With a heap of successful singles and an awesome album under his belt, David Dallas is one of New Zealand’s hottest rappers. After high school, he went to University to pursue a degree in Computer Science. During his studies he had the opportunity to kick-start his career as a rapper who’s vibe, in tracks like “Indulge Me”, “Big Time” or “Front To Back”, is truly distinctive. So much so that we believe this guy has a lot more to look forward to in the future. After his debut album Something Awesome hit the New Zealand Top 20 charts, and with a few shows in the US, Format jumped at the opportunity to talk with him about his music and career in the rap scene.

“Feels good – it [Something Awesome] hit #1 on the iTunes album chart over here too, so that was nice. But, the most validating part is still hearing from people who picked it up and are feeling it. That’s the shit.”

Format: Hey David, how’s it going? Please introduce yourself to our readers.
David Dallas: My name’s David Dallas, I’m a hip-hop artist from New Zealand.

Format: When you were young, what was it you wanted to be most in life?
David Dallas: I wanted to be a bunch of different things, but I think I most wanted to be a videogame reviewer… or rich!

Format: When and how did it come to be that you started rapping?
David Dallas: I’ve listened to rap for as long as I can remember, due to my older brother. I’d always learn people’s songs and recite them to myself, but I’d never thought about actually trying to rap, not until I met a couple friends who were doing their thing while I was at University. I had heaps of spare time so I started downloading instrumentals and reading up on how to record. Once I bought a cheap mic and got my hands on some ‘cracked’ recording software, it was on!

Format: How does it feel now that your album Something Awesome has broken into New Zealand’s Top 20?
David Dallas: Feels good – it hit #1 on the iTunes album chart over here too, so that was nice. But, the most validating part is still hearing from people who picked it up and are feeling it. That’s the shit.

Format: So have you reached the feeling you’re talking about in “Big Time”?
David Dallas: Haha, nah not yet. I’ve still got a whole lot of things I’ve gotta accomplish before I’ll feel like that.

Format: What’s your favourite song on the album and why?
David Dallas: “Indulge Me” is a special one to me – I’ve always liked smooth artists, and this one just has that vibe, yet it’s still up-tempo enough for people to dance to. I dig the fact that it’s a song about a female that isn’t corny, that can be played in a club. Difficult combination.

Format: If you had the chance to feature a rapper of your choice, who would that be?
David Dallas: Any one of the following would be a life highlight: Jay-Z, Andre3000, Eminem (circa 2002), The Prodigy (circa mid 90s), Methodman (circa mid 90s)

Format: You were a member of Frontline. How did it come to be that you’ve gone solo?
David Dallas: FortyOne, who was the other half of Frontline, was never into the whole ‘artist’ side of the business (doin’ videos, interviews etc). He just wanted to produce and make beats, so me steppin’ out was the logical step. He still ended up producin’ half the songs on my album. Best thing about it is it’s freed me up to make music solely reflective of my own tastes. I don’t have to worry about representin’ no one but myself.

Format: What’s been the best moment in your career to date?
David Dallas: Playing my first show in the U.S.

Format: Lastly, any upcoming projects or plans our readers should know about?
David Dallas: Look out for my album Something Awesome, which is available worldwide on iTunes. I’ll be in New York for the CMJ music marathon in October, and I’ve got more new material in the pipeline. Just finished a remix with a dope U.S. act that’s set to drop in the next couple weeks. Check my web site out if you wanna keep up with what I’m up to.

More Info: www.daviddallas.co.nz / www.myspace.com/daviddallas

Founder and creator of Radii (ray-dee-eye) Footwear, Casey Arisohn knows sneakers. With design lines boasting bad-ass names like Straight Jackets, Stranglers and Thrillers, it’s no surprise these hip pieces have aroused attention from music moguls and fashion-forward dudes and divas the world over. Still in his mid-twenties, this sneakerhead got going in the industry early on. A little over a year ago he made a move and branched out on his own. Now he’s sitting pretty and sharing shelf space with myriad top brands, from Cr8tive Recreation to Alife, Reebok to adidas. Stiff competition? Hardly. Looks like this California dreamer has the right attitude. See what we mean by reading on.

“We went from being a brand that no one had ever heard of, with a few people seeing potential in us, to having an icon like Jay-Z wearing our shoes.”

Format: Tell me a little bit about your background, how you got started in the shoe biz?
Casey Arisohn: I was born and raised in Huntington Beach, which is basically the hub of the action sports industry. I grew up with the owners’ sons of an iconic shop in Huntington, so I started in retail as soon as I turned 16. I’ve always been a shoe guy. Some people like sunglasses or watches; I’ve always been a sneakerhead. Most people that know me will attest to me having too many shoes to even fit in my closet.

Format: My friends could say the same, though less sneakers, more vintage high heels. So, what inspires you?
Casey Arisohn: I’m influenced by other shoes. Anybody in the shoe game is. It’s our passion. Right now, I’m into Christian Dior, Android Homme and Common Projects. I’m influenced by history. Fashion trends from different eras [hint at] where the new era is headed.

Format: Viewing the current collection live online, the look is über urban. As it stands, these shoes are awesome, but not always 9-5 appropriate, unfortunately.
Casey Arisohn: I agree with you. These are not always 9-5 appropriate if you’re a suit-and-tie type person. It’s all perspective. They are 9-5 for athletes, entertainers and young entrepreneurs. We are striving to take over the shoe market, so, for the future, there will be more clean, mature styles that will cater to the true 9-5 person. We’re taking baby steps. We’re still a brand new company.

Format: Despite being little more than a year old, I understand the brand has done quite well. Can you comment on this success?
Casey Arisohn: I am slightly pessimistic when in comes to forecasting. I am hard on myself and would rather be pleasantly surprised than let down. That being said, our first year of business has surpassed my expectations. We went from being a brand that no one had ever heard of, with a few people seeing potential in us, to having an icon like Jay-Z wearing our shoes. The even better news is our sell-throughs have been out of control. Accounts are re-ordering weekly, until we’re completely sold out.

