FOSTERING UNITY THROUGH THE ARTS: A JOURNEY OF GROWTH FROM THE LENS OF ITS CREATOR Martin, from outstruct.

For the last few years, Outstruct Fest has been providing a home for a diverse range of creatives and small businesses, especially for the POC and Latin communities in the LA area. Once a small event, it now takes place in large warehouses full of vendors and performers. Many attend as a networking opportunity to meet people they wouldn't otherwise.

The Kore got to attend the fest on January 26th which featured about 60 artists and we were not disappointed.

Throughout the night, there were multiple performers who gathered a crowd in the middle of the venue. We got to watch Darien Salas, dylAn, Adetola, and Drellli put on an incredible show. They all had a strong stage presence and took the time to interact with the crowd, taking advantage of how close they were to the audience.

A large portion of the space was taken up by clothing vendors who were there promoting their small and local businesses. The clothes were really unique yet trendy, many even being handmade. Unlike shopping online, it's a nice experience to get to meet and chat with the designers before purchasing something; it feels a lot more personal, and you end up more grateful for the item you're getting. That night some of the fashion vendors included Crochet Disco, Half n Half Apparel, and Electus Apparel. Ruben the Roach was also in attendance selling various knick-knack items.

Besides clothing, there was also artwork being sold. I really enjoyed how there was a diverse range of mediums, including custom candles. The art vendors who were at the fest were Igotchula and Akira Usagi. It's important to support local artists, and you can tell the art vendors there really poured their souls into their craft. The tables were always surrounded by people trying to take in all of the beautiful details of the work.

At bigger events like these, sometimes the food vendors can go unnoticed, but we had so much fun chatting to Bun Boy Burgers. Not only is their food really yummy, but the staff clearly loves what they do. Their passion comes through to every customer they help and we hope to see them at more events. Open Mouth LA, a black woman-owned company was also there selling scrumptious cookies; only a few were left on the table when we got to it, showcasing how much the attendees loved them! Last but not least, Michi Chuy was providing patrons with fun drinks throughout the night that seemed to be in everyone's hands.

At the back of the wall at Outstruct Fest, all of the participating photographers had their work displayed. There were so many photos to look at and admire! Each artist had a unique perspective and there was a broad range of themes, techniques, and inspiration used in the work. Attendees were looking at them over and over again to see if they missed something the first time.

Another art form that we appreciated was the fashion we saw on the attendees. Many of the people at the fest are not newcomers and have grown accustomed to dressing up for it. With the event itself being about self-expression, it was cool to see people embracing that through their style. Outstruct is known for having various themes at their events, so every time people are dressed a little differently.

Last but not least there were also a bunch of activations that allowed people to take home some kind of memento. Too Zen and TAIOM were providing flash tattoos in a separate room from the rest of the vendors. Outside, you could get a 90s-inspired photo taken by Glamour Shots by Bri. Unique and colorful tooth gem art was also being done by Mixxdmoods.

The creator and creative director, Martin Outstruct, started his events with just a few performers, to now being in the process of putting on performances with multiple stages. His background lies in fashion, as he is the mind behind a clothing brand under the same name. We wanted to sit and talk to him to understand better how this event came to fruition and how Martin got to this place:

How would you describe what Outsruct Festival is?

Martin: So with Outsruct Fest, we're basically a festival in the Los Angeles area where we highlight POC and Latin creatives from just all these different types of scenes that I'm also part of too. Whether it's like, you know, the art scene, the Latin scene... kind of just like a mix of all. And especially the DIY scene, because this festival is inspired by just all the DIY shows that I was part of, that I attended when I was in high school or in college. So I just like to bring that element back. And with my lineups, usually I like to focus on bringing newcomers and like a lot of upcoming too, and just some pretty high established like photographers as well. So it's kind of like just the balance of a lot of things, just so like people can really feel like a sense of belonging.

But at the same time have a great time and like meet new artists, meet new photographers, make new friends, because that's really what the goal is for Outstruct Fest. As well as highlighting and celebrating artists, photographers, musicians, and it's like just a lot of cool creatives come onto the show.

What was the motivation behind starting it?

Martin: I've been doing this for a good two years, and it first started off at a vintage store called Playoffs in Canoga Park, and it was an open mic. That open mic only had maybe like five people show up and like only one artist performed.

So that event kind of demotivated me to, like, continue. But then, like, my friend Gino just, you know, he told me he's like, you should just still do it. Just try to get more people involved. And I didn't think about that. So next thing you know, I decided to bring in the night market and bring in the artwork.

