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Hey everybody, and happy Friday the 13th.
So, today on this episode of Tattoo Talk Tuesday,
we're going to be exploring another shop who is celebrating Friday the 13th tattoos.
So, this shop is not doing the tradition $13 tattoo,
but rather using this as an opportunity to show customer appreciation and offer discounted tattoos.
Right now, it might seem like I'm standing in the middle of the street, but I'm actually waiting for the trolley
so I can head to Brewerytown to go to Electric Temple Tattoo.
So, they have been kind enough to allow me to come there and interview, so I'm a little nervous to
see how it all turns out.
So, today I am going to be trying Zensa for the first time.
They were kind enough to send me some tattoo numbing gel that I'm desperate to try out today
so I can see if it's going to work for my back tattoo in the future.
So I will let you know my feelings on Zensa by the end of the episode, so definitely stay tuned for that as well.
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I'm Bryan Holland, a tattooer at Electric Temple.
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[Qcknd] So, I've seen this shop around before. How long have you guys been here?
[Bryan] We've been here almost 2 years.
[Qcknd] Yeah? [Bryan] Yeah.
[Qcknd] Do you feel like your shop has an impact on the neighborhood at all?
[Bryan] Yeah! A little bit, yeah. Yeah. [Qcknd] Yeah? Like a positive one? It's beautiful in here
just coming in here is definitely like, a sight to see.
[Bryan] Yeah, we definitely have a little bit of impact, we know all about all the other stuff. You know, the businesses and
it kinda brings a little bit of a higher end to it..?
[Qcknd] Are you tired of hearing like "this is an up-and-coming neighborhood" or is it something like you feel a little pride about?
[Bryan] Yeah! We've been here, you know, like, the two years we've watched this neighborhood grow a lot.
So, watching it keep growing's pretty rad.
[Qcknd] That's cool! And there's no negativity, like "awe, tattoo shop, damnit!"?
[Bryan] No, we get along with everyone. [Qcknd] That's awesome.
[Bryan] Like I think, uh, it's like people who question us, like once they stop in
like, I mean we know everyone in the neighborhood. [Qcknd] Yeah.
[Bryan] There's no questioning that. Everyone likes us.
[Qcknd] That's awesome.
[Bryan] And there's no negative vibes.
[Qcknd] No, like, "awe, another tattoo shop in the neighborhood"?
[Bryan] No, not at all, cause, I mean, we're all pretty chill. None of us, like, get rowdy, we're not partiers.
[Qcknd] Yeah.
[Bryan] We're not open, like, super late. So...
[Qcknd] Do you feel like that kind of stereotype is getting a little stale? Like a negative tattoo shop?
[Bryan] Yeah, yes! [Qcknd] It's more like...
[Bryan] It's watered down. [Qcknd] Yeah.
[Qcknd] Do you feel like people recognize that this is a place to see and receive art? Stuff like that, not like, um,
like you said, you guys aren't partiers or anything like that.
[Bryan] Yeah, it has a different stigma attached to it these days. [Qcknd] Yeah.
[Bryan] It's pretty much different. Um, yeah. [Qcknd] That's cool.
[Bryan] It's nothing, like, negative anymore. As, as much. There's no more, like, you know, fighting over territory. Or, you know...
[Qcknd] Yeah. That's awesome. [Bryan] No more bikers and they're collecting their dues.
[Qcknd] Do you feel like this shop has a specific vibe, or is it like "everybody has a place"?
[Bryan] Yeah, we definitely have a different vibe than most shops.
[Qcknd] That's cool. [Bryan] It's more relaxing, uh, as like, Chaotic, there's
you know, not a ton of flash. It usually draws stuff up. I think people feel more comfortable getting tattooed here.
[Qcknd] That's awesome. [Bryan] Cause it's more inviting, more warm. You know, it's not harsh.
[Qcknd] I definitely agree.
[Qcknd] Um, so, with the whole Friday the 13th element, I noticed that like, your sheet specifically - did you paint this?
[Bryan] Yeah, me and Mike did. [Qcknd] Awesome!
[Qcknd] So, I noticed, like, there's no 13s on there, and on your posting, you were like "it ranges from $80 to $250".
Why did you take that kind of approach versus, like, the traditional, like, bad luck 13 approach?
[Bryan] Well, it's the city in general. You won't, you know, you won't wanna undercut anyone. You kinda keep an even playing field with everything.
[Qcknd] Mmhmm.
[Bryan] So, you know, with that being said, you know, we didn't wanna...