Format: That’s stellar news. Congrats! So, how does it make you feel to see Jay-Z and The Black Eyed Peas, among others, rocking your designs? Who else has been caught donning Radii?
Casey Arisohn: It was pretty crazy to hear that Jay-Z had bought two pairs of our shoes and was wearing them on tour. We have tons of celebrities wearing our shoes. We have athletes, from Martellus Bennett (Dallas Cowboys) to Ryan Grant (Green Bay Packers) to Joba Chamberlain (New York Yankees), and many more.

Format: What sets you apart from the competition?
Casey Arisohn: I really listen to my customers. We don’t have egos here. We don’t think we’re going to design something that only we like and then try to force customers to buy the product. We make what our customers want. This is the reason we’ve been so successful. From our prices [$80-$120] to our styles, I think you can see what sets us apart from the competition at first sight.

Format: What has the response been from skaters? Are these skate-friendly shoes?
Casey Arisohn: We have a great response from the skate customers. By no means are we producing skate shoes. We don’t spend any more on R & D to help develop shoes that are skate-able. We don’t target any skate shops as our retailers either. That said, we make very comfortable shoes. You can skate in our shoes and they would hold up pretty well. We have a handful of skate stores that carry our shoes and they do very well. We have that crossover customer.

Format: Who are your biggest customers?
Casey Arisohn: Our biggest customers are the streetwear customers. It’s definitely a sneakerhead type following we have right now. The U.S. is still our best country, but our Korean distributors opened up a Radii store in Seoul. And Japan does very well with our kicks too. They are more edgy when it comes to fashion, so they don’t hesitate when they see the bright colors.

Format: In general, which style is the most popular?
Casey Arisohn: To date, our 420 Top is the best selling style we’ve had, but that is also due to the fact it has been in the line since the first season. Our Straight Jackets have done very well, even at the higher price point ($120). For Holiday we’ve had a huge buzz on our Timeless Deluxe style, so we’ll see how it sells over Christmas.

Format: Are the Thrillers named after MJ?
Casey Arisohn: Actually, yes. They were named long before he passed, though. Our shoes remind me of the 80s and that vibe. We have some cool throwback names in our new line too.

Format: Have you considered creating a vegan version?
Casey Arisohn: We are constantly working with new materials and styles that will help us broaden our customer base. We haven’t specifically set forth to make a vegan shoe yet, but I’m sure it’s only a matter of time. If our customers want it, who are we to deny them what they want?

Format: Do you plan to branch out into other accessories or clothing?
Casey Arisohn: Eventually, yes. We’d like to be a well-rounded accessory company. My vision is to have pieces that don’t say ‘Radii’ all over them. We’d rather make amazing pieces where people have to ask you what you’re wearing because it’s so dope. I’m talking jackets, wallets, hats, bags.

Format: Speaking of the new line, what’s next?
Casey Arisohn: We’re just going to continue to try to make shoes that are fun. We’re really excited for what 2010 has in store for us. We’ve got some new materials and color combos that will have heads spinning. We’re going to add more business casual shoes to the line to help diversify and gain more followers. We have some stuff in store. I can’t give it all up, though. We have to keep you wanting more. I’ll end with…stay tuned!

More Info: www.radiifootwear.com

Edwyn Huang and the rest of the crew from Hoodman have launched Tonk Syndicate, a new lifestyle line that’s out to give streetwear a jolt in the leg. With fresh designs that speak to those of us who eat, sleep and breathe street, Tonk has already dropped one amazing line, and shows no signs of stopping now. Creative Director Edwyn Huang takes a break to sit down with Format. Responsible for overseeing designs, campaigns and production, Huang talks about the work he and his team are doing at Tonk, and what motivates and keeps them going.

“Our look is different than it was with Hoodman. Tonk is more about just repping alternative street culture”

Format: What would you say Tonk Syndicate is all about?
Edwyn Huang: You know, with Hoodman, we were a very political line. I still have strong political views and you will see aspects of it in Tonk pieces or on our web site, but I’m learning that less is more. I’ve been designing streetwear for four years now and my taste has really changed. It’s interesting to see how our look is different than it was with Hoodman.

Tonk is more about just repping alternative street culture. We’re always heavily hip-hop influenced, but we draw from things you see everyday like quarter waters, underground card games, gambling, etc. Tonk is a game I used to play as a kid down south. We used to try and double-up our lunch money everyday playing tonk – it’s ghetto rummy.

Format: Who’s involved in Tonk right now?
Edwyn Huang: Steven Lau, Ning Juang, and myself.

Format: How did Tonk get started? You were already doing the Hoodman line, but what made you need to make Tonk?
Edwyn Huang: We already had Tonk in the works. We wanted a harder, less comical, lifestyle line. Our plan is to finally branch out to accessories next year and pieces besides just t-shirts. For years, we’ve been the Thomas Pink of streetwear in that we don’t do jeans, we don’t do outers, we do t-shirts.

But, the process got sped up because Bergdorf Goodman sued us. The joke has always been that Hoodman was Bergdorf for the ‘hood. We had the domain www.bergdorfhoodman.com and they just bugged out. Hoodman isn’t being shut down, but because the legal status was in limbo, I figured, the smartest move would be to put our energy toward Tonk until we know what’s up with Hoodman.

Format: What do you feel you’re doing at Tonk that you couldn’t at Hoodman?
Edwyn Huang: Well, with Hoodman, we always had trouble because stores don’t look past the name. Places like Union, Digital Gravel, Vinny Styles that are really tastemakers who take chances, and understand what’s going on in the streets never had a problem with the name. Big cities, bigger outlets – no problem. It was funny though because it’s the little stores in the Midwest, suburbs, that really don’t even have their own street culture that fronted on the name.

With Tonk, we don’t have a name with an urban connotation and more people are willing to take a look. Stylistically with Tonk, it’s less about the punch-line. Hoodman was like Big-L, everything was to move toward a punch-line, but Tonk has less of a need to reach an objective. I’m not trying to get a laugh from every shirt. It’s more just representing a lifestyle and giving people pieces that fit with the rest of their closet. Hoodman, at times, tried too hard and I don’t want to make the same mistakes with Tonk.

Format: You’ve said that Tonk is more focused on vice and deviant culture, could you explain that a bit more?
Edwyn Huang: Yeah, Tonk is about street culture. Not hood per se, but the hustle, the schemes, the things that happen round the way. Its not necessarily looking for trouble, but it captures the mindset, lifestyle, and icons that our culture lives. I like clothing that is for people in the know.

