Writer Interviews

 

DVATE : SDM ADN TMP'S

 

Can you tell us a bit about your background?

DVATE, SDM, ADN, TMP'S. Been painting full on since bout 97 but did bits n pieces for a few years before that. Started writing Dvate in 99 I think. Grew up on the mighty Frankston Line in Melburn (Best city on earth).

 

How did you choose your tag, any special meaning?

Had been busted for my previous tag so I needed a new one. Was just messing round with letters and thought of DV8 then changed it to D-V-ATE. Rest is history. Trying to think of a new one now - hate dat shit.

 

How did you get in to graffiti?

95-96 Messing round with mates (prison, alert) - lots of weed and acid and a old copy of hype. Started sketching heaps - racked cans from Safeway (they had black, white n chrome back then - nice n thick to) then hit the lines. Started DAO (Down and Out) in 96 and did a fair bit of shit - got busted painting our school and slowed down for a while. Met Flint in 98'ish and got right back into it, painting with heaps of mad dudes. Still going.

 

What is it that you love about graffiti that keeps you writing?

I love it all man, even the shit parts. It’s what keeps me going, great way to live.

 

Tell us about your style and how it has developed over the years.

Used to be a mad toy - now a fair bit better.

 

Who have been your major influences?

Melbs - Priz, Sior, Flint, Race, Drast, Ampic, Bicepa, Tribes, Chance, Duel, Puzle, Tame, New2, Giroe, Renks, Shout, Jors, Shem, Inpac, Stopm, Jiso, Dmyse, Simo, Nick, Dabs, Trims, DSCR, Method, Jumble, Iree, Sesh, Ethix, Sirm, Aeon, Askm, Mute, Bier, SDM, ADN, RDC, CI, TAB, KSA, RG, CKA, TSF, TGC, DMA, WCA, PBP, RTD, AFP, pretty much most of Melbs.

 

International - Won ABC, Tats, Swet, Dare, Can2, Kent, Bates, Seen, Wow, Askew, Jiroe, Fusa, Real, Jedi, MSK, DTS, KOC,  Tizer, Ebzke, Corze, Bonzai, TMP's, RT, NT, ATG, DDS, FX, FC, KD, SUK, MOA, VIMS, etc........ I love all graf thats dope.

 

Paint brand of choice

Export, Ironlak, Molotow - But I’ll use anything.

 

Cap of choice

NYC Fat - Black Skinny - Factory Chisel for export bombing.

 

What music motivates you to paint?

Mostly hip hop, but don’t really need music to get motivated.

 

Memorable mission moment

It’s all a bit of a wonderful blur really, most memorable would probably be seeing my first panel run and getting hammered with Seen in the Bronx.

 

Any tips you're willing to share to the next generation of writers?

NO COMMENT, NO COMMENT, NO COMMENT. Do your own thing, show respect, get your own style, travel, one tag for legal - one for other.

 

Anything else to add?

Shouts to all my mates, everyone who I’ve painted with and everyone I haven’t painted with yet. My Girl, My Mum, My Dog, Peace.
www.Dv8one.com
www.myspace.com/dvate11

 

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