Interview
OFF THE BEATEN TRACK:
Brit bones
March 2024
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OTBT: Brit Bones
Interview | March 2024
For this Off The Beaten Track Interview we caught up with long-time friend of the brand, Brit Bones who is a content creator, photographer and illustrator with a strong Japanese inspired aesthetic.
Your life in a nutshell?
I’m a photographer and videographer behind the camera, and a content creator in front of the camera which means I work a lot (which I love), meet lots of interesting people and travel a lot for work. But for me, creativity is boundless and infuses every part of my life, so I like to illustrate, write poetry and write music in my spare time too.
Where do you live and what do you love about the area?
I live in Walthamstow and I absolutely love it - it’s on the Vic line and overground so you can pretty much get anywhere, it’s got a village which is full of character (and great pubs) and it’s right next to Epping Forest (perfect for a summer hike!).
Off The Beaten Track is all about getting our friends to tell us about lesser known places in and around where they live or work, can you share any secret spots you love? Stores, restaurants, parks, bars?
I adore The Nags Head for their live music sessions, interesting landlady and myriad of pets. It’s no secret but I also love God’s Own Junkyard - which I’m sure a lot of people come to Walthamstow for already…
How has the last few years affected your work & travel?
Actually, I was lucky enough to go freelance just after COVID so it’s been no trouble at all… which is lucky because I travel so much for work (I was in France twice and Spain once in the last three weeks!)
You have a big Japanese following and we know you also speak Japanese. When did you start learning the language and how long have you had a love for the culture?
I started getting into Japanese about 5 or 6 years ago, because I wanted to pick up a language that would be harder than European languages but would also provide an escape culturally. So Japanese was the perfect choice… Although every culture has problematic parts, and Japan is no exception, so I don’t idolise it… but the philosophies and principles it has (like Wabi Sabi for example) can be really beautiful and so I was very much taken with the culture!
You take gorgeous photos, but you also illustrate. When did you start that and what kind of things do you draw?
I started illustrating when I was studying Archaeology at university, as there is something called Archaeological Illustration where you draw finds in a scientific way for recording. I realised that I loved it and so dedicated a few years to learning digital illustration alongside being an Archaeologist!
Do you travel around the UK much? Where’s your favourite place to go?
I’m Nothern so perhaps i’m a little biased, but I really love pockets of the North like the countryside in Lancashire and parts of Yorkshire too (anywhere in Bronte country is stunning!).
If you could travel anywhere, where would you go?
When I was growing up, myself and my dad would go to as many carboots as possible during the summer so… I’d love to do a US roadtrip and stop off at old barns and farms along the route and see what antiques I could pick up - have you seen the TV show American Pickers? What a dream!
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live?
I’d live in London, so I'm lucky that I already do! But I would love to split my time between London, NYC and Tokyo!
Are you a podcast lover? If so, what are your top 3 podcasts you can share?
I’m an avid podcast listener and big into true crime and creepy stories so the first two are very much along those lines and the third one just makes me laugh:
- Up and Vanished
- Radio Rental
- I’ve had it
What are your Top 3 films?
- After life (1998)
- Lost in Translation (2003)
- Amalie (2001)
We have an OTBT playlist that’s made up of all the song recommendations we’ve had from each interview. Can you give us 3 more to add?
- Stay or Leave by Dave Matthews
- Blue Light Yokohama by Pink Martini and Saori Yuki
- Weary Blues by Eric Mingus
It feels like that one thing to come out of the pandemic is a wave of creativity. Are there any new brands on your radar that we should be looking out for?
I really am so impressed by any small brand coming out of Spain to be honest, People in Trousers, Paloma Wool, Babaa…
What does the future hold?
I think if the last few years has taught us anything, it’s that we just don't know! The only thing within my control is how I act and treat others, so all I know is that the future will include making new friends, loving the ones I have and hopefully crossing paths with interesting creatives from around the world.
Find out more about Brit: @incaseofbrit
To read all of our Off the Beaten Track interviews, click the link below: