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SeanTheRobot: Hey Vashtie, what's up? Can you please tell our readers a little bit about yourself, just in case they don't know who you are...
Vashtie: Hey there! Sure... I'm an artist. I direct music videos, design my own clothing line, throw parties and creative consult for other companies.
SeanTheRobot: So, you're a director, a designer and a party promoter...how do you manage to do all these things, you must be really busy, aren't you?
Vashtie: I like to make things...so, I've accrued a lot of creative titles. It always sounds overwhelming, but it’s been the same since I was kid - always drawing on something or making clothes. Now, I just get paid for it. It definitely keeps me busy. I'm still learning how to balance all my projects, but I still find time to chill and hang out with friends.
SeanTheRobot: Are there people who inspired you to do what you do, like other directors, designers, actors or just regular people. If so, who are they and how did they inspire you?
Vashtie: There are so many...
Andy Warhol, Frida Kahlo, Egon Schiele, Basquiat, John Hughes, Spike Lee, Bernardo Bertolucci, Akira Kurosawa, Quentin Tarantino, Diane Martel, Anthony Mandler, Bjork... All of my art teachers, Bruce Kaplan from the Tattoo shop, my brother and sister.
They all inspired me to be no one else but me. To create my own lane and be true to who I am.
SeanTheRobot: Let's talk a little bit about Vashtie the director. You directed music videos for Solange, Kid Cudi, Justin Bieber, Good Charlotte etc...and you just recently shot a commercial for Pepsi which featured Will.I.Am & some other artists.
When someone asks you to direct a video...how is the creative process behind it? Do you get a concept from them or can you come up with one yourself? How does it work?
Vashtie: Well, it depends. Usually I'm asked to write, and it can be a blank canvas. Sometimes there are points they want me to address or rarely they have their own concept that I expand on. It’s always a collaborative effort either way.
Music is sent to me by my rep or directly from the artist themselves. I listen to the music and think about what the song or artist is saying and how I can creatively project them. If there are ideas or themes they want to incorporate, I try and accommodate that. It’s art, but its also advertising. You want the audience to embrace the artist in a cool and appealing way.
SeanTheRobot: How did it feel when Pepsi asked you to work for them? That must have been really exciting for you, wasn't it?
Vashtie: Goodness! It was like "NO EFFING WAY". I grew up drinking Pepsi. I mean, it was never "soda" it was PEPSI, like it's not "sneakers" it’s NIKE. It’s more than a brand, it’s a staple. I was (and still am) in shock to have such an iconic brand ask me to direct a commercial.
Not only that, the company was so open to my thoughts and ideas. The whole process was so collaborative. All of their ideas were brought to me, and I was asked "what do you think?". In my mind I'm going, "ugh, your Pepsi. Are you serious?" Ha. Seriously, they listened to all my ideas.
It was my first commercial, so I was stoked. The agency asked me to write on it, and I did. There were other great directors up for the gig, but PEPSI said "we want this Vashtie guy." Ha, I love that. I think I would land more jobs if people thought I was really a guy!
SeanTheRobot: You also did a video for the CRS track "Us Placers" (which is awesome by the way). Now, unfortunately there never came more music out of this project (besides the Everyone Nose Remix). Do you think that we'll ever get to hear more CRS music?
Vashtie: It might be my favorite video I ever directed. I was so moved by the Thom Yorke sample and the verses by all the boys (Lupe, Kanye and Pharrell) that I HAD to make that video. Not sure what they are doing, but I hope they are cooking up some tracks...I know we all would appreciate it (right?).
SeanTheRobot: Definitely...alright, so... 'cause this is an interview for a Lupe Fiasco (fan) blog, I have to ask you about it. How long do you already know Lupe and when did you guys meet for the first time?
Vashtie: That's a good question. We've had mutual friends before we met, and I always remember those people saying we NEEDED to meet because we shared a lot of the same interests.
I remember working at DEF JAM and seeing him around, but I think we met officially backstage at a show in Las Vegas. At that point, it was like we already knew each other for years. We really got along like old chaps. He's very laid back and cool, not to mention SUPER FUNNY.
SeanTheRobot: You're also a party promoter and you're very well known in the party scene in New York. For how long have you been doing those parties at Santos?
Vashtie: Parties I've been doing for like 4 or 5 years now. I prefer the term "Party Producer.” The term "Party Promoter" has a different connotation; it's someone who usually works at a lot of events and clubs.
For me, it just started out of fun, and I only do parties for fun with friends. New York City is all about hustle and juggling many acts, to pay the bills and also to contribute. I like being able to give back to a scene that inspires me.
SeanTheRobot: Can you tell us a couple of your favorite spots in New York, like, some places where you can find great art, music, food and stuff like that?
Vashtie:
- Great ART, can be found on the streets. From graffiti to murals, it’s like an urban art gallery.
- Great MUSIC, can be found on Friday nights at Santos with music by Q-TIP
(a favorite spot of Lupe's).
- Great FOOD, can be found at FRANKS on 2nd Ave and 5th Street or SCHILLERS on Rivington and Suffolk.
SeanTheRobot: Being a party producer and a director, you met a lot of famous people. Have you ever been star struck or totally in awe when you met someone?
Vashtie: Working around famous people can make you lose interest in meeting them. Talk to them on a bad day and you can find yourself turned off by your life long idol. It sucks...it’s nothing against them. They're human. If you've loved someone for a long time, you can forget that they're also regular people with emotions and issues like everyone else and expect them to be perfect and polished when you meet them.
It’s very rare, but I will say that I have been star struck a few times. One time when I met SLICK RICK, he made me as nervous as a little girl. I never ask for fan photos, but I had to with him. Then there was one time at SANTOS the RZA and RAEKWON came, and I swear when I saw them I screamed out loud.
