When it comes to my jewelry I usually thrift the pendants, or find them online from a bunch of different sites. Finding good charms can be a pain. I want to start casting my own eventually.
What got you into drawing, and what are some of your favorite pieces to draw?
I started drawing when I was really young, and stopped for some reason at the end of highschool. I’d say in 2017-ish I started drawing again. It felt really good to go back to a format of art I had almost forgotten I could do. I think the classic skull is a favorite. Who doesn’t love skulls?
How long have you been making, selling your art and jewelry?
I started making my art again in around 2017, and jewelry started in 2018 I’d say? When I repierced my ear I started making my own jewelry, and I received a lot of compliments on it. People told me that they would buy my earrings and what not if I made them some, so I figured why not. I started selling my art I think around 2018ish predominantly, again when people started asking for it. I really appreciate people who commission me, buy prints, support my band, etc. Makes it feel like what I’m doing matters even just a little bit.
As for art, I definitely take inspiration from Winston Smith (the Dead Kennedy’s collage artist,) Ethan McCarthy (from Primitive Man and Vermin Womb,) and Alexander Heir (Deathreaitors.) Their art rips hard as fuck.
For Music, I’d say Weekend Nachos, Harm Done, Sex Prisoner, Gag, Glue, Warthog, Vermin Womb etc. are contemporary bands that are just too sick not to love. But I honestly think I get inspiration from all of my music tastes, from black sabbath to the system of a down haha.
What got you into punk and hardcore?
Growing up my parents showed me everything from Korn and slipknot to SoundGarden and Alice in Chains. Classic rock, thrash, 80’s music, nu metal, grunge, etc. I think that’s what got me into metal/metal related genres. I found Dead Kennedys on my own sometime in High School I’d say, and that really started my liking of punk shit. However as for hardcore, I remember I was at home bored one night at was watching music videos on demand, when I stumbled upon Converge’s Aimless Arrow. I was blown away by them, and then started listening to everything they put out (it’s metalcore, but whatever.) Some of my friends in High School showed me Warhound and Trapped Under Ice, and then I attended my first local show ever, which was Kingmaker. After that I did a straight nose dive into extreme music and hardcore, Weekend nachos, TUI, Cult Leader, Harms Way, Full of Hell, No zodiac, etc.
In your opinion, why is a DIY ethic so important?
DIY ethic is the very heart of being punk in my own opinion. Like with any successful band, sure there is dumb luck associated with it, but the beauty of DIY music is you dont need that bullshit in order to have the time of your life. Playing basements, and random DIY venues I’ll take over a bar any day. Its so fucking sick to see a community come together to listen to such hard-to-listen to music.
I’ve always been super DIY, not only because I'm a cheap asshole, but it just feels better doing things yourself. I design, and print all of Livid’s merch. I book all of our tours myself. I work on our van to keep it running. We’ve done so much as a band, all thanks to our bust our own asses type mentality, and to say the least it's paid off time and time again. Without the DIY ethic, I’d be missing out on most of my favorite memories.
How long have you been playing drums and in bands?
I’ve been playing drums my whole life. I’ve been playing guitar since highschool, and vocals since Livid started (about 4 years ago.) I played guitar in my first band, then drums in the second. My first band broke up after our first gig, and the second went on for a little bit, until I started Livid with my bandmate Jake Smith. I love playing drums and doing vocals, even though it kicks my ass. Now I’m also playing guitar in Die. our punk band, and I’m super stoked on that.
I draw inspiration for many of my works from the world and how shitty it is. I have been through several ups and downs with depression, stress, etc. I feel like most of my art is really dark, and I guess the world is too.
Not to be that dude but I’d say most of the art, and music I like is either really pissed off or really fucking sad. I think the art I make follows the same pattern.
What are some artists, writers, or bands you think have been overlooked and need some attention?
Oh man, far too many.
I know there’s way more but those are the ones coming to mind off the top of my head!
For artists I’d say the inspirations I took from before!
Give Jake and his Projects a listen and follow!
Twitter: https://twitter.com/lividband?lang=en
https://twitter.com/lividxjake?s=21
Instagram: https://instagram.com/livid262?igshid=154t0b3bc0579
https://instagram.com/lividjake?igshid=upf7kc8avong
https://instagram.com/die.fuck.you?igshid=1kh9p9hf9lbcj
Bandcamp: https://tomorrowwillbeworse.bandcamp.com/album/sorry