Plus, no one wants to do super cheap tattoos all day long. You won't really make much.
And so, we just just figured we'd do stuff we wanna do.
[Qcknd] That's awesome! [Bryan] You don't do that-
[Qcknd] So you created a sheet with the tattoos you wanted to make, and then...
[Bryan] Yeah, and they have that middle ground. [Qcknd] Yeah.
[Bryan] Where it's not like they're cheap, but it's not like super pricey. [Qcknd] Mmhmm.
[Bryan] We have a variety of stuff.
[Qcknd] And there's no Jason masks on there, or the little 13, I don't know, dice?
Kind strayed from the typical? [Bryan] Yeah.
[Qcknd] That's awesome.
[Bryan] We didn't wanna, eh. I don't know. It's just one of those things. I feel like a lot of my friends who've gotten 13 tattoos
Get over it really fast. [Qcknd] Mmhmm.
[Bryan] It's more of a nitch that, I don't know what to say. [Qcknd] That's really cool. I like that approach.
[Qcknd] So, do you feel like this is kind of a way to bring people in that might not have necessarily ever been tattooed here before?
I hear an argument that, like, Friday the 13th customers aren't repeat customers.
[Bryan Well, either way, it's a buzz. [Qcknd] Yeah.
[Bryan] Like a lot of the shops I know that do it, they did a big, you know, like a lot of people come in, and there's always runoff from it.
[Qcknd] Yeah. [Bryan] Um, yeah, and with that being said, too,
working long hours, doing small tattoos, like not... When we do stuff like that, not every tattoo is gonna be good.
[Qcknd] Yeah, right? I worry about that all the time.
Well, cool. Um, I look forward to getting my little chick tattoo!
Um, I think that these are also cool events for like, gap fillers. Do you agree?
[Bryan] Oh yeah. For sure. [Qcknd] Yeah.
Cause I definitely, like, have no more good ideas, so.
Even, like, having a little help with, like, a little event like this is always something I look forward to.
[Bryan] Yeah, I mean we... That's pretty much all they do. Me and Mike just ink all day long.
[Qcknd] That's so cool.
[Bryan] So, there's going to be a lot more.
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[Qcknd] It was interesting and refreshing to hear Bryan's perspective all about Friday the 13th tattoos.
In our last episode, we explored the legendary $13 tattoo. But here at Electric Temple, they were providing something different.
They were creating art, just for the client.
Bryan was super nice, and he fit this chick just to fit this blank spot right in my leg.
We both agreed that this was a great event for gap fillers, and even learning your favorite tattoo artist.
I had heard of this shop before, and I was really excited to have an excuse to go there.
Everyone was super accommodating, and the space, like he said, was super warm.
He even let me try my Zensa numbing cream.
I felt a little intimidated after watching the girl behind me get tattooed for hours, and I was just getting this little chick.
But after wrapping the Zensa and letting it settle in, I really did enjoy using it.
So we cleaned the space, and we prepared for the tattoo.
Bryan was happy to use the numbing cream. I just recommend asking your tattoo artist beforehand.
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So we placed the stencil, and it fit perfectly.
Tattooing was quick and easy, and with the help of the numbing gel, I basically just sat there and enjoyed my experience.
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The shop was small and intimate, and I enjoyed the appeal of the custom tattoo aspect.
There was no long lines, there was no eagerness.
It was calm, and a lot more different than the last Friday the 13th experience I'd felt. A lot more comfortable.
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After this, Bryan put some Witch Hazel on my tattoo and let it cool off for a little bit.
And I just enjoyed the atmosphere.
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After wrapping up, we were ready to go.
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On our way out, we ran into a couple girls who came in and were upset with the pricing.
But, I don't think any of us really mind. Because this was something a little different than the expected
and I was happy to be a part of something like that.
Everyone was super kind and super helpful, and I loved being there.
They're doing something great and unique for the neighborhood, and just witnessing it felt different and relaxing.
When I got home, I washed off my tattoo with Dr. Bronner's soap,
and then I tried the second step from my Zensa, which was a cooling cream for a post-tattoo, and it was pleasure.
I definitely recommend this stuff, and I look forward to using it on larger tattoos.
Thanks, Bryan, for letting me try numbing gel on such a little tattoo.
And thank you to everybody who gave me a chance to interview. It was such a pleasure and such a cool atmosphere.
Thank you guys so much for staying tuned for Tattoo Talk Tuesday, you guys make this channel happen.
Give this video a thumbs up and don't forget to check out Bryan and Electric Temple. Thank you.