Writer Interviews
DYMS : MO |
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Can you tell us a bit about your background?
I write Dyms. My crew is Members Only (M.O.). I'm originally from the tropics of Townsville, North Queensland. Discovered graffiti in early high-school but didn't do more than "funky" throw-ups on paper and tags around my school with uni-posca's and fat markers for the first couple of years. Did my first piece mid 1995 not long after I discovered what an actual piece was.
It was strange coming up outside of a major scene. There really were fuck-all graffiti writers up there. Besides a copy of Subway Art that I found at the local library, I looked up to the CFL crew along with Pils (Jope) and Next (Kesm). I must give credit to Jope, I consider him to be a major influence on most graffiti writers from Townsville. Other local writers that I looked up to early on were Sane (DJ Cean), Srew (Mrez), Loop/Loko (Lokus & Smizler) and Linz (Can't remember what he wrote back then.)
I grew up in a Christian home. It's funny, I used to paint the rockies (coal trains) on a Saturday night, then on Sunday morning I would go to church with my parents. The train line ran directly behind my church so during Sunday School I would get to see our pieces roll past. That was always a good feeling.
How did you choose your tag, any special meaning?Not really a special meaning. I got it from TV; an ad for Dymocks bookstore.
How did you get in to graffiti?As I mentioned above I did my first piece in 95. I'm still not really sure why I started doing graffiti; but once I started I was hooked that's for sure!
What is it that you love about graffiti that keeps you writing?It's fun. I love to paint my name on shit. I also love the struggle of attempting to create a piece that I'm happy with.
Tell us about your style and how it has developed over the years.Shit, that's a tough one. Talk of style always fucks with me. I guess earlier on I tried to make everything unreadable with heaps of different colours that I had mixed up. Many crazy fills that were influenced by Caib and Cope 2. Over the years my style has gotten a lot simpler. I've been concentrating on creating letters that I'm happy with. Lately I've been trying to bring back some connections. I don't know, my style isn't where I want it to be yet - it's getting there, but no cigar.
Who have been your major influences?I'm sure I'm gonna leave someone out but here goes; Style-wise: Skeme. Caib. Opak and the SDK crew. Giant. Pubes. Busy. Renks. Puzle. MSK and AWR crews - in particular; Ewok, Rime, Revok & Saber. Exit and Seiz. Kasino. Grey. Dmote.
Friendships/ Mentors/ Mentalities and discussion of style/ Motivation; Joper. Linz, Kendo, Yesma, Clank, Sofles and everyone in MO crew. Wuzlo. Sirum. Giant. Mistery. Des & Kill Pixie.
Paint brand of choiceIronlak
Cap of choiceNY Fat Cap
What music motivates you to paint?Currently in high rotation; Fat Lip, The Chariot, Atmosphere, The Almost, Converge, He Is Legend, DangerDoom, The Amity Affliction, Lupe Fiasco, Norma Jean and, believe it or not, the new albums from Avril Lavine and Good Charlotte are both fresh!
Memorable mission momentPainting in Downtown L.A. with all the crackheads and weirdos was pretty fun. Besides that I most enjoy little adventures with my homie Clanker exploring under bridges and abandoned buildings. These are my favourite places to paint.
Any tips you're willing to share to the next generation of writers?Learn your history. Keep your ego in check. Have fun with it.
Anything else to add? Thanks for inviting me to do this interview. Shouts to my lovely girlfriend and my crew. |
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