The Petty Pod

We're warping back into the Austin City Limits for this pod with Chris Dock, founder of Raw Paw, an Austin art collective that has been doing its thing for 5+ years. And I say "thing" intentionally because Raw Paw has been great at pushing things forward — welcoming comedy, music, visuals, and much more under their event/maker umbrella. But Raw Paw's throughline isn't exclusivity, it's actually pretty open and fun. Chris was a co-founder of Raw Paw, and is working hard at their custom merch and screenprinting studio while also writing sci-fi. He's actually a nice dude, too, which makes total sense why the Raw Paw brand is so inviting. I met Chris at a clothing bazaar and invited him to come chat about how a "collective" happens, fiction writing, Smash Mouth, and his wildest conspiracy theories. Come, sit, and let's go to the outer limits.

Beyond thrilled to welcome one of the most iconic music photographers in the world, Kevin Cummins. Kevin put the Manchester music scene on the map, capturing bands like the Buzzcocks, Joy Division, New Order, and The Smiths. As the head photographer at NME for over 25 years, Kevin created an era for Manchester, blending his signature black and white shots with niche locations throughout the city. Over the last decade, his work has been featured in the National Portrait Gallery in London, the V&A Museum, and he's released several incredible books, including “Manchester: Looking for the Light through the Pouring Rain”. Kevin also recently collaborated with Noah NYC on a t-shirt line! We talked about his commute all over the UK to hit a deadline, seeing Madonna perform in front of 15 people, and why he and Ian Astbury got arrested in Texas. Huge thanks to Steve at Modern Rocks Gallery in Austin TX, who is curating an opening for Kevin Cummins on 9/28 called “But I remember When We Were Young”. The exhibit runs 9/28-11/2. Check out the video highlights here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pnQM50nCuY

POD. ON. FIRE. And we are hot this week with none other than Tim League, founder of Alamo Drafthouse - the coolest movie theater and all-around film culture hub. I got to chat with Tim about his first job at SHELL OIL and his segue into a small theater/live music venue in Bakersfield, California. Warning: Tim has stories about Korn, and Fugazi. But enuff of that Adidas dreadlock stuff, it was thrilling to hear Tim's insights on the dynamic with his wife/co-founder, Karrie, and how he still listens to his audience to make every bit of the Alamo experience awesome. Tim, don't quit your day job. We'd all be f-ed. Check out the video highlights here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STeoxEl0lr4

Getting an Austin comedian on the pod is hard, but rewarding! I finally had a chance to sit down with Pat Dean, "The Mayor of Austin Comedy". Pat has performed on VICE, The Moontower Comedy festival, and has all-around helped give the comedy scene in ATX some serious momentum. You might also catch Pat performing with a banjo. We talked about his childhood band, how he works his way into creating a routine, and his nightcrawler CYOA podcast, The Lanalax Corporation. Check out the video highlights here: https://youtu.be/6IaLCWsjhOw

The brew boss is in the building. I am so thrilled to have Amy Cartwright on the Petty Pod. Amy co-founded Independence Brewery, an Austin-based brewery that has been lighting up the pubs for over 15 years. She started out in the mid-90s Austin tech world, until all the 1s and 0s got old. So, she turned to the brewpub scene to make something real. We gossiped about pub culture, Austin, the R&D that goes into beer-making, and why the luscious artwork of the craft beer world has a lot in common with shopping at record stores. Check out the video highlights here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtKn1tdIuU0&t

Live from NYC: it me, complete fanboy for this episode. I'm extremely honored to welcome Jeremy Kirkland and Lawrence Schlossman to the Petty Pod. Jeremy and Lawrence have been unique voices in the menswear fashion world starting back in 2009 with their own niche blogs and tumblr mood boards. Jeremy used to side-hustle articles about Rolex and Seiko watches for Esquire, and today he hosts Blamo!, a podcast interviewing fashion designers like Todd Snyder, Paul Feig, and Billy Reid. After Lawrence published his crispy gentleman bible, Fuck Yeah Menswear, he started Four Pins, the seminal fashion and culture editorial for Complex Magazine which cultivated a huge community of "jawnz enthusiasts" that still thrive on a subreddit near you. Now Lawrence co-hosts Failing Upwards, where he turns the sartorial into satirical with folks like Jonah Hill, Brandon Wardell, and Ryan Serhant. We talked about mall punk, writing, trends, Run Of The Mill (Jer and Ler's joint clothing venture), and why eBay and Supreme are still the greatest things ever. Fasten your studded leather belts and Rancid t-shirts, and let's go! Check out the video highlights here: https://youtu.be/iysIdC6gVLg

