Jman’s Cantina

For the return of Jman's Cantina, I speak with Nick Alicea, or Inspired By Andre on instagram, about faith and photography. Nick share's his views on the world, the inner-workings of his art, and the reasons he started toy photography. So sit back, make some tea, and mellow out as we take a look behind the lens of Inspired By Andre.

On todays episode, I interview Alexander (Troopers Of Star Wars on instagram, and mr papa Alex on Twitch). Alex is a skilled artist who mixes both legends and canon clone designs in a beautifully simplistic fashion. However, Alex has become just as much an influencer as he is a artist at 16,000 followers! Alex has rallied his community behind the unlikable giants of Star Wars, like Unnamed 212th Clone Trooper, Nute Gunray, and many others, creating memes that have made waves across instagram. Alex and I discuss how he developed his art style, share some crazy stories from our time on Instagram, and nerd out over Star Wars. So find a nice quiet spot, warm up with your favorite blanket, and relax as we go Behind The Pen of Troopers Of Star Wars. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

For today's episode I interview Matt Tompkins, the lead vocalist of the metalcore band Cries Hannah. Cries Hannah started in 2003, taking inspiration from bands like Underoath, As I Lay Dying, and A Day To remember. Matt speaks about his love of music, his experiences seeing bands like Underoath in their prime, and the history of Cries Hannah. Matt also speaks about the inner workings of the Cries Hannah's new EP, Daydreamer. So light some candles, wrap yourself up in a burrito blanket, and relax as we take a look Behind The Mic of Matt Tompkins.

After a brief hiatus, Jman‘s Cantina returns with an interview with Arnold Middleton, also known as The imperial Grunt. Arnold has been a hero of mine since I joined the Toy Photography community on Instagram back in 2018. Arnold shoots in a style that feels deeply authentic. Each shot captures a truth about war that only someone whose been in it could capture. Arnold and I discuss everything from his time as a veteran, to his life now as an Art teacher, and how his Toy photography fits in between everything! So find a tree, bop in some earbuds, and relax as we take a look behind the lens of The Imperial Grunt Photography! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

For today’s long awaited episode, I interview my friend Padric, who you might know as Lobster 20000 on Instagram. Padric is a photographer, movie reviewer, and his photos will knock your socks off! He shoots Western aesthetic shots with his custom gang of cowboys, the BPRD finding monsters with Hellboy leading the charge, while scratching everyones itch for Star Wars shots. Padric and I discuss the secrets to his art, while dissecting our similar tastes in both film and Star Wars. So kick your pet out of your favorite spot and relax, as we take a look Behind The Lens of Lobster 20000! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

On today’s episode of Jman’s Cantina I interview my good friends from Morning Eggnog, James and Caleb Font. James and Caleb have been doing their podcast consistently for over 4 years, having fun with obscure topics, and always finding ways to include flatulence as a recurring theme. The three of us discuss our mutual hate of podcast intros longer than 2 seconds, while sharing stories about our friendship, and tips for podcasting. So bop in some earbuds, turn off the lights, and relax as we go Behind The Mic of James and Caleb Font. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

For episode 9 of Jman’s Cantina I interview my good friend Alex Blaisdell (alexaphyr on Instagram), a Minnesota based artist with enough talent to overflow a cantina! Alex and I discuss art, anime, the art of copying, as well how COVID-19 has impacted the art world. Alex’s work is beautifully crafted and full of life, with images that capture pure creativity. Each image has a deep spiritual resonance to it that speaks to the soul. You can check out Alex’s work at Blaisdell Designs on Facebook or at BlaisdellDesigns.com. In the mean time, sit back and relax as we go Behind The Canvas of Alex Blaisdell. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

