Redemption Clothing : Matt Tyler interview

Seriously, high school sucks sometimes. Finals week is horrible, and also to blame for my week hiatus. But then I always come back with someone or something new and cool to tell you about.

This time, it's Redemption Clothing. Made up of the one-man-team that goes by the name of Matt Tyler. Not only does this guy make some cool looking shirts that are affordable (you really can't beat $14 for a t-shirt), he has a purpose and a passion : to remind himself and others of the redemption that has been given to us all.

Knowing that some of my friends were already fans of his line, and that some of my friends would totally dig his line, I asked him for an interview. In which we talked about world domination, sharks, and family. oh, and a few hints around what's coming up next for Redemption Clothing. As many of you know, court vs squid is me, and Matt Tyler is Matt Tyler (screen name removed for privacy).

court vs squid: what's you're name and what is it you do?
Matt Tyler: Matt Tyler
Matt Tyler: Owner/founder of Redemption Clothing
court vs squid: how was Redemption Clothing born?
Matt Tyler: well lets see, all growing up I had always been interested in fashion, clothing etc...
Matt Tyler: but being from a town of 600 I did not have alot of resources
court vs squid: haha man, that's smaller than mine. i almost feel your pain.
Matt Tyler: so it kind of hit the back of the burner. In 2006 I joined a band called For Today and we toured all over the country
Matt Tyler: so I got to see alot of sweet band tee's and art , and everything else, which reopened the fashion passion i had.
court vs squid: so it's just been recently revived?
Matt Tyler: well I always had it but was not able to do anything due to having no money for anything
Matt Tyler: cause always on tour
Matt Tyler: i had to beg kids for change to eat
court vs squid: what was your position in the band?
Matt Tyler: vocals
Matt Tyler: anyways to make a long story short, I had always wanted to start my own clothing line, but never had the time or money until last year.
court vs squid: what are your goals with the line?
Matt Tyler: I did not want to make clothing just to make a few bucks, I wanted to put a meaning behind it and incorperate my true passion, which is Jesus Christ
Matt Tyler: I wanted to make this clothing company into a ministry
Matt Tyler: make it something people can be proud to wear, and for me personally as a reminder of the redemption that has been given to me
court vs squid: good reasoning. i like it more than the 'i just wanted an outlet for my creativity.'
court vs squid: which i'm sure is another factor.
Matt Tyler: haha yeah'
Matt Tyler: theres so many kids out there just trying to get rich quick
Matt Tyler: and for my next goals for the business
Matt Tyler: im trying to get more designs , choices
Matt Tyler: and ultimatley get them in all of your stores Hot Topic, etc..
Matt Tyler: and of course take over the world
court vs squid: haha, A+ for world domination.
court vs squid: are there any designers in particular that you look up to?
Matt Tyler: Johnny Cupcakes
Matt Tyler: even before he was getting big, or anything else, I met him when he was in On Broken Wings
Matt Tyler: nice dude
Matt Tyler: then to find out and read his story.
Matt Tyler: blows my mind
court vs squid: never met him, but i definitely dig his line.
Matt Tyler: good guys do come out on top
Matt Tyler: for sure!
court vs squid: does your line follow any sort of theme (perhaps like the 'cupcakes' deal) or do the designs just come out as they come to you?
Matt Tyler: well i got something in mind which you will notice on my newest set coming out
Matt Tyler: but i dont wanna spoil it just yet so your going to have to keep posted haha
Matt Tyler: but mostly taking things I have alwasy wanted to see on clothing
Matt Tyler: such as I have a siq Frankenstien shirt im about to release
court vs squid: when is it expected to be out?
Matt Tyler: well I might put up pre order this week
Matt Tyler: you will probably see it within the next couple of days
court vs squid: alright awesome, and now that we're on the subject of ordering. is there anywhere besides your myspace page where kids can order shirts?
Matt Tyler: nah not right now, I just tried to turn my space into a store haha
Matt Tyler: I will be at a couple fest this summer
Matt Tyler: and I go to lots of shows
Matt Tyler: so thats the only other way
court vs squid: cash orders or do you mainly just work with the paypal stuff?
Matt Tyler: I prefer paypal/debit/cc
Matt Tyler: but if have to do the other way I will
Matt Tyler: kids just need to message me for that
court vs squid: and your shirts are affordable, too. which is a plus.
Matt Tyler: haha I do what I can
court vs squid: any words of advice for wannabe designers?
Matt Tyler: be ready to work extremely hard, and have no life
Matt Tyler: be prepared to commit 110 percent haha
Matt Tyler: but stick with it, itll all pan out yo!
court vs squid: like 'writers block' is there a 'design block'?
Matt Tyler: well you always want to make something you like ,but as well as other will like
Matt Tyler: obviously to keep the buissness up
Matt Tyler: but ideas yeah id say, but Im still pretty new, so I have tons of ideas
court vs squid: is there anything else that you want to get to in life besides world domination and making the line known?
Matt Tyler: haha, well I LOVE sharks
Matt Tyler: and that kind of stuff, so making look for treasure ,and ships in the ocean with sharks haha
court vs squid: do you want to keep your line mainly filled with shirts and hoodies, or do you hope to branch out to other types of clothing?
Matt Tyler: branch off
Matt Tyler: I actually have a girls cut tee coming,as well with baseball t, and a thermal
Matt Tyler: so shortly but surely im branching off
Matt Tyler: it all goes back to taking over the world
Matt Tyler: haha well at least of fashion
Matt Tyler: the bigger we get, the more "choices" we can do
Matt Tyler: unfortunatly it all goes back to money
court vs squid: always does :-( and you said 'we' is there a team of people you've got helping you out?
Matt Tyler: right now its just a one man team
Matt Tyler: haha me
Matt Tyler: I guess Redemption Clothing will have to offer
Matt Tyler: I dunno I kinda want it to be like a family though ya know
Matt Tyler: I know it sounds dumb
Matt Tyler: but like I dunno why cant it be done
court vs squid: nah, i get what you're saying. how some clothing lines are like "WOO THE __________CREW'
Matt Tyler: haha yeah
Matt Tyler: but ours will be where EVERYONE is accepted
court vs squid: haha not just the hipsters and scened00dz.
court vs squid: idk, now you've got me wanting an OddNotesFamily.
Matt Tyler: lets make Redemption a movement!
Matt Tyler: and OddNotes
Matt Tyler: we can be cousins
court vs squid: works for me.
court vs squid: alright, so i think i'm finally running out of questions. is there anything you want to say in closing?
Matt Tyler: umm, everyone interested: buy something! and stay posted lots of gnarly new stuff coming out SOON!

if you want to check out Redemption Clothing, you can go to their myspace page at
myspace.com/redemptionclothingrocks, and get the scoop on ordering details.

in closing: love Redemption Clothing, love your OddNotes.

coming up soon: A Place Like This interview, Rule 22 review, Real Live Tigers review, interview with Hannabeth Merjos. Awesome stuff. Feel free to IM me with bands, artists, designers, whatever that you think I should check out and I'll do my best to bring it to the blog.

and the new banner is courtesy of my afternoon inspiration from NYLON magazine. if any of you have graphic skills and want to make me a banner that represents the blog in someway, feel free to message me on my myspace which is found on the sidebar, or IM me, email, whatever.

peace.