And then the next show I did after that, I had a hundred people show up. So from there to like have that huge increase, it kind of motivated and inspired me not to, like, lose that momentum and just keep going and just see where this goes. To the point where it's like, I just feel like Outstruct Fest is one of those things where it's like really known in Los Angeles now. Because it used to be super local. It used to be in the valley too. But now it's also in L.A.. And then like I'm really honored that we made that push to go to Los Angeles. Most of the stuff is in the valley. I love the valley.

How many people are on your team?

Martin: Well, as of currently, it's currently just me. However, I have a ton of like people that I work with. I wouldn't say they are part of a team but I'd say they're like part of the fest. I'll have like, you know, my dedicated, like, volunteers for the art work. I'll have people helping me out with the merch booth and the designs for my clothing brand in the pop up booth that's there. And, I'll have maybe like three friends just like, 'hey, if you want to learn how to do an event, like we can just work together and I can let you know how I run this too.' And then next thing you know, they throw events as well and that's awesome, you know? And I obviously go support too.

What is your process looking through art submissions to be featured at your festival? What attributes do you consider?

Martin: I focus on many factors. One, I just obviously have to obviously look at the artwork. Two, I focus on just their branding style and like, how, like, unique it is. So, it's not all over the place. It's more like focus on one lane. Like, if I know you're doing film photos, like, everything is film and everything's cohesive and there's a theme to it.

If it's goth, then it's all goth. I could tell that there's a personal style to it. A lot of the artworks that I hang up with, like, for the photographers, I know whose artwork is who's just because of the way they take their photos or the way they, like, make their models pose or just like their aspect too.

I also really love like concert photographers a lot. I think that's such a cool esthetic and, and editorial too, kind of like a kind of campaign look. Anything that just has a nostalgic feeling, that's what I usually say yes to most of the time. But I have a lot of submissions. So it's one of those things where I have to be selective, but, you know, like anyone's more than welcome to always submit, you know? Like that's why we had the link on the Outstruct Fest page.

You know, there are guidelines when you submit. We'll tell you after like what we're expecting. It's a lot though (amount of submissions), but it's fun in the end of the day because sometimes it's either me going over it or like me and like maybe like two buddies of mine. Because I don't want it to be just my direction. Like, I ask them to like hey, what do you think about this? So it's like more of a collective thing.

Liza: So you kind of get different perspectives on it.

Martin: Yeah, different perspectives because... I don't know what's the word. I think it's bias, but like I just don't want it to be like, oh, it's just me. Let me give you what my other friends think about this as well. So it's more eyes looking at that artwork too.

Has there been one festival that stuck out to you as your favorite one that you've put on?

Martin: Oh, man. You know, the thing is, like, all of them are my favorite in some way... I mean, all of them literally all of them have a theme. But I guess the ones that stuck out to me the most that I definitely want to make this as a side project in the future was like this event I threw back at Playoffs at Canoga Park called Rawr XD Night. It was just inspired by, like, that like 2010 sound. Everyone was playing alternative music, the deejays. We just had live bands. And like, you know, it was a Halloween party, too. So it was like in the middle of October, right before all the Halloween parties started. We first started something and then, like, next thing you know, I had my friend's bands play, and it was just such a cool feeling.

And then I had some people that I thought, you know, were interested to play for an Outsruct show. They were like, Yeah, we'll play for the Outsruct. I'm like, Oh, shit, that's actually really bad ass. So, you know, we booked them and yeah, it was just such a great time because everyone's in costumes. Everyone was just having fun. And that was like, compared to the other shows, that was my biggest one where I'm just like, oh, woah, this is getting big. Then I did a couple more in the vintage store at Playoffs, and then I decided to move to North Hollywood to do shows there at a venue that's not there anymore; it's called Garage Space. And that one was really good too, because the one I did back in June, I had one of my favorite musicians perform there, too, called Ethan Uno. And that show was crazy. It was such a great show. I mean, all the performers are great. I love them all but Ethan Uno, is someone I actually really like, too. So, like, that was, like, a cool moment as well. So I would say RAWR XD Night, the June show that was in North Hollywood, those were, like, really important ones for me, where I'm just like, oh, well, this is really cool.

Liza: I love that you kind of have themes around it that it's not you're not going to expect the same thing at every event, that it's always going to be something a little different.

Martin: Yeah. No, of course. I always like to in a way, like challenge myself and just always kind of give the audience something very different that they're not used to, you know? For the next one that I'm doing on March 22nd, it's going to be still the same aesthetic, but it's going to be different. There are going to be two stages. That's all I can say.

What does it entail to be a creative director of an up and coming festival?