Girls probably don’t know who Ice La Fox is, old people don’t get the Polo Bear Tupac reference, and people who don’t follow hip-hop may not know where the Victory photo comes from. But you, your homies, and all of us who follow street culture know what it is.

I feel a lot of streetwear uses overly obvious references and its not deviant or niche anymore, so we’re trying to pull it back a little. A lot of people are wondering why streetwear is dying – it’s because there are too many people doing it who don’t know their head from their ass — it’s not cool if you’re using obvious mainstream references. We identify things that people in our culture know about, and we’re introducing new language as well.

Format: You pay tribute to a lot of different people in this collection, like Brianna Banks, Method Man, Tupac and Mike Tyson – what’s the connection?
Edwyn Huang: Correction, it’s Brianna Love! Brianna Banks is old news. Brianna Love is the truth. Her ass is heavy. The connection is really that these are all people that me and my homies rep. It really is what I’ve been talking about with Tonk.

My fingerprints aren’t all over this line like they were with Hoodman. I didn’t say, ‘hey, lets do a line with only Brooklyn shit or just corporate crooks.’ When I go to someone’s crib, I like to see the strange, random, combinations of cultural artifacts. Dude might have a giant OG Patrick Ewing poster, a Manny Ramirez bobblehead or an old Atari.

Format: Could you talk about the inspiration behind some of your designs? Chinatown Republic and the Tical bear, for instance?
Edwyn Huang: I gotta big-up, Steve. He’s been with us for four years and the Chinatown Republic is the first design he’s had that we put to print. He always has good ideas; it’s just been timing, etc. that his other designs didn’t get run. But, he came to the table with a photo of Chinese rice farmers using water buffalo to harvest paddies and a picture of the California flag with the bear. I saw it and I bugged out. He wanted to flip the flag and call it Chinatown Republic.

The Tical Bear is our parody of the Polo Bears. I’m not a big Lo-Head like a lot of people and I thought the bears were a little pussy. I remember back in the day though, Wu-Tang had the craziest style. RZA had the doo-rag before a lot of people, Ghost had Wallos, but I loved when Meth came with the goggles and batting gloves. So we put his wears on the bear.

Format: How has response to the designs been so far? What are some of the most popular designs?
Edwyn Huang: The bears sold the best with stores, people in Brooklyn really like the quarter water t-shirt, and Chinese people of course love the Chinatown Republic. Online though, people are buying a lot of the Porno Tee. The Internet loves porno.

Format: What kind of designs have you got lined-up for next year? Have you got a favorite design right now?
Edwyn Huang: Oh, I actually haven’t got around to this. But we’ll have something soon.

Format: Where do you want to see Tonk Syndicate go in the future? Expand beyond t-shirts?
Edwyn Huang: Yeah, we got some accessories we’re designing right now. I want to do functional items beyond just fashion stuff. It’s fun to bring our style to items that aren’t already part of the streetwear cannon.

More Info: www.tonkshop.com

Priding themselves in taking the hardest route, rather than abiding by tradition or convention, It’s Our Thing has been churning out markedly different, quirky products since 2006. Combining Swedish and Japanese influences—for which you must read on—and reconciling contemporary, urban art with trends in garment production, this company stands out from every other Joe trying to jump on the graphic-tee-bandwagon. With the imaginative as their primary inspiration, Micke Thorsby (or PMKFA) and Matthias Schneidewind from Sweatshop Union (a Japanese printing company) are working hard to push every boundary by showcasing familiar cultural references and their strange, often bewildering designs.

The pieces are very individual with small stories of their own. I have no illusions about who we are, we’re small and then I want each shirt to stand on its own, on its own merit.

Format: Your designs are pretty outrageous (though still aesthetically pleasing). Is there a specific philosophy behind them?
Micke Thorsby: I believe that the justification to publish images, no matter whether it’s on paper or garments, should show something beyond people’s imagination, at the same time I know that if I go full-on not many people would wear it, it’s a balance but at the same time I never hold it back. Usually the more time I spend in the office, the more twisted the graphics become, I guess it’s some kinda Shining thing going on, no fun and no play…

Format: Was it a difficult process to launch It’s Our Thing, or to find collaborators? How did you find Sweatshop Union?
Micke Thorsby: It’s a great situation, partnering with the tremendous skills and quality. It’s Our Thing was started on their initiative and I couldn’t refuse of course. I was invited to make a small exhibition at their space in late 2005 and a few months later we started It’s Our Thing.

Format: What can you tell us about the new collection, ‘Etno?’
Micke Thorsby: Etno is the name of the sweater, the last collection has no name actually, the project name was ‘Stone Crazy’ but I dropped that in the end. The collection is the platform to launch the new logo and identity. The pieces are very individual with small stories of their own. I have no illusions about who we are, we’re small and then I want each shirt to stand on its own, on its own merit. From the beginning we hesitated on doing logo shirts as the inflation of such shirts is quite disturbing but we had to by popular demand. The toast came from my partners saying “this will sell like warm bread,” so I put a slice of bread in there—his prediction was right.

The other images like Juke is my homage to Chicago Juke Trax, Jah is Haile Selassi in 3D, Magikul is an idol image filtered through 70s drawing techniques showing the grapehead freak. He later came to life when we shot the lookbook, as you can see on our web site. I always want to expand my technical skills and in this collection the woodcut represents a new step.

Format: How would you compare the early line, ‘The First Ten,’ with what is being released now?
Micke Thorsby: Since I made ‘The First Ten’ I’ve made more shirts and other pieces of clothing than I can count, for people like Sixpack, adidas, WESC, and soon to come DC Shoes, so I’ve learned a lot. The first line and its follow up, ‘Third Vision,’ was more about clean graphics, clean characters, more straight pop. The more recent ones are still pop but less clean, adding a bit more depth through various techniques like my Dot-Tone™ style for Magkikul and the digital woodcut style for Dividers. I want to add a different level that allows you to look a step further from the initial impression.

Format: Are there plans for branching out into other garments (jeans, jackets, etc.)? Or would you prefer to keep it simple and graphic oriented?
Micke Thorsby: There are aims but the plan right now is to spread the t-shirts as far as we can to build a base for further steps, and it’s rewarding and joyful work so far. I’m not making that many t-shirts outside It’s Our Thing, instead I design jackets and more complex objects and that skill will one day be applied to It’s Our Thing too, but I feel no rush.

