The Confessional: Vashtie Kola

Happy New Year! This year we’re kicking off our Confessional with one incredibly creative and talented lady, “Downtown’s Sweetheart”, Vashtie.

Hailing from upstate New York, Vashtie’s been making her mark both nationally and internationally as the co-founder of one of New York’s best parties, 1992, and has worked as the Director of Creative Services for Island/Def Jam. Her passion for directing spawned during her childhood and just a few weeks ago Vashtie’s personal video project for C.R.S’s “Us Placers” was released and became the latest online buzz overnight.

Not to mention, she shares our love for one of our past Confessional inverviewees, Santogold!

Name and Age, please:
Vashtie (aka King Vashtie aka Vashius Klay aka Vash Money aka Chainsaw aka The Female Fonz aka Downtowns Sweetheart!)

Aged 15, forever (I’m like Claudia in “Interview With A Vampire”.)

Marital status:
Married to my work!

Where are you originally from?
I’m originally from Albany New York, upstate baby! A lot of people imagine I grew up on a farm or in a gated community, but not at all. I’m from Downtown Albany, which is pretty hood.

How long have you lived in New York?
I’ve been in NYC since the Fall of 1999. Dag, that’s 8 years.

What neighborhood in NY do you live in?
Currently I’m living in the East Village.

What are your favorite memories of New York since living here?
There are so many great New York memories. My favorite was during the blackout. My friends Dave and Sean were at my apartment when it all went down. I had just moved in and literally had a futon and my bed with nothing else. It didn’t make sense for us to chill in my place waiting, so we ventured out into the dark. It was fun and scary. We’d be walking down the street and you couldn’t see farther than 3 feet in front of you. We went past NYU’s library and found that they had air conditioning because of their generators. We snuck in and raided their vending machines. After that we made our way to SoHo and stumbled upon a pool. There was a 20 foot fence we had to climb to get to it and I ripped my favorite jeans almost clear in half doing it. When we got to the pool we just chilled. It was a great time.

Give us a brief rundown of your past work experience.
Phewww. Where do I begin.

I started working at age 8 for my dad. He’s a car mechanic and I spent a lot of time in garages, I learned a lot about cars in my early years. I volunteered for years at hospitals and youth organizations. Around the age of 13, I got a job working at a tattoo shop in Albany (Lark Street Tattoo). The guys there were like father figures and gave me a job to keep me from hanging out on the streets. I learned a lot about art there. My boss and mentor, Bruce Kaplan was from New York and studied graphic design at Parsons. He taught me a lot.

During high school I also worked retail at Finish Line. That was a dope job because I got to build a good sneaker collection. I also had some other retail gigs, I always had 2 jobs at a time – so West Indian! Ha.

When I moved to New York I worked at the biggest tattoo shop and supply store on Canal Street. It was crazy seeing so many different types of people and celebrities coming in to get pierced and tattooed. Eventually I left because I couldn’t work and go to school full-time. I got a job at Stussy, which was cool. I worked with a lot of people who went on to do their own thing, like Chris from DQM and Angelo of Absurd. It was such a different time back then, “streetwear” didn’t exist.

I assisted photographer Jamil GS, working on photoshoots and managing his studio. That was fun and a lot of work. Jamil is great because he’d always teach me every aspect of what he did to help improve my craft. A year after film school I submitted my reel to Box Fresh Pictures and got signed as a Director. It was my first real job in my field and I was ecstatic. My first major piece was writing a treatment for Common’s “Testify” , which Anthony Mandler directed. During that time I was working for Nike iD which was fun. We got paid a lot and it never seemed like work.

Then I got a call from a friend and mentor who had just been brought in by LA Reid to head Island Def Jams Creative/Music Video Department. She asked me to help re-vamp the company as Director of Creative Services.

…I also styled for BBC/IceCream’s catalog and website.

You’ve done a variety of different creative jobs in the past, do you consider yourself mainly a video director?
I definitely consider myself an Artist, first and foremost. Ever since I could remember, I’ve been drawing and making things. Eventually, it led to photography and film. It’s hard to call myself a “Music Video Director” since it doesn’t delve into much. There are a lot of Directors who don’t write their own treatments and don’t consider themselves Artists. I would say that being a “Director” is what I’ve been focused on for sometime now.