Martin: I work out, have my mind clear, make sure everything's set in stone. Right after that, I'll go hit up people. I'll listen to like a bunch of upcoming musicians. I'll just check out a bunch of people's artwork. I've got a ton of art shows as well, literally, like random places, like I'll be like Pasadena or Camarillo just for like an art show to check out. And then, obviously, I'll pitch in what I can offer. So that's usually what I do for like a festival day. And then, you know, it's just coordinating, finalizing details with a buddy of mine or two just to make sure everything's like afloat. I definitely do a lot of the booking, I'll say that for sure.

Liza: I love that you said that you work out first because it's kind of important to take care of yourself mentally and physically to be able to do art and to do the creative side of what you want to be doing. I think it's something that's very underrated.

Martin: Yeah, I hear you because, like, I just feel like a society we live in, like a culture where like, not only it's fast-paced, but there's this, kind of obsession, too. You know, you really have to take care of yourself first before you can even get a head start with anything. So that's why I'll just, you know, wake up early I'll work out for like a good 2 hours, and I just feel super amped, and then I'm just ready to take on the day.

What in your past led you to this moment? Is this what you wanted to do since you were a kid?

Martin: Honestly, it all started with just like me being inspired by like Tyler the Creator Blink 182. And being inspired by their self-expression. Their don't give a fuck attitude. Their DIY mentality. It just really made me say, 'you know, I could do this, too.' So I remember I would go to not Blink 182 because they were split at that time, but I would go to Odd Future shows back in like 2011 and going there to see how the community was built there or going there like their underground art shows or secret parties.

I would always like just be inspired by like how much of a collective they were back then, but also just how quick they were to create and not care about what anyone thought about that. Being surrounded by that and like being inspired by that, it really made me literally feel like I could do that too.

I told myself I would do it and you know, I graduated high school at 2013. And you know, like when you go 18, you're in college like you're just focused on, you know, the traditional norm, of the college route. But I always had that clothing brand mind where I've always wanted to make clothes.

So around 2015/ 2016, that's where I started to do my clothing brand and I would push that for like a good, a good while like a couple of years and I still do to this day. But at the same time I was like, I kind of want to do a festival. like Camp Flagnah because I think that's so cool that like Tyler goes to Coachella once and just that changes your perspective like 'hey, I want to do this too.' So I told myself, I was like, 'yeah, I just think I'd do a festival eventually, like after this clothing brand.' So I still do both.

Liza: That is so much! How do you balance everything?

Martin: I think I'm one of those guys where I'm... just straight to the point. Like when I have to do something I do not distract myself. I don't like text anyone, because trust me, I get distracted so easily. But like when I have to do something, that's really serious, like a festival or clothing brand drop or I have to work at my other job. Like, I'm just like tunnel vision because I'm like, 'I have to finish this in a good way and I have to finish this efficiently too and also correct. so I can get on the next task.' I think it's because I actually feel like I have the drive, and the passion to achieve this.

And literally, seeing how my idols like Tyler the Creator or Travis Berkus from Blink or even my friends too that also do events; seeing how they're able to, like, achieve so many things in a crazy schedule. It's like we really can do it too, you know? We really can. And so it's just determination, you know, like it really is.

I majored in business management and like one of the most important things they taught you aside from marketing and H.R., they just really taught you how to team manage. Me being able to manage like 50 photographers and telling them how to display or just reaching out to other teams and businesses I got to thank that college foundation structure too.

How do you hope to keep growing the festival?

Martin: I think eventually what I want to do is to expand to other cities, probably Ventura, San Diego, even. Definitely in the Valley again, because I love the Valley and I still want to do things in the Valley. I moved to L.A. to do these shows, but I'm going to probably do another one in the Valley this year just to bring back like the old times and the good memories.

Anything else you would like to add?

Martin: I'm a Peruvian American, first-generation creative, who likes to make clothes. I've been doing this for a long time, and I'm honestly blessed that I still have a platform, that I'm still able to do this Fest. I'm just really glad that I have people that support and trust in the ventures and like whatever I set my mind to.

Thank you so much Martin for letting us attend your festival and learn more about your journey through the events and fashion worlds.

Outstruct Fest will be happening next on March 22nd in LA. To purchase tickets visit:

Outstruct Festival Tickets

For more information about the festival, Martin, and his clothing brand visit:

Outstruct Festival Instagram| Martin Outsrtuct Instagram| Outsruct Clothing Brand Instagram

FOSTERING UNITY THROUGH THE ARTS: A JOURNEY OF GROWTH FROM THE LENS OF ITS CREATOR Martin, from outstruct.

COMMUNITY, EQUITY, AND THE ARTS: LEARN HOW JENN AND ASHLIE OF THE FEMINIST UPRISING ARE FIGHTING FOR CHANGE

MEET THE BAND ROCKING THE STAGE ON THE CHARLOTTE SANDS 'CAN WE START OVER?' TOUR: A CHAT WITH POP-PUNK DUO SENSES

THE•KORE