Best buds Paul Dobleman (Blackheart Tattoo, SF) and Austin Maples (Enjoy Tattoos, LA) sit in for the show and talk about the state of California tattooing amidst the lockdown, how they've curated focused clientele, and each reveal a deep dark secret. This is a fun one!

Timestamps:

(00:01) Intro

(00:38) Do you know Fred Durst?

(02:02) California tattooing shutdown

(07:08) Austin’s new shop

(09:02) Forced break helped to reprioritize

(19:09) Moving out of California?

(22:13) Why are so many people getting tattooed right now?

(25:46) Side projects

(33:07) Curating a focused clientele

(44:35) How do you keep common imagery fresh?

(48:46) Why Austin is selective about what he tattoos

(58:05) Specializing in a style

(01:02:14) “Favorite” crimes committed in the past

(01:03:24) How Paul injured his ribs to save his favorite Adidas slides

(01:07:35) Deep Dark Secrets

(01:13:46) Who are the great “best bud” tattoo duos?

(01:15:40) Outro

(01:16:46) Credits

BOOKS CLOSED is hosted by Andrew Stortz (@andrewstortz)

Music by SAKURA @sakura.beatz
and Epidemic Sound

Books Closed Voicemail Line: (857)444-0662

What happened to tattoo magazines? Tat-journalist, James Musker (@toadhell___), joins Andrew this week to talk about his experiences writing for various online and print publications, being there for the end of Skin Deep magazine, and what the future may look like for those who write words about pictures on skin.

BOOKS CLOSED is hosted by Andrew Stortz (@andrewstortz)

Music by SAKURA @sakura.beatz

What do you think about this episode?
Leave me a message on the Books Closed Voicemail Line: (857)444-0662

MORE FROM THIS EPISODE'S SPONSOR:

My name is Ben Viamontes and I’ve been tattooing since 2005. I started working in shops, before tattooing, in 1995. 

Since 2009 I’ve had my own spot in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The shop is called Blacklist Tattoo Parlour. The shop is located in the heart of Albuquerque on historic Rt. 66. 

Albuquerque is a very affordable place to live with great weather and lots of things to do, especially if you’re into the outdoors.  

I have three open chairs at the moment. 

I am a firm believer in upholding the highest of standards in my shop. . . We are known in Albuquerque for our quality, cleanliness, and professionalism. 

• The shop provides essentially all supplies other than ink, needles and machines.
• I’m offering generous percentages. (Plus perks)
• I’m willing to help with relocation costs, for the right candidates.

Albuquerque has a strong tattoo scene. The right artist will be able to quickly build clientele between the military base and university in town, combined with walk in traffic and projects/clients that can be handed off by myself and current staff. 

I’m looking for artists who are looking to work in a clean professional environment. . . Maybe you're looking to take your career to the next step. Maybe you're looking to challenge yourself, or you're unhappy with the current situation where you're working.  

The right candidates will have a strong work ethic, be respectful of clients, coworkers, and be looking to improve their skills on an ongoing basis.  

Big egos, scumbags, and rock star attitudes need not apply.  

TO APPLY, HEAD TO:
blacklist-tattoo.com
now to submit your information for consideration!

Ben's IG: @powsonero

Is tattooing a performance art? What if the performance is more highly regarded than the tattoo itself? Bill Rocha (@billychop) sits in for this episode to discuss one of the most unique tattooers on Instagram: @RixardTattoo

Links to the videos discussed in this episode:

Bicycle

Feet/Head tattooing

Fencing

Drone

Cello

Trampoline

BOOKS CLOSED is hosted by Andrew Stortz (@andrewstortz)

Music by SAKURA @sakura.beatz

What do you think about this episode?
Leave me a message on the Books Closed Voicemail Line: (857)444-0662

Steve Byrne joins the show again to talk about the legal battle between Sailor Jerry’s widow and a big liquor company, art ownership, intellectual property, and why he wants bootleggers to eat their copies of his work.

Steve works at Rock Of Ages Tattoo in Austin, TX.

Buy his book Non Stop Tattooing from Atonement Books

BOOKS CLOSED is hosted by Andrew Stortz (@andrewstortz)

Music by SAKURA @sakura.beatz

Books Closed Voicemail Line: (857)444-0662

This episode's sponsors:

ETERNAL INK

Use coupon code BOOKSCLOSED to get 20% off your order of Eternal Inks! eternaltattoosupply.com
@eternaltattoosupply

MACHINE MACHINE CO

Use code: BOOKSCLOSED
for $50 off enrollment to Seth Ciferri's Machine Mechanics & Tuning Workshop
machinemachine.co
@machinemachine.co

Professionally crafted video courses made by professional tattooers. Get an exclusive look at what's behind some of the best work in the tattoo community.

