Moving from East London to Manchester when he was 18, Murkage Dave started putting on nights that quickly became a staple of the city’s club scene and beyond. But though he first made his name as a promoter, he’s always been multifaceted. “I’ve always been doing music since I can remember. I’ve been drawing cartoons and writing short stories and songs since I was about five,” he told us. “So it was just something that I’ve always done since then and I guess that I’ve just got less shit at it as I’ve gotten older.” Now carving out a space for himself as a musician, his ‘Murkage Dave Changed My Life’ tees have been a firm Everpress favourite. For his insights on style and running campaigns, read on.
ON HIS EARLY INSPIRATION
Really it was boredom. Well, trying to get your brain out of the loop that it goes on, that starts even from when you’re at primary school. You know, you do the same thing every day, then you do the same thing every weekend too. I guess music was something to get my brain out of that loop.
ON THE FAST-FASHION INDUSTRY
It’s kind of butters isn’t it. I guess there’s a lot of suffering attached to that level of comfort and we’re not even taking advantage of it, because it’s people in other countries making those clothes; sometimes very young people. I’m not sure what the solution is yet.
Every T-shirt that we make, we’ve sold and it’s gone to someone that wants it
ON HOW STYLE IS CHANGING
Social media has really changed communication; before it was what clubs you went to, what places you were hanging out, and that would influence how you dressed. Whereas now those clubs and places are online, and people swap their ideas online. So now you might go to Australia, Japan, Ghana, wherever, and you’ll meet people that dress the same way because they can be into the same stuff.
ON WHY HE STARTED SELLING T-SHIRTS
I needed to make money!
ON WHY HE USES EVERPRESS
I think the Everpress model is wicked, because of the fact that we don’t waste. Every T-shirt that we make, we’ve sold and it’s gone to someone that wants it. I feel that that really helps me and I feel like it’s a better way to do things in general too.
ON SEEING PEOPLE IN HIS T-SHIRTS
It’s a good feeling, it means you can go up to someone and say, “Eh, nice T-shirt.” At the very first headline show that I did at the Sebright Arms in East London there were loads of people wearing my T-shirt. It was an overwhelming night in general.
Find your own path and put your own footprints down
SOME WORDS OF ADVICE
To anyone wanting to follow in my footsteps, I would say don’t! You can be influenced by someone, I’m inspired by other creators and that’s cool, but I’d always say it’s better not to imitate other people. As cliche as it sounds, be yourself – still be inspired by people you rate, but find your own path and put your own footprints down.
Read More: Our series has seen us speak to David Vujanić, Kyle Platts and Joey Yu, so be sure to check out the other interviews. And you can shop Dave’s latest T-shirt here.
