MODA Model Interview: Julian Santesteban and Hesper He

What is it like to model for MODA? Here’s a chance to hear what last year’s models, Julian Santesteban and Hesper He, have to say about their show experience, personal fashion tastes, and more!

Why did you decide to model for the MODA fashion show? Was it your first time modeling for the show?

Julian: I really enjoy working on art projects in general. For modeling specifically, I really enjoy having people dress me. Picking outfits can sometimes be stressful, so having someone else do it in a creative way is a lot of fun. Being the center of attention for a little bit doesn’t hurt either. 

Hesper: One of my best friends has been engaged in MODA since our first year and I have been seeing the shoots/designs she has done for MODA—they honestly look so cool! That makes me want to get a taste of MODA too. Specifically, my friends have been telling me that I should try modeling because I am pretty tall. I also love the idea of embodying design ideas through a runway walk. And yes, it was absolutely my first time modeling— I was so so so nervous!

How were you feeling during the days leading up to the show?

Julian: I was very excited. Honestly, one of the things I was most looking forward to was the backstage/prep element. Seeing everyone’s outfits and getting ready for the show. I was nervous about posing and walking a bit since I had never modeled before. I found myself practicing my walk on my way to class or up and down my hall at home.

Hesper: It was really a mix of excitement and anxiety. I got to try on the full outfit with boots a couple of days before the show and it felt surreal to see myself all dressed up. I did not have any specific expectations since it was my first show, so I was a bit anxious too—especially the part of walking in front of the whole audience.

How did you prepare for the show? What was the process like from the start (applying, practices/fittings, your general feelings throughout, etc.)?

Julian: My designer reached out to me last minute since one of her models dropped out, so I did not have to go through the whole application process. Fitting was just two quick measuring sessions to adjust the outfit to my size. I mentioned a bit earlier that to prepare I would practice my walk and poses at random times throughout my day. Initially, I filmed myself walking and then adjusted it until I got a walk I liked. Then I would practice it for quick 5-second intervals multiple times a day so that I remembered how it felt.

Hesper: I signed up for the model call and got selected. We went through several practices where you were asked to walk on a runway, do poses, and were given feedback. In terms of fittings, my designer reached out to me and took my measurement. We had a try-on after she finished my outfit and she made more adjustments to the fit after the try-on. I would say the whole process is pretty chill and enjoyable!

What were your feelings during the day of the show and the actual show? When did the day start and what was the process for the day of the show?

Julian: The day of the show I ended class at 11:30 am and then went to wait for the shuttles. Our shuttles got lost; I remember feeling frustrated at having to wait an hour at Reynold’s Club. I knew I was getting there early though so I was not nervous about not getting hair and makeup. Arriving at 1-ish pm, I got my hair and makeup done immediately and then from there, it was just a bunch of waiting around till rehearsals and the show. Honestly, I got pretty exhausted from standing around all day and could have used a nap but did not want to ruin my hair. My nerves only really hit while we were lined up during the show. I started getting really cold. About 5 seconds before I was supposed to walk, my heart started racing. I took some controlled slow breaths to try to slow it. During the walk itself, I completely zoned out. I heard people yelling my name but, I had tunnel vision. It went by so fast. Afterward, it was a combination of relief from being done and also thinking of things I could have done better (the two times I stumbled slightly were definitely on my mind).

Hesper: I had to ditch my Booth class on the show day as it goes from 1:30-4:30 pm, and there was no way that I could make it to the venue that late. I arrived at school around 11:50 am for the 12:00 pm bus but it NEVER ARRIVED and we were told to get an Uber— it was a little frustrating and pretty chaotic especially as it was raining hard. Upon arrival, we were all very anxious to get the makeup done as the stations were limited but once that was done, I felt a lot more reassured. In fact, the makeup was so cute that it really boosted my confidence for walking the show! I changed into my outfit and hung around till around 4:20 pm when the rehearsal began. The rest of the day passed by fairly fast and it wrapped around 8 pm—by that time, I was so glad to take off my high heels and grab some nice food with my friends. The ultimate plot twist though—I actually left my laptop at the venue unwittingly and the realization only dawned on me the next morning. Fortunately, someone picked it up and now me and my laptop are reunited!