A few years ago, I was at a party at Puff's house in Miami. The people I went with were off socializing, and I was left by myself. I felt awkward and out of place. The people around me just seemed so transparent. I must have looked obviously uncomfortable, because MARY J BLIGE came up to me and like my fairy godmother said to me "Girl, don't worry about none of these people. All you have to do is know that you're alright and that you're a good person." She was a beam of light.
SeanTheRobot: While I was reading your blog, I noticed that you said that you know Kid Cudi for a really long time now. How did you guys get to know each other and how is it for you to see how he's fullfilling his dreams?
Vashtie: Plain Pat introduced us years ago downtown. He started coming to my 1992 parties, and our friendship started there. This was when he was working at the Bape store. To know Cudi is to love him. He's hilarious and charming, just a sweet boy.
To see someone "make it" that you believed in "back when" is so momentous. I know a lot of famous people, but Cudi is the first person I've witnessed go from obscurity to fame. It’s really crazy to see where he was before and where he is now, but on the same hand I'm NOT surprised. I'm so proud of him. He deserves this. His music is probably the most exciting movement happening right now.
SeanTheRobot: What's your favorite track off his album?
Vashtie: I really love the entire album. It’s so contagiously melancholy, and I love that feeling. I think "Soundtrack 2 My Life" is dope. I also like "Mr. Solo Dolo", "Simple As" and "Sky Might Fall".
SeanTheRobot: Talking about music, what are some of your favorite artists and which songs are in heavy rotation on your iPod right now?
Vashtie: Definitely LUPE and KID CUDI. I'm also into LISSY TRULLIE'S track "Ready for the Floor". It’s on repeat right now. She's another downtown New Yorker doing her music thing. I haven't been into new music lately, but I love THE VIRGINS, DEPECHE MODE, THE SMITHS, BIGGIE, THE CLIPSE, RAKIM, DELFONICS, CELIA CRUZ, MAXWELL...
SeanTheRobot: Let's switch over to Va$htie the designer. You have your own fashion label called Violette and you pretty much built it all by yourself. How long did it take you to launch your own brand and have there ever been any obstacles that made it harder for you ?
Vashtie: I've been making clothes since I was 12, hand sewing and screen printing my own tees. I made early attempts at an official clothing line with friends, but that never materialized. Finally in 2007-2008, I decided it was "now or never". I didn't want to waste time not fulfilling my dreams while I was capable of making them come true.
My biggest obstacle has been myself. I'm a perfectionist and rather than try my best make a mistake, I don't try unless I know it will succeed. That basically holds back a lot of my ideas, like VIOLETTE. Before i could launch it, I was waiting to do it with friends, I was waiting on the perfect name, I was waiting for the perfect time. Finally, I just did it and it's not perfect --- but, I'm learning a lot and making mistakes so one day it will be flawless.
SeanTheRobot: The LookBook for your Summer 2009 collection is called "Fangs of New York". Why did you choose the vampire theme?
Vashtie: I've been into vampires and zombies since I was a kid. Vampires have so many odd themes attached; humor, romanticism, evil. It just fascinates me. I wanted to do vampires for the previous season, pre-vampire explosion, and I almost didn't do it all because the saturation of vampires. I really just wanted to see black models as vampires. It's a rare perspective.
SeanTheRobot: What can we expect from Violette in the future? Do you already plan the next line?
Vashtie: I'm working on cut and sew, making new and cool things. Definitely accessories also. I like things that serve purpose and don't just look good.
Fashion is so different from directing because everything is on a schedule. It demands you to be at least 2 seasons ahead of the current season, while still projecting which trends will be cool in that time frame. Right now I have ideas ready for the next 2 seasons...you have to keep up.
SeanTheRobot: Ok, we're almost done, just 2 more questions, I already mentioned it before, besides all of the things you do, you also run your own blog which seems to be almost like a diary. When did you start bloggin' and how important is it to you to share your experiences with others?
Vashtie: I started blogging in 2006 when my friend SKY GELLATLY asked me to join RIOTTT.COM and blog among some notable bloggers. I was automatically not interested, as I wasn't much of an exhibitionist. But, I came around to the idea and shortly became addicted.
As I started to write, I began to get messages from people all over the world telling me that I gave them inspiration to follow their dreams. I was totally shocked that my little life in NEW YORK could affect a kid growing up in another country.
I know what it’s like to feel defeated and alone. I grew up poor. There was domestic abuse in my house. I felt alone my whole childhood. I was a misfit.
I never saw myself as a hero to anyone else, but reading those messages compelled me to be more personal in my postings. I wanted those kids to see that YOU CAN MAKE YOUR DREAMS COME TRUE, literally.
SeanTheRobot: Last question, what are some of your favorite blogs?
Vashtie: I actually don't read a lot of blogs, but I do like: LupEND, NahRight, HediSlimane.com , style.com, buzzfeed.com & glob.anewyorkthing.com
SeanTheRobot: Well, thanks for taking the time to do this interview, I really appreciate it and I wish you good luck and much success with all of your future projects. If there's anything else that you want to tell us or our readers...just go ahead...
Vashtie:
1. Thanks for the love and support. I appreciate it, especially coming from LUPE fans. it means that you guys truly recognize ART, and I hope that means the same for me ;)
2. Since this is a LUPE blog: for those of you who may not have the opportunity to know LUPE like I do and would like to know about him (from my perspective), I can say that...he is kind, laid back, cool, intelligent and extremely funny. He's famous, but he's real...which is rare. I know he appreciates all of you.
3. Follow your hearts and do what it is that you love, not what it is that you think will give you fame and money. Do what you love and the money will follow.
LINK: VASHTIE ONLINE
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