Off The Clock
With Antrom Alexander
Inspired by the uniforms worn by the US military during their downtime, our new Depot Shirts will take you from a day in the workshop to an evening at the beach. Made from a mid-weight cotton canvas, they are both durable & wearable- providing a laid-back summer alternative to our classic workwear range.
When thinking about who we'd like to see in our washed-black Depot we said from the start it would be cool to get it on a musician. It's not the typical trade that comes to mind when you think workwear- but it's a trade all the same & music plays a big part in our brand. We came across Antrom on Instagram & loved his vibe. It turned out that he also owns a woodwork business; so we sent him a shirt to see how it would hold up!
Available in 4 new colour-ways, our Depot Shirts will look as at home in the workplace as they do off the clock- whether you're spending time with friends, hitting the bar or taking some well-deserved time relaxing in the sun.
Model @antromalexander | Photographer/model @aleksandrazee
P&Co: Tell us a little bit about yourself!
I'm an Oakland, CA based multi-instrumentalist and songwriter. I picked up the guitar when I was 13 and formed a band with some friends of mine shortly after. Music has consumed my life since then and has taken on many shapes over the years. Currently I'm working as a session guitarist and producing my own music under Antrom Alexander. I'm also fortunate enough to run a family business with my wife, Aleksandra Zee, making artwork in our woodshop here in Oakland.
What does a typical day look like for you?
A typical day for me starts out with an early morning pick up soccer game. I'll then spend the first half of the day at our woodshop working on orders, followed by evening recording sessions in my home studio.
Do you have a favourite project or piece you've worked on?
In 2020 I released my first solo EP,Surreal, after co-writing and producing in bands for many years and it was a truly inspiring experience. I was able to really lean into my own intuition and found that very fulfilling.
Tell us about the piece you composed for us.
I wanted to tap into the aesthetic P&CO brings to mind, and particularly the era the Depot shirt was inspired by. So I started experimenting with some blues/surfy licks, and it slowly morphed into what it became. Splashy guitar with lots of spring reverb will always be my favourite guitar sound. So iconic you know?
Where do you find inspiration? Who or what has been your biggest influence?
I'm always listening to music, especially in the woodshop. It's a time where I'll listen back to mixes and new ideas will come through, or I'll discover a new artist and get obsessed with whatever they put out. Lately, I've been really loving Ruban Nielson's (Unknown Mortal Orchestra) guitar work on his new album V, his style is just so cool. Mark Speer of Khruangbin is another one of my favorite modern guitar players. I think the biggest influences on my songwriting and style would have to be the Beatles and Radiohead.
How do you spend your downtime?
Hanging with the wife- we've got a couple pups and love taking them on hikes and spending time in nature. Soccer is my main form of exercise so I tend to play as often as I can. Also love a good binge watch of one of our favorite shows.
How do you find a good work/life balance?
That is a constant focus of mine especially today when it's so easy to get consumed by always feeling the need to be doing something. I'm really fortunate to be able to create a life around being an artist. To be in a position to create with my hands in the woodshop, and with music in my home studio really keeps me balanced and motivated. It's equally important to carve out quality time away from those spaces, being with my partner and our pups, and family and friends always helps me reset.
And what’s next for you?
We just bought a house in Joshua Tree, so moving there in June is probably the biggest thing on the horizon! We'll be building out a new woodshop and music studio there, and I couldn't be more excited. I'll be releasing my second EP later this Fall and am very much looking forward to finding new inspiration out in the desert!
How did you find out workwear pieces?
I've been wearing some combination of the pieces pretty much every day since I received everything. Loving the Depot Shirt, the 304 Albion Carpenter pants are perfect for the wood shop, I know I will get so much use out of those. The Utah Vest has been exactly what I needed for the chillier spring mornings and I'm very excited to break in the Outpost Canvas Jacket. It's just going to get cooler as it gets more beat up. I am super impressed with the quality, new shop favorites for sure!