Can you describe the design that you modeled and the inspiration behind it? How did you embody the design?

Julian: My outfit was an extremely loose-fitting top with an extra-long left sleeve and loose-fitting green pants. The top was hand-dyed in vibrant colors. I was barefoot and had branches and butterflies in my hair. The design itself made me look ethereal and fairy-like. The theme/inspiration was flowers. I tried to really play into the ethereality by holding myself straight and tall as well as ignoring everything around me. My poses aimed to highlight the flow of the outfit by making sweeping motions with the long sleeve and the loose shirt.

Hesper: The outfit I wore was a slip dress made with soft, flowy fabric tie-dyed by my designer personally. It was super bright in color, featuring a combination of blue, yellow, and orange. Overall, I would say the design is all about flowiness, a hint of nature, and a sense of almost fairytale-like dreaminess. My makeup really accentuated the outfit with yellow petals glued on my face. IT WAS SO COOL! And daisies in my braided hair.

Does the design match your style? If yes, how so? If not, why not?

Julian: It does not. Well, the baggy pants are something I like to wear and sometimes I present a little androgynously, but I prefer more earthy, less bright colors typically. My outfits are usually a little rougher as well.

Hesper: IT DOES NOT. I usually go with business-casual-ish, monochromic-ish outfits. I am a blazer/shirt/suit pants gal and people do not often associate me with bright colors or boho dresses.

What did you think about the other designs and the fashion show overall? What were some highlights of the night and what could be improved, if anything at all?

Julian: I really liked the other outfits. I loved trying to guess the themes that designers worked with and their inspirations. A highlight was definitely the walk itself. Hearing everyone scream their support and clap was exhilarating. We walked too fast though at the end when presenting all the designs together. Also, the confusion with the shuttles could have been improved.

Hesper: I enjoyed seeing other designs!! It was very interesting to see how every designer has a highly differentiated style, but within their model cohort, there exists a sense of continuity so that you get to understand their theme/ideas better in different embodiments. In terms of improvements—hmm, it would be nice if the bus does not get lost on the way next time.

What is some advice you would give to someone applying to be a MODA fashion show model but has never modeled before?

Julian: It is totally okay to be nervous. But, do not let that prevent you from applying. Each designer has a vision and you will fit into someone’s if you just go for it with confidence. Also, everyone is super supportive throughout the entire process.

Hesper: Follow your heart and try it out! You are unique and beautiful and that is precisely what modeling is about!

Would you model for the MODA fashion show again, if you could?

Julian: Absolutely.

Hesper: DEFINITELY!

What is your style and how would you describe it?

Julian: West coast dark academia. Pretty eclectic to be honest.

Hesper: Business casual with a twist(?). I would say it is a mix of simple basic pieces (The Frankie shop, Vince, Theory, Joseph), with some accents from the more feminine designs (i.e. Réalisation par, Sézane).

Describe your style and/or vibe using a song.

Julian: Vad Hände Med Dem by The Brian Jonestown Massacre.

Hesper: Hmmmm that is a tough one…White Mustang by Lana Del Ray.

What is your favorite item of clothing and why?

Julian: There is this vintage 1950s Abercrombie flannel I thrifted 4 years ago. I can wear it in weather ranging from 70 to 20 and it works well with basically all my pants. I feel like it matches my aesthetic pretty well.

Hesper: A black embroidered silk blazer! It is such a solid piece that goes well with almost everything and the embroidery elevates it beyond a bland blazer.

What do you always have on?

Julian: I typically buy one pair of shoes every 8 months or so, that I wear basically everyday until they wear out. I wear other pairs every once in a while or if I have a particular outfit in mind; but, during my day-to-day it would be those shoes.

Hesper: Honestly—blazers. I have so many blazers.

What is/are your favorite place(s) to shop?

Julian: Pilsen vintage. It can be a bit pricey for second hand but I always find something I like.

Name one trend that you love and one trend that should die. You can name more than one for each if you wish.

