I write Ether Or Ether One, I was Born and raised in Hayward, Ca. Heart Of the Bay [Bay Area, CA] but have lived a bit of everywhere.
2. Is there a story behind how you got your graffiti name? Did you have previous names?
I got the Name Ether From A Buddy Of Mine “Bids” who was Giving Me ideas for a name change in 2002....I started My Graff Career In 2000 writing “Yobtaf” 🤣🤦🏽♂️ and Cut it short to “Taf” in 2001.....he tried to get me to write “Boil” cuz I was always a hot boy when painting but I wasn’t feeling it so he through out the Name Ether And it just stuck, I have OCD [Obsessive Compulsive Disorder] so the symmetry of the name worked in my favor 🤷🏽♂️
3. How long have you been doing graffiti and how has the scene changed over the time you've been involved?
I’ve been writing Since 1999 just fuck’n around writing “Recker” and using house paint in a tunnel near my house but really got into it 2000 so I base my career from there! A lot has changed since then some for the better and some for the worse but a lot of these writers come and go and have fall outs but the ones who can’t shake the urge or feeling and still are out there get’n it really have my respect ...the internet has helped with publicizing art and graff...but has taken away from the lifestyle in a way when you use to have to actually get off your ass and walk the tracks to see who’s up!
4. Do you have any epic stories from being out painting that you could tell the readers?
Oh Man the epic stories go on for days so many close calls crazy nights and fun times I wouldn’t trade for the world......one time in Oakland I was hittin' a fill in a freeway exit sign hanging off the bridge with a buddy of mine as a look out standing on the bridge when a cop stopped on the freeway and another one pulling up on the bridge. The cop down below hit the spot light and got out his car and yelled what are you doing up there dumbass, I through the can at him hopped up and we booked 'em the opposite way that we parked the car....the police on top jumped out and the pursuit was on....we ran into the bushes and down to the side of the freeway hoping a fence with the officer right behind us....took one look and my boy and ran across the freeway stopping in the middle and laughing at the cop who refused to play frogger with us! We ran across the other side hit a fence and flipped 'em off literally jumping in our car while they stared from across 10 lanes! I’ll remember that for the rest of my life!
5. Who have been some of your main influences as far as style and people you have painted with? Do you have a favorite brand of paint you like to use?
Everyone’s a influence really I get ideas and inspiration from everywhere and to be honest I really haven’t painted with a lot of people I kinda do my own thing and just use graffiti as an output but definitely get a lot of push from those around me.
6. Are you in any crews or do you prefer to paint alone? If so, why do you like to aint solo and if not what do you like about being in a crew?
I’m not in any crews I used to be In “DMA” witch stood for “Defeat My Alias” “Dark Missions Accomplished” or “Dirty Mans Art” but the crew fell off and people went there separate ways in 2004. After that I decided to write solo and do it for me which I definitely prefer these days. As for spray paint I will always be old school and use Rusto’s unless doing characters or crazy outline colors then I prefer Montana 94 in that case
7. What advice would you give writers who are just starting out in graffiti?
Just quit now 🤣🤣🤣 Jk Jk stick with it...no one starts out amazing but if the passion is there don’t quit....there’s highs and lows to this game but it’s a great output opposed to other habits that can easily be a lot more destructive in life!
8.What is your opinion on characters vs letters? Do you prefer one to the other when looking at the walls around town?
I definitely prefer Letters as they are classic to the graffiti name but characters give a lot of life to art and the letters if that makes sense....but after doing letters for so many years you want to add to your pieces and characters come into it....characters are one of my favorite things to do these days honestly....letters feel like a job sometimes and its just muscle memory at this point as characters get my brain running on how I can Incorporate 'em into my pieces!
9. Who is doing it big in your area right now? Who have you seen consistently active lately? Any favorites?
Some of my favorite artists are; Sugah of course ,Chek BMB, Plant Trees, Soak TIO, Revok MSK and Post VSOP. Chek has been active since I started my career and never slowed down and for that I tip my hat [to him]!
10. Do you have any upcoming projects you want to plug or anybody that you want to give a shout out to?
I Don’t Really Have Any Big Projects coming up. Just a few Art shows and commissions I kinda just see a spot and if it talks to me it’s like I need to catch it.....I have been having some fun doing bigger pieces during the daytime and acting like it’s a legal wall witch is always fun and gives a lil adrenaline to veins which keeps me going!
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