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Photography by: Zac Wolf
Our second interview is here, today we have Regan Smith Clarke on the hot seat. We talk about life in Boston, Daughtery, the clothing business and Regan’s obsession with Juggalos….
Whats up Regan, good to finally sit down and chat it up
Regan Smith Clarke: You too homie, thanks for having me
TFS: No problem. Tell the folks out there what you’re all about, who is the famous RSC? haha
Regan Smith Clarke: Word, my name’s Regan Smith Clarke, and I’m a graphic designer straight out of Boston, MA
I run my very own self-titled vintage art inspired t-shirt brand
I also love juggalos
TFS: Nice! Tell us a little bit more about the brand, what are juggalos!?
Regan Smith Clarke: Yo first off, you don’t know what a juggalo is??
TFS: ahah no! school me on that, boston thing??
Regan Smith Clarke: For anyone who is not familiar with these guys, check out Rob Dobi’s(owner of Full Bleed) website http://www.yourscenesucks.com
he has a pretty good assessment of a juggalo on there
if you don’t wanna read it, juggalo’s are basically gangster clowns
TFS: Like ICP?
Regan Smith Clarke: They paint their face and walk around doing wicked tough things
yes exactly
those guys basically started a cult/gang of people who call themselves juggalos
TFS: ahhah people do that!? ive never seen anyone walking around like that here in the bay, like i said earlier.. must be a Boston thing! Lol
Regan Smith Clarke: Na man, sadly its not haha
they even do a gathering of the juggalos somewhere
big $$$
TFS: So would you consider yourself a juggalo?
Regan Smith Clarke: hell no
TFS: ahhaha
Regan Smith Clarke: I just find them to be the most hilarious people ever
TFS: Lets put them on a tee!
Regan Smith Clarke: Need I say more than gangster clowns?
TFS: New market out there!
jugallo clarke. i like it!
Regan Smith Clarke: Oh I know, I read an article a little while back about how those guys racked in millions last year
insane
TFS: wow….
I’m in the wrong business
ahah
Regan Smith Clarke: me too!
lets get back to me for a moment
TFS: But you’re not as interesting as a jugallo now…
ok but lets keep going
Regan Smith Clarke: haha there’s no denying that!
TFS: So where did idea from RSC come from?
Regan Smith Clarke: I’ve been playing in and out of bands since I was 14
Regan Smith Clarke: I did most of the managerial duties, such as booking and promoting the shows
designing the flyers and t-shirt
thats when I decided I wanted to work in the design world
TFS: Nice, that seems to happen to a lot of us, i started designing fliers for friends and got hooked.
Regan Smith Clarke: Exactly
we all find our way somehow
I think more specifically I got tired of doing stuff for other people and wanted to do my own thing
graphic tee’s have become the most common form of art, which is pretty rad
TFS: What I really like about RSC is the uniqueness of the brand, we often see a lot of recycling I’ll say in the industry. but you guys take a little bit of a different approach to your designs
Regan Smith Clarke: I agree with you, I see so many brands doing the same things over and over, I think it boils down to not doing your research and coming up with a good concept
TFS: Yes! Speaking of concepts, a lot of kids getting started have a hard time with that part. What would you suggest to someone thinking about starting a brand
Regan Smith Clarke: Boy, there’s so much information out there
Regan Smith Clarke: Start by doing your homework – research what other brands are doing, understand why they’re doing it
TFS: Thats good advice. what brands inspire you to keep going
Regan Smith Clarke: Before I answer that I want to throw out a few other nuggets of advice as well
TFS: Go for it! were all ears
Regan Smith Clarke: I also think its a good strategy to have a rough game plan how you expect to sell your shirts
too many people think they have the best most unique shit ever
in reality, its probably not the best thing since Creed
TFS: ahaha
Regan Smith Clarke: you need to be flexible, because no one stays exactly on course, but you need to have your shit together
go to events such as craft shows/concerts and sell your stuff
put a face to the name
hit up blogs, network network network
two other things real quick, you need to have a quality product and you need to have a meaning or purpose, something people can get behind
otherwise your brand is doomed to land in the graveyard of myspace clothing lines
having wicked awesome designs is simply not enough, you need to get your name out there.
Let me ask you, if a juggalo gets crushed by a tree in the forest, does he even make a sound??