On this weeks episode, I interview Carlo Velazquez (TXCarlo on Instagram), an amazing toy photographer, a member of the SWTVC team, and the winner for the 2018 Star Wars Fan Awards! Carlo stands out as a photographer because he shoots exclusively in 1/18 scale, and captures everything there is to love about the original Star Wars figure scale. Carlo and I talk about everything from effects, posing, customizing, our thoughts on Hasbro, and also our similar tastes in music. So kick your pet out of your favorite seat, bop in some earbuds, and relax as we go Behind The Lens of TxCarlo. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

On today’s episode of Jman’s Cantina, I interview my good friend Travis Green, or Picklemunkey on Instagram. Travis has been a toy photographer since 2007 (14 years!!), and has been customizing figures for even longer. Travis’s photos always focus on both realism, and capturing the spirit of the era he’s shooting in. What makes Travis’s photos even more spectacular is seeing his customs in action. Each figure Travis has made has such a fantastic attention to both accuracy, and detail. Reclaim your comfy spot from your pet and join Travis and I as we discuss customizing in every scale, and our love of film. Grab a fuzz blanket, get comfortable, and relax as we look behind the lens of Travis Green. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

For this episode of Jman’s Cantina I interview my first musician guest Ian Moran. Ian is a talented musician who was the original drummer for the band Empty. Ian and I discuss our similar tastes in music, as well as our views on the music industry. Ian and I also discuss how COVID has made it more difficult than ever for bands to succeed. So sit back, bop in your favorite headphones, curl up in a warm blanket, and relax as we journey Behind The Beat of Ian Moran. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

In this episode, I conduct a panel discussion with Max Sabin, Greg Heffernan, and Sam Shumaker on the current state of the toy industry. We discuss everything from the golden days of hasbro, to the failings of Hasbro in recent years, as well as the succession of Jazzwares. We also discuss Toy Photography itself, sharing our secrets and tips to succeeding in the hobby. So bop in your earbuds or headphones, get comfy with your favorite pillow, and relax for the first ever discussion of Jman’s Cantina! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

To kick off 2021, I interview my good friend Sam Shumaker (Rustbelt Collector). Sam has risen through the ranks of toy photography by incorporating elements of his favorite films and games into his work. Every shot he posts feels as if it were ripped straight out of the source material. Sam also discusses reviewing both action figures, and bootlegs on his youtube channel, and his skill as a customizer. So come in from the cold winter of 2021, settle into a cozy spot, and see whose behind the lens, of Rustbelt Collector. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

For today’s episode I interview Greg Heffernan, or Galactic Battlefront on Instagram. Greg has been a Toy photographer since he started on Flickr in 2009, doing Lego photography. In those 11 years, Greg has crafted a style iconic to him, known for his dark shadows, vibrant colors, and cinematic poses. We also discuss how the Toy photography community has changed over the years across Flickr and Instagram. Grab a drink, commandeer your favorite spot in your home, and relax as we journey behind the lens of Galactic Battlefront! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

For today’s episode, I interview MJ, who you may also know as Chef_Toyardee from Instagram! MJ photographs figures from every dimension, including (but not limited to); Star Wars, Marvel, DC, Hellboy, Mezco, Classic Horror Films, and so much more! Each shot is carefully crafted with aesthetics that will make you remember why you love what he’s shooting. Each shot is layered with deeper themes and emotions. Apart from toy photography, MJ also has a educational food photography and stop motion page, called BC_and_Spuds, where he takes an artistic spin on his skills as a chef, taking food to a new level! The interview covers not only the hobbies of MJ, but his passions too, including the therapeutic nature of toy photography. Settle in to a cozy spot, and see whose behind the lens, of Chef Toyardee. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

For my first episode, I am interviewing one of my good friends Max Sabin, otherwise known as FOVModels on Instagram. Max is one of the best photographers out there, using figures and vehicle’s from multiple scales, eras, and universes. His star wars shots are some of the best out there, and his tank shots will blow a hole in your mind like a Panzer to a Sherman. Max also discusses his aviation focussed podcast, Planes On The Prairie! The interview goes deep into Max’s life, passions, and losses, giving you a better idea of who is behind the lens of FOV Models. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app