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Mock Email to Tim May- TOKYOGUNCLUB

Hey Tim,

I have been assigned to interview an up and coming artist in my WRT205 class. You were the first and only person to pop into my head, and I would love to ask you a few questions. Aside from your current success, I would enjoy asking you about your inspiration to start TOKYOGUNCLUB, as well with how you blew up so quick.

I know it been a while since we have spoken, so this should be fun!

Thanks again,

Aidan Block

TOKYOGUNCLUB

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The interview assignment granted our class the opportunity to learn more about influential figures in our communities which have exhibited success along their chosen career paths. For my interview, I chose to learn more about one of my peers who invested a majority of his time and money into his own company, the Tokyo Gun Club. Throughout the interview, Tim May shared his journey in creating his business and the main motivators which have kept it running throughout the years. 

Tim May is one of the creators of TYG, a clothing company which focuses on making denim products. He was able to draw inspiration from a number of places. Primarily, designers that have shown success in their collections are what initially drew him in. He mentioned designers such as Louis Vuitton, Gucci, as well as many others which depicted a sense of expression through their clothing. Tim valued clothing brands as a medium to self expression and the market for the clothes he began to produce gave him a means to do so. The clothing that Tim May releases are customized jeans, in which he noted that through his customization of each piece, he was able to express himself through a material medium and produce something that he was proud of. He mentions that throughout his life, he had been struggling with a variety of problems, most notably alcohol abuse. Tim compared the feeling of finally holding a finished piece in his hands that he had been working on for numerous hours to the chase of a first high that could be achieved through his previous vices. May also stated that devoting his life towards his business has helped him conquer his struggles with addiction. 

Tim often compares himself to a number of notable designers in today’s market, however, Jerry Lorenzo stands out the most to him. Jerry Lorenzo, also another clothing designer, is known for his precision in his projects and the extended period of time that he takes to perfect each piece to his liking. Tim reflects similar character traits to Lorenzo in the idea that he mentions how he also does not rush the pieces he is working on, focusing more on the quality of his product rather than being able to release it and turn a profit. Moreover, Tim feels that in the time that he is working extensively to create a piece, the public would begin to build up a sense of hype towards his work, increasing the demand for his pieces. The hardworking traits that Tim has developed have attributed to his success in many ways. For example, earlier in the past year Tim May was able to sell one of his pieces to the well known rapper, ILoveMakonnen. Despite contrary belief, Tim notes that the company he runs does not reach out to influential figures such as ILoveMakonnen. Rather, Tim believes that by focusing his attention on the quality of his work, he will be able to get the publicity he needs through the positive feedback that his pieces yield. However, this does not take away from his attempts to market his brand. Although Tim does not make attempts to reach out to influential figures, he ensures that extensive marketing is done to get his brands name out to the public. Many of the marketing tactics he uses include social media. Social media could be made an effective resource for marketing brands as it allows for creators to gain a following and update the public on upcoming collections or projects. One media outlet that Tim utilizes is instagram, as it has the ability to build an aesthetic. Surprisingly, however, he does not enjoy running the Instagram pages as much as he enjoys creating his work as he describes that the Instagram page made in the company’s name was mainly made to increase sales. 

Overall, Tim May was able to distinguish a passion he had and turn it into a profit. He focused his efforts into building his business and it has not only turned a profit, but built him as a person as well. Tim mentions that through all of the work he has been doing, one of the biggest motivators for continuing to do the work he does is the position that the business was able to put him in. He describes that through the help of the business, he has been able to become completely independent, as well as work everyday with his friends in building his company rather than a group of strangers. After tying up loose ends, Tim May can be seen as an inspiration to many in his diligence towards creating his own company that gives him a means to support himself and his friends.

Interview Questions

-What inspired you to start TYG

-How did you get famous rappers to rep your brand

-What is the most difficult aspect creating art and running your own company

– Have you had any help from peers? If so who

-What has been your most gratifying moment with your art

– What do you like/ dislike about the industry

John Bergerman Art & Interview Reflection

I did enjoy watching Bergerman’s Instagram story art display. His combination of vivid colors and creative images entertains the eye. His drawings and paintings are one of a kind, as his creative style is distinct from anything else I have seen. However, I was not impressed by the Instagram stories, fore I had not seen any of his other work, for context. I enjoyed the aspects of the interview in which he relates his art to music, as the sounds he plays replicate the animosity and random nature of his work. The story he gives of his childhood hit home for me as I grew up surrounded by people like myself ( Jewish), then I was exiled to a catholic school.

Jenny Slate Ellen Interview Reflection

I thoroughly enjoyed this excerpt from the Ellen show, as the interviewee Jenny Slate is a light hearted hilarious person. Just Listening to her speak can bring a smile to anyones face, as she legitimately speaks like a child. Ellen is a savvy veteran when it comes to these types of interviews and her composure, as well with her questions asked clearly reflects that. Ellen’s questions about the inspiration behind Marcel The Shell was interesting, but the Ghost content veered a bit off topic.

Rhetorical Precis- Young Thug

In the Rolling Stone article “ Young Thug Never Stopped Believing in Himself, (Even If You Did)” (2019), Charles Holmes highlights Young Thug’s triumphant return to limelight with his 2019 album So Much Fun. Thug claimed “Ive been going through the storm” and with his newest album release ranking #1 on the Billboard chart, he finally came out of “the storm”. Holmes appears to write this praise-fueled article to instruct rap fans to place the Atlanta native on a pedestal he has rightfully earned. In the pre-interview abstract of sorts, Holmes’ outlining of Thug’s roller coaster ride to the top, inspires fans to believe in the rapper’s continually growing career.  

The main content featured in this Rolling Stone article is the Thugger interview. Holmes begins the interview by referencing Thug’s accolade and commercial success of his album “So Much Fun”. Thug responds by humbly proclaiming ” it don’t really matter to me”, as he cares more about his personal growth, and less about the numbers. Thug’s signature style features a wide variety of music genres intertwined with rapping, so his unorthodox response to this question comes as no surprise. Much like the track-list in Thug’s album, his professional persona is controversial, unordinary, but sublime. Thug collaborated with a surplus of A list rap features, but the album is all about Thug. His ability to orchestrate lyrical chaos or mayhem, but then change the pace into the classic, southing, vocal harmony that is his singing voice, is uncanny.

Thug was asked why he included Lil Baby and Gunna on his new album, and his response accurately depicts why he is given copious respect from his peers; these like our little brothers, for real… We dropped knowledge on each other”. Thug’s combination of his unique style and mentor like relationship with a multitude of up and coming artists, pegs him as one of the most renounced people in the industry.