The first sneak peek of the Johnny Cupcakes LA shoppe. Working closely with a company that builds, fabricates and engineers various things for Disney Land/World, Universal Studios as well as other international artists + architects. They're helping me bring all my crazy ideas to life. This new LA Johnny Cupcakes shoppe will be quite the memorable experience.
My parents and select friends think I'm insane for putting so much time, energy and money into my LA shoppe. I really just want it to be a fun, different, memorable experience. Whether people are or are not into my brand, every time they see a bakery or a cupcake they talk about Johnny Cupcakes. "Oh my - there's this kid who's been opening up bakeries on expensive streets, and he doesn't even sell real food!" - Instantly friends of the upset hungry people, become very curious & have to check out this Johnny Cupcakes thing.
Now how about this; After going into my new LA shoppe and seeing 36 vintage oven doors that move & steam - as well as witnessing a giant 10' foot tall oven that employees walk in and out of... EVERY time those happy and/or unhappy people see an oven in their lifetime, my name/brand will probably come up in conversation. Every human looks at an oven at least two times a day, every day. "Oh my - there's this kid who opens up bakeries on expensive streets & doesn't even sell real food! On top of that, he has a poo poo load of moving/steaming vintage ovens in his store. This kid even has a 10' foot tall oven that employees walk in and out of! I don't get it?!"
Yadda yadda yadda... anyways - I just still have that prankster inside of me. I almost feel like the Willy Wonka of t-shirts. I enjoy making people feel like kids again. And I want everyone to remember me when I pass away. I don't plan on passing away anytime soon, but it would be nice to be some sort of historic wise tale that gets passed down. And if/when I do pass away, it would be nice to go down in an adventurous way - via a great white shark eating me whole.
Most companies try to cut corners to turn a huge profit, and don't think twice about making the customers happy via spending extra time, energy & money on attention to details & experiences. Well I'm ALL for the little (and BIG) details. It is all about the experience, because at the end of the day we're all just humans hustling a product to consumers. Why not make it an unforgettable adventure for both parties?
Anyways, that's my two cents.
Bon Appetit!
- Johnny Cupcakes
Vapors.
May 9, 2008
Pick up the latest copy of Vapors magazine. They just did a hefty write up on my brand and I. The latest issue of Vapors is also jam packed with other great interviews + features of interesting people.
Women's Wear Daily (WWD) also just did another nice feature. Everyone is excited about the new LA Shoppe that's opening later this summer. I will be posting a video at some point today, filling you all in with my wacky ideas.
- Johnny Cupcakes
BBQ at home.
May 7, 2008
I had a bunch of buddies over this evening - for a friendly BBQ, fire, ping-pong and pool tournament(s). It was a wonderful night and a small taste of what summer has to offer. Thanks for putting all my porch furniture together dad - you saved the evening!
- Johnny Cupcakes
Moving units.
May 6, 2008
I was so tempted to play Jenga. We're beginning to need our own ups delivery truck(s) for our online orders! We just shipped out over 700 items from this weekend. I couldn't imagine what would happen if the pony express was still around.
My mom came down to the Johnny Cupcakes headquarters to help out with this madness. (hi mom!)
- Johnny Cupcakes
Erik Scandalous.
May 3, 2008
Meet long time friend, Erik Scandalous. We first met briefly at the Plymouth Memorial Hall during an Eastcide / Reach The Sky show when we were 14 years old. My friends mom dropped us off and I think that was one of my first few shows I attended as a kid? Erik was running around moshing with a batman mask on, while Drake and I talked about how much we wanted to start a popular band. We studied the fliers, merch, equipment set ups and more. A few years after starting a rap band when we were 15, we began our hardcore metal band, On Broken Wings.
After playing a handful of shows, we met up with Erik again. He ended up joining us on our first official tour / road trip to play the Gainesville Fest in Gainesville, Florida. I have some great footage of that trip! From lighting each other on fire, squeezing orajel in each others mouths, the infamous Converge riots, my prank fake band guest book that would electrocute anyone who would open it(I think that was this show) - and other random acts of wacky behavior. Our other friend/merch guy tried 'tea bagging' me when we were all camping out in this one hotel room. Apparently I sat up unconsciously / still asleep, punched him in the face 3 times which left him with a bloody nose, I randomly said the words "cement man bro" - and then fell back to sleep. Every time we toured through Florida since that incident, kids would call me "cement man bro".
Anyways - Erik is a funny, smart, entrepreneur, drug-free guy who can tell some of the most amazing stories. Yeah, he does have a small temper and has gotten into his fair share of trouble like any other guy - but he means well and is now turning into a grown man. Erik's always brainstorming some next level ish. Any day now he's going to blow people away with one of his ideas and I'm excited to witness it. He's now working on a great concept clothing line called, "Partyface". Be on the look out and support this friend of mine!
You can catch him in California relaxing in a home chock full of fun, straight edge Boston friends who stand united and hapy in the warm weather (i'm sending those photos of your kids soon Curry - I promise!) and casually hustling at the To Die For art gallery / shop on Fairfax Avenue in Los Angeles. Stop by and say hello. More adventures are to be had once I get my California shop up and running. See you soon Erik! XXX
- Johnny Cupcakes
Sick.