I scream, you scream, we all scream for a mind-melting summertime podcast. This week, it's Lick Ice Cream co-founders (and partners in life) Chad Palmatier and Anthony Sobotik. We wrapped about how they went from being NYC city slickers to building their creative farm-to-table ice cream chain that serves thousands. This was a great lesson in running a business with your partner, creating a smooth experience, working with local artisans, and summing it all up into hand-picked ideas, like: cream cheese and kolache, lemon poppyseed, goat cheese and honey. Check out the video highlights here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=deug5yhzUZM

Yeah, so Austin struggles taking fashion seriously, but Austin's realest tailor/haberdasher, Ross Bennett, takes cut sew seriously (sorry). Ross Bennett has been making clothes for over a decade, and outfits your average celebs, and fabulous peeps with zero fear and 100% quirk and niche. He earned a slot on NBC's reality show "Fashion Star" back in 2012, and since, he's been immersed in custom suiting, shirting, and shoes that you will wear, and will never lose. We talked about fashion school, growing up a kid model, and oh snap moments while watching Breakfast at Tiffany's and a rainy Oscars. Check out the video highlights here: https://youtu.be/Gja3pkafOVk

Wow, the pod is getting culinary lately, and who better to talk shop than Max and Seth from Pitchfork Pretty, a new, unique restaurant in east Austin. Not only do their tangy oysters and zippy halibut hit the spot, Max and Seth come correct with the farm to table process. I chatted with these talented guys about learning and growing through experience at places like Roxanne's (SF) and Eleven Madison Park (NYC), collaborating, defying "genres", and keeping a business humming. Check out Max and Seth's video highlights here: https://youtu.be/-aW4rR9HoYE

When you put your studio mate on the pod, you don't go easy on 'em. But, Sarah Frankie Linder deserves a serious audience right now. She's an Austin-based photographer with symmetry and color that I personally admire (check the proof on instagram - her handle: @ sarahfrankielinder). Sarah was a designer at first for the corporate sports network world, then when NFL didn't work for SFL, she started shooting shows in Chicago, which led to Austin, and her honing her amazing eye for photos! AND she shares the studio w/ THIS PODCAST, so it was time to pay some dues and let SFL share her story about learning on the job, clients, pivoting to photography, and how to keep your hustle strong. Check out the video highlights here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BhZJkYKfig

Folks, we're going deeeep into the Austin music scene with fantastic musician Alexis Ramirez. First off, Alexis kind of helped define that "nervous-fugazi" style that Austin's famed Emo's club curated and pioneered with Trail of Dead, etc. We chatted about the Austin music scene back in the late 90s, a stint in the culinary world, his short-lived dancepunk band The Arm, and now his self-titled project that's extremely on-point for any shoegaze/dark wave heads out there. Alexis is truly one of those people that make Austin great, and his talent backs it up so please check out his music at alexisramirez.bandcamp.com. AND check out the video highlights of the pod here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4A7WzT0AEM&t=6s

Another doozie of an epi! This week I was graced with the presence of Deanna Marsigliese, a designer/animator for Pixar (heard of them?). She's worked on everything from The Incredibles 2, to Inside Out. Deanna is the epitome of artistic, spunky, and super driven as she's been hustling since day one at the character design game, ALL while looking and dressing pretty cool thanks to her eye for vintage. We talked about her route to Pixar, her creative process, music she likes to listen to while tossing out the 33rd draft, plus more. Be sure to check out the video highlights with Deanna here: https://youtu.be/OvhdrrjzJ0g

OK, so I'm just flat out nervous with all these amazing guests lately. And for good reason — hence, Laura Escudé, a serious accomplished talent and musical entrepreneur from Los Angeles who came on the pod! Basically, Laura started out playing real-deal classical violin, discovered electronic music in the late 90s, and went all in. She's been on the forefront of music technology, starting with a gig at Ableton (THE program pretty much all EDM folks use) where she mentored folks on the 1s and 2s, then went on to do custom live programming for Kanye West, Miguel, Charli xcx, and more of your favorites. We talked all about her turning points, from the first time she heard drum n' bass (shoutout Goldie), to working for m-audio, getting laid off, then bouncing back to build her own business educating, inspiring, and creating electronic music with amazing people. Oh, and Laura still plays the violin! Check her tunes on spotify and everywhere. Also, watch highlights from the podcast session here: https://youtu.be/H5mSXspf3VM

