Author: Bradley Martinez
Not only did the Bone Soda Phonox residency deliver memories of some unforgettable nights out, it also offered inspiration for our latest apparel collection. Some of you may remember those crazy line up assets we’ve been sharing over the last few weeks, bold, eye-catching and all the rest, we tap into the mind of Joe Melhuish for our Utopia collection.
Working in animation and graphic illustration, Joe reworked the iconic Footpatrol gas mask and bar logo for his very own unique take which see’s his 3D visuals take charge.
We sit down with Joe as he takes us through his inspirations, his love of music and gives us a demonstration of how he goes about creating his artwork.
Footpatrol: Hey Joseph! We start off all of our interviews here at Footpatrol with the simple question of how are you?
Joe Melhuish: Great – exhausted. I have a habit of accepting far too much work but equally refusing to concede on social plans, it’s something I’m trying to get better at.
FP: For people who don’t know who you are, could you tell us a little bit about yourself and what you do?
JM: I’m a digital artist, illustrator and animation director based here in London. I’ve made work for clients like Nike, Apple, Island Records, Adult Swim, Spotify and The New York Times. I use a VR headset to made all my work in 3d and I’d describe my work as acid soaked blown-out characters that works around themes of fashion, pop culture and self expression.
FP: So when did your love for DJing all start for you?
JM: Probably around age 18 I began learning but I was in bands as a drummer before then so I just considered it another way to be playing music I loved.
FP: You also have your own monthly appearance on Hackney’s own Subtle Radio, how did this opportunity come about?
JM: I had a mix series I’d been running already and was looking for someone who’d host a radio version, I hit them up and they said go for it.
FP: We have also seen your ‘Return to the Dance’ mixes on soundcloud, how do you think that your music you play reflects your own identity?
JM: I try to play a mix of music that, whilst it sits firmly on the dancefloor, has a strangeness, or a playfulness to it. There is a music scene in Lisbon that originates in Angola, they make music called Kuduro, Tarraxinha and Tarraxho, I play lots of this on the show – particularly from the label Príncipe in Lisbon there is a very experimental sound to it. I love the way it’s highly percussive but the beats roll out of control, slipping into feeling off beat or like it’s collapsing, it’s usually underproduced in a way that has a lot of energy, and it can be extremely melodic or brutally minimal. I did a record cover for a compilation this year with 99 Ginger, featuring one of my favourite artists from Príncipe; Dj Lycox. Worth listening to, in my humble opinion.
All this to say; I love music that feels loose, rhythmic, playful, colourful – and I think those are qualities in my work too.
FP: Let’s get into the artistic side of things, when did you first get into animation?
JM: Easily around age 10-11? I used to make animations on Powerpoint with my friends, eventually my dad bought me an educational copy of Flash Mx for I think around £90 and I spent the next 5 years or so making animations on that.
FP: What is it about VR that makes it so different to other art forms?
JM: It’s a great tool, it lets me draw in 3D as I would in my sketchbook. You can be really loose and free without having to think about any of the limitations of 3d.
FP: If there is any, who is the main inspiration when it comes to your visual artwork?
JM: Probably too many to mention, I don’t have a singular main inspiration and of course it shifts over the years but I take photos of things I see around all the time, I love going to art museums and getting inspired by people I never heard of. I’ve sampled ideas from everything from hieronymus bosch, insects I saw running around in mexico, little statues of horses in cultural heritage museums to old fashion magazines, Dark souls games, the countryside where I grew up in Wiltshire. I just try to join dots between things and keep an open mind.
FP: You worked on the flyer artwork for our Bone Soda events at Phonox London, could you talk us through the creative process behind this piece?
JM: Sure. I had some back and forth with the Bone Soda guys on a few different ideas, I was looking a lot at medieval images of demons, and strangely enough motorbike stunts, so we sort of combined the two. For the main poster I referenced a very old painting I saw of the devil in a Mexican art gallery with an open mouth. From there I model everything in VR before moving to cinema 4d for animation and texturing. There was a lot of intense sculpting on this project but in particular I’m very happy with how the main poster came out.
FP: For our younger audience here at Footpatrol, what advice would you give to individuals trying to make it in the creative industry?
JM: Keep making work, don’t lose motivation. Honestly if you keep pushing stuff out and seeking opportunities eventually something will work, I’ve made hundreds and hundreds of works, whilst I was at art school and in the 5 years following I was nearly constantly making and uploading work without much in the way of success. Persistence is the only guarantee of anything I guess, but also look after yourself and don’t be too hard on yourself, a lot of stuff just isn’t in your control, I can’t tell you how many things “almost” happened for me only to fall apart at the last minute.
FP: To finish off we would like to thank you so much for the interview. Is there anything you would like to share with the Footpatrol friends and family? That could be anything from getting people excited about something, a message of positivity, whatever you like.
