just the way it rattles out I guess.
Your site is really well integrated with your art. The pre-loaders are awesome! Did you design it yourself?
Thanks man. I worked with my friend Mark Searcy, who is kind of a wizard with those things. We’re actually planning a revamp on the site soon, and those loaders will be coming down… going back to the trusty ol’ html.
How do you deal with stress?
If something is really bothering me, I plug my nose and mouth, squeeze my eyes tight and push hard until steam bursts from my ears. That usually helps.
What do you think the world is going to be like in 100 years?
Everyone will be hovering everywhere, all the time.
In your opinion, what is “art”?
Art is a good nickname for someone named Arthur.
Any links for us to check out?
My partner Mel Kadel – http://melkadel.com/
My brother Brett – http://brettmillard.blogspot.com/
The Internet Shack is a must – http://theinternetshack.blogspot.com/