Lights, camera, action! I had the first run of screenwriter guests on the Petty Pod, and it happens to be two Texas-born, hard-working homies Andrew Logan and Taylor Allen. Friends since almost grade school, Andrew and Taylor wrote the screenplay for Chappaquiddick, which raided many netflix queues and Martha's Vineyard lovers with its controversial Kennedy-laced lore. We talked about Andrew nearly opening for Weird Al Yankovic, the pains of writing your first draft, working as a team, and the billionth Simpsons episode Taylor edited. Sperry's didn't want to sponsor this episode, so our friends Chameleon Cold Brew stepped in to give us a jolt. Thanks for listening, and watch the highlights on YOUTUBE here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_hSFVk_CWw&t=40s

Here's what you'd call a close-friend type episode. I sat down with Luther Himes to pay dues (after all he helped with a LOT of Petty Pod video and design stuff), but also because he's genuinely an interesting person with a multitude of talents - try: music blogger, party thrower, illustrator, videographer, and musician, currently known as Wild Vector. People like Luther, you wonder why they haven't picked a path and stuck with one thing. We talked about how Guitar Center is somehow still thriving, working for multiple clients at once, DADLIFE, and when American Apparel was the THING.

Hate to sound cliché, but DJ Mel is a name everybody knows in Austin. He's held down 20-year residencies in ATX, while also hosting the longest-standing 80s party, Rock The Casbah. Mel started off doing underground bridge parties spinning disco and hip-hop, to being requested by President Obama himself for gigs. Plus, his work ethic and smooth operation of the dancefloor has won him countless awards. We talked about the mid 90s, Beauty Bar Austin days, how to keep from going insane with work, and more. Swap your JNCOs for skinny jeans, then back to JNCOs.

Mac Blake is a comedian who keeps Austin laughing on a regular basis. He's been doing it for almost a decade, making his shows just as much about stage presence as they are about punchlines. He was voted funniest person in Austin in 2013, and has a couple albums, including his latest, Live At Coldtowne. We talked about joke writing, AD writing, his perspectives on creativity, and more. Hear why Mac is still MVP!

Dana Falconberry is a self-made musician and designer that has a story as interesting as her endeavors. If you lived in Austin the past few years, you probably caught one of her (packed) shows graced by her melodic, outlandish style that was way ahead of its time. Dana and her band have also toured Japan, Europe, and even an independent roundabout through the National Parks. Today, she's focused on design at Fort Lonesome, which makes pretty awesome chainstitching work. We talked about her early ballet days, making music, and Paula Abdul. Ground yourself.

David Clark is the founder of Kartwheel, a design studio in Austin, TX that conceptualizes spaces and interiors for brands like Filson, Knob Creek, Jack Daniels, and more. Before Austin, David was designing for print at XLR8R magazine in San Francisco. Then he packed it up for Austin to hit reset and do construction, learning the art of fabrication all on his own. Now he's busy, and doesn't even have time for lunch. We talked about his stint at SCAD, finding your thing after pivoting, and ordering the nearest pizza possible. We nailed this one!

Michael Donnelly is your meat guy. He's the head butcher at Rosso & Flynn, a delivery startup that sends you prime cuts from local farmers and ranchers around Texas. Michael came to Austin to work at Dai Due, an east Austin favorite, but before that he learned his craft at Fleischer's Craft Butchery in Kingston, New York, nerding out on everything from sourcing to farmer relationships. His heart was set on the film world at first, but now he's found his lane in a town that takes beef very seriously. This chat was both rare and well done!

Cameron Day is a Creative Director/Copywriter, and kinda the "post-Don Draper", having hustled through the late 80s/early 90s as an ad guy. He's also Guy Day's son, who founded Chiat/Day (if you know anything about advertising). Cameron still writes and creative directs as a freelancer, but he's got countless stories from the adworld grind as you can guess. He schooled us on how to NOT work 'till midnight, navigating business, and what to do if the power goes out during a client pitch with Range Rover. Scrrt!

Julie Kenner writes novels about demon-hunting soccer moms. Along with her other successful romance/fantasy series, Julie has held the title as an international WSJ, NYT, and USA Today bestseller. Hollywood even optioned her "paranormal mommy lit" series, Carpe Demon, for a movie, so yeah, she's pretty damn successful as a writer. Fun fact: She was a lawyer who studied at UT! Get the full backstory on this amazing author, her writing, her habits, and even the rad, sci-fi B-movie she had a cameo in.