TFS: ahaha first off! leave myspace alone… but really lets have a moment of silence for myspace…….
secondly.. thats really good info for everyone out there to pay attention to! listen up kids! and last… if a juggalo gets crushed i think his squeeky nose might make a sound..
Regan Smith Clarke: haha
if no one’s around to hear him tho, he might as well have been silently crushed
TFS: Do they wear squeeky noses?
Regan Smith Clarke: hmmm, I don’t think so
they just drink this soda called faygo
TFS: Damn. goes to show how much i know.. I need to brush up on my juggalo game..
Regan Smith Clarke: Ya no doubt you do
TFS: So back to the task at hand.. how would you classify RSC brand?
Streetwear?
Regan Smith Clarke: no I wouldn’t say that
to be honest, I’m not sure if I’ve even thought about how it’s going to be classified
I think it works for streetwear people
TFS: I’d agree with that, its kind of on its own playing field which is cool.
Regan Smith Clarke: But I wouldn’t say its a streetwear line
TFS: Any up coming projects the people should know about?
Regan Smith Clarke: yes
I’ve got a ton of things coming out soon
TFS: Well don’t keep us in suspense! spill the beans
Regan Smith Clarke: Over the next month you will see some hoodies, another long-sleeve, and a few other small things
TFS: Nice! cant wait to check out the hoodie
Regan Smith Clarke: Anyone who is in the Boston area should come see me at SoWA Holiday Show Dec. 11th and 12th
TFS: What is SoWA?
Regan Smith Clarke: SoWA is a district in Boston’s South End
they have an open market through the summer
and do a holiday show right before Christmas
there’s lots of cool vendors/designers at these events
TFS: Nice! Will people be able to pick up all the RSC gear there?
Regan Smith Clarke: I’ve met a lot of other cool t-shirt brands at these events
absolutely
You can come check out my booth, I’m actually stationed right next to the ladies bathroom haha
TFS: Perfect spot!
Aha
Regan Smith Clarke: No doubt
TFS: Now let me ask you this, since were on the subject of Boston. How is the industry out there for people who dont know? Boston is a pretty lively hub for art and culture right?
Regan Smith Clarke: Sure is, Boston is a real college town
I think about 1/3 of the city is made up of these punks
TFS: ahah the future of our society!
Regan Smith Clarke: Being a hub of education brings together a huge mix of people
the best way to learn is collaboration
so we certainly have that locked down over here
TFS: very nice.
where can people buy some RSC products?
Regan Smith Clarke: you can pick up my stuff anytime you’d like at my webstore: http://shop.Regan Smith Clarke.com
you can also find me in person at events, such as the SoWA Holiday Show
D-Structure SF on Haight-Ashbury
and of course in The Freshstock webstore!
TFS: yessir! we need more RSC products on there my friend
Regan Smith Clarke: No doubt man, in two weeks you will!
TFS: Awesome!
any shout outs to the homies?
Regan Smith Clarke: Of course man, I thought you’d never ask
TFS: Stop rushing me regan!
Regan Smith Clarke: I’d like to give shout outs to my business partners Nick P. and Deven, my right hand man Johnny Beachmont, Creed/Nickleback/Chris Daughtry/all the juggalos across the world for keeping me entertained, and you of course!
oh and Brandon Herbel, Lori Kirk and Zac fucking Wolf and Manny!
thats it for now
TFS: Nice little list you got there..
I’m sure daughtry will be thrilled
Regan Smith Clarke: ha
yah he’ll probably call me later and complain I left out the guys in his band
TFS: He has a band!?
Regan Smith Clarke: I think so haha
you know whats awesome?
TFS: That must suck for those guys right…
yea im in Daughtry!
that just doesnt sound cool man…
Regan Smith Clarke: When my business partner and I are suppose to be doing work, we end up eating peanut butter sandwiches and watch Chris Daughtry videos
good times
yah I don’t think there’s anything remotely cool about that guy
TFS: eeesh….
well on that great note!
this now concludes our great interview…
its been a pleasure to say the least
aha
Regan Smith Clarke: haha, I hope this doesn’t conclude our friendship!
TFS: unless you have any last words?
Well……
Regan Smith Clarke: just want to thank you and The Freshstock for being super rad and supporting me. I love SF, can’t wait to get back out there to rage with you guys
TFS: awww im touched man..
till next time my friend!
Regan Smith Clarke: thanks dude
Website: www.regansmithclarke.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/regansclarke