Julian: I am a big fan of loafers. Honestly, I am sad I do not fit into my grandfather’s shoes cause he has quite the collection. I have been looking to buy some for myself. Stylish crocs should go. The reason crocs work in everyday fashion is that there are just people being comfortable and not caring what other people think. But that does not mean they should be elevated to high fashion.

Hesper: I love simple slip skirts with a slit on the side!! They are so so chic and really easy to style.

What is one trend you predict will become popular this year?

Julian: Casual loafers.

What is a trend you hope will come back or become popular this year?

Julian: Leather gloves. Like Italian driving gloves.

Favorite color combinations? Favorite clothing pattern? Favorite material/fabric?

Julian: I wear a lot of burgundies, dark blues, and forest greens. Some arrangement of those colors probably. Material would probably have to be corduroy or suede. Clothing pattern would be plaid.

Hesper: I love silk/wool/linen!

What is your favorite decade in fashion?

Julian: 1960s probably if I had to choose. To be honest, I like elements from many decades put together but no one decade in particular.

What is your favorite 2022 Met Gala look?

Julian: I did not pay too much attention but I thought Blake Lively’s dress was awesome. The blue/red tones were gorgeous.

This Is What It's Like to Start a New Life in Covid Times: Maya Rodriguez

For many young graduates, the COVID-19 pandemic put a dent in most future plans. From deserted summer music festivals to delayed careers, the impact of cancellations and never-ending postponements range from short-lived disappointment to life-altering damage. After spending a year abroad coupled with a strict lockdown from March to April, I moved my belongings to a new city just as far from home while preparing for a remote quarter “at” UChicago. I’ve spoken to many students who have done the same, whether they chose to stay at their home in a different country or similarly prolonged their study abroad (if you can even call it that) experience. It’s strange enough to move to a new city and even more so in 2020. I began to wonder how odd this experience must be for my graduated friends in both the states and abroad. This interview represents the first in a series where we can learn more about what starting a new life looks like in these times and, I hope, providing a bit of hope to those of us with big plans.

First, I’ll be chatting with Maya Rodriguez, a class of 2018 graduate who then worked as a staff member at the Center for Identity + Inclusion. Maya started her master’s in Sociology at Columbia University this fall. Because Maya also served as EIC for MODA Magazine, we paid tribute with a timely FaceTime photo shoot.

---

Give us an update on your life! Where are you now and what have you been up to? 

I got accepted to grad school in the spring! From March till mid-August I was at home in Chicago and then moved to Washington Heights to live with a fellow UChicago graduate and close friend of mine. I’m currently at Columbia University in the Sociology MA program studying social movements, technology and media, and urban cities. I’m currently trying to enjoy the city outside and in a COVID-friendly way until the winter really hits.

How has Covid impacted your life in a new city? Did you ever rethink moving?

COVID limits the amount of time and physical class engagement I have in NYC. In some ways, it’s hard to really engage with the campus and have the “full grad experience.” That in itself can be frustrating. For me, part of the appeal of grad school was small-group learning and collaboration in a university setting, but my cohort friends and I have been able to figure this out by making library reservations, quad hangouts, and cafe patio sessions here and there. Besides that, the COVID measures put in place in Chicago concerning dining and indoor events have been pretty similar to those in NYC. So overall, there hasn’t really been a huge change in that respect.

However, because of guidance from the CDC and Dr. Fauci that I’ve internalized, I haven’t felt the need to doubt or rethink my plans! I’ve adjusted to what we need to do to keep ourselves and others safe and that’s really all that matters. My ability to do “fun NYC things” is only limited to my imagination; there are a ton of ways for me to do COVID safe things like bike rides and Central Park hangouts, to name a few.

Have you been able to make new relationships during this time? 

I have! I’ve been able to at first virtually connect with my fellow cohort members and those of us in NYC have been able to socially distanced hang out while the weather allows! It has honestly been really great to feel like we can support each other academically and socially via zoom, research projects, and outdoor safe activities. In some ways, this is as close to the normal grad school experience we can have in a pandemic. That sense of normalcy is comforting. We also just celebrated one of their birthdays by having cookies on one of our quads.

The “good part” of living through the pandemic in NYC is that I can still maintain my relationships from home, college, and across the country while being able to form these new relationships in grad school. I’m lucky that, in this point in my adult life, I have the amazing support of my friend network as well as my family. It makes me feel significantly less alone during this time.