How did you first become interested in directing and how did you get started?
As a kid my older brother and sister would take me to movies all the time and I loved it. My home life was pretty crazy and I would imagine my life as a movie. Being able to create worlds outside of reality fascinated me. When I got to about middle school I became somewhat of a recluse and would watch movies and MTV (when they played videos) constantly. The videos then were so creative and different. I loved music, but had never gone in that direction. It seemed like such a perfect marriage of the two, especially since I visualized elements when I heard music.

I was always such a hippy, that I wanted to create positivity and awareness through my art. Film/Music Videos seemed to be able to hit many people in a short amount of time and I wanted that.

Congrats on the video you directed for “Us Placers” by Lupe, Kanye & Pharrell. It’s gotten a lot of attention since you posted it on Youtube not even a month ago. What was the idea or purpose behind you making the video on spec?
Thank you. The response was extremely unexpected.

The idea came to me over the summer when Kanye dropped his mixtape. I loved it. The “Us Placers” song was my favorite and I wanted to shoot something for it. I had already loved the original Thom Yorke song/The Eraser, and I thought it was dope those guys rapped over the beat. Generally, people don’t shoot videos for mixtape songs and I wanted to create a visual for it.

No one commissioned me to do it. It was just a personal project I wanted to make. Since that was the case I thought to use child actors. This also made sense becase C.R.S (Kanye, Pharrell and Lupe’s collaborative group name) stands for Child Rebel Soldiers.

What kind of reactions have you gotten so far from the video?
The reponse has been insane. The night before I posted it on YouTube.com I screened it at a 1992 party. I was so psyched on it that I came home at like 5 am and posted it, then knocked out. I woke up later to tons of emails and voicemails from friends and people I didn’t know, saying how much they loved the video.

I mean, blogs and websites everywhere were discussing it. Ebro from Hot 97 asked to put it on the Hot 97 homepage. I was blown away and still am.

I had made three hard copies to send to Lupe, Kanye and Pharrell – but within hours that afternoon they had seen the video and loved it.

Of course there were few negative comments online about the execution, but considering: I used my own money and props, the kids weren’t real actors, we had less than 6 hours to shoot, and my friends and crew all did me a favor by working for free…I think the video turned out well.

You recently left your position at Def Jam, what kind of work were you doing and why did it come to a close?
It was my first executive position. My title was Director of Creative Services. I served almost as a “tastemaker” for the Creative/Video department. I’d be the person to come to for new ideas on anything. I was also coordinating, producing, creative directing, styling, etc.

When Rihanna was about to shoot her album packaging, they came to me and asked me to come up with ideas of different photographers. I usually had to pitch those ideas to Jay-Z and LA Reid, explaining why I thought my ideas would work.

I was also directing the EPK’s (Elelctronic Press Kits) for artists like; Chrisette Michele, The Dream and Melissa Etheridge.

I also did other random things. When we were doing Jay’s video for “Blue Magic” he and Hype asked me to bring my “cool friends” to be in the video. They needed people who had a 90’s hipster look.

I was on set for most of the videos and photoshoots; Nas, Fabolous, Chrisette Michele, etc. Paying attention to every detail and making sure everything looked great. It would be intense, working 12 hour days and weekends, doing everything from making sure the artist didn’t look silly to directing 2nd camera on the set of a Nas video. It was intense and very fast-paced, but I loved that.

I couldn’t focus on my Directing while working there and I became very unhappy. It was a very comfortable job with great pay and perks, but I had to let go of my fears and do my own thing.

What’s the greatest thing you learned while working at Def Jam?
Overall I’d have to say, I learned that no matter how much money you’re earning or how how comfortable you are…nothing matters if you’re not happy. It’s not to say I didn’t love working there, because I did. I just had personal goals that I needed to fulfill. I met great people and learned a lot, but in the end…it wasn’t for me.