Ben Edgerton is the visionary behind the neighborhood hot spot, Contigo Austin (@contigoaustin). A true Texan at heart, Ben grew up in San Antonio, spending time on his family's original Contigo ranch. After a stint doing advertising in New York and promoting music shows, he came back to ATX to dive into food service, and wound up turning a lonely gravel lot into an ad-hoc beer garden, which evolved into Contigo. You could say Ben stays focused on making the vibe of an experience work. Recently, he wrapped up his Chicon concept to make room for Last Straw, a vibrant tropical-late-eighties hangout spot on the eastside. We talked about switching gears with careers, ranchin', designing experiences, working with longtime friends, and then some. Get 'cha some!

Chris Rose is a comedy writer who's living in NYC. He's a producer/director for The Daily Show w/ Trevor Noah, but before that he hosted his own variety show, Late Night Basement, which was noted as best comedy show in New York Magazine. Chris is a proud Texan though. On his IG you'll find plenty of migas and cacti. To add to the list, Chris found himself DJing mash-up music as DJ Car Stereo Wars at the Beauty Bar in Austin. That was '07. Now it's 2018 and we had to catch up on being tenacious about your goals, bootleggin' Topo Chico, and how to DIY it or DIE tryin'.

Chris Tellez is a comedian - no surprise we went full-on #crime podcast this episode. But listen, take nothing seriously, except, seriously, Chris is a naturally funny guy who's instrumental in making Austin a serious place for comedians. He's performed at the epic Moontower Festival, Oddball Comedy Festival, SXSW, and and he hosts the monthly Shit's Golden comedy showcase as well. Hear how he gets the juice for writing jokes (in real time), life-changing events at Taco Bell, bouncing from Dallas, and building the comedy scene in the ATX.

Stephanie Beard is the brain behind Esby Apparel, her Austin-based clothing company that sports a full staff and a sweet location on s. 1st street. Clothing wasn't a side hobby for her, she lived in New York for a while, designing for Tommy Hilfiger, Converse, an Levi's. But rather than outfitting the devils of NYC fashion (in Prada, obvs), she relocated and built her own brand. We reminisced on North Carolina, the #menswear movement of the late aughts and how she channeled it into women's clothing, and yeah, had a pretty chill, laid-back session. Hear why Stephanie is always to-do listing for her next to-do list.

Steven Walker was in the band Modern English for over a decade. Born and raised in London, he lived and breathed the invasion as you know it, from new wavers to punks. Today he owns a veritable shangri-la of rock photography known as Modern Rocks Gallery, featuring the work of iconic photographers that rode shotgun with Bowie and swam underwater with Nirvana. We talked about the "full package" brand of UK musicians, switching from sold-out arena tours to gallery life, and how your role in music never has to end. I think someone in The Cure's mom pops up here, too. You better watch your step.

Miranda Bennett designs, manufactures, and markets her signature clothing in Austin, TX. Behind the scenes of her studio, it's a full-scale operation: environmentally/globally-conscious, sustainable, and naturally sourced, like her "dye stuff" from plants (even avocado pits). Even after getting started in New York, Miranda never lost the vision she has in her garments. Hear why her roots led her towards an impactful story that's just as strong as her lookbook. Toast!

You know Sophie Roach's work. Her visual art is surreal, happy, mind-bending, and delightfully busy (like her schedule). She's from Austin, got bored in Seattle, and has helped tons of brands add spunk to their image, including Converse, Vans, Lollapalooza - even the inner walls of Facebook. We went in on dog-walking, jet-setting to BKNY, and those rare, cool clients that let you experiment (and pay you for it). And I learned about a guy that creates mazes. Stick with us, don't get lost.

Maker/Designer Jessica Tata co-owns Son Of A Sailor, an Austin-based accessories company that builds a timeless world with smart colors and rugged/classy textures (OK, I'm proud of this description -me). Jessica and her husband, William, have kept their brand funky and unique-as-hell while not losing the vision that got 'em here in the first place. Jessica's kind of a badass, with her background in the SF art gallery scene, photography, and a knack for harnessing her business partner/husband's random ideas. We covered it all, and somehow the Pythagorean Theorem came up? Glad we hit everything from the right angle.