Work/life balance for tattooers is a never ending challenge. Since it was just Valentine's Day, let's talk about relationships with the most special of guests...my wife, Rachel. We also hear from Greg Christian and Cindy Stroemple about what it's like when two tattooers tie the knot.

I have always felt the pressure of keeping my obsession with tattooing in check. It has had repercussions in my personal life, and is something that I still strive to balance as we speak. My wife sits in on the show to get personal about our own situation.

You can find Greg and Cindy in North Olmstead, OH at Tattoo Faction or in a city near you!

BOOKS CLOSED is hosted by Andrew Stortz

Music by SAKURA @sakura.beatz

Books Closed Voicemail Line: (857)444-0662

booksclosedpodcast.com

THIS EPISODE'S SPONSORS:

ETERNAL INK 
(eternaltattoosupply.com)
@eternalink

• Use coupon code BOOKSCLOSED to get 20% off your order of Eternal Inks!

MACHINEMACHINECO 
(machinemachine.co)
@machinemachine.co

• Professionally crafted video courses made by professional tattooers. Get an exclusive look at what's behind some of the best work in the tattoo community.

Hannah Wolf drops some knowledge about tattoo ink and Billy White tells us why he will always cover racist tattoos for free. 

Hannah Wolf works at Occult Tattoo in Oakland, CA.

Check out her book The Science of Tattooing

Billy White works at Red Rose Tattoo in Zanesville, OH.

Watch the documentary he is featured in: Beneath The Ink

BOOKS CLOSED is hosted by Andrew Stortz (@andrewstortz)

Music by SAKURA @sakura.beatz

Books Closed Voicemail Line: (857)444-0662

booksclosedpodcast.com

THIS EPISODE'S SPONSORS:

Cream Tattoo Supply (creamtattoosupply.com)
@creamtattoosupply

• Use coupon code BOOKSCLOSED at checkout for 20% off your order!

HOMESTEAD MACHINERY
@homesteadmachinery

• Handmade tattoo machines by Heath Rave

I talked to Alex Kass and Zac Scheinbaum, a couple tattooers who pursue tattoo related projects in addition to their day to day work. 

Alex runs the instagram page @tattoogear4sale, which has become the top place to buy, sell and trade (yes, you guessed it) tattoo gear. We talked about how he started the page, and some of the challenges that come with keeping it running. 

Zac created Afterlife Press, an independent publishing company that has put out two amazing books focusing on some of the greatest and most prolific tattooers of our time. We talked about his approach and why he is so interested in presenting a closer look at these tattooers.

 Alex Kass tattoos at Electric Panther Tattoo in San Antonio, TX.
@alexkass_ep 
@tattoogear4sale 

Zac Scheinbaum tattoos at Seventh Son Tattoo in San Francisco, CA.
@zacscheinbaum 
@afterlifepress

BOOKS CLOSED is hosted by Andrew Stortz

Music by SAKURA @sakura.beatz

Books Closed Voicemail Line: (857)444-0662

booksclosedpodcast.com

THIS EPISODE'S SPONSORS:

ETERNAL INK 
(eternaltattoosupply.com)
@eternalink

• Use coupon code BOOKSCLOSED to get 20% off your order of Eternal Inks!

TATTOO SMART
@tattoosmart

Digital design tools and tutorials for tattooers!

• Check out the Digital Stamp Flash Sets to arm yourself with an arsenal of functional reference material
• Use coupon code BOOKSCLOSED to get 15% off your order!

Didn't get enough on Ep 032? Here is more with Doreen Garner.

Doreen works at Saved Tattoo in Brooklyn, NY.

This extended episode is sponsored by:

GoReminders

Eliminate no-shows, save time & increase revenue with GoReminders. It is simple, automatic appointment reminders via text messages and email. This service pays or itself with just ONE avoided no-show appointment!

• Head over to: goreminders.com/booksclosed for 10% off for life!

Tamara Santibañez talks about what it is like to be stretched between two "worlds" within tattooing, and the weight of tattoos on those who get them and those who do them.

Tamara's Informed Consent and Trauma-Aware Tattooing brochure can be found here.

Doreen Garner shares what drew her to tattooing, and the positive effect that increasing diversity can have on the industry.

You can get tattooed by Tamara and Doreen at Saved Tattoo in NYC.

BOOKS CLOSED is hosted by Andrew Stortz

Music by SAKURA @sakura.beatz

Books Closed Voicemail Line: (857)444-0662

booksclosedpodcast.com

THIS EPISODE'S SPONSORS:

ETERNAL INK 
(eternaltattoosupply.com)
@eternalink

• Use coupon code BOOKSCLOSED to get 20% off your order of Eternal Inks!

TATTOO SMART
@tattoosmart

Digital design tools and tutorials for tattooers!

• Check out the Spit Shading Toolkit to give your digital art the look of classic traditional hand-painted flash!
• Use coupon code BOOKSCLOSED to get 15% off your order!