Spotted: Downtown Oakland
What are you up to today?
I'm headed to the Kia dealership to meet with my friend who works there. I'm not from here, I'm from Arizona.
So are you just visiting?
Yeah.
Oh, nice! What brought you out to the Bay Area?
Arizona is scalding hot. I hate it. I have a couple of friends here, so I get away while I can. It was 115º when I left. I've been here for two weeks now.
Man, how do you do it?
I just moved back to Arizona last year — I've been gone, like, six years, and I was gone all last summer too.
So you just bolt when summer rolls around?
Yes! Before that I was in Canada for school, so I would go to Arizona from there and be like, oh the sun, yes! But once I'm there I'm like, no, I forgot — I don't like it!
What were you doing in Canada — what were you going to school for?
I was there to play basketball. It's a school that thrives on international athletes and athletics, so I got to meet a lot of people from all over the place. But yeah, basketball's what brought me there — and school.
What's your occupation?
I do slight work. I do some brand ambassador work, small modeling stuff here and there, but that's it for now — until I go back to school. I have a semester left.
Oh, so you're still in school!
I'm an old student, yes! [laughs] Right now, I'm doing a bachelor of arts in community service and a minor in business. But before that, I was doing fashion merchandising.
Is that what you're interested in?
I love fashion, music, arts — all the stuff that is a struggle in life to make money. [laughs]
What have you been exploring in the Bay Area so far?
Honestly, since I've been here this time, there was a lot going on in my house before I left with my roommates, so I've just been relaxing and hanging out, not really doing too much. I'm going to DJ on Sunday. Somebody asked me to host an event.
That sounds fun! Where are you DJ-ing?
Milk Bar. I've never been there. It's out in the Haight.
Do you DJ back home as well?
I do. I got started this summer. I'm trying to build my little base in Arizona and learn. I'm more than willing to learn.
How did you start out?
I've always loved music. I think I took way too long to get into it, honestly. But sports, school, and basketball has always been time-consuming so I didn't have the time. Now I'm not in it, so I have time.
What's something you've been listening to recently?
I like a lot of Odesza right now. I do like a lot of electronic.
Is that mostly what you play?
Honestly, I've done everything. My gigs so far have been from hip-hop to lounges, where it's all elevator music. I know everybody says they listen to everything, but I've done a little bit of everything. Mostly electronic, hip-hop, and trance.
What's inspired your style today? I like the long tunic shirt you have on!
Thank you! I shop a lot from thrift stores or anywhere — I don't care. Expensive or not, whatever. I was trying to feel the breeze and this is a really light shirt. As for the jeans, I always wear a lot of black.
And the sandals are cute too.
Yeah these are Forever 21 — like $20.
So you do a mix of everything.
Yeah, from thrifting to high-end. I've also got my little Michael Kors bag.
Oh, that's a cute little backpack!
Yeah. I'm not too good for anything, you know what I'm saying?