Author Rachel Van Dyken's series, "The Elite" has been described as "Gossip girl meets Godfather". Sound interesting? Rachel may be a Romance Novel writer, but she's also a boundary pusher in the genre, launching young adult romance, "mafia romance", and more niche blends of storytelling. Tosca Musk (yes, Elon Musk's sister) is even working with Rachel on a live action version of "The Matchmakers" for Passionflix, the Netflix of romance. We got to her about how she gets into the writing groove, fearlessly toggling projects to stay energized, and her transition from student councelor to #1 NYT, WSJ, and USA Today bestseller.

Will Bryant is an artist that sparks 100% fun for clients like Nike, Facebook, Levi's, and more. His illustrations have scaled buildings, walls, shorts, and sandals alike, evoking an undeniable vibe fusing quirky embellishments, vibrant colors and phrasing. Lately he's even designing clothing for brands like The Quiet Life and Poler. We covered the good times DJing in full costume at Mississippi State, and how he delivers consistently and creatively, thanks to family, Friends (the 90s TV show), and the new found glory of trail running.

Ami Plasse is one of the most sociable illustrators to bless the streets of New York and Austin, TX. From live music to around-the-town scenes, his sketches capture interesting personalities in a style that everyone spots as Ami's. He's even published a book, Ami Underground — a kaleidoscope of sketches from New York's subway system. Did we mention he's also a seasoned creative director? We talked about why it's okay to be an extroverted artist, his grind at Parsons, riding bikes, and where his company, Gonzo Viz, is headed!

Amanda Rockman is a pastry chef who's competed on Top Chef: Just Desserts, and has triumphed by Beating Bobby Flay with her Tiramisu. Today, she's Executive Pastry Chef over New Waterloo's network of Austin, TX restaurants, including Cafe no sé, Sway, and General Standard. Her career and training has taken her through the cut-throat culinary meccas of Chi-town, San Fran, and NYC, but her solid work ethic and “I-got-this” personality paves the way for a creative character that's built to last. Hear our discussion on mentorship, the hustle, and why doing your passion isn't always sweets and smiles.

When it comes to personal brands, ShowYouSuck (aka Clinton Sandifer) is a true beacon both online and throughout the Chicago scene. He's worked with fellow rappers Sims, Mr. Muthaf@#kin eXquire, and more recently, Steve SLV from The Hood Internet with Air Credits, a dystopian musical project. He even has his own clothing company, Slushcult, inspired by a love for slurpees. We chatted about writing, mistakes, putting your world into the work, and how he's kept a sense of humor about it all for the past 7 years.

Now Arby's and The Neverending Story have something in common. One half of Chicago-based mashup pioneers The Hood Internet, Steve SLV (aka Steve Reidell) is a prolific music producer with a network that spans the globe. TBH, most musicians in the northern midwest kinda need just know him as a rite of passage (plus he's funny). Hear us discuss teamwork and wisdom, fantasy-fueled 80s in the Twin Cities, and his new project Air Credits with rapper Showyousuck. It's a geeky goodie!

Today we chat with Fat Tony, aka Anthony Obi. He has been working for over 10 years as a rapper/musician, holding down a solid, independent career thanks to his talent, honest demeanor, and self-aware habits. He's worked with everyone from A$AP Rocky to brands like Volcom, while consistently working on projects that shine a light on his hometown, Houston, TX. We talked about creative sprints between projects, building an organic community in places like Mexico City, and we can't forget about the 90s Polo.

We're back with the Texas-based artist, illustrator, and all-around maker Alyson Fox. This round, we learn how Alyson found comfort embracing uncomfortable projects and mysterious mediums, while still managing to collaborate with H&M, West Elm, and Lulu Lemon, and hold the title as a pioneer in the self-made maker movement. Hear about her transition from track runner in college to creative, her time at Anthropologie, and what put her in the Guinness Book of world record!

For our first-ever episode of the The Petty Pod, we sit down with Ben Aqua, a household name for electronic music, art, video, and so many other mediums. Ben gives us a recap of why music was perfect timing for so many things going on in his life, and expands on how he's able to toggle so many mediums at once, including his t-shirt endeavors that has resulted in some big name retailers attempting to steal his ideas. This is a exactly how we'd love to celebrate our first episode and I'm lucky to have Ben in the house for this one. Check out Ben Aqua here: http://benaqua.org/ IG: @b3naqua https://www.etsy.com/shop/b3naqua#_=_ Like the intro music? Visit http://soundcloud.com/pettypod to download it for free!