When doing my search for the latest addition to the Style File roster, I tend to gravitate to who is up and coming, undiscovered but filled with talent. I’m pretty sure I’ve found the next big thing.
This young man not only is a budding artist, but he also is a part of a clothing brand design team, and he is a rising emcee. That man of many hats is Brock Seals.
Brock may be just kicking off his career within the arts arena in St. Louis, but he is way ahead of his time. Take a look at what he considers his movement, “Young Man, Old Soul.”
Name: Brock Seals
Age: 21
Occupation: Artist, musician, designer
Birthplace: Jennings, MO
Danie Rae: Let the reader know who Brock Seals is.
Brock Seals: Well, basically, I’m new to the art game. Being a student at Florissant Valley Community College, I’m learning how to translate what I get from school into all of my other outlets of expression, which includes my clothing line, NDGO, and my music.
DR: Oh wow, you truly are a renaissance man. So, how does your creative process work? Do you focus on one genre at a time, or do you just go with the flow and create whatever catches your attention in the moment?
BS: Most of my work naturally ties in to each other. I really don’t separate my creative processes. Whatever pops in my mind, I typically roll with.
DR: So, do you pull inspiration from each form of expression?
BS: Yeah, but ultimately I get inspired by the city, and my surroundings. When I start a new project – whether it be a painting, song or T-shirt design – I pull from what I see or feel from the streets, and that’s pretty much how I create. But most of my work subconsciously pulls from each other. It usually starts off with a painting, and after I name the piece it influences a verse in a song or a design for a shirt.
DR: Who are some of your biggest influencers?
BS: Definitely my crew! We all pretty much come from the same background, and share the same ideas about fashion and lifestyle. But in mainstream culture, I would have to say Kanye West is a huge influence on how I look at ways to express myself.
DR: So who is on your hot list? Like, if you had to name top five things you are checking for, what would they be?
BS: As far as brands, I will always be a fan of Ralph Lauren, but other than that, I’m not that big on brand names. I’m a huge fan of thrifting, and finding unique patterns and fabrics for my clothing. In terms of music, I call myself a “Young Man with an Old Soul,” so I listen to a lot of ‘60s and ‘70s artist like Marvin Gaye, Bill Withers, and the Isley Brothers. But some of today’s artists that inspire me are Jay Z, Curren$y and, of course, Kanye.
DR: Currently, what projects are you working on or have coming out?
BS: Well, I just came back from Italy where I did a release of my album, “Young Man, Old Soul.” I also am curating my first art exhibition to launch during Summer 2014, and the NDGO clothing brand drops new apparel each quarter. I also am the host of an online talk show called “Project Take Back.” We’ve partnered up with local radio station, 104.1 FM, to shed light on what’s on the mind of the youth within the St. Louis area. We have a roundtable discussion about current events, pop culture and issues that we come in contact with in our everyday lives. I try to be a local global person, just keeping my ear to the streets while reaching for the stars.
To find out more information about Brock Seals’ work, you can find him on social media sites @Brock_Seals or email brock.seals@yahoo.com.