Format: Can ladies look forward to more women’s clothing being released?
Micke Thorsby: Not at the moment but we wish to do more in the future, yes. As it’s a completely different market we try to take things step by step and would love to do more for women.

Format: What benefits have you found basing the line out of Japan rather than your own Sweden?
Micke Thorsby: I moved from Sweden almost a decade ago so it’s kind of hard to imagine how things would be if I was based there instead of Tokyo. A big change is style, the work I do would look very different I was still in Sweden. I believe, the set of logics in Swedish and European culture is something I’ve always tried to erase in myself, I have far more to go but living in Tokyo helps to speed up that process.

Format: Do you often get to have gallery shows like the one in Barcelona, featured on your web site?
Micke Thorsby: As PMKFA I sometimes do shows and when possible I try to involve It’s Our Thing. It’s something I really enjoy but also I never want to repeat myself; I won’t do another poster exhibition. I’m working on some stuff now that will materialize into an exhibition when it’s ready. It will be more 3D.

Format: I noticed a personal WoodWood collaboration you did. Is that something you would like to do more of?
Micke Thorsby: Ah that was long time ago. I would love to do more collaborations with It’s Our Thing and other brands and we got some stuff in the pipeline. As PMKFA I do a lot of work like that with Sixpack, DC Shoes, adidas and some other brands.

Format: What can we expect to come from It’s Our Thing in the near future? Can you divulge any secrets?
Micke Thorsby: Soon we start releasing mix-CD’s and I suggest you keep an eye itsourthing,net for future stuff, we have some really exciting stuff coming I cannot really tell you about at the moment. Also read the blog where I and two friends, one of them a legendary japanese music journalist, are writing constantly.

More Info: www.itsourthing.net

Meet the man of the reggae music moment. Serani is a hit-making producer turned chart-topping performer. The Jamaican-born musician catapulted onto the international music scene with his single “No Games”. Well, Billboard may have just started to pay attention, but this rising dancehall star has been roaming the halls of the music game, for a minute. Serani’s street cred includes co-producing the first two singles on Sean Paul’s platinum selling album Trinity. His production crew DASECA has been working with reggae industry heavyweights since 2001. He can get ladies swooning and the club jumping. He’s dancehall, he’s conscious, he’s lovers rock, and he’s just getting started.

“Singing is new to me. I’m so overwhelmed by it, but at the same time, I cannot sing without production. I would feel naked if I left production behind.”

Format: So, for those of us who may not know… who is Serani, the musician?
Serani: I’m a singer and songwriter, with a musical background. I’ve been playing the keyboard since, I can’t remember myself. That’s where it all started from, before I started singing or anything. I started producing in 2001 in Jamaica, making dancehall reggae music. Things started to pop off for me in 2004 when I started working with Sean Paul, I co-produced “We Be Burnin’”. I guess that’s really where it all started for me.

Format: So, you started in the music game as a producer, at what point did you realize that you wanted to make that transition from being backstage as a producer to being a performer on stage?
Serani: 2007 really. That’s when I actually started singing.

Format: What led to that transition – was it one moment? Is this something you always wanted to do?
Serani: Well, I guess it was something that I thought about, but never really took seriously. I guess it really just happened through God. I didn’t really know I could do it, but then I was making a beat and something just made me stop making the beat and just get up, literally stand up, and start singing. Then out comes something that sounds like a hit. Like I said, it’s not like I used to sing, I really and truly started singing in 2007 so I didn’t have any kind of training. I didn’t know what I was doing. I was just trying, you know? But the melodies were sounding good and I basically kept singing in the booth until I got it right. I kept practicing until I just started sounding better.

Format: What musicians have guided you or inspired you over the years?
Serani: I wouldn’t say that anybody really guided me, any guidance that I got was indirect. I’ve been listening to Tracy Chapman since I was a kid. Michael Jackson, R. Kelly people like that.

Format: What really stood out for me about your music is how versatile it is. You’ve got soulful melodies, bumping dancehall tunes and even some conscious stuff. What inspires the music that you make?
Serani: It’s based on my experience and also experiences that are close to me. Things that I have seen since I’ve been alive.

Format: You’re one song, “Mama Still Hungry”, is about the quest to be successful. Is that a reflection of your own life experiences?
Serani: Definitely. I wasn’t born wealthy. But one thing I know for sure is that my mom and my family, they wanted the best for me, and they took care of me the best way possible. Basically, I dedicate my life to making sure that I get the best for them. I definitely want to be successful so I could take care of my mom and just my family really. I mean even for myself, you know like, the world. It’s not an easy road, so if you want to be successful you’ve got to work hard.

Format: How would describe your sound?
Serani: I don’t limit myself. I always try to be creative. It’s definitely Jamaican sort of. I don’t know. I call it smooth and groovy [laughs] Riddim and dancehall.

Format: Alright I’ll take that. You collaborated with Drake on his “Best I Ever Had” single. Tell me about that.
Serani: Well basically, I heard his song and I loved it. I knew I could do a flick to it, like a dancehall version. So I just did it. We cool, Drake and I. He has a strong Jamaican background. I’m not sure if he has Jamaican family but living in Canada there are so many Jamaicans it’s almost like you’re Jamaican yourself. When I speak to Drake, he speaks to me like he’s a Jamaican. We have a good vibe, so it’s cool.

“I want to be right up there with Sean Paul and Shaggy. Definitely, that’s where I want to be. But still maintain that Jamaican presence.”

Format: What was it like working with other heavyweights in the industry like Sean Paul, Mavado?
Serani: Sean Paul is very talented, Mavado likewise. I actually was the first producer to give Mavado a hit song. I started his career really, I was definitely one of the first people to bring him out there. Sean Paul had a successful album before I even worked with him so it was a pleasure. It was very fun working with someone so talented. He is actually someone that I actually looked up to for a long time due to the fact that I love singers and artists that carry a lot of melody. He did a lot of that. I used to listen to Sean Paul and Wayne Marshall, Jamaican artists that did a lot of songs for ladies. Carrying those nice melodies. And Mavado, when I first heard him, he had a sound like Tracy Chapman and, like I said before, I’m a huge Tracy Chapman fan.

