What gets you hyped up? Having a creative outlet like Pistache…. It gives me a direction to channel all the different ideas that float around my brain. But it’s really all about the hard work that you put into those ideas, to make them happen… Especially on those days when there’s even more shit than usual hitting the fan. Just remember Eddie Murphy in Bowfinger, just keep it together, keep it together…
What about outside of work? jiu jitsu & no-gi grappling are my main things right now. I also like playing Karl Frampton’s underground game Knifey, travelling as much as possible, playing basketball, drawing, painting, taking photos, making videos, living near the beach, eating tapas, tattoos, surfing & bodysurfing…. i’d like to thank guarana & ginseng energy drinks for making all this possible.
How do you keep Pistache fresh? We are constantly creating new limited edition garments, not just releasing collections twice a year. Most other independent clothing brands don’t even print or design their own clothing. They get it done cheaply in Asia by companies who don’t really respect their workers human rights or health. They also have to order 100s or 1000s of the same design in the same colour & size. Which in turn means that you’re wearing the same t-shirt as everyone else. Some of these other brands have everything on sale because they bulk order items that are badly made & that they can’t sell. At Pistache , you’ll find garments made from certified materials like organic cotton or bamboo, they’re screen printed in limited editions of 1-100 & that we’ve created ourselves, you’re getting something very different than if you spend money on some mass produced bullsh*t.
Where are your favourite countries to visit? I’ve been lucky to spend a lot of time abroad, I like trying street food & taking pics of any graffiti & art that i find. Palestine was probably the most eye opening country i’ve been to, that made me a lot more aware of the really f*cked up situation the world is in right now. I’ve seen some poverty in other parts of the world, but there was real desperation in Palestine. Morocco is really hot, booze free & the harsh looking prisons make the idea of smoking any local hash (that everyone between the age of ten & sixty is trying to sell) seem like a bad idea. The Philippines are beautiful, you could spend a lifetime there and not see all the islands. I saw a Philippine Cobra in the jungle & ran for my life like a total pussy (according to our guide). New York is Mecca for anyone into Hip Hop, Movies or Basketball, you feel like you’re in a film all the time. But, I’ve got to say that Hong Kong is (so far) my favourite place on earth. The food is amazing, as well as the best chinese food, i ate the best burger & sushi ever. Hong Kong is also the place to learn & explore chinese martial arts. Malaysia & Borneo are next, so watch out for updates from over there.
What would you most like to be doing right now? Winning an NBA Basketball Championship (beating Kobe & the Lakers in 7 games) & being the Finals MVP or…. Winning the Lottery & ordering a limo to take all my people to San Sebastian for a serious f*cking party…. i don’t know about you, but i still don’t feel like i’ve achieved much or even found out what i am supposed to do in this life.
Who are your biggest influences? My wife, brother, parents, extended family & friends. I’ve been lucky to find some really talented & inspirational mentors, my Dad, Tito Ugartemendia (SJLO Judo & Ju Jitsu), Keith Edwards (ATEA Shaolin Kung Fu & Tai Chi) & Mike Clamp (New Zealand All Blacks Rugby). I think everyone should take time out to help the next generation find themselves, because schools & governments don’t seem to give a sh*t. They want you to be a part of the system & if you don’t want to, they’ll give you some legal pills & booze that will help change your mind. On a less personal level, Sean Stussy, Rick Klotz, Michael Jordan, Eddie Bravo (the ganja grappler), Charles Barkley, Bruce Lee, De La Soul, Public Enemy, Jim Morrison, Tony Hawk, Tom Curren, Picasso, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Andy Warhol. I also get a lot of energy from the haters out there, i work twice as hard when i think about those people who doubt me. So if you’re gonna hate, remember you’re just giving me more fuel for the fire -Thanks!
What was your 1st Job? I lasted one day at Sainsbury’s on the ‘goods in’ door, the weird guy I was working with said he’d been there for 15 years, it was time for a quick exit before the same sh*t happened to me. Never looked back.
Do you have a favourite Quote? ‘Shit Happens’ & ‘Assume Nothing’. They both seem to apply on a daily basis. I guess the message is that you never know what’s gonna happen, but you’ve got to keep on getting up when you get knocked down. Sometimes you can have the best intentions, but still hurt someone… & sometimes you can have f*cked up intentions & it ends up helping other people. I try and assume nothing as often as possible.
Favourite Music? All the Pistache affiliated artists and musicians that we’ve made clothing for, almost all US hip hop from ’92-’96, quality mixtapes, fuck you rock like Led Zeppelin & Red Hot Chili Peppers, a splash of reggae, but classic P-Funk like Zapp is probably best. Mr Thing’s Mixtapes & Cut Chemist’s Disco is Dead mixtape are on my ipod. I’ve just got a set of Technics 1210s & a Vestax mixer, so i’m into anything with good breaks at the moment. If i’m at home in the evening, i tune into the Funhouse with DJ MK, Harry Love & Mr Thing. It’s like having a world class DJ live in your living room.
Favourite Movies? Star Wars, old school b-boy / graffiti films like Beat Street, Breakin’ & WildStyle, anything by Kurosawa, Kubrick or Cronenberg (not the beer), LOTR, gangster classics, Goodfellas, the Godfather Trilogy, Z-Boys, Scratch, Fist of Legend, Platoon, Enter the Dragon, Woman in Red, Marx Brothers, Ghostbusters, Back to the Future, Teenwolf, Shogun Assassin, Riding Giants, Sprout, Basquiat, The Devil & Daniel Johnston. I like things that inspire me & give me fresh motivation on those days when my energy is low. Good stand up comedians like Eddie Murphy, Dave Chappelle, Richard Pryor & Martin Lawrence. I read a lot of books too and i don’t have a mobile phone anymore, just a landline and an answering machine.
