Sup, Szeto!! How are you, man?
Chillin mang! Just got back from a rad motorcycle run (#twointhebush2014), skateboarding a bunch, and getting things into production. Interview by Jordan Langdon:
What inspired you to begin the Maru journey?
Maru came out after spending the last 7-8 years being in school and working full time during that period. I work in engineering and finished my Masters in 2012. It was awesome, but it was also hell! I’ve been shooting photos and skateboarding for quite sometime and I really wanted to do something related to that! So I started Maru the Circle Brand to do exactly that, and to shed some light on homies behind the lens too!
Maru seems to have a very distinct art direction, yet it is project oriented. What is the process like keeping the vibe yet working so diversely?
That’s a great question, haha. The process of keeping the vibe is just to try and keep it real. Behind every collection or piece, there’s generally someone really rad involved (ie: Drew Mosley & Ricardo Gonzales). It’s not just the brand name made a million times over in China. We really take the time to showcase who these individuals are via our vids, and ultimately our vibe is to really showcase real people who we’re pumped on and pay them properly for their work. We then hopefully do them some justice and try and produce as much as we can domestically. For things like our camera straps, they’re all made in house, and our website allows folks to customize their straps. We’ve connected with some really amazing people thus far!
That care definitely shines through. The imagery and projects the brand presents seem very invested in the hands on approach. How important are analogue processes to you?
Analog processes are pretty key! During the days, I still work a 9-5 as an engineer and shoot for the skate mags during the evenings to support things. Most of this work goes down in a completely digital type of environment, but film is a pretty magical thing and I try and shoot a roll with either my M4-P or Mamiya 7ii as often as I can. Thus far, with every order, we ship out a film print via Jai Tanju’s “Film Por Vida Print Exchange Program”.
What’s around the corner?
Dude, I’m pumped! Working and finalizing production on our canvas camera straps! They’re super fun. Also working on some leather moleskine covers with my good friend Ben Jensen, a.k.a. Waybad. Hoping to drop both products by the late August/September time frame. Both products will be fairly customizable, to really give folks a personalized experience! Moving into 2015, we’re producing some canvas photo jackets!
Damn, I’ve never been so aware of my need for a canvas photo jacket! It’s been a pleasure catching up. Who could you not have done this without?
Oh man! Soo many people! Jordan Wiens who’s helped me a ton with the videography and photography this year! Drew Mosley, Ricardo Gonzales, Neil Magadzia, Chris Lascelle, Top of the World, Proskates, Antique, Victoire, Ian at Boarderline, the homies at Raised by Wolves and everyone who’s made an order via the webstore. Super stoked on all the support! More awesomeness to come.