Props to you and Oscar for one of New York’s best parties right now, 1992! You’ve mentioned before that you never imagined 1992 to become so popular, what was the idea behind the party when you started it?
Thanks. 1992 started when Oscar and I were just chatting it up like usual, just hanging out. We started talking about parties and how bored we were. So many parties we were going to became such scenes and brand-heavy. It’s like if you weren’t wearing the right t-shirt you weren’t cool. We just wanted a party that was about the party. Where anyone could come and have a dope time. The 90’s is our favorite era in music and fashion, so it made sense to make it a 90’s themed party. Oscar came up with the name 1992 and it’s been going on since the Summer of 2006.

Got any plans to take the 1992 party to another level?
Oscar and I are very loose with 1992, meaning we don’t force it - it just is. We haven’t tried to make it anything and I think that’s what makes it special. Since we started, we’ve taken it to Miami, Paris and Amsterdam. The love we get outside of NY and overseas is amazing. We’re soon taking it to London and Berlin, then eventually a European Tour. We’re also working on a party/show with performances.

Of all your different creative outlets, what part is most satisfying to you?
Wow, that’s a tough one. I might have to say drawing/painting. Filmmaking is so satisfying, but as an artist it can be difficult since it’s a collaborative effort. You could make a film by yourself, but it definitely takes more than one person. I love drawing and painting for that reason. You can create things on your own, and you don’t have to rely on anyone.

Can you tell us about any other things you’ve got on your horizon?
I’m about to launch a clothing brand this year, VIOLETTE. I’ve been working on it for 4 years, but have been procrastinating until now. It’s beginning with tee’s and hoodies and eventually working it’s way to cut & sew and accessories. It’s everything I love and I definitely see people liking it as well.

I’m also working on doing a photo exhibit with my friend and great photographer TIM MCGURR. That should be a lot of fun and bring a ton of cool people together.

Got a long term plan?
Just to keep working and create as much as I can. Making videos, films, commercials, paintings, products and clothing. I’d like to set an example for young people to follow their dreams and do what they love.

Do you have much free time? What do you do when you’re not working?
Anyone who knows me, knows I stay working on my computer 24/7. I’m a nerd. If not, I’m at home watching movies or chilling with friends. I don’t like to move around because I’m just lazy. I’m like a fat house cat that only wants to eat and sleep.

How would you describe your personal style?
My style is very tom-boy. I love oversized tees and loose jeans with sneakers. My friends clown me that I’m a dude, ha. When I get dressed up I like to be very clean and classic. I don’t like things to seem contrived or over-thought.

What’s your prized possession?
My Polaroid camera.

Where do you like to shop?
For clothes I’m pretty simple. I love vintage shopping. I know it isn’t cool, but I’m addicted to American Apparel and H&M. I’m like a toddler, I’m very sloppy and my clothes always get ruined so it’s better that they’re cheap and easily replaced. On the other hand, I’m serious about accessories. My sneaker collection is serious and when I got into women’s shoes and handbags, I had to be just as on point. For bags and shoes I like Balenciaga, Louis Vuitton, Fendi and Chanel. The classics.

Do you go out much? Got any favorite bars, lounges, and clubs?
I go out here and there. I love the 1992 party which is at R BAR on Bowery (wink, wink, nudge nudge). I also like The Bowery Hotel, The Beatrice, and Von.

Name your top 3 fave restaurants in NY and what your favorite dish is there.
The Spotted Pig – Cheese Burger!
Frank’s – Burratta Cheese and Tomatoes
Schiller’s – Sticky Toffee Pudding (I get the chills just thinking about it)

What music have you been listening to lately?
Bob Dylan, KID CUDI (he’s about to blow up!), Lupe Fiasco (his album is fire), The Clash, and SantoGold (she’s amazing).

Do you plan on living in NY forever?
When I “got it like that” I plan on having a phenomonal loft in NY, a house in Paris and a tent on the beach in Miami!

If you smoke, tell us your favorite rolling paper. If you drink, tell us your cocktail/drink of choice.
I’ve actually never smoked before. I was straight edge up until a couple years ago. I started drinking wine a couple years ago when I was traveling Europe. Wine and champagne is as far as I can go. I’m a cheap date, ha…it takes 2 glasses and I’m gone. I’d have to say my favorite drink is a Shirley Temple.

Name one New York woman that you would nominate to our Hail Mary! list.
SANTOGOLD!

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