View fullsize

View fullsize

As a former staff member, how did you feel about the university’s handling of COVID last spring? Did you feel supported? Do you now?

I think the university did the right thing by swiftly moving all of us off campus, which generally aligned with spring break. There was a lot of communication from administration that was debating just how quickly they could move people without totally disrupting UChicago life. While it is completely valid to be upset with the final decisions, I was generally supportive of what they decided in the end. As a staff member who worked with students on a daily basis, it really did feel that the university was trying to strike a balance between our health and the need to support students and I would say it was an acceptable compromise. I knew there could have been better and more concrete ways that I would have liked to see students supported, like physically helping people move items, but I know that was and continues to be a health risk for all involved. It was the balance the university struck and it seemed to turn out to be acceptable.

As a Columbia grad, I feel supported by the university since we have randomized mandatory testing to keep ourselves safe. This, along with limited campus access, does feel like a good way to ensure community health and us being able to feel we’re a part of the community. At the same time, the randomized COVID testing is not weekly which could be improved. Since Columbia’s campuses are embedded into the NYC neighborhoods, it does feel like we have to have faith in other students. Similar to UChicago, this is the compromise many universities have had to make and I feel is defensible. 

What’s been the best and worst part of your experience so far? Are you happy?

So far, the best part has been being able to enjoy life as a student again with the sociology department, in combination with enjoying the outdoor NYC activities with new friends. It still feels like life is going on even if in some ways that makes me feel guilty. How can we continue to experience life “normally” while so many people continue to suffer, get sick, and in some cases pass away? Why can I go to school and feel secure that if I did get sick I would be cared for at the Columbia hospital while many couldn’t? Sometimes that feeling is the worst part about this experience, because it reminds me that so much more should and could be done to protect people. 

In general, however, I do feel happy. Going back to school was a big goal of mine and I’m glad that I could have the opportunity to do that. My support network continues to be there for me in multiple aspects of my life. I try to keep in perspective that I can still take time to support my local and home communities and make sure that when school is finished, I can use the skills from Columbia and translate them to tangible change, be it policy or local impact work. 

Why can I go to school and feel secure that if I did get sick I would be cared for… while many couldn’t? Sometimes that feeling is the worst part about this experience, because it reminds me that so much more should and could be done to protect people.

Do you see yourself staying in New York? What’s next for you?

I could definitely see myself staying in NYC for a bit longer! I’ve slowly started to see the city as a place to learn and grow and I hope that I can see how communities and neighborhoods in NYC support each other. That way, when I feel like it’s the right time for me to go back home to Chicago, I can bring what I’ve learned back and the connections I’ve made to help make the best improvements at a neighborhood and city level. I’ve got the rest of the year at school but I could definitely see myself working at a Columbia research center or working with the city in some capacity to help underrepresented communities. If I feel like it’s the right thing for me, I could apply to PhD programs in sociology as well. The main goal is always to figure out what is the best way for me to help and support the communities I care about, especially in Chicago. The pandemic has affirmed that this should have always been at the center of my work and I will make sure that the next steps I’ll take will hold me to this!

Designer Profile 2023: Parth Wokhlu

Introduction:

Hi, I’m Parth! I’m in MODA as part of the Designer Bootcamp program.

I’m still finding my personal sense of style, and haven’t been into fashion for that long, but I do like mixing from different genres, like wearing formalwear with streetwear. I don’t necessarily fit within the same genre every day. Sometimes I wear something I don’t feel like myself wearing, so it’s a process of discovery still.

I have no background in fashion design specifically, but I have played music since I was very young and consider that to be a prominent part of my life, but I don’t really think of myself as someone who is artistically inclined. I have always enjoyed consuming art but haven’t done much art-creating.

My experience with music translates pretty heavily into my experience with art. The artists that I listen to are extremely involved in the fashion scene, so a lot of my interest in them and how they build their works translates to my interest in fashion— to the point that it directly inspired my concept for the upcoming show.

