Gabriel Alcala — j_u_n

1) Background checkkk. You are a Miami local, tell us about your upbringing in the 305.

I was born in Caracas, Venezuela but I moved to Miami when I was just a baby. Growing up in Miami was awesome. As a kid I played in the aftermath of Hurricane Andrew in 1992. My neighborhood was completely destroyed & in the clean up process, the city created huge piles of debris around the neighborhood. These piles stayed around for years & made for an amazing environment for treasure hunting adventures!

2) As an artist and musician, how would you describe the relationship between both of these creative endeavors?

I've always been fascinated by the relationship of visual art & music. I really love how record covers affect the way you experience the music or how designs for merchandise make you perceive a band in a certain way. Playing in a band as a visual artist is really cool because I get to experience that first hand.

3) Let’s talk about your artwork. Where, who or what do you turn to for inspiration?

From everywhere really! I try to be as open & observant as possible. I can get inspiration from skimming through art books, watching movies, listening to music or my favorite, people-watching.

4) Which piece (or pieces if you want to share more than one) has been your most favorite/special yet and why?

I did a movie poster recently for the amazing documentary Some Kind of Heaven. Watching the film got me really inspired which made working on the poster really fun. If you haven't watched the doc yet, check it out! It's so beautiful & bizarre!

5) The Covid-19 pandemic has had a major impact on everyone’s lives, however it has forced us to reset and take new perspectives on the future and our careers. If you could share a positive highlight or experience from being quarantined, what would it be?

The most positive thing to come from the pandemic is spending more time with my family. I spent the first 4 months quarantining at my parents' house which was really nice. I watched a bunch of classic movies with them & ate delicious home cooked meals. I also worked on my Gas Station Cowboy woodcuts too which was cool.

6) You also make t-shirts! Tell us how you shifted your work to actual wearable pieces.

I've made t-shirts for a long time now. I made my first shirt design in the early days of Jacuzzi Boys. T-shirts are always fun because you get to see people enjoy the work in their day-to-day lives.

7) Let’s talk about Jacuzzi Boys. What has been the most epic moment in your journey as a band and why?

We did a week of shows with The Raconteurs before the pandemic which was pretty awesome.

8) How would you describe a perfect day in Miami.

Wake up early, breakfast & coffee, take my dog to the park, go for a run on the beach, go back home to work on illustrations, eat at Joe's Stone Crab, watch a movie at the Nite Owl Drive-In & go to jazz night at the Center for Subtropical Affairs.

9) If you had a playlist for 2021 up until today, which songs would be in your top five.

Gang Signs - Freddie Gibbs

U.F.O. - Jim Sullivan

San Junipero - Horizons Inc.

To R. - Father John Misty

It Must Have Been the Roses - Grateful Dead

10) If you could collaborate with any living artist in the world, who would it be?

Seymour Chwast

11) Creative careers are some of the most challenging and competitive work fields, especially in a city like Miami and its emerging art scene. What have been your greatest challenges as an artist and what advice would you give to any beginner talent.

It doesn't really matter where you're based out of anymore because of the internet... Just make sure you're enjoying the process of creating, have fun figuring out your own visual language & share it with the world when you're ready. The rest of the pieces will likely fall into place.