Format: Now, there’s people like Sean Paul and other reggae artists who have made it on the billboard charts and on the international scene. Then there are others who are just as happy being in the underground reggae scene. Where do you see yourself fitting in — in the reggae dancehall scene — in the years to come?
Serani: I’m always going to try and maintain an international presence. And at the same time I’m still going to be doing songs for my Jamaican market. So, yeah, I’m a Jamaican trying to do it big. I want to be right up there with Sean Paul and Shaggy. Definitely, that’s where I want to be. But still maintain that Jamaican presence.

Format: You have your own production company. Do you plan on still working that side of things, as doing the performing side, recording and releasing your album?
Serani: Well I wanted to tell you that. I have not made a transition like you said earlier. I have just broadened my horizons. Most of the songs that I sing, I produce myself but I also have new artists that I work with. The hottest dancehall beat for the year in Jamaica – I am the one that made it. I made the beat. It’s called the ‘Goodlife’ riddim. Yea 2009. It’s the hottest beat, definitely.

Format: So is there one you enjoy doing more, producing or performing?
Serani: Well, I don’t think I could answer that question too well. I used to get so excited over playing the keyboard and producing, and then all of sudden in 2007 I found this new love — singing. I got more excited over that so I’m not even sure. Singing is new to me. I’m so overwhelmed by it. But at the same time, I cannot sing without production. I can’t sing without producing, cause I know how to produce. If I’m singing, I’m going feel kind of naked if I leave the production behind, because I know what I want. I can’t do one without the other.

Format: You’re album is coming out soon. What can we look forward to?
Serani: In making that album I tried really hard to make singles, I wanted it to be a problem finding just one single. I’ve got four or five songs that could be in the running to be a single. The album is nice.

More Info: www.seranimusic.com / www.myspace.com/seranidaseca

Located in Berlin, Germany, and founded in 2003, Solebox is today one of the leading sneaker stores worldwide. With their steady collaborations with New Balance, adidas, Reebok, Puma and many more, the Solebrothers, Hikmet and Suekret Sugoer, are a major influence on todays sneaker business. It all started in 2003 with the idea to bring rare sneakers from the overseas to Germany and Europe. We talked to the mind of Solebox, Hikmet, to know more about Soles, Solemarts and what’s happening in Berlin.

“Solemart is the first sneaker swap meet in the German speaking area. There are also a few imitators, but that’s how it is. We provide a forum to all the collectors, sneaker nerds and interested people. A real life forum, where you can meet and interchange with each other.”

Format: You have an online and a flagship store in Berlin. Which came first, and which has contributed more to your success?
Solebox: We had our physical store first, and we are more into that local retail thing. Online stores are important, but not most important. We should support the local trade more.

Format: Does being based in Germany have a part in your success?
Solebox: It’s a fact, that we love and live what we sell. That’s our world, our passion. And maybe also the cause for our success.

Format: Is there a reason that you don’t stock Nikes in your shop?
Solebox: Maybe you should ask Nike that question. I guess the responsible persons have an answer for that. We love every brand in the market.

Format: You guys have produced so many trainers. When can we expect an old school basketball shoe made by Solebox?
Solebox: Actually, November 20th, 2009 is the perfect time for some good basketball shoes. I’m sure you’ll like them. But I have to admit that there’s a very limited quantity available.

Format: What is ‘Solemart’?
Solebox: There are three Solemarts now. Solemart is the first sneaker swap meet in the German speaking area. There are also a few imitators, but that’s how it is. We provide a forum to all the collectors, sneaker nerds and interested people. A real life forum, where you can meet and interchange with each other.

Many people know shoes and people behind them from the Internet. Solemart is the chance for everybody to see them live and get to know them. For the perfect finish, we give diverse brands the chance to introduce themselves to their target group, collect ideas, present products and sell them. It’s a really incredible event. By the way, the next Solemart will take place in Amsterdam, Netherlands. You’ll get more info soon.

Format: You have also launched an online Solemart. What can we do there?
Solebox: Many people are bothered by the big online auction house that we all know. That’s why we launched www.solemart.de – a sneaker auction site. We know the most people and we will do our best to ensure that there won’t be any fakes offered. And the best point is, that it is free for buyers and sellers. So go and submit!

Format: You have recently posted a video about your upcoming ‘Pump’ collaboration with Reebok on your blog. Can you tell us more about the teamwork?
Solebox: The video shows the special function of the shoe. We love to play with light. We wanted to bring the glow-in-the-dark effect a bit further. We are using active light. You can choose if you like to use it with an on/off button on the tongue. Reebok was really patient with us on this project.

For all who are not familiar with this kind of stuff, the shoe will definitely convince you with the premium materials used and the classic colorway. We do not want to be far away from the OGs. Therefore we have chosen a colorway, where you think, it was maybe from back in the days. Hope you will like it as we do!

Format: What is your sneaker trend forecast?
Solebox: Hopefully high-tech. We need many fresh ideas and products!

Format: What do you mean exactly by high-tech? Can you clarify what you mean with high-tech shoes?
For example: Why not create a shoe that you try on in the store, which will be modified by a cold / hot chamber. So the shoe adapts to your feet like memory foam and is exclusively customized just for your feet. I’m sure there are so many other ideas and possibilites.

Format: Do you find that the market over-saturated with sneakers and limited editions?
Solebox: Weird to ask the storekeeper that question. I would rather say that the market is over-saturated with too many so called ‘niche market’ stores. The niches aren’t even niches anymore. Even the companies have their own shops and online stores and offer the same product range. The products are over-averaged good. People want to for hunt good products. We want to search, we want to find. Why not make regional releases anymore?

Format: What kind of plans does Solebox have for the future? Any collaborations coming up?
Solebox: Actually, We will drastically reduce our collaborations. For 2010 we will release the projects planned in 2009.

Format: So, you mean you want to drop gear and bring the sneaker boom back to earth?
Exactly. In the long run, we think it’s better to drop a gear and give the sneaker market the possibility to catch its breath for a moment. It’s important to take a long view and not always to reach short goals. We don’t want a ‘Golden Shot’ for the industry.

