In this episode, Seb sits down with Uncle Allan for a conversation that quickly goes far beyond the usual tattoo talk. What starts with Allan recovering from eye surgery turns into a deep, funny and honest exchange about obsession, craft, and the kind of personality that seems to come with tattooing. They talk about the “letters” so many tattooers seem to carry around, learning how your own brain works, and why that chaos can be both a struggle and a strength.

From there, the episode dives into Allan’s beginnings: growing up as the outsider kid in a small town, discovering tattoos through music, finding his way into the trade through graffiti, and entering tattooing at a time when it was far from glamorous. He shares what old-school apprenticeship really looked like, why passion matters more than trends, and why a tattoo with soul will always beat something that is technically perfect but lifeless. Seb and Allan also get into custom work, freehand tattooing, social media pressure, black metal imagery, photography, and the constant pull of too many creative passions at once.

This one is for people who truly love tattooing — not just the look of it, but the culture, the process, and the mindset behind it.

You can find Uncle Allan here on Instagram.

[ ADVERTISEMENT ]

You can save big with our advertising partners—including Neonsfeer, Murostar, Killer Ink, Cheyenne Tattoo Equipment, CoalBlack, and Caos Nero! Find all the details at www.tftn-podcast.com.