As well as having a completely bad ass sleeve and studying full time for his BA Hons in Film Production as a sound engineer, Seb also produces his own music. Under the alias In as Beast (which is actually an anagram of Sebastian, clever init, my name's an anagram of shit) he has had recognition from BBC introducing after sending them his track Constellations. Seb told me his main influence when producing is house music, but the list of specific artists that influenced him to start making beats and to continue doing so is insane.
"In particular I love J Dilla, Koreless, a lot of the producers on Hessle Audio, people like Pearson Sound, Ben UFO... I've been listening to a lot of machinedrum, I think his sound is subconsciously changing mine slightly the more I do."
"A lot of my main influences are hip hop based so people like Pete Rock, 9th Wonder, Madlib. I'm into a lot of the newer ones too like Julio Bashmore."
"I listen to a wide range, from indie to hip hop, but I'm still discovering my sound"
Sick, right?! I know what y'all really want. Here you go...
How old were you when you got your first tattoo?
I was 18 years old
Which was the first?
The outline of the day of the dead skull
Which one is your favourite?
Probably the buddha on my inner bicep, I'm quite a fan of dot work and the dot work is quite complex on it around the leaves. more the technique, rather than the actual design itself
Are there any meanings behind your tattoos?
Not particularly, I've always been interested in tribal but I didn't want the lazy approach of going in and saying I want that one, I sat down and told the artist what I wanted and after a process of back and fourth, we came up with tribal that has other elements in it. The script on my left forearm probably has the most meaning, it was a tribute to Gil Scott-Heron after he died. I've always been into writing so after he passed I was quite saddened by it so I thought I'd get some of his work on my arm, cus I know I'll always be a fan. Its from one of his songs/poems called Spirits
A lot of people are big haters of tribal tattoos, did that cross your mind when getting your sleeve?
Not at all, I have a lot of people in my family with tribal tattoos. I've always done art at school so from an early age (year 6/7) I had a big interest in Maori/Polynesian designs so I researched it a lot before. I also made sure I went to an artist specialised in that kind of style. I think people worry about tribal tattoos because they know if you get a lazy design a lot of people are going to have it, but mine was done to how I wanted it so it wasn't an issue.
How long did it take to design?
Probably about two and a half months for the artist to design it for me, and then I think it was all in all about four or five long day sessions over a period of two years
Where did you get your tattoos?
Barry Louvaine House of Living Art in Earlsfield
Are you planning any more tattoos?
I'm due to start another half sleeve that will continue with the tribal theme, there's more dot work from what I remember of the design as I asked my artist to include more of that. Then a mask that has headphones on it cus I'm really into sound, that'll goes across to my left pectoral, as a continuation of the sleeve. All of that will hopefully be done by March. After that I'll probably start on my back piece, I'm thinking a gypsy pin up girl in day of the dead style.
Did you worry about how having a sleeve may affect your future when it comes to careers?
Yes and no, my mum has tattoos so she's fine with ink but she always told me to never get my hands or my neck tattoo'd, so from an early age I always agreed with that. In terms of my sleeve, I don't plan on going into an academic background so it's not such an issue. For interviews and things a long sleeved shirt will completely cover it.
Have you ever had any negativity towards your tattoos?
Oh yeah a lot, when I was working in retail I'd have people tell me I was going to regret it when I'm older but I disagree. To me they're memories, it's my arm and I don't really care what I'm going to look like when I'm older.
Any advice for people thinking about getting a tattoo?
My main advice would be if you're not sure, don't do it. But if you're unsure of pain or having to have a meaning behind your tattoo, I think that's quite pretentious, the fact that you over think it takes the meaning away. You get it because you want it, don't worry what anybody else thinks, it's on your body.
SO MUCH YES. For any of you interested in listening to more of Seb's stuff as In as Beast, you'll find it here. If you're too lazy, have another
peace xo