Tod Seelie represents a man whose greatest goal in life is to “never give up,” while taking photographs of other human beings as a representation of him. From the childhood sounds of Phil Collins to still memories of tall trees and the marbleized grays of Lake Erie, Seelie has managed to capture his life through the lives of others. After 15 countries on five unique continents, published work in nickels of international publications and shots in photography books that grace the tables of homes throughout the world, Seelie’s greatest fear is “time going on-and-on with no end.” The birth of a child born in the outskirts of Cleveland, Ohio notarized the start of a genre-less photography centered on a man who in absent from his becoming. His fear somehow epitomizes his work – it will forever capture life. Forever never ends. Tod Seelie Photography is time. Format recognizes humanity through a man who captures the essence of us. Enjoy.

“I don’t formulate projects to focus on a subject and then move on and consider it finished. I shoot from the life I lead and the places and people I am with.”

Format: How would you label, box and package your work, if you had to sell it?
Tod: That is one of my biggest challenges. I have different styles and approaches to different subjects (underground NYC scenes, strange travel adventures, and quiet landscapes / night imagery), so it is hard to lump them all together. I’ve started exhibiting them together, and it seems to work, but I still feel they come from very different instincts/inspirations. I think there is always a pressure to package your work in easily digestible bites, but if that doesn’t feel right, or it seems like you are selling yourself short, it’s okay to avoid that tendency.

Format: Is there a relationship between your work and the scenes and images from The Great Depression?
Tod: Photographers like Walker Evans and Dorothea Lange depicted a lot of their poverty-stricken subjects in a stoic and heroic manner. I’d like to think I am able to imbue some of my formal portraits of friends with a similar strength of character. I think your friends should be your heroes.

Format: Understood. Do emotions ever get in the way when capturing a graphic shot?
Tod: No, not usually. I also don’t think anything I shoot is that graphic or emotionally challenging compared to the photojournalists covering wars and humanitarian situations around the world.

Format: You’ve said in a previous interview that your photography captures your “particular New York.” What is your New York about?
Tod: A joke some friends have made is that my New York is “bands, bikes and booty dancing.” I wouldn’t really argue that. I also spend a good portion of my year outside of NYC, so I wouldn’t really consider myself a strictly New York photographer.

Format: “Brooklyn, New York City / Where they paint murals of Biggy.” You show a different side of Brooklyn that isn’t often told. For people who live outside of the largest borough known for thick accents, delicious slices of pizza, urban diversity and classic hip-hop – what can your photos tell us?
Tod: A common piece of wisdom is “write what you know,” and that is the approach I take to my photography. I don’t formulate projects to focus on a subject and then move on and consider it finished. I shoot from the life I lead and the places and people I am with. So I could say that the Brooklyn I show is my own life, but in that I find myself immersed in the DIY music scene, an active art community, and various sides of bicycle culture.

Format: Environmental portraits seem to be something you’re really good at – when did you capture your first shot?
Tod: I started shooting in high school, but didn’t take it seriously until I was halfway through college as a sculpture student. Once I was centered on photography, environmental portraiture was one of my first focuses. I think it came from wanting to involve my friends in my work, and also from photography that was inspiring me, like Rineke Dijkstra.

Format: You talk a lot about your friends. Do you ever feel like you’ve gone too far when releasing someone’s reality to the world?
Tod: That is a concern I dance with from time-to-time. Not only releasing too much of someone else’s reality, but my own as well. A friend of mine, The Polaroid Kidd, actually stopped taking photos and removed his site for that very reason. It is my understanding that he felt he was showing too much of other people’s lives and a certain subculture that did not benefit from the exposure. I understand this, but also think it is a great loss since he is one of the most talented photographers I have ever seen.

“I feel that my photos can be valuable beyond just aesthetically and in this way I can give something back to the people I photograph.”

Format: What is it that determines your element? Is it your physical surrounding or environments that help you get into your zone – or is your element something that you carry within you?
Tod: I shoot very different types of work, so my ‘element’ can be as diverse as dark empty streets in the middle of the night, or a throbbing sweaty basement show. I guess you could look at it, as my element tends to be in extremes. For me it is just situations that allow me to fully focus on capturing the essence of whatever it is I am shooting.

Format: Take us back to your childhood. What do you remember most about growing up?
Tod: I grew up on the outskirts of Cleveland, Ohio. What I remember most growing up are tall trees, industrial wasteland, the gray expanse of Lake Erie, the silence of a winter night, and how popular Phil Collins’ music was.

Format: You have a pretty cool blog, SuckaPants.com. What made you add MP3s (or sound) to your write-ups?
Tod: When I migrated to posting photos to SuckaPants.com, the most interesting thing on the Internet to me was the new (at the time) surge of MP3 blogs. And while I was discovering a lot of new music through them, I also felt that a lot of great music was missing. So I added that element to SuckaPants once I had a server to host the songs.

Format: Cool, so why a photographer?
Tod: I came to photography from an interest in the fine arts. I always wanted to do something creative, and eventually it became clear that photography was the best form for me. I also appreciate the ability of photography to document things, people, places, and events to help convey the stories and ideas of things that happen. Examples like Bike Kill and the raft trips of the Miss Rockaway Armada are hard to convey thoroughly without the images to fill things in. In this regard I feel that my photos can be valuable beyond just aesthetically and in this way I can give something back to the people I photograph.

Format: With that, what experience epitomizes ‘eye-opening’ in the life and times of Tod Seelie?
Tod: One of the most incredible things I have seen / experienced was this past summer; a crew of friends and collaborators built rafts out of junk and traveled from Slovenia to Venice. Before we left Venice, we (very illegally) took to the Grand Canal of Venice in the middle of the night. There was a band playing softly on the roof of one of the boats, and they were all lit up and glowing as they slipped slowly between ancient historic Venetian architecture. It was one of the most amazing moments I have witnessed, dare I say magical.

More Info: www.todseelie.com

Let us introduce you to one of Cali’s most promising up-and-coming producers: Nefarious! aka TheSoulDojo. With his latest mixtape releases The Crush Groovin’ and More Than Music, this guy is showing the world some love. Both tapes were promoted by illRoots, not to mention a slew of other big hip-hop blogs. His signature vibe is inspired by classic funk and groove records mixed with smooth beats, which are like food for your soul. With another production in the queue he recently spoke with Format, offering us an insight into his soulful world.