The Concept:

All of my pieces are inspired by a musical album—not necessarily the cover of the album, but the sound and the values that emerge in it. The first look is Cosy Tapes by Asap Mob, a very chill and laidback trap album. That is the vibe I wanted to go with for my first piece, a mix of streetwear and casual— cozy-wear, I guess. The second album was Bloom by Beachhouse. That album sounds very dreamy and very glossy. It is a dream pop album. The entire thing is about growth, self-reflection, and growing out of adolescence. That piece is probably the most out there. One of the pant legs is cut short and then "grows" into another pant leg with a flower blooming for that dreamy look. Finally, there's Stevie Wonder’s Key of Life, an album about family and loving the people around you. The design I did, is based on my family, which is from India. I did a spin on traditional Indian menswear and combined it with traditional-western wear to create the final look.

Visually, it is not a very coherent capsule. The designs are very different, but at their heart, they are all based on albums about humanity and how we live. So, at their core, they are pretty similar but expressed in very different ways. I thought about whether this was the right idea multiple times. But since this is my first time designing, I might as well give it a shot and do it the way I want.

I would summarise my collection with the word "freestyle."

I think that is the core of the commonality between each look. I also don’t think I could pick a favorite; I love different aspects of each one. The Cosytapes is the most wearable, but I love how out there the Bloom piece is. I don’t know if anyone would wear it on the street, but I think it's cool. The third one is the most sentimental because it's based on my culture.

In terms of designer inspiration, I think every designer looks up to creators like Margiela, McQueen, and Rick Owens. But, none of them have resonated with me enough to the point of inspiration. Most of my inspiration comes from non-fashion artists, for sure.

The Process:

I wanted to join MODA for a relaxing creative endeavor, but sewing is not relaxing! It is very tedious, and I am also a perfectionist in my approach, so it’s a whole process. I do like exercising my mind in a different way than I do at school and I’m enjoying it a lot. It is very cool to make clothes on my own. It reqired more focus than I expected and more mathematical than I originally thought. It's not exactly the same math I am doing in school, but it's nice to create something with mathematical and aesthetic beauty.

DBC has given me the foundation I need for this endeavor, and Janelle, the wonderful lady teaching us, has been so awesome. As I mentioned, I had no previous knowledge of fashion or design, so being able to get behind the construction of different garments was great. The way she taught us was insightful, and I would recommend applying to anyone who wants to get into design. If you are interested in fashion design this is something you should try! It doesn’t hurt to spend some time learning something you think is worth doing. If you don’t like it now, you'll at least know how to sew and alter your pants. If you do like it, though, you can alter your pants and also make cool pants!

Through the design process, I have been exploring the relationship between the model and the design. For example, the Cosytapes-inspired look features some jeans that will be painted on by the model, Yasmin Baldo, who is an artist herself, so I’m letting her paint whatever she wants on the jeans. I think that model-designer interaction will make walking in it, will be pretty cool and demonstrate the role a model plays in both the creation and display of fashion.

The Models:

All of my models are artists and awesome people in their own right. Yasmin (Baldo) is very chill, and everything about her fits the garments' aesthetic, and she will be painting and putting down her interpretations and thoughts onto the piece. I am the designer, but I don't think that takes away the fact that whoever is wearing it is, in a way, also contributing to the design in how they want to style or wear it.

Another one of my models, her name is also Yasmin— Yasmin Ali, is also super cool. She has a great sense of fashion and is wearing the Bloom piece. She is a good friend of mine, and we have had conversations about growth and who we are as people. So, I know she fits the entire idea of that design very well. I also think she is the most likely to have the confidence to wear the piece off the runway.

Keshav (Narendra-Babu) is a fourth year. I know him a little less than the others, but from our conversations, I know he is also in touch with South-Asian culture and other South Asian people at UChicago. I met him around the time he walked for MODA. I got a general vibe that he was a dope person and, he was also good-looking, so I felt like he fit my vision.

An Interview with Starcrawler's Henri Cash

Henri Cash and I became friends when we were one year olds at Kids Klub in Pasadena, California. I was the subject of his first song, “Henri’s Blues” which he wrote at 5 years old and appears on his dad’s album with Henri singing backup. He’s now been touring with his increasingly popular grunge-glam-punk rock band Starcrawler for almost four years now, has been featured in TeenVogue and W, and just released his sophomore album, Devour You with Rough Trade Records. While the rest of us graduated, came to UChicago, and have been spending sleepless nights with Locke and OChem; Henri dropped out of high school, opened for the Foo Fighters, and released two records.

