Interview: Screen Printer/Designer Corey Martinez from EGOCIDE

Please state your name and occupation and explain a little bit about what it is you do.

My name is Corey Martinez and I'm a screen printer/designer. My full-time job consists of me helping print posters and embroider for bands and brands all over Canada. I also make digital art and design clothing in my spare time, under the alias EGOCIDE.

Image provided courtesy of Corey Martinez/EGOCIDE

What was your upbringing like and how did you become interested in screen printing and art?

My upbringing was alright. I was born in Edmonton and grew up there with my mom, stepdad and sister till I was like 15. Lower middle class type of stuff.

My biological dad was a really good artist, but really lazy, so he went nowhere with his ability. After my parents divorced and we moved in with my stepdad I was really angsty and discovered skateboarding, and then through that, graffiti.

I sucked at letters, but was obsessed with stencils. I’d cover my wall in art from Dalek, Seventh Letter Crew, Shepard Fairey.

I’d cut out Mike Giant art and spray it onto grip tape and clothes. Skateboarding kinda introduced me to this whole new world of art and characters.

Screen printing came later – it was kinda like the final stage of making DIY clothes. I really didn’t like fashion and stuff for awhile until I realized that cloth and canvas and textiles can just be another medium for one’s art.

What was the genesis of EGOCIDE and where do you find your inspiration for the pieces you create?

I couldn't afford designer stuff when I was a kid and I always just modded my clothes anyway, so once I got a job at a legit print shop it was go time. I still can't afford that stuff unless I work myself to the bone, so why not just make cool clothing for myself and everyone.

My inspiration comes from rejection, isolation, dealing with stupid people and being a stupid person. I have a pretty big ego; I have to control it a lot and I feel like I've found an idea that helps myself and may help others. Instead of lashing out I try to work hard, think out situations and most importantly build myself up instead of down.

Is there a particular audience you're targeting?

Hmmm, I guess people outside of the norm. Punks, skaters, bedroom musicians, models… whoever sees my stuff and connects with it.

I’m not really trying to get my stuff on celebrities and major influencers. I’m more interested in working with up-and-comers and people who are active in their communities and interests.

What is a typical work day like for you?

I squeeze all this in between working 9-5, Monday to Friday. Luckily I work at a print shop, so I’ll spread the process throughout the day or week. I’ll go home and make designs and the next morning or at lunch I’ll print the films and burn screens and then print after work. If I’m doing a big project I’ll probably be at the shop for 12-14 hours. Printing from home is pretty much the same thing with the time condensed.

I try to reserve weekends for mail, working with clients or collaborators, sewing and making designs.

How do you get the word out about EGOCIDE and where do the majority of your sales come from?

Word of mouth and using social media to my advantage has gotten the word out. My Tinder profile has a link to my store [laughs]. I also try to do markets as much as I can, but I don’t really bump into my audience there. Word of mouth really helps me though. I love when people are happy with their clothes and share and tag me in photos.

A majority of my sales come from Newfoundland and Halifax. I lived there for a while and most of my best friends live out there; they really support and believe in me. After living there I wanted to offer people choices beyond puffins and stereotypical Newfoundland shit. We get it – you’re by the ocean. How does such an isolated and cold place not have alternative designers? They do – there’s just no exposure. Besides that, I sell to Australia and Europe more than I sell to people in Toronto [laughs], but people here are starting to wake up.

Can you share some of the satisfying moments you’ve experienced since you started the brand?

I hook some local skateboarders up with gear and that's my biggest high. Anytime Kalen (@kalen.d.c) or Eleazar (@eleazarrj) send me skate footy it’s mind blowing. Having people willingly rep your stuff like that is really humbling. They’re young dudes who care about skateboarding so much and are just really cool and positive. I wanna see ‘em start going to shows too [laughs]. It’s refreshing as hell to have the support of the next generation. I have a lot of hope for the youth because they seem to be more level-headed and conscious than a lot of the “adults” I know. The fact that people come together and act like a support net for me blows my mind and makes me wanna keep going.

Are there any challenges you've faced in growing/running the brand?

Not getting burnt out, and staying healthy and social. I’m already making clothes for 30+ hours out of my week and then I do the same stuff and markets in my spare time. It feels like I’m drowning and constantly sore/tired sometimes.

My biggest struggle is being taken as seriously as some of these other companies or people, I guess. Which is probably my fault because I don’t conduct myself as a business, have 1,000 followers and a cool e-persona.

People don’t think I’m legit ‘cuz I’m not in stores, even though I’d have to charge twice the price just to pay “rent” to have my stuff in a store. Fuck that. I do this all myself and you may eventually have to come to me for something – you either recognize or don’t.

Also: wtf Newfoundland shopkeepers? Show smaller creatives more love.

I’ve seen you around at some hardcore punk shows. How involved are you in the local scene?

Everybody is trying as hard as they can every day, so it's important to show love, you know? Being involved in the scene, I just wanna help. If they need shirts or decals, people can reach out to me and I'll help them if I can. I'm a printer, it’s what I do.

What have been some of your favourite shows this year? Any local bands you’re loving right now?

The NDY [Not Dead Yet] show [on August 16 at Velvet Underground] was one of the sickest shows I’ve been to in a while. I really wanted to see MURO and they played a surprise set, which was blessed. Lower Species was also an amazing show - they’re so heavy; Diztort and Fury was also a big one.

The Wild Side record release show was nuts. So many people, free hats and awesome jams. That was a really fun time and was really cool to see Wild Side’s hard work pay off.

Wild Side, Raze, Tashme, Real World, Scorpio Rising, S.H.I.T. Terry Green, The Fact, Pretty, Aunty Social, Uglytomorrow are all local acts that I’m into – the last three aren’t hardcore, but they’re still sick.

You were in a hardcore punk band called Agitate. What’s the story behind that?

Agitate was something I wanted to do. I’ve wanted to play in bands forever, but was self-conscious. I feel like you gotta jam to really understand punk. It’s just another release and so fun expressing yourself. I found these dudes off Reddit and we made a band and had a lot of fun as Agitate, but everybody wanted different things, so it never worked out. I’m working on another project though, with some awesome people that aren’t really involved in the scene; hopefully it works out.

What can we expect to see from EGOCIDE in the coming months and years?

The future of EGOCIDE? I dunno really. I’m releasing a new brand in the fall with my friend Grimjob – it’s called Strategic Cold – so that will take up some time. I’m getting into vinyl decal making, so people can hit me up for that. I’ll also be doing stuff with Faro Jewellery, which will be fun. I’m really trying to become autonomous and live off this and textiles in general.

Check out more of Corey’s work at https://egocideclub.bigcartel.com/ and https://www.instagram.com/ego.cide/