JM: Look after your health and make art that you enjoy creating!
Recently, we teamed up with Vault By Vans for a celebration of World Photography Day. We hope with our rollouts at Footpatrol there is a clear display of love for photography and the craft and the level of detail that comes with capturing the perfect image. To offer all you budding photographers out there a chance to show us your skills, ourselves and Vault By Vans want you to ‘Capture Your City’
Using the hashtag ‘VANSFPCAPTURE’, head out into your cities and capture what makes that city so special to you. This could be the architecture, a favourite spot that reminds you of your childhood, your friends, a viewpoint… anything! Share this on social media using the above hashtag and we’ll choose three winners to win some amazing prizes!
Entries close 19.09.22 and winners will be contacted via @Footpatrol_LDN only!
Look forward to seeing what you share!
The YEEZY BOOST 350 V2 ‘SLATE’ features an upper composed of two-toned re-engineered PRIMEKNIT. The midsole utilises adidas innovative BOOST technology whilst a semi-transparent TPU cage wraps the BOOST and adds a distinct design element to the iconic model. The YEEZY BOOST 350 V2 ‘SLATE’ is made with a series of recycled materials, and at least 50% of the upper features recycled content, this product represents just one of our solutions to help end plastic waste.
PLEASE TAKE TIME TO READ THE BELOW!
The London in-store draw is now CLOSED!
All online draws are now housed over on the Footpatrol Launches App, CLICK HERE to download!
To enter, you’re required to sign up via the above forms, these WON’T be available in-store to sign up on.
In-store winners will be contacted via email informing them of their win. Within this email, winners will be given a set of dates in which they must collect their win from our London store. To collect, you will need to provide the winning email and a valid photographic government ID matching the winners name. NO ONE can collect on the winners behalf. Failure to provide this, or failure to collect within the given dates will mean failure to purchase your win.
To sign up to the Online draw, you will need to download the Footpatrol Launches app and complete a pre-authorisation payment of the retail price of the product plus shipping costs. This will be held until raffle completion. Those successful will have their win posted out to the address entered during sign up. Those unsuccessful will see a return of their funds, this can take up to 5 working days from when the winners have been drawn. The draw is limited to one entry per household! Multiple entries will be cancelled!
2022 has proven to be a year full of anniversaries. Whether thats sneakers celebrating their birthdays or stores like ourselves, there is a lot going on to celebrate within the sneaker, streetwear scene.
As you’re all aware, 2022 signals 20 years of Footpatrol but not only that, it also shines a light on our friendly Soho neighbours Dukes Cupboard who find themselves celebrating 10 years.
To celebrate these two milestones, we popped round to Dukes Cupboard with the latest offering from Reebok, the LX8500. We tasked them with no only what they do best, sourcing and piecing together two outfits that would do the shoe justice but also, bring the Reebok and outfits to live…
CREATIVITY IS THE ENEMY
When it comes down to collaborations, the Tom Sachs NikeCraft colabs are built on the foundations of usability and innovation. Whether it’s from the Mars Yards that utilise years of studying and testing including the shape, weight and colours before getting anywhere near the public domain.
For their latest efforts, they release the ‘General Purpose’ shoe. A sneaker that is made to be worn on peoples feet day in, day out. Delving into the archive, Sachs takes what works, wore it and saw what needed revising before ending at this final product.
PLEASE TAKE TIME TO READ THE BELOW!
The London in-store draw is now CLOSED!
All online draws are now housed over on the Footpatrol Launches App, CLICK HERE to download!
To enter, you’re required to sign up via the above forms, these WON’T be available in-store to sign up on.
In-store winners will be contacted via email informing them of their win. Within this email, winners will be given a set of dates in which they must collect their win from our London store. To collect, you will need to provide the winning email and a valid photographic government ID matching the winners name. NO ONE can collect on the winners behalf. Failure to provide this, or failure to collect within the given dates will mean failure to purchase your win.
To sign up to the Online draw, you will need to download the Footpatrol Launches app and complete a pre-authorisation payment of the retail price of the product plus shipping costs. This will be held until raffle completion. Those successful will have their win posted out to the address entered during sign up. Those unsuccessful will see a return of their funds, this can take up to 5 working days from when the winners have been drawn. The draw is limited to one entry per household! Multiple entries will be cancelled!
We’re here, sadly, this week is the last week of Bone Sodas Phonox London August residency. It’s been great and has definitely created some memorable nights.
For this week, we’re highlighting Charisse C. NTS Resident, DJ, and the founder of Abantu over on No Signal radio, Charisse C draws on her unique admiration for the soulful and bass-heavy options with a sprinkle of playfulness that makes a DJ memorable.
Take a listen below and make sure to get yourselves down to Phonox this Friday to catch the final night of these 4 eventful evenings.