For those among us who don’t regularly attend rock shows, seeing Starcrawler play for the first time can be quite a shock. Their lead singer, Arrow de Wilde contorts her skeleton-like frame in a straight jacket and bejeweled tighty-whities while spitting blood into the crowd. Henri smiles maniacally at the audience in a hot-pink fringe cowboy button down and a custom Kelly-green suit. The guitar feedback doesn’t stop between songs.

The band is aggressive, confrontational, and wild on stage, but off, they’re just some down-to-earth, super chill, LA kids. It’s honestly the most maddening part about being friends with Henri. There’s a level of ease to him and his entire crew that’s aspirational. It took Henri two months to tell me that he’d had tea in London with Anna Wintour. I had to find out from his mother that both Elton John and Jack White are personal fans of his because at the end of the day the most important things to Henri are his music and his friends.

Starcrawler shows are nothing short of spectacle. Image via

K: Can you, like, say your name and, like, where you are so that it records on this?

H: Yeah I’m in Kansas City and this is Henri

K: Ok so…. How did the band start?

H: um the band started with Austin and Arrow they were jamming together and then they were looking for a guitar player. Arrow, at school she came up to me cuz she thought it looked like I played guitar and we started jamming and then we met Tim, and she (arrow) already knew Tim; we needed a bass player and once Tim joined the equation it was a done deal

K: for you specifically why music, like why are you into it, how did it start, you know?

H: ummm I dunno I’ve just always been into music and didn’t see it going any other way it just was kinda..it was always what I was drawn to. Kinda grew up around it. Kinda all did in our weird ways

K: How would you describe the genre of music you play and how did you settle on or like come to that sound?

H: I-I think it’s just rock music…I mean, we play a-a lotta- all of our songs are different, and they don’t really sound, like some of them don’t sound like anything. I don’t know about genre or anything but it’s rock music… and we just played what comes natural to us and we still do, so. I dunno we didn’t really try to play any sorta way it’s just what kinda came out

K: yeah cuz it’s a very like, I dunno, it’s a very unique kind of sound for sure

H: thanks, yeah

"No More Pennies" is taken from Starcrawler's second album 'Devour You', out now on Rough Trade.

K: so, what instruments do you play? Besides guitar, which we know, cuz you’re amazing. (laughs)

H: so at school I played brass instruments, as you know, I play tuba. I was carrying a tuba case when I met Arrow. Tuba euphonium. I can kinda fake playing trombone um but I’m not really a good trombone player. Then I played percussion in school and in the first band I was in with friends I played bass and then I sorta fell upon guitar in this band. This is the first band I ever played guitar in

K: oh wow! I did not know that actually

H: yeah I always kinda played guitar but I never thought about myself as a guitar player because, I dunno, seems kinda generic

K: ju- guitar seems generic?

H: yeah but I found a way to make it feel right

K: Ok so how would you describe the band dynamics and like, its members? Like individually

H: I mean we’re all pretty unique people and I think that every single person affects the sound of the band but creates such an interesting dynamic on stage I  mean we’re all kinda sorta, I dunno… well like your stage character is an extent of yourself in a way. I dunno how to explain it… but Tim’s a quiet person that sleeps everywhere kinda thing so he’s very calm on stage but he also plays very fiercely in a way and then Austin kinda just lays it down and- and he’s a bass player and like he makes it like a pocket kinda thing and then Arrow just has this crazy character onstage that kinda is a- it lets like the audience have something to watch and be captivated by. yeah I dunno does that answer the question

Starcrawler vocalist Arrow de Wilde shocks the crowd. image via

K: yeah thats good. so who are your biggest musical inspirations?

