Excerpt from transcription, audio recorded on Sunday, February 2, 2025
Tyler: Okay. Hi. My name is Tyler Trevino, and I am the sole proprietor of TempTats magazine, which is a Texas based print publication that documents independent music and culture across The United States.
Ameer: So to get started, what started the art market since we're here?
Tyler: Yeah. The art market started in 2021 or 2022, I think, and I was really new to vending. I was just kinda starting my magazine and looking at all these fests and art markets where I could, like, try to sell my work.
But I was in high school—like, a sophomore—so I couldn't really afford the $40–50 vendor fees. So I wanted to start my own market to make it more affordable for younger artists—something more accessible where anybody could set up. You know, if you don't have a space, just create it. So I did.
And, yeah, Bohemeo's was nice enough to host it for the first time and then let me come back every couple of months. I'm really glad to be here—this is one of my favorite events to do. So I'm really excited.
Ameer: What was your first ever zine?
Tyler: I think my first ever one was TempTats Issue One. It was kind of made by accident, I guess, because I was just starting out with photography and going to shows and stuff. I wanted to have a physical portfolio or something people could hold to look at my work. So, I started making a photo book—kind of like what you're doing right now.
I just kept making it longer and longer, and then I started wanting to include interviews and write more. By the time I was done, my photo book ended up looking like a magazine. So I thought, Oh, I guess I have a magazine now. I’m gonna market it this way. And that became my first ever zine.
After that, I just fell in love with making zines. I do all the zine fests, and I make little, small ones out of paper. It’s just so fun—I love it.
Ameer: Do you have any specific inspirations, like any people or artists that have really inspired you?
Tyler: Yeah, when I first started making zines, I was in high school with my friend Toby. They made a zine called Diary of a Sista Grrrl, and it’s so sick. It’s kind of like a Riot Grrrl zine, inspired by the Shotgun Seamstress look. It’s grayscale—so sick.
That was one of my biggest inspirations starting out. And to go back to that, I also love Shotgun Seamstress. I love all the Riot Grrrl zines, old skate magazines, and stuff like that. That’s probably my number one inspiration.
Ameer: So what made you wanna start the magazine in the first place?
Tyler: I was just, like, so wrapped up in Houston's music culture that I felt like I needed an outlet. And I love all the people here. I love all the music. I love all the venues. So I just wanted something to bring it all together and create, like, a historical archive of it. I love music.
Ameer: So, what do you want people outside of the community to understand when they're looking in?
Tyler: I mean, it's really, like—I feel like a lot of people are like, "I'm gonna go to my first show. What should I do? How should I dress? Who should I talk to?"
And I'm just like, don't worry about that! Everyone who goes to these shows and events is so sweet and open-minded. If you're interested in becoming a part of your local community, just come out, talk to people, and make friends.
It's so much easier than you think. The stakes are so much lower than you realize. So just come out and have fun!
Ameer: I know when I was first starting to go to shows and stuff, it felt like a huge deal in my head. Part of it was because my parents were kind of overprotective, always asking, "Where are you going? Are you sure it's safe?"—you know, that kind of thing.
But just going, even though I’m not the most talkative person, and just being around people—it was one of the best feelings in the world.
Tyler: Yeah. Absolutely. It's, like, amazing. It's nice just to be outside.
Ameer: What do you want people in the community to understand about you as an individual?
Tyler: I'm not sure. I mean, I'm just grateful to be here.
And yeah, come talk to me at a show or a market—I love meeting new people and would love to chit-chat.
Ameer: Do you remember the first show you went to?
Tyler: Yeah, my first, like, local—like, small—show was The Queers, Gen Why, and The Lockdowns at The Secret Group. I was, like, 13, and my parents were there—they took me.
Ameer: Were your parents, like, into that music at all, or were they just like, "He wants to go"?
Tyler: They were, like—I’d say they were aware. They weren’t too familiar with, like, punk stuff. Mostly just my uncle was. So my dad kinda, like, knew it through him but had never really been to a small show like that before.
So when they saw people, like, dancing, they were like, "What the fuck is this?" But they were always, like, supportive of me, even when I wanted to do weird shit like that.
So, my parents are the best. I love them.
Ameer: Okay, and this was my final question. Any plans for the future that could be revealed to the public?
Tyler: Yes! I actually have a really cool thing to share.
I'm finishing up Issue 10 of my magazine right now, which is crazy—10 issues is insane! I'm also releasing a hardcover book featuring pretty much every issue, along with background information, like what it was like to interview certain bands and some of the wild things that happened at shows that didn’t make it into the magazine.
It'll include a lot of behind-the-scenes content and reflections on the past five years. So, yeah, I'm really excited about that—it’s gonna be crazy!
On top of that, we’ve got a Trans Day of Visibility Fest on March 29, 2025, and Tatsfest this summer. I don’t have a date yet, but yeah—summer 2025.
Tatsfest '3.
Ameer: Well, thank you so much for doing this!
Tyler: Yeah. Thank you. Thank you for the interview.