May 3, 2008
My head feels like a billion lbs. My nose is dripping water, not boogers. Every so often I'm changing the twisted tissues that are artfully placed in my faucet-like nostrils. I sound and feel like an old truck and/or truck driver. Yes, I am drinking lots of tea, orange juice, water, Emergen-C, ginger ale, soup etc.. I am trying to rest - however, I have to get up to go tinkle every 25 minutes.
I'm glad it's crappy outside for two reasons;
1.) I don't feel as if I'm wasting the day by being the homebody that I usually am. 2.) The grass and trees will be much more greener outside, due to the rain. So when I do feel better and when the weather shapes up, it will be beautiful outside.
I gave up on answering e-mails because my head is pounding when attempting to focus on something. Trying to get comfy on my couch, my body is constantly too hot or too cold. Blankets or no blankets? Fireplace or no fireplace? Pj's or boxer shorts? Slippers or no slippers? I've been watching the On Demand preview(s) for a solid hour and a half now. I've finally decided to watch a classic movie from my childhood: 'Milk Money' and/or 'The Quest' with Jean-Claude Van Damme.
But WAIT...tinkle time usa.
- Johnny Cupcakes
Music videos.
May 1, 2008
Here's a small selection of some recent songs and music videos that make me happy. Enjoy!*Peep the 3:12 mark above / Johnny Cupcakes pin*
- Johnny Cupcakes
Fake teeth fixed.
Apr 30, 2008
Just to let everyone know, Billabong's group CEO took immediate action when becoming aware of my Johnny Cupcakes' golden Tooth design which was used on one of their t-shirts. We were also assured that Billabong's subsidiaries have discontinued selling the Johnny Cupcakes looking Billabong Teeth t-shirt. Thanks for fixing that awful mishap CEO, I appreciate it!
Hook it up with an oem, limited edition Nixon watch / Johnny Cupcakes collaboration!
- Johnny Cupcakes
Bye for now California.
Apr 29, 2008
I got a lot of work done when I was in California. I also met some great people and ate lbs of great sandwiches every day. I'm sure I'll be back soon to check up on the progress of my new LA shoppe. I'll keep you all up to date with the everything. Soon I will hopefully know a date of when the grand opening will be. There's at least a dozen people who plan on flying out to the west coast to be first in line for the opening, who need to book their flights and hotels. I am honored and like I said, I will keep everyone up to date.
I'm back in Boston and have to shake off this jet lag before I get sick. Time to brush my teeth and watch Karate Kid.
- Johnny Cupcakes
Alfa-Romeo.
Apr 29, 2008
Look at this juicy gem I stumbled upon when in San Francisco this past weekend. There's so many nice cars in California. Actually, there's so many awesome and obscure vintage things in general, which are all in great condition. It's gotta be all that nice weather, disposable income and over population.
- Johnny Cupcakes
Fellini.
Apr 29, 2008
This past weekend I stayed in Berkeley California with some good friends. We had an amazing breakfast at a place called Fellini's. It was a vegan breakfast yet tasted better than the real thing. We also saw that new Jet Li / Jackie Chan movie. That was not so good. Later that night I kept puking up movie theater butter / popcorn tidbits. I'm going to hold back from eating popcorn for a long time.
- Johnny Cupcakes
Shhh... Top Secret.
Apr 25, 2008
I've been trying my hardest to keep some secrets about the Los Angeles Johnny Cupcakes shoppe. I thought about it - and rather than keeping a ton of secrets that would only be good to surprise people on the opening day - I thought it would be better to bring you all along the journey of my wacky ideas physically coming to life.
This is a small tiny piece / sample of what's to come.
This small tiny piece / sample is heavier than me. This photo does no justice of how dope this is in person. These blueprints are only the beginning of what else is to come. My shoppe will have a handful of unforgettable custom made contraptions. Think Pee Wee's Playhouse + a cupcake factory on steroids with a shot of Disney Land. Stay tuned for more!
Power house, Japanese brand A Bathing Ape / Bape - opened up steps away from my new LA shoppe. Freshly installed palm trees were planted around the store. I attended their private party a few nights ago.
Clean, simple interior with some fun Bape-like elements..
In addition to Pharrell and Nigo's presence, I encountered some other cool people. Rick Ross, Takasha Murakami, Mike Tyson, Omarion, Dr Romenelli, NERD, Kanye West, various press and some new + familiar faces.
Jonah of Superbad fame.
Pete Wentz. I missed him when he popped in my Boston shoppe, but alas. We have some mutual friends, we are both entrepreneurs and we were both in hardcore bands signed to Eulogy Records at one point.
Alex of Homeroom clothing. We met at a trade show a while back. Great kid, chock full of ideas (and delicious bubble gum), designs some amazing products and has a good head on his shoulders. We're going to meet up while I'm in San Francisco this weekend.
Fellow Bostonian, Daniel Weisman. Manager of the musician Wale. We were supposed to hang out last year when he was up in Boston too. We chatted about bits of life, over champagne glasses of water.
New York artist Kaws.
Lupe Fiasco was just as excited to meet me as I was to meet him! One of the most down to earth people I've met. He was full of life all night and wasn't wasted or on drugs. He told me he's been watching my brand grow for a few years now and he loves / respects how I'm just some regular dude who hustled and came up from nothing / out of nowhere. We're going to try to meet up when his tour hits up Boston next month. Safe travels!