We continue our long list of 20 year anniversary celebrations this year at our authentic sneaker fraternity here at Footpatrol by enlisting the help of London based 3D artist and animator Joseph Melhuish – creating his own distinctive take on our signature gas mask design.
Donning a fluid artistic flair with and presenting an all new conceptual lane through his witty tone that transcends through his artwork. Melhuish utilises his digital canvas through an array of exaggerated designs that builds a compelling scene for those who witness it. Working with the likes of Cheerios, Adult Swim, Spotify and Vice – just to name a few, we believe he would be the perfect fit for our latest commissioned communi-T series.
Remastering our signature branding, the dual T-shirt design includes the respective Footpatrol bar logo branding debossed to the front with an eclectic graphic coating the reverse. With the other tee, arriving with a graphic adorned to the front, accompanied with a small gasmask insignia that signs off the design with a dose of FP heritage.
The Utopia t-shirt collection is now available in-store and online here.
Think it’s safe to say, the Crocs Clog is in a league of its own, a league which has seen household names within streetwear and art take their own spin to this eye-catching offering. Standalone when it comes to style, divided when it comes to opinions, you can’t deny that the Salehe Bembury offering has caused quite the stir!
Well now, the Pollex Clog is back in a new colourway dubbed ‘Cobbler’.
Crafted from foam, the fit is moulded into an unorthodox fingerprint design – its daring exploration of form is one that is reminiscent of Salehe Bembury’s signature branding. Concaved perforations throughout continues the theme of authenticity as well as keeping things ultra-lightweight. Paired with an adjustable heel strap for added personalisation, while underfoot, the part translucent outsole unit signs off the design with supreme durability made with everyday terrain in mind.
PLEASE TAKE TIME TO READ THE BELOW!
The London in-store draw is now CLOSED!
To enter, you’re required to sign up via the above forms, these WON’T be available in-store to sign up on.
In-store winners will be contacted via email informing them of their win. Within this email, winners will be given a set of dates in which they must collect their win from our London store. To collect, you will need to provide the winning email and a valid photographic government ID matching the winners name. NO ONE can collect on the winners behalf. Failure to provide this, or failure to collect within the given dates will mean failure to purchase your win.
The YZY FOAM RNR ‘SAND’, which is made in the U.S.A., features injected EVA foam to provide lightweight durability. This model is made using algae harvesting technology that helps to keep lakes clean. The soft top layer in the footbed offers immediate step in comfort. The strategically mapped vents around the foot provide air flow and breathability. Additionally, the YZY FOAM RNR will usher in a new box construction that requires less material, which leads to less cardboard material waste.
PLEASE TAKE TIME TO READ THE BELOW!
The London in-store draw is now CLOSED!
All online draws are now housed over on the Footpatrol Launches App, CLICK HERE to download!
To enter, you’re required to sign up via the above forms, these WON’T be available in-store to sign up on.
In-store winners will be contacted via email informing them of their win. Within this email, winners will be given a set of dates in which they must collect their win from our London store. To collect, you will need to provide the winning email and a valid photographic government ID matching the winners name. NO ONE can collect on the winners behalf. Failure to provide this, or failure to collect within the given dates will mean failure to purchase your win.
To sign up to the Online draw, you will need to download the Footpatrol Launches app and complete a pre-authorisation payment of the retail price of the product plus shipping costs. This will be held until raffle completion. Those successful will have their win posted out to the address entered during sign up. Those unsuccessful will see a return of their funds, this can take up to 5 working days from when the winners have been drawn. The draw is limited to one entry per household! Multiple entries will be cancelled!
The YEEZY SLIDE ‘FLAX’ features injected EVA foam for lightweight durability, while the soft top layer in the footbed offers immediate step in comfort. The outsole utilises strategically mapped grooves for optimal comfort and traction.
PLEASE TAKE TIME TO READ THE BELOW!
The London in-store draw is now CLOSED!
All online draws are now housed over on the Footpatrol Launches App, CLICK HERE to download!
To enter, you’re required to sign up via the above forms, these WON’T be available in-store to sign up on.
In-store winners will be contacted via email informing them of their win. Within this email, winners will be given a set of dates in which they must collect their win from our London store. To collect, you will need to provide the winning email and a valid photographic government ID matching the winners name. NO ONE can collect on the winners behalf. Failure to provide this, or failure to collect within the given dates will mean failure to purchase your win.
To sign up to the Online draw, you will need to download the Footpatrol Launches app and complete a pre-authorisation payment of the retail price of the product plus shipping costs. This will be held until raffle completion. Those successful will have their win posted out to the address entered during sign up. Those unsuccessful will see a return of their funds, this can take up to 5 working days from when the winners have been drawn. The draw is limited to one entry per household! Multiple entries will be cancelled!
