Java.July.2016

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SAM GOMEZ 12 JAVA MAGAZINE by rhett baruch
Portraits by Johnny Jaffe In a city where most men feel comfortable in giveaway tees and cargo shorts left over from high school, there is a growing cadre of those who would rather support local brands and high-quality wares. Although the Valley of the Sun is not known as a particularly fashionable region, a few Phoenix companies stand out when it comes to contemporary men’s street wear. Sam Gomez of Phoenician Clothing could be the answer to this city’s fashion woes. The guy has been keeping it real since the beginning in 2001, and his message remains intact time and time again. I originally found out about Gomez through JAVA’s art director, Victor Vasquez, who had done some design work for Phoenician Clothing. Shortly thereafter, I met Sam at his booth at the annual “Lowtography” show, a lowrider photography and lifestyle event. It was here that I first showed my support for the brand by purchasing one of their newly designed tees. I am now residing in Los Angeles, but Gomez made our remote dialogue effortless. There is a lot to take from the words of a man so dedicated to his craft. Where are you from, and how did where you grew up influence you? I’m from Phoenix, born and rising! I grew up mainly in west Phoenix, off 35th Avenue and Van Buren. I went to Carl Hayden High School. Growing up in that area has influenced me in so many ways. Although I lived in the hood called Mini Park, I always gravitated toward those few homies that created art, skateboarded and rode bikes. Every hood has artists that keep themselves busy creating art, keeping them out of major trouble. One of my first influences was Johnny Tejeda, who is still painting to this day. He used to make these Playboy bunnies with full bodies in popping/locking positions with long flannels. They would be wearing those cutoff gloves that people wore in the ’80s! My other friend, Gustavo, used to do these dope hand styles all the time after school. He was older than me and lived down the street. Also, I had a crush on his sister Mayra, so my ass was always over there! My friend Carlos Elias use to be ill with detail and shading—faces, evil clowns, lowriders and old Chevy trucks. All of us use to skate from like the summer of ’87 into the ’90s. I always had an eclectic group of friends that, to this day, remains the same—true to themselves and their art. What music and art inspired you? Your brand? I listen to a diverse style of music, but my foundation is in hip hop—early ’90s stuff and some early 2000s. I’m a big fan of Project Blowed (Aceyalone) from LA2TheBay (2Mex, Awol One). I was always bumping the homies ILLPHONIX and FNX—some of Phoenix’s finest in the ’90s. Their music was raw and a narration of what I felt and saw on the streets of Phoenix. It was the Phoenix sound for me. Right now, I have been listening to a lot of Mulatu Astatke. He is an Ethiopian musician and arranger best known as the father of Ethio-Jazz. His instrumentals are melodic and funky at the same time. His music really helps me come up with concepts or just overall mind expansion and perspective on things in my life or with the brand. JAVA 13 MAGAZINE
Page 1: 248 • JUL/AUG 2016 ISS RYSTLE PHO
Page 4: CONTENTS 8 12 22 32 FEATURES 8 12 2
Page 7 and 8: BUZZ SUMMER BREAK By Robert Sentine
Page 9 and 10: danieltookerphoto.com Various strai
Page 11: COMING SOON TO THE MIM MUSIC THEATE
Page 15 and 16: How do your new ideas and designs c
Page 17 and 18: JUSTIN QUEAL Artistic Synergy By De
Page 19 and 20: at Phoenix College. She is currentl
Page 21 and 22: JACOB CUTINO FROM HOMEBOY’S HOT S
Page 23 and 24: 23 JAVA MAGAZINE
Page 29 and 30: Art Direction : Jen Deveroux Design
Page 31 and 32: I’m not sure there has been more
Page 33 and 34: ANDY WARPIGS GEEK ROCK! To the Nati
Page 35 and 36: A new entrepreneurial spirit is tak
Page 37 and 38: ART EVERYWHERE About Face From the
Page 39 and 40: The looker is usually a small child
Page 41: 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23
Page 44 and 45: 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59
Page 47 and 48: BOOK NOW BOOK NOW THE DOC IS IN ALL

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