“We all have our specialties and skills, so when we come together it’s on some Voltron shit.”

Format: How’s it going? Man, I always wondered about your age, are you still in school?
Nefarious: I’m doing good man. Finally starting to get more recognition for my work. I turned 18 last June, and I’m going to community college right now. I’ll be transferring to a music school, to get my bachelors degree in sound arts next semester, though. This community college shit is not for me.

Format: When did you start producing and making beats?
Nefarious: I started producing when I was 16-years old. I started out as a rapper with a crew but no one would give us beats, so I decided I’d make the beats. Eventually the group split; I quit rapping but kept at it with the beats, I built up my record collection and equipment. And here I am.

Format: How do you make your beats?
Nefarious: I’ll chop up a sample and load it into Reason; right now I’m chopping in ReCycle and Sony Sound Forge. I do look forward to upgrading soon though. I am working on getting certified in Pro-Tools and maybe Logic in the future.

Format: Your music is very soulful; what role does music play in your life?
Nefarious: Music plays a huge role in my life. I have to listen to music all the time while doing anything. I usually listen to music that matches my mood, especially up-tempo stuff when I need to get something done. As far as making music goes, it’s just a way for me to express myself, without actually saying anything.

Format: What’s your favourite song?
Nefarious: My favorite song is “She Said” by The Pharcyde – the Dilla remix. I have it on vinyl. The Pharcyde is my favorite group of all time next to De La Soul. I actually went to a Pharcyde concert with a friend of mine. We stood right in the front, chest against the stage. Slimkid3 came up and took my cell phone and recorded some of the show from the stage. Unfortunately, I had a Razr at the time and that shit only records 10-second clips [laughs]. So I have a 10-second recording of Tre grabbing my phone and then it stopping.

Format: You are at the very beginning of your career right now, so where do you see yourself heading in the next five years?
Nefarious: Hopefully working in or running my own recording studio. I look forward to working with more talented people who are serious about turning music into a career. Music is my Plan A through Z. If I fail, I fail. But I would rather fail than be stuck in some 9-5 job, not knowing what could have happened if I’d stuck with it.

Format: Tell us more about the Cosmic Souls Collective.
Nefarious: The Cosmic Souls Collective is a group of producers that consists of myself, know:Juander, Time Travel and Juno Complex. We basically plan on putting out great music with our affiliates and becoming the go-to guys when you need some dope beats. We also have other affiliated cats who rap and do graphic design, etc. We all have our specialties and skills, so when we come together it’s on some Voltron shit.

Format: What projects are you working on right now? And what can we expect in the future?
Nefarious: Right now, Myself and Time Travel are working on our collab beat tape that is going to be crazy. We have been sending beats and samples back-and-forth, and so far everything is dope. The Cosmic Souls Collective will also be producing an album for Amor Jones, and after that I’m producing an album for Amor Jones that’ll be hosted by KevinNottingham.com. Just expect a lot of good music. You will know it’s dope when you see that CSC logo on the cover.

More Info: www.thesouldojo.com / www.myspace.com/nefariousprod

Jay-Z once said “difficult takes a day, impossible takes a week”, but The Blackmarkers founders Winston Tong and Clement Ng found that impossible takes about eight months. Hailing from Canada’s Greater Vancouver area, Winston Tong was a streetwear aficionado before deciding to become a retailer himself. Seeing that there was no online store catering to Canadian streetwear fans, Tong seized an opportunity. Despite being repeatedly told that what he wanted to do was impossible and going in with virtually no fashion experience, and little support, Winston Tong and Clement Ng put it all on the line and founded The Blackmarkers after eight months of struggle. Stocking only the best in streetwear, The Blackmarkers has grown steadily since its founding in early 2009, serving customers across Canada and around the world. Format sits down with Winston Tong to talk fashion, business, and what opening your own online retailer is like.

“Blackmarkers are proud of who they are, they always strive to be the best in whatever they take on, they appreciate the details, they don’t take shortcuts and they know the meaning of hard work.”

Format: Please introduce yourself and break down what The Blackmarkers is.
Winston Tong: I’m Winston, the co-founder [the other being Clement Ng] of The Blackmarkers. We are an online retailer that carries a filtered selection of streetwear from around the world. Our brand list includes 3sixteen, Staple, FALSE, Qwstion, 10 Deep, In4mation, Mishka, Hellz Bellz and Penfield among others.

Format: What’s the story / meaning behind the name?
Winston Tong: The Blackmarkers represents a certain type of individual. The way this person thinks, how they carry themselves throughout life, etc. makes them a Blackmarker. Breaking it down, a Blackmarker is someone who is passionate about what they do.

Blackmarkers are proud of who they are, they always strive to be the best in whatever they take on, they appreciate the details, they don’t take shortcuts and they know the meaning of hard work. As a store, Blackmarkers is really only speaking to a certain few. Our goods are over the heads of many, and its really for, or understood by a particular group.

Format: You’ve got a diverse stocklist, what’s your general approach to buying.
Winston Tong: Before I started this company, I used to shop online all the time. There weren’t many stores that stocked the brands I wanted to buy. I always had to order from stores outside of Canada, and with that came duties, custom delays, unreasonable shipping costs, etc. I knew there were many others that were in the same situation, but there wasn’t an alternative.

I wanted to be the answer to that problem, so I brought in a range of clothing from skate, streetwear, contemporary and foreign brands. As we get further into it, we plan to focus on the core streetwear brands like Crooks & Castles, 10.Deep, Triumvir, Franco Shade, Frank 151 and Acapulco Gold. And on the other side of things, we want to offer goods with clean lines, high-quality, classic silhouettes, premium materials and an overall mature feeling. Brands like 3sixteen, Penfield, Qwstion and Staple help with this.

Format: Being new to the game and having no formal fashion experience, what obstacles did you encounter in the process of launching?
Winston Tong: When we first got into this, we tried to get some numbers for our business plan. Without the plan, could not secure any investment. We were trying to speak with brands and no one was giving us the time of day. We basically had to set up our company [incorporate, gst / pst registration, bank accounts, register our company name, etc.] before anyone would even talk to us. At this point, we’re doing it, without even knowing if the business is conceivable.

