The Chop Opening Night Recap with ILLO, Monastry and Raine Supreme from The Chop on Vimeo.
Looking forward to the next Chop night, more event info here! Always nice to hear some established and up-and-coming producers do their thing live. Check out the re-cap video above from the opening night with a lovely beat from Monastry.
We caught up with the guys behind Trespassing to find out how they pull off some of their awesome shots and what exactly they were up to in the lead up to their debut Sydney exhibition.
Firstly, what is the idea behind Trespassing as a project?
It started a few years back. The general idea behind it was to try and capture the mood and atmosphere surrounding Sydneys train painting scene and also capture the small subway system in an attempt to make it look as close to real life as possible.
What is an average night out for the Trespassing crew, is there any structure, planning or rituals in the lead up to your missions?
I wish I could say there was an “average night”. The reality is when we get an invite by one of the guys to come out, there are no questions asked, its really just going along for the ride. That tends to be the best way for all involved. The missions are very intense, as its not the first time to most of these spots from back in my train painting days. Sydney's system is small and all the guys these days have such limited time and are always coming up with new ways around the system.
What sort of items go into the Trespassing kit for your average mission?
As we take documenting it pretty seriously, it is really only a camera kit. Camera kits consists of a Canon 5D and a couple of lenses – usually a portrait lens and a wide angle lens.
How many nights a week do you head out, do you ever sleep and how does this fit into your work / social lives?
It varies, but with the exhibition coming up it has been a situation of accepting every invite – which is probably about 3 times per week. Unfortunately it results in not enough sleep and can get quite moody (hats off to my girlie for putting up with my shenanigans). Its always a case of doing the best possible to make it all work together. A social life is basically non-existant.
What is your favourite shot to date and what was the story behind it?
Favourite shot... wow, a tricky one. There is a shot from early 2014 that blew my mind. The lighting and composition were perfect. This was a train that I was told would have terrible lighting conditions. The truth is with the action pics you really never know what you're in for – that's what makes them so exciting and fun to shoot.
We recently saw a shot of an un-branded Waratah that had just arrived off the boat sitting in port. Looked like a real James Bond type situation to get that shot?
Haha, not quite unfortunately (or fortunately). The shot you're referring to is one of the new Waratah shells which had just come off the ship and onto the docks. Standing there with it as a bare shell was a pretty surreal feeling though.
Is there anywhere you wouldn't venture due to danger or security risk?
I don't want to sound like a hero, but no, not really.
We heard some stories years ago about special forces conducting some training in Sydney's network, is this something you've come across? How much do rumour and stories play a part in what you decide to explore, whether it be a driver or a deterrent?
I haven't come across any special forces luckily. I try to stay focussed on getting the job done and try not to worry about the rumors . I am as careful as possible and everybody I go out with is usually very organised and always make calculated decisions.
Any memorable stories, chase or success wise?
I fortunately dont have many chase stories (touch wood). Like I said, the boys are very switched on. They are very quick and well planned out in their missions.
Where do you see yourselves trespassing in the future?
Hopefully a book is to come, and maybe touring a bit more too. We're hoping that there will be an exhibition in Melbourne in the next year too.
Thanks for giving us a peep into the process!
A special thank you and shout out to all the boys that I have tagged along with – without them, a lot of the photos simply would not be possible.
The Trespassing exhibition begins tonight 26th February 2014, 6pm-9pm at The Tate Gallery, Upstairs of The Toxteth Hotel, 345 Glebe Point Rd, Glebe. For more info check out the event page here.
And for more from the Trespassing crew check out www.trespassing.net.au
The first issue from THS LFE arrived in the mail recently and it's looking good with a nice selection of visual treats from both Sydney and Melbourne. Pay their site a visit here or give them a follow on Tumblr over there!
The homie Mike Who returns with the final Sucker For Love mix in the trilogy and it's full of heat as you'd expect. Just in time for Valentines day, give it a spin through the player above and check out the rest of his mixes here whilst you're at it.
Climbing the second tallest tower in the world...
More madness from these guys here.
We received this gem from Ace da Vinci recently, treat yourselves to something new, he is definitely one to watch!
For more goods head to his Bandcamp here.
"TRESPASSING captures the mood and atmosphere of the underground rail system - to see what a graffiti artist sees, and to appreciate moments never documented before." Opening night: 26.2.2014 6-9pm, The TATE Gallery, Glebe - Sydney.
Via HYPETRAK.
Some words from the man himself: "This is super-rare 80's film footage of the All Out Kings: Mesh Reas and Ven bombing the 57th Street lay-up in New York City around 1989. Other than the movies Wildstyle and Style Wars, I know of no other footage of actual train bombing from the 80's. This is it: Film # 3. And as far as it being actual film (Super 8 ) of bombing - not video, that would again apply to all time I believe as this, Wildstyle and Style Wars being all there is. Finally released. Enjoy."
(Thanks to the homie Dr.Dboe for the find)
Always a fun night and all for a good cause. More event info here!
The Aftermath. from _streetmode on Vimeo.
Check out more adventures from Melbourne's High Society here.
“I am very proud that REVS and I hold this position which no one else holds... Nobody. Not the Keith Harings, the Andy Warhols, the Shepard Faireys or the Banksys. We’re the essence of NYC graffiti writers. Because we were true. True graffiti artists. Not, like, dabbled in it. And we are true street artists. We are the guys that have 50% of each to make a whole. I don’t care if I ever have Banksy or Kaws or Shepard Fairey money — it would be nice, no one complains with full pockets — but I’m very proud that we have etched ourself in the history of graffiti. We bridged the gap between street art and graffiti.”
Nice interview with NY veteran COST (Cost & Revs fame). Read the full article here! (Via HurtYouBad)
Black coated aluminium alloy carabiner (75mm high), Screw-lock gate closure, Laser etched logo detail complete with 3 x Black metal keyrings. Free shipping within Australia. Only available through our online store here!
Take a trip through the yards and tunnels of Russia, Germany and other surrounding Eastern Block countries.
We recently got together with our friends over at The Chop to dish up a mixtape to accompany their monthly beatmaker showcases down at Sydney's Play Bar. The mix is served exclusively by the homie Raine Supreme for your audio taste-buds to enjoy, featuring tracks from some of the countries finest underground producers. Stay tuned for their next event coming up in February as well as some extra goodies from us! Stream through the player above or over at our Mixcloud here!