Felix Magazine is profiling some of the fascinating personalities who add style and panache to London’s thriving cultural scene. These are people who feel free to define themselves as they see fit. What is their story and how has London helped shape it?
Post on our Facebook wall to suggest the person you know who would complement this series of diverse, individual Londoners.
Arnö Vön Detritus
Arnö Vön Detritus moved from his small hometown in Belgium with nothing more than a backpack and the clothes he was wearing to enjoy the mayhem of London where he now runs the Rock n’Roll venue The Lounge in Archway.
Describe your current style as you see it.
I guess I consider myself a rocker. Simple. I think labels are just created to divide people.
I originally come from the punk scene or more specifically the die-hard DIY scene: squat living and strong networks of friends helping each other with underground bands, labels, venues and clothing brands. If you want something, make it happen!
I naturally started evolving more toward the metal scene when I started working for the famous Intrepid Fox in about 2010. I guess I felt too restricted in one “genre” and have always liked different things for different reasons whether it’s aesthetically, politically or musically in different scenes. I don’t want to limit myself to being this one thing.
Take what you like and what inspires you and create yourself. There are loads of great influences all around .
Where do you come from? Answer as you believe best.
I’m a small-town little street rat from Belgium and a punk kid who moved to the big city. I had nothing – no money and literally only the clothes on my back with a huge sense of freedom. I moved to London with a backpack living in a van. It all started from there.
When, how and where did your current style begin to emerge?
When I was 13-14 years old I bought Nirvana’s “Nevermind” on tape after seeing “Smells Like Teen Spirit” on MTV and embraced the greasy hair, the ripped jeans and the “rocker” rebellion. Then Slash from Guns n’Roses with his leather pants, a bottle of Jack Daniels and a pack of Marlboro. Also Motorhead’s Lemmy, of course! Rebellion is always fascinating! It’s much more attractive and fun. I think we never stop evolving and I’m still becoming more myself every day.
How has London changed you and your style?
London gave me the chance to live my life the way I want it to be. It gave me confidence, and gave me the opportunity to make (some of) my dreams come true.
Many criticise London as expensive, crowded and polluted. What is your view?
Well at least the weather is great, right? It’s true. What do you want to do about it? If you don’t like it there are plenty of other places. It’s that simple! There are so many cool opportunities in London.
Where would you recommend for going out?
About a year ago I relaunched this live music venue in Archway, The Lounge, at a time when London was in great need of a pirate-style venue and a safe haven for all of us misfits and renegades. It’s been doing well over my expectations.
I spend a considerable deal of my time “socialising” in different venues and I’m proud to say that I get on very well with most of the owners, managers and staff of London’s alternative rock n’roll venues.
I learned and still do everyday from people who have been in the business for way longer than I have.
Check out those amazing places: The Black Heart, The Dev, the Crobar, Slim Jim, The Big Red and Electrowerkz. Those are the places where you will most likely find me sitting at the bar sipping a JD if I’m not working. Those places keep the community alive and are a great network of friends as well as talented and dedicated individuals!
Do you think there’s a difference between simply being tolerated and accepted or actually welcomed?
Try not to be too much of a dick and you will be welcomed. At the end of the day you reap what you sow I’m afraid, amigo.
Is your rocker style your own or a product of a prescribed formula and “wanting to be different”?
I haven’t invented the wheel and I’m not exactly super original (as a rocker). But I like to think that it’s my own and it truly represents me as an individual.
Are you narcissistic? Are you an attention seeker or can viewers not help but stare?
I am not, no. I believe in positive changes. I believe in reclaiming your life. I hate when people victimise themselves. An attention seeker? Well, clearly! I would be in the wrong fucking business if I wasn’t. Anyone who does bands and venues who tells you they aren’t is a liar but arrogance is the enemy. Don’t become arrogant.
Interview by Stewart Vickers
The post In London: Arnö Vön Detritus Defines ‘Rocker’ appeared first on Felix Magazine.
No comments:
Post a Comment