Live in the Castro: A Tattoo Podcast

Joel Mejia is a queer tattoo artist from Manteca, CA with stunning realism and black and grey tattoos. Joel talks about his experiences in tattooing and shares secrets from his education in marketing and how he applies it to his tattoo career. Tune in for some hot tips.

In this episode, we interview Toby Linwood and Nisha Supahan, husband and wife and owners of Tattoo 34, the only Indigenous and Black owned tattoo shop in Portland, OR. Toby is a tattoo artist and manages the shop's design, feel and vibe. Nisha is his partner in life and in business and is the administrator and manager of Toby's schedule and she runs all the back end of the tattoo shop for all the artists. Toby started his passion for art as a graffiti artist as a teen, between that art form and tattooing he has taught art to kids, done graphic and interior design, painted, drew, sculpted, carved, and etched, along with so many other art-related endeavors. He has now been tattooing for over 10 years starting in the Bay Area and then in Oregon. Nisha and Toby have owned their own tattoo shop for over 6 years, they have built and continue to improve on what they want their tattoo shop to be. Tattoo 34 is rooted in community and believes in giving back, the owners incorporate their values as Indigenous people into their business

Born in Miami and raised by Brooklyn, Ruby Croak attended SVA (School of Visual Arts) and MICA (Maryland Institute College of Art and Design) long enough to realize that she would never appreciate adult supervision. This rebellious nature led her to slinging drinks at some of NYC's prominent downtown nightclubs, and now into slinging inks as a tattooist. She specializes in watercolor and portraiture, and her art inspiration is primarily based on Native American culture. Her passion for the arts and community inspired her to open her own tattoo studio/art gallery in the West Adams district of LA in 2017. "High Art Tattoo Gallery" is currently providing beautiful tattoos and art events with the purpose of engaging and uplifting the community. Tonight we will hear some stories and learn about the future of High Art Tattoo Gallery which might have wheels!

Kristina Quiñones Miller was raised in Camarillo, CA. Growing up she always felt a little out of place and searched for a space with other like minded artists. Kristy started her apprenticeship at 18 years old and eventually made it to her dream city in San Francisco. She shares stories with us about making it in The City, being pregnant, and starting her family while being a tattooer.

Cedre Csillagi has been tattooing since 1999 in the Bay Area of San Francisco. In 2005 they co-opened Diving Swallow Tattoo, a shop that is well respected and loved to this day. Cedre shares with us about queerness, their history and tattoo experiences. We can't wait to share these stories! Check out Cedre on all their social platforms: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cedretattoos/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cedretattoos/ Website: https://cedreink.com/

Millie Koh is a brilliant black and grey technical tattoo artist who owns UNDRGRND Tattoo in San Francisco. She started her apprenticeship in Singapore when she was 23 years old where she learned to come out of her shell. Millie tells us about her experiences of coming out as gay in Singapore, escaping from the rough marriage that led her to California, and her techniques on learning and growing as a tattooer.

Chris Martin was born and raised in Greensboro, NC and now works at Tres Leches studio in Oakland, CA. Chris started in the fine art scene which led him to the San Francisco Bay Area, then later allowing him an apprenticeship in tattooing. Chris has an amazing in-depth style in tattooing he calls African American Traditional. Chris builds the story, connects the ideology, symbolism, and superstitions of American traditional tattoo art and the African diaspora, giving American traditional new narratives and culture.

Brittny Abad aka @Blaabad is a tattooer who lives in Portland, OR. She has an erotic and body positive art style, which has unexpectedly led to educating and representing a lot of queers with her beautiful and powerful art work. Originally from San Jose, CA Brit found her style through her Dads anatomy books and through studying in the medical field before tattooing. Brit shares experience like getting into Onlyfans during the pandemic opening a whole new door to self expression, art and queer representation.

On this Episode of Live in the Castro we are interviewing Ace Vincenzo. Ace is a bold American traditional Tattooer from Chicago, IL. He’s been tattooing professionally since 2013 after he finished his apprenticeship at Walker’s Point Tattoo in Milwaukee, WI. Ace later worked under his mentor Sam Bielinski at Atomic Tattoo until he moved to the Bay Area in 2017 to tattoo alongside Joey Cassina at Ocean Avenue Tattoo. Ace is a Trans man who has stories about tattooing earlier in his career as a femme presenting lesbian woman. From local street shops to private studios, Ace tells all about his experiences and how moving to the Bay changed his life forever. Ace shares stories with us about finding the right shop to thrive in and self motivated mantras on inner peace and staying kind; when you can, of course. 

In this episode Haley Adams and Jess Koala interview Leslie Mah to get all of her stories on growing up, playing in Tribe8 and battling cancer as a tattooer. Leslie has been tattooing since 1996 in the bay area and was a part of the Queer Core music scene in the 90s with her band Tribe8. Tribe8 played with bands like Bikini Kill & Siouxsie and the Banshees.