harsh progress: April 2010

Tell us about yourself, what and where do you write, and when did you start writing?

-Above1 LCA, from the greater Vancouver area (B.C.). Started messing around with tagging about '92..started writing Above1 in '96.

What is the graff community like where you are?

-There 's a fairly good scene here, but we've taken a big hit with the recent closing of Bruise Boards, a pillar of the graff community.(and paint supplier.)

Anyone you write with? Crews?

-I'm always down to paint with anyone, but more often than not usually go alone..a lot of times it's much less conspicuous.
-There are so many sick crews from the area..shouts out to ETC, POS, SDK, UAT, SB, CFW's, RTS.

Is there anyone or any specific memory that you remember influenced you as an early writer?

-My earliest memories are of the older neighborhood kids skating and riding bikes around, tagging "T.S.D." or Team Shit Disturbers" and thinking it was the coolest shit I'd ever seen. (R.I.P. Chris Whitmee TSD).
-A little later on, two writers, PROBE and AMOK were a huge inspiration to young writers in the area.

You have 8,859,228 upload views and 19,981 subscribers on your channel, ubuv. What do you think about the term "youtube star"?

-When I first started uploading to YouTube, there was no intention of getting subscribers, or even views, for that matter! It was, and always has been, purely for fun. Once kids started showing more and more interest, the videos started to get more elaborate than just tagging, or showing benching style vids. "YouTube Star" is definitely not a term I wanted to achieve, I just enjoy posting the videos.

You took a break from posting videos for a few months recently, were you still getting up? What was the hold up?!

-Filming while painting adds a whole lot more to have to think about..from the added equipment needed, to finding a spot to safely set up for a period of time, having to wear a mask at all times...it began to feel a bit like a chore. Just because I wasn't filming, I've never stopped getting up.

I've seen a video of you being hit with a stick by an old guy... would that be the weirdest experience you've ever had while painting?

-That was absolutely the weirdest one for sure, so glad it was caught on film!

If you could paint anywhere with any artist, alive or dead, who would it be?

-Tough question...too hard to pick one, I'm down to paint with pretty much anybody!

Any trouble with the law?

-Too many close calls to mention, but thankfully, no.(Knock on wood)!!

Peace, Above1 LCA ....04/2010