H: I don’t even know man there’s so many… um it changes like I keep saying different things every time cuz it’s a constant change. But uh yeah right now I really like- I’m listening to a bunch of country music but I really loved the white stripes as a kid and ACDC and a bunch of different things and we’re all into different types of music. And yeah its cool we’re influenced by so many different kinds of music and I think that’s what also makes it quite different is we all don’t listen to the same exact thing but we have mutual things that we listen to together and different things that we all have to ourselves kinda thing

K: yeah that’s pretty cool. But you’re all super into music, obviously

H: yeah we’re all music geeks I guess

K: ok so you’re from LA, so am I, it’s the best place ever…

H: yes. Same preschool, man

K: yeah, ACCC, that’s where it at!… so like how do you guys encapsulate like an LA sound? Like what do you think are aspects that like is an LA sound

H: I think again it’s like we never tried to sound like we’re from LA it’s just like where you’re from like you act like. Like people from New York sound like their from New York like their accents or whatever and I think just growing up and being absorbed in la music I guess our whole lives just kinda like positive vibes like I don’t even know its an interesting sound for sure

Henri Cash and the author at her 7th birthday

K: why do you dress the way you do and how would you describe it?

H: um I dunno I like to wear things that stand out kinda, things you can see from afar that’s why I really like western kinda clothes cuz they’re shiny and they have a bunch of things on it that like pop and i dunno my favorite designer I guess was Nudie, he’s a Los Angeles suit maker um that made suits for all these old western dudes like Hank Williams and his suits were really expensive. That gold suit that you see Elvis wearing is Nudie suit. I just like kinda shiny things cuz when you’re on stage if you have something that stands out its ya know I makes a difference . people hear what they see and if you look like you’re dressed to impress you probably will impress I dunno

K: right so I wanna talk about that friggin awesome pink shirt you have

H: oh yeah!

K: yeah so can you talk to me about how so how you got it where you got it from and then like why it is the way it is

H: so I wear a lot of vintage western clothes but I also kinda get some stuff made for me as well and that was one of those ones cuz I wanted something that kinda encapsulated the things that mean something to me and so I had a like, the lamb on it and some palm trees on it to make it like an la thing and California poppies cuz those are all things that were around me I guess so it just felt right and then that green suit that’s embroidered I found a suit in salt lake city and got it tailored and then I got it customized with all that embroidery and that’s all done by this lady named Jessica Owens. She also makes arrow’s like crazy white suits too , costumes and stuff and she’s just really good at what she does. Like she also makes these suits for Tenacious D when they dress up as devils and shit like that. She’s great

You can find Henri on Instagram @henricash. Image via

K: you have a pet pig.

H: yes I do.

K: can you talk about your pig? And why a pig?

H: I love pigs . Ive always loved pigs. My favorite animal as a kid was a warthog so I just always wanted to have a pig and then my parents would never let me get a pig but when I turned 18 I figured I would just get myself something that I wanted so I got myself a pig and and its kinda like a child, they’re a lot of work and it needs a lot of attention

K: who takes care of the pig?

H: (deep breath) uh when I’m gone my mom and brother do. They do a good job of it. Taking care of it and when I’m at home I do.

K: whats the pigs name

H: Beasley.

Beasley via @henricash

K: ok alright moving on back to music. Whats your favorite song to perform?

H: um I dunno I like performing these new songs. Theres a song called no more pennies that’s really fun to perform because its different than all the other songs so it-it’s a little bit more challenging to pull off I guess

K: how so?

H: its just more challenging because you have to nail the vibe right and with a lot of faster songs it’s a slower song so pulling out a slow song in the middle of a set of fast songs if you don’t execute it properly it can be a downer. A Debbie downer. but if you execute it perfectly it makes everybody feel really good. I dunno.

K: what’s the craziest thing that’s happened to you guys on stage

H: on a stage. Damn. So much crazy stuff has happened. In our last show in Denver our tour manager got punched in the face…

K: what why?

H: just this, they came to the show, this old lady and old man, probably in their like 50s or something, they came wasted already and this guy kept being obnoxious, the husband, and um he got knocked out because he was being obnoxious to some other people.

K: wait he got knocked out

H: well he got knocked out by someone else just another audience member so our tour manager and the doorman had to help carry this man outside and the the wife of this man kept sticking her tongue out at our tour manager for taking him outside for like two minutes or something and I guess she just walked up to him afterwards when he wasn’t looking and just punched him in the face and then after that she tried to punch him again but he just picked her up and put her outside and that was-that’s that.

