Ever since I’ve had any type of social media, all I do is post fun things. Hanging out with my friends and their kids, go to raves, photograph concerts, have nice dinners and post topless vacation pics. Isn’t that what social media is what is all about? To post the fun stuff? I must be posting the right angles because y’all be asking the same question: Rashad, do you work?
Over the weekend, I went to see my friends Speaklow at Public Records for their participation at LESCSS (Lower East Side Cactus & Succulent Society) and their table of iconic finds.
Seeing my boys do their thing, sell a bunch of their found art and objects from all over the world and a packed house with vendors including friends and guests of the show, Lichen NYC.
I didn’t buy anything (shocking) but I would have bought a vintage Black Tultex longsleeve from Fantasy Explosion. Also missed out on the handcrafted mini tote bags that were made in Japan and fabric constructed by Micheal Brown of Speaklow. I did have a good conversation with Elise Wilken from Mellow NYC and share a proud new moment with Jared Blake of Lichen NYC though.
I highkey ran into a lowkey mentor of mine and co worker of sorts at the event. I’ve been running into her unexpectedly often and I’m always happy to see her. We only catch up during our run ins and it’s never planned except for the BBQs she throws.
Throwback memories. We used to work at a job I dreamed of working in my mid-ish twenties. It taught me the basics of production and then when I went to another studio, I learned how to produce photoshoots & events. I met her there and thought this was a great opportunity. She put me on by PAing music videos to small commercials. Gen Z wouldn’t last an hour in the asylum where they raised me. Word on the street is that Petra Collins also got her start there too. Everyone started out as star rookies that turned into star players and today they’re crushing it.
We catch up and chat. I tell her about my new venture, Matsar, and she tells me that she’s been working on her ceramics. I want her to make matcha bowls for me but she’s already busy making matcha bowls for her friend who has a matcha brand. I’m beginning to think everyone in Brooklyn has a matcha brand. Let alone do ceramics. Then I tell her I’m about to go on vacation and she asks “Rashad, do you work?”
Of course I do! I live in Brooklyn, NY. How else am I supposed to support myself? I know this is a hypothetical question but it cuts deep when you work every single day to try to make it while everyone else is. I want my projects to do well. Although my projects are fun, they are work at the end of the day. I guess I need to tone back the fun.
I’m trying hard not to sound mysterious either. I don’t have a pdf portfolio. Everything is up at rashadrastam.com and it seems as if every year there is a new delete yourself from the Internet post such as from The Wall Street Journal, but I’m adding more stuff to the Internet each day. Now I’m a photographer so you’re going to see more work than ever. I’m always asked by new friends and clients if I do video work so I guess I’m going to have to teach myself some video. I want to DJ again. After we come back from our Wear Many Hats World Tour this year, I’m going to take the time to perfect the side quests and tune up the main character bits.
Haim is definitely going to have a killer record for all sexes this year because it’s true, everybody is trying to figure you out. Are they not? When people land on your Instagram page, aren’t people trying to figure out who you are? Ask the question as old as time of what do you do? I hate that question. People used to ask that question for the sake of understanding what you do for work not for your personality. Some ask because they’re on the other side of their lives and want to know how they can replicate it so they’re not stuck in their own hellhole anymore. Is it the new what’s your sign? Anyways figure me out.
Even better, Haim’s new record is called I Quit. Which is relatable to everyone.
‘Everybody’s trying to figure me out’ rips. I also love that Haim are pioneering the titles of songs as sentences not capitalizing each letter of every word on the album. Danielle Haim starting off the drums, getting you into the groove, then Rostam Batmanglij with that guitar and wish he was still in Vampire Weekend again. Produced by Batmanglij and Danielle Haim, it’s bound to be a ripper from start to finish. Even though I hate the track Relationships. Could it be because I have trauma from high school of not liking the term? That’s one for me and my therapist to work out. Is it because it’s the production I’m not feeling? It’s not my cup of tea.
Speaking of cup of tea. Matsar is doing it’s first Culinary Industry Night at Rule of Thirds tonight with The Libi Project.
First for everything. First coffee shop. Check. First wellness shop. Check.
Do you ever get asked if you work? Do you not feel seen? Are you working the hardest you’ve ever worked, including smarter not harder and still get asked if you work? Well you’re not alone. Welcome to Wear Many Hats.