Teefury

A word from the curator:
We've interviewed AJ several times in the past, so this time we're trying something a little different. Since this is an It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia design, we're interviewing a TeeFurian from Philly!

This community interview is with matt2kool!

Where are you from?
I’m originally from Ambler, Pennsylvania but I’ve lived in Maple Glen (next town over) for most of my life. Both are right outside of Philly.  I've also lived in Philadelphia for two years and I lived in Germany for a year as an exchange student which was the best experience of my life this far.



When and how did you first discover TeeFury?
I first discovered teefury in July 2008 from an introduction thread by Layne Hunter on t-shirtforums.com. I think he’s the one who started the site. I’ve been checking teefury every day since.

How did you initially get interested in t-shirts?
I’ve always liked the graphics and designs on t-shirts. I grew up wearing lots of skater/surfer brands and then I started buying band shirts at every concert I went to. When I started working for Ropeadope as a Music Marketing intern, we were allowed to select two or three shirts for free from their many lines of graphic tees. That really sparked my interest. But I would probably credit teefury for really getting me into “artsy” shirts. And then I discovered Design By Humans shortly after that. The rest is history.



Which character is most awesome: TBird, Teevil, Dead Bird, or Mr Pancakes?
Tbird definitely. He’s the original teefury bird that’s been around since day one. I remember getting two free bird shirts for placing two of the first 500 first orders ever on teefury. Teevil and Mr. Pancakes didn’t even exist then!




If you could start a new t-shirt trend, what would it be?
No more skulls. ever

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Describe your favorite TeeFury shirt, and why you like it so much.
I could never pick just one. How about my top 10?

Owlnaut – Priscilla Wilson


Libertas – artist unknown (not on gallery page)


Give Hope. Love Life. Play. – Layne Hunter (I think)


Furyous Omnibus – collaboration


Furnished – Nick Seluk


Animal Gravity – Mike Klay


Prairie Squid – Matt Verges (regretfully I didn’t buy this one)


The Bird in a Tree Shirt – Steven Bonner


Hot Dog – jublin


High Above and Down Below the Stripes – Tang Yau Hoong

I’m very much an art fan and not so much a fan of pop culture. All of the above named designs are original works in which the style of each artist can be seen.


What was it like to go from being a t-shirt fan to a t-shirt professional, as curator of the Ropeadope Design Collective?

Incredibly amazing. I get to work with some of the best artists out there and help to create some awesome t-shirts. I’m really looking forward to our next line. It should be out within the next month. Please check it out and buy a shirt if you like it!



In addition to being a t-shirt expert, you're also an authority when it comes to music. What bands do you think TeeFurians should check out?
Explosions in the Sky


Holy Fuck


Tame Impala


Fleet Foxes


The Mercury Program


person L


Efterklang


Like Pioneers


Battles


Sigur Ros

Any shout outs?
Simeon Wells for starting TeeBanter and making me a mod. And all the tee friends I’ve made there. Any and all t-shirt fans should come check it out!

Wotto for being my first ever curated artist and just an all around good dude

All the staff at teefury for always being so helpful with any issues I’ve had. Customer service is key and you surely do it well!

Greg Kerr from Miles to Go Clothing for answering any questions I’ve had about the t-shirt industry and giving me insider tips from an owner’s perspective.


Thanks for the interview TeeFury. I’ve checked this site every single day for the past two years and will continue to do so for the next ten. Keep up the great work!

And now, art by AJ Paglia: