Today we’d like to introduce you to Tyler Shepherd and Gannon Baxter.
Tyler and Gannon, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I was born and raised in OC, somewhere I always felt slightly oppressed artistically with the culture that surrounded the county. I started going out clubbing in LA where I met Gannon and found a lot of like-minded individuals with so much expression and style to share. We worked in OC for a local gay club doing their social media and eventually moved onto doing social media and website maintenance for underground art and queercentric club scenes in DTLA. While we were partying and working in LA, we met so many people that were coming from OC to come party and dress up in crazy looks and we thought, ‘Why isn’t there anything like this for people in OC?’ and that’s what brought us to create Subculture Party, a queercentric safe space that inspires dressing up, fashion, artistic expression, and dancing, lots of dancing.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Absolutely not, nothing about this entire journey has been smooth. Every single month, at least in the beginning, was full of uncertainties and questioning where we would bring the party next. It wasn’t easy convincing local OC venue owners our wild dressing crowd were just a bunch of people looking for a safe place to be themselves. The OC Club culture is very hetero and there really isn’t any queer culture that’s lasted. Once we found a place in Downtown Santa Ana owned by an older gay couple that doubled as a Mexican Cantina, the fun really started picking up and our crowd began to flourish and grow.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Subculture Party story. Tell us more about the business.
We throw themed parties that inspire our crowd to come live the full fantasy of whatever that theme is just for the night. Its our mission to engulf our crowds and transport them into the world we’ve imagined. Both of us are in-house DJ’s for the party and we’re known for making our crowds dance with loud banging underground pop and house music. We are extremely proud of the praise we’ve received for creating an intimate environment that supports creating friendships, somewhere everyone is equal and there to have a good time. We like to consider the party an enigma, you never know what’s going to happen next month, we’ll keep you on your toes. We’re also throwing our very first LA party at The Lash on Thursday, September 12th.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I’d say luck has a huge play in the success and events that have lead to the creation and maintaining Subculture. Just happening to know the right people, who also know the right people, mentioning things here and there leading to events that have secured our spots, grabbed amazing talent to showcase, its all incredibly lucky. We’re so grateful for all of our luck and the amazing people we’ve met.
Pricing:
- Usual cover is $10, but for our 1st party in LA it’s going to be free all night. (Sept 12)
Contact Info:
- Website: SubcultureParty.com
- Phone: 7143627091
- Email: contactsubcultureparty@gmail.com
- Instagram: subcultureparty
- Facebook: facebook.com/subculturepartyofficial
- Twitter: twitter.com/subcultureparty
Image Credit:
Photo with checkerboard background: Four Ricin, All other photos: Ursus Magana
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