A few words with... Tsauce

C: I'd like to start off (as usual) by asking where the first place you saw graffiti was, who (if possible) and what drew you to it?

T: The first place I saw graffiti was while catching the train to the city on the C line around 2005, just looking outside and noticing it all over the walls. It always amazed me how people got up in hard to reach places, and how many varied and different styles I used to see. I think what drew me to it was that almost everyone I would meet or heard about in my area had a tag and I wanted to be a part of it.

C: Cleveland line in 2005, good vintage! Do you remember who was up at the time?

T: My earliest memories would have to be seeing MCK, ATM, WTCS, WRS and guys like Joe, Jeeps, Eikas and Expel

C: Joe and Expel, no kidding! I don’t think I’ve ever seen a more unique throwie than his.

When you first had a crack, what was it like?

T: Pretty sloppy. I would just tag everything. Getting pissed with the boys and writing on everything. I was usually the one way behind on missions because I was trying to hit every single street sign. I didn't even attempt a piece for at least a couple of years actually. I started doing throwies and the odd piece here and there eventually but it’s only in the last few years I started actually trying to be a bit more artistic about it.

C: Fans of your work would be familiar with the mushroom - personally it reminds me of Budha’s character (Editor's note: See previous interview if you don’t know!) How did he come about?

T: I tried painting the Super Mario mushroom once and I also liked things that were psychedelic - used to take them often and in general love trippy stuff. So I kind of just developed my own style of mushroom over time and stuck with it.

C: Speaking of trippy in general - how’d you get your word?

T: I’ve changed my word plenty of time over the years, but Tsauce is just an old nickname that a mate gave me and it kind of stuck. I find it a shit word to write with - I don’t like the letters but love the challenge.

C: Are there any writers you could single out who have inspired your style over the years?

T: Too many to name - and so many styles. I always loved seeing writers from WRS around my area growing up. I also loved seeing WTCS, BWP, TBK and THC down the B line when I used to head down that way. There are so many writers around the Gold Coast and northern river areas that are wicked painted like Basic, Gator, Lurk - with the pills, Olex, Nubs, Snex and Jones with the scrolls. Everyone seems to have evolved their own unique style.

C: You said earlier you were hooked on exploration - can you tell us more about that?

T: I’m always out and about hunting for new spots and new experiences. It’s my favourite thing to do and I feel I’m addicted. There is no better feeling than going on a mission and discovering an awesome spot. Be it to paint or just to chill in nature and get away from society. I’m partial to a nice grimey abando too.

C: That drive to explore, tread where a select few or even nobody has before. I love it! How far have you gone for a spot, and are there any memorable ones you can share?

T: I’ve done many road trips over the years. I did a loop of Australia and painted along the way. As for memorable ones, painting a drain when I was younger and it was raining and almost getting swept away. My mate grabbed me as it was happening and probably saved my life that day. Also the old Seven Hills Tafe was a good experience to see. Lots of graffiti and not smashed to bits by kids - at least at that point.

C: An all country graff road trip, how did that go down?

T: To be honest I just wanted to see the country, plus I spent most of the trip interstate so I’d already driven halfway around the country and decided to finish it off. I smashed out east to west in five days as there were rumours of the border closing for the pandemic. Then spent a couple of years exploring the whole state. After that it was up to the Northern Territory for a bit of exploring before cruising out east and slowly down the coast.

The west doesn't have many drains of bridges which I like painting as it’s quite flat. There are a lot of roadside pieces there and the train lines don’t have sound barriers, most trains run straight down the middle of the highway. But what it did have was lots of abandoned places in the middle nowhere and a few untouched bridges in the Pilbara which was awesome to paint.

C: I am really curious about the NT, I know there are writers in Darwin but what gets painted out there, perhaps it’s mostly people like yourself passing through?

T: It is quite red, also very green too with rainforests and hot as fuck too. Coming from the west I remember it being quite hilly with lots of red mountains and gorges but then going east it was just flat with termite mounds for days. I remember painting in a popular drain spot and seeing a lot of interstate writers and a few other production walls around Darwin also. All the other towns are pretty small up there. I definitely wouldn’t live there as it was hot as fuck in winter.

C: How was Perth compared to that, much of a shift in ambience?

T: Perth was dry and flat as fuck but surrounded by hills. Sand seemed to be everywhere as if there was more sand than dirt. Yes, the Perth scene is pretty good, you can tell most writers put time and effort into their pieces. Freo was the hotspot for graff I liked it there.

C: Changing gears a bit - has graff changed your life for better or worse?

T: I’m kind of neutral with that one. On one hand, for the worse because I spend so much time doing it when there are so many other things I could be doing. But on the other hand for the better cause it helps me keep my mind off any other shit that I have going on.

C: Interesting, and over the years how have you seen graff change?

T: I’ve noticed the council response changing to trying harder and harder to buff it all. When I started there wasn't anywhere near as much buffing happening. Then they started going hard and even buffing drain spots that only writers or explorers would find. Though it has dropped off a bit again since then. Of course I’ve definitely seen new styles and paint brands come in over the years

C: The ever present buff. Is it a “natural” part of graff or just a waste that should be condemned?

T: I agree that sometimes it may make places look messy, which is why they do it. But there is so much stuff up on highways and train lines etc that is actually really good work and should just be left alone. It's a waste of time and money getting rid of it especially when it actually improves the wall..

C: What are your preferred paints and tools of the trade?

T: Lots of roller fills. Any low pressure black and white and any other can for colours but of course I'd prefer a nice low pressure paint. NY fats and skinnys

C: As were at the start of a brand new year, where do you intend to head with your work?

And what do you see in the future for graff, or society?

T: I just wanna keep doing what I'm doing with my work. I wanna do it for myself and have fun along the way. I see Graff getting more popular in the future especially with the blow up of social media in the past few years. But at the same time I'm not sure as a lot of the youngster's seem to be staying indoors as the can do whatever they need/socialise online C: Any final messages or shoutouts?

T: Shout out to the brother Repak C: Tsauce, thank you for your time!