Then we had to try to lock in brands, but without a fully functioning web site, there weren’t many that wanted to work with us. The web development process was long and expensive. We never wanted a cookie cutter store or a store that had the look and feel of what was already out there. In this culture, there’s a lot of importance put on atmosphere and aesthetics of a traditional brick and mortar store. For some reason, all major online stores lacked those same aesthetics. I feel that we achieved something that others weren’t able to do.

So we had no functional web site and no brands. It wasn’t until we went out to Las Vegas for Magic that we made some progress. Meeting the brands face-to-face really showed we were serious. After that, things got a lot easier.

I could go on and on about what we went through, but I’ll end with this. I visited a local streetwear boutique and was told that my idea was impossible. This is coming from a guy who had been to Magic for the last eight years and tried to open his own online store. Our store is really an indication of what persistence, hard work, passion and some luck can do.

Format: Why did you decide to go the exclusively online route instead of a store front, or both?
Winston Tong: It was obvious to my partner and I that an online store had more potential. Plus, we really wanted to be that alternative for all Canadians. We have only been open for a short time, but the online store has already proven it has more potential. We have shipped orders to Dubai, Taiwan, Japan, USA, Australia, Greece, Netherlands, Germany, France, New Zealand, UK among many others.

We would not be able to reach these customers with a traditional store front. At the moment, we are doing very well with our online business and are actually moving into a new warehouse that is three-times larger than our current premises. We just want to concentrate on one thing and achieve a certain level of success with it before we move onto new projects. I would love to open a store front in the future though.

Format: Vancouver seems to have a fairly strong streetwear scene, what do you feel you are bringing to the table?
Winston Tong: We are an online store, so we see ourselves in competition with the other large online stores and not so much with stores in Vancouver. We stock a lot of brands that other web stores can’t and we showcase them the way they should be. We also put a great importance on customer service, which seems to be lacking with some of our competition. We don’t mark up shipping costs, what we pay is what you pay. We process and ship orders the same or next day. And overall, we will always do our best to make sure you have a smooth transaction and great shopping experience. Going back to Vancouver quickly, I actually shop at and support a lot of our local stores. There isn’t that much overlap between what brands we stock, so there are goods I’m still interested in.

Format: You have a newsletter and a blog. How important do you think keeping customers connected to your company is?
Winston Tong: Keeping customers connected to us, while they aren’t even looking to buy at the time is essential. This goes for any business. On a business side of things, it’s important for a customer to think of you first when they are looking to make a purchase. But our blog and newsletter isn’t just about that. It’s just a way for us to share stuff about our life and our culture.

Format: Any favorite items in the repertoire? Anything you’re looking forward to for fall / winter?
Winston Tong: I can’t say I have a favorite, because there are so many great pieces that we are bringing in. I’m really looking forward to picking up some Qwstion bags for day-to-day and travel use – also, a nice fall jacket from Penfield. For the most part, I keep it simple and pick up a lot of denim, t-shirts and fitteds all year round.

Format: Any developments in the near future?
Winston Tong: We have a lot of projects in the works. We will be releasing Fallacy Of Rome denims, which will be exclusive to our store worldwide. For those that don’t know, Fallacy Of Rome is a project between FALSE and Lupe Fiasco. In4mation and I have talked about doing some special projects that will remain top-secret for the moment. Look out for collaborations with Better Off Dead, store exclusives, and some special events. Sign up for our newsletter and keep an eye on our blog for up-to-date news.

Format: And your final words?
Winston Tong: Thanks to Format for the interview and also to Clement, couldn’t have done this without you.

More Info: www.theblackmarkers.com

No matter where you are in an oversaturated market, there is a brand doing its own thing, far away from copy and paste street clothing. Based in Seattle the T.I.T.S. (Two In The Shirt) brand provides provocative, innovative streetwear which speaks for itself. The garments feature nude and nearly nude women prints We got together with T.I.T.S. to talk to founder, Marek Grubel, to hear how it all started and what T.I.T.S. is about. Make sure that your girlfriend left the house, enjoy the feature and take the chance to grab one of these exclusive, damn good looking t-shirts.

“Two in the shirt made sense since we would be putting naked women on shirts. a part of the naked woman is her tits, plus the acronym was money, you cant deny how strong the acronym is!”

Format: Thanks for taking the time. Can you please just introduce yourself?
Marek: Marek, Owner/founder/creative director of T.I.T.S. BRAND (TWO IN THE SHIRT)

Format: How did TITS begin and What is TITS’ mission?
We Launched in August of 06′ with the intention to use the naked body as the focus of our design and build from that concept

Format: What did you do before founding TITS?
Marek: I did graffiti and bartending

Format: Why did you pick the name Two in The Shirt? What does it mean?
Marek:TWO IN THE SHIRT is an acronym for the word T.I.T.S. Two in the shirt made sense since we would be putting naked women on shirts. a part of the naked woman is her tits, plus the acronym was money, you cant deny how strong the acronym is!

Format: What is the TITS Premium Fit?
Marek:The premium fit tee is a more form fitted, similar to American Apparel type fit

Format: How has the streetwear industry changed in the last years in your opinion? And what is your trend forecast?
Marek:The trend has went to a more clean design and tighter cut to the denim and a tighter fit to the tees and outerwear. I hope the ‘polo shirt’ comes back heavy; i love polos

Format: What was your favourite moment / biggest success since you founded TITS?
Marek:I would say the biggest moment in TITS BRAND history would be the photo shoots we just did with Tera Patrick and also Estevan Oriol. it shows the integrity that we put into our brand has been recognized by people we respect; mutual respect always works in business

Format: What is your favourite TITS T-Shirt print?
Marek:I would say my favorite design would have to be GOOD GREENS which comes out in the Spring line, but is currently being sold at MetroparkUSA.

“Megan Fox, if you’re reading this, hit me! “

Format: Can you reveal a little bit about your upcoming projects / plans?
Marek:TITS X TERA PATRICK, TITS X ESTEVAN ORIOL, TITS X DYME DEF, a music project called SEX TAPE. A lot more not yet confirmed but only building from here. Megan Fox, if you’re reading this, hit me!

Source: ShopTIts