Andrew Kuo has been a long-time friend of the Lab. He actually printed our original Tyson posters for us back in the day. I met him through a girl we used to call Slash and ever since I continually bump into him on the east side of town where he’s a permanent fixture. Andrew is really into music, occasionally djs at Lit (is that place still there), and loves to throw down about hoops (checkout his Earl Boykins Blog).
On the occasion of his recent show and book release (link to purchase signed copies below), I sat down screen to screen with Andrew to pick his mind about nothing important…
why Earl Boykins?
He’s a 5’5″ professional basketball player. I am 5’5″ and not. From most reports, it seems like he’s a really nice guy.
if you could trade lives with 1 NBA player who would it be and why?
Current? It would have to be Derrick Rose or Kevin Durant. Dudes just seem like they’re having fun, but not goofy fun like Dwight Howard. The question is, which NBA player would I NOT want to trade lives with? Easy answer: Vince Carter. I would have to look at myself every day and see a dude who had it all, but was too ____ to run back on D after back-rimming a double-covered fade-away.
I love your music graphs and charts in the Times, but they must be mentally exhausting to compile and make. how literal are they? can you enjoy the music while you’re thinking about it so specifically?
Thanks! Like anything, they are exhausting when I don’t care that much, but luckily, I care a lot! How literal in terms of how I feel about the the subjects? Very literal! Everything is different every time, but if I like something, I like thinking about it as much as I can.
what are your inspirations for your graphical works?
Modern painting, video games and the Internet.
the painted versions are great, what made you make the extra effort to paint them rather than just print em?
Thanks! I’m a painter, so I really enjoy the days I get to paint. That sounds simplistic, but the days I have everything ready(ish) to go, are my favorites. I also like the fact that there’s just one of am actual painting.
designing graphics for ESPN seems so fun… what was that like?
Oh that was a while ago right out of school. It was super fun. I would watch Latrell Sprewell play and would get an email asking for a Latrell Sprewell image… kind of a dream first-job, right? At the time the art directors there were very nice/cool, too. I bet they still are, but it’s been a minute.
jogging in the city is so strange to me, but I always see you runnin’!?
I love it. I makes me see parts of the city. Some days it’s the only time I leave my studio/house. I like to listen to music and run to a place I haven’t been to in a while. That usually involves a sandwich spot.
What were you like in high school?
Not as nice as I should have been. Terrified, annoyed, overwhelmed, awkward, enthusiastic, busy, interested and opinionated. Like most teenagers who are lucky enough.
Your 5 favorite DJ records
1. Animal Collective – “Brothersport”
2. Hot Chip – “Boy From School”
3. Zomby – ”The Lie”
4. Jamie xx – “Far Nearer”
5. Wiley – “50/50″
Your 5 favorite non-DJ records
1. Panda Bear – “Person Pitch”
2. Animal Collective – “Feels”
3. Smog “A River Ain’t Too Much To Love”
4. Spiritualized “Ladies and Gentlemen”
5. Superchunk “No Pocky For Kitty”
Your 5 favorite spots to eat
1. Gruppo
2. Grand Sichuan (St Mark’s)
3. Pies’n'Thighs
4. The Smile
5. San Loco
Things you like to do, non-musical
Watch sports, cook, drink beer, complain, look at books, nap, surf the Internet, and text.
Word on the street is that you like asian girls, true?
I have loved asian girls in my past and will probably love another in my future, but I am not reverse-racist.