K: that’s pretty crazy

H: um theres been crazy stuff um this guy once was smacking my ass really hard while we were onstage in japan

K: wait so he was onstage with you?

H: well yeah at the end of the show I invite people up onstage usually young kids who are in the audience and I let them play guitar but this guy rushed the stage and, well I was stage diving and he was smacking my ass, but then he came onstage and he started hitting his head against the wall until his head was bleeding and then he jumped out into the audience and started like fighting with people more like it was crazy cuz he was just getting super hurt he was bloody and like at the end of the night he was just on the ground barely breathing kinda thing.

Image via

K: so is that a typical audience? So you have young kids but then you also have these like 50 year olds so like what does the audience composition look like, like who comes to your shows?

H: our audience looks really different yeah its kinda half kids half adults

K: so when you say kids and adults can you clarify?

H: I’m gonna say probably 14-24 for when I say kids and then adults can range form ya know 25- 80

K: 80!

H: yeah but when we were in England people would come out in their 90s to see us.

K: what are those people like?

H: they’re in the mosh pit.

K: they’d be in the mosh pit?

H: yeah its crazy cuz they’re like I saw the Beatles when they were like playing clubs or something. It’s insane some people are just dedicated to music up there. Their whole life is seeing shows so it’s an honor when they come cuz I mean they’ve seen everybody so for them to give a shit about us means we’re doin something right

K: right and-and who does give a shit about you? Like you’ve been played on the radio a fair bit ya know.

H: yeah you know radio…

K: I’m asking you to brag a little bit about like who your fans are (laughs)

H: I mean my first favorite fan like when we were in high school I mean Elton John played us on the radio and he talked about us and that was pretty cool um there’s been so many I’m trying to think um… Jack White came to our show um…

K: and you’re a big fan of his as well right?

H: yeah so that made me feel really good . There’s so many and it’s really honoring but like yeah.

K: Can you tell me a little bit about what your day to day is like on tour

H: getting in the van in the morning, like at 6 am or 7am, driving for 6 hours, getting to a venue, eating somewhere in between at like some shitty place on the road and hoping that its good then tryna eat someplace before soundcheck, unloading a bunch of stuff, carrying a bunch of stuff, carrying a bunch of heavy shit. Also I’m really good at packing a van, just want to put that out there and we play the show, get out at like 2 am , go to bed and do the same thing all over again. Get like 5 hours of sleep a night. Five hours is actually really good

Henri being really good at packing a van

via Katherine

K: and you’re how old now?

H: nineteen

K: and school didn’t agree with you?

H: no it’s not that school didn’t agree with me, I liked school, I went to art school so it was pretty fun but the school district, it was a public school district and you cant be gone for too long and it just didn’t work out. They try to like fine you when you’re not there cuz it’s like a public school and they make money per day you’re there and so when it came to senior year it just didn’t make sense anymore for like me to be there when I could be doing my professional gig… I tried online school but they wanted me to do it for like 6 hours a day and that’s just impossible with the … with the schedule

K: ok my last question: What’s next for Starcrawler?

H: touring. Lot of touring, yeah.

K: right you guys just released an album

H: just a couple days ago so yeah a couple years of touring and then another album after that but we’ll be going everywhere with this one. More places than last time. We went to Norway and Sweden which was pretty cool. When we were in Norway it never got dark. We were there over the summer. It was just bright the whole day. Yeah its pretty crazy

K: but you like being on the road and you know going different places

H: yeah I like going to places and learning new things it’s like an education of stuff you wouldn’t learn in school um like you get to know every gas station stop of the I-7 in the middle of America or something or you just get to like go to cool museums, you learn a lot of history

K: what do you do when you’re back in LA?

H: work on records. It’s just as busy sadly but there was like a second of break when we were making this album but we were just making this album, that’s what we were doing which is still a lot of work but I don’t like not having anything to do so I like constantly working on something

K: ok I think that’s my questions so thanks so much for doing this! I’ll see you in a few days!

H: yeah see you on Thursday!  

Image via @marqsutherland

Featured image via