How did you get involved with the bands? (mom jeans, JF, etc.) and how did you meet and

begin working with them/how did you get your work involved with the bands and become the

official merch-maker?

I started touring with Mom Jeans in 2017, i was filling in bass for Graduating Life and began

selling merch for the bands some nights. I also did my first mom jeans shirt design which was a

tour commemorative tee.

​

Where did it all start? How did you come up with Honey TV and your characters (heart man,

honey pot, frog, etc.)? What was your inspiration/how did the idea of wanting a brand come

about?

Honey TV was originally just Sam from MJ/Just Friends fame. He was shipping out leftover tour

merch. We did a few webstore type drops and then decided to do a big "honey tv" style one.

The characters are fun ways to tie it all together, i like sanrio, pokemon, adventure time etc and

the strength of all those things are the iconic characters.

​

How was social media a part of your growth? How did it affect the way you marketed/sold your

items?

We are lucky to have pretty big followings online, so that helps get the word out about new shirts

and things. We like to have a natural and lowkey vibe on social media and i think that our

audience responds to that. I hope to get a little more wild online tho.

​

You have a store now! What was the process like going from a home business to a full blown

store?

The shop is fun, I'm there right now. It's become more of a creative studio/art studio lately, which

i love. Very happy to be making stuff and selling tees in Berkeley, CA one of the most beautiful

places in the world.

​

How did Honey TV get picked up by zumiez? Who reached out to who and what was that

process like?

Mom Jeans played an event for Zumiez employees in Colorado and we met some folks there.

Our friend who represents some other artists in Zumiez put the pieces together and now we

have some stuff in a testing phase. The reception has been good though, we are putting some

more stuff out with them soon!

​

What is some advice you wish you could give yourself when you were just starting out?

I think i would just say draw a picture everyday! I think i inadvertently did everything the right

way, my life is dope.

​

how do you keep track of everything? managing a brand, a store, multiple bands, tours etc.

How do you not explode into a million pieces???

Yeah, it's a lot. I have my email separated into different folders and get my inbox as close to

empty as i can everyday. I work out everyday and eat mushrooms and a turkey sandwich. I have

some good people around me also who pick up the slack and have good ideas and vibes.

​

As an artist, it’s important to consume media, but even more important to produce it. what types

of media (music, film, TV, novels) do you typically consume and how does it influence what you

create or your creative process?

I try not to watch too much tv, currently getting through all 12 seasons of adventure time. Most of

the books i read are about art and capitalism. Just read "the art of doing nothing" by jenny odell

and "caps lock" by ruben pater both give some ideas on how to do the design stuff ethically. I

think if i can sit down and watch a movie and its immersive and emotional, then that's valuable

to me. I recently saw "call me by your name", timothy chamolet is good in that and i liked

watching some italian boys hanging out. Excited to see the new wes anderson.

​

We all take inspiration from everyday life through the conversations and relationships we form.

How much of that comes through in your work?

Yeah, that's the big one for me. I love a phrase from a conversation. Captures a moment and

can inform future ones.

​

If not visual art, what other medium do you think you’d be best at or want to try?

i make music for fun mostly, also release stuff as jcrumb/king of heck, and it is nice to have a

more private practice to keep moments preserved.

​

Do you feel that your creativity is ever jeopardized by pressure to be productive? Does having

more fiscal responsibility with Honey TV take a toll on your art/creativity?

yeah i think sometimes we are just shoveling tees, but it is still nice to make stuff everyday. If

you make something bad, you can always try again tomorrow. The pressure keeps me alive.

​

In what ways do your relationships with the musicians you make art for influence said art?

With mom jeans i make whatever i want to, but also make anything that the guys come up with.

It is nice playing a creative director role with bands, because it allows me to build a bigger world

than just a tee.

​

Do you experience art block? How does it affect you, and what do you do to reinvigorate your

creativity?

when i hit a rut i try and lean into my other things, painting, music, hiking. The only way out is

through, so i usually just buckle down and draw.

​