Dance Party Massacre is currently on sale (with a bunch marked at discount) at the MassArt Spring Sale. It's been going on all week, and if you're in Boston stop by before Saturday. Part of the proceeds go to benefit student scholarships!

MassArt Holiday Sale: 621 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA
Hours: May 5 – 11 / 10AM-7PM (more info)

It's been pretty quiet around here recently. What once was a full-blown operation for almost a year has died down the past few months. The biggest reason why? I got a new job! Oh, and also a new apartment. Also, moved in with my boyfriend... All at the same time. So ya, it may seem like not much has been going on, but for myself I've never been busier.

Like many small business owners I used to have another full-time job helping to fit the bill when it came to finances. I worked as a footwear designer for almost 5 years at Converse until I decided last year it was time to move on. I didn't jump into something else, instead I took the opportunity to work hard and live poorly. I took chances on making my own schedule and throwing myself into Dance Party Massacre and living my dream of living off my own creation.

It was an amazing ride, but if you didn't catch on times got tough toward the end of last year. While I think I can live just as (or almost as) happy poor as I can "rich" (more like well-off) you at least need enough money to pay rent and food. That was starting to get tougher and tougher...

I also was getting a bit restless. I put so much thought and work into DPM; as both frontrunner and behind-the-scenes guy I did basically everything. You see the fruits of your labor, but also the things that don't succeed. You get worn out. As a creative person you get drained.

I wanted, and want, to live off of Dance Party Massacre. I wish I could come up with cool products and then it would be guaranteed to sell and make money right as I released it - we all know that's not the way the world works. I also came to miss the feeling of working on bigger projects, reaching wider audiences, being a part of a bigger team. I became open to new job opportunities, and I started looking around for ones that interested me.

I applied for one at Puma designing footwear again. I had an interview and days later I had a job offer. Less than a week after meeting with them I accepted it. It all came by super fast. (I actually was offered another job by a different company at the same time too, so hello decision time.) I'm very happy to say for over a month now I've been working full time with the team over at Puma in Boston. It pays well, it's creative, great atmosphere and right in the heart of the city. It's exactly what I want and need right now.

So where does that leave Dance Party Massacre?

I had my job at Converse the whole time while I worked on this brand. I was able to create product, but at times it was tough to balance it all (especially when the brand grew). When I left I had 24/7 to really focus on only selling and creating Dance Party Massacre. I don't see how I can feasibly keep that pace up with a full-time job in place. I basically have nights and weekends to art direct, run the website, sell and ship product, design, work with designers, contact stores, sell at markets and keep coming up with the next phase of things.

It's a lot to do, and right now honestly I need a break. (It's also not really fair or respectable to Puma as I get used to the workload there.) To speak bluntly I'm also not 21 anymore. I don't go out the barz as much. I have adult responsibilities. I'm not some dumb kid anymore and that's definitely part of what the brand is about. (Which I mean in the best way, of course.) I turn 29 next month, and I've grown as a person (and also as a designer) since I started this brand. At times it can feel limiting to only be able to create ideas that revolve around "party horror".

So with those things said, I will continue to sell off product as it is. I will continue to sell at events and speak with people and be reachable for the near future. But as far as when you'll see new product from DPM? I don't know... I'd love to make movies one day (yes, horror movies). I'd love to develop my photography more. I'd love to work on ideas in my head that aren't bloody and fun, but maybe cool and sophisticated (but probably still a little weird.) I think I needed time to only work on Dance Party Massacre - it's my baby after all. But now that I see how hard it is to survive off of it, I might have gotten what I needed out of it... I have this grand idea of opening up a boutique where I can sell all the cool things I want, that I create, that friends create, that I find - something I can have creative involvement in just like DPM, but with a little bit more freedom. Maybe that will happen next, I'm not really sure.

DPM is not dead. I'm not ready to give up yet. Maybe consider it sleeping. And perhaps soon enough you'll see us rising from the grave. :)

Cheers,
Alex

PS-If you wish to keep up on me personally, other endeavors, dumb things I say, etc. You can find me below. Don't hesitate to reach me!

Twitter  /  Facebook  /  Instagram  /  Website  /  E-Mail

Been a little quiet around here, huh? Well, get ready to listen to me talk for over 1/2 hour. About a month ago I did my very first podcast, and it was just released. I spoke with Dirk Walker of Inside Joke and we chatted about how I got into design, the history of Dance Party Massacre, what intrigues me about horror, and my favorite (and least favorite) directors in the business.

You can stream it below, or share on Inside Joke's Tumblr here.

While they last, with every order we'll throw in a classic die-cut sticker for free! Go grab something up and get a perk.

We love you guys, we bloody love you. To show how much we love you, we're having a BIG blowout sale ALL this week! But it's more than that - it's an event. Starting tomorrow we'll have huge discounts in our online store. And each day this week will be different.

For 24 hours a certain category of product (tees, sweatshirts, etc.) will go on sale for a certain percentage off (between 35%-50% off.) The next day it'll change. So keep checking in to see what goes on sale, and grab what you want in time before it sells out! (A lot of stock is running low...)

CHECK OUR FACEBOOK + TWITTER FOR THE DISCOUNT CODES

Is that not a good enough deal for you? How about some FREE stuff? Go to our Facebook and share the image on our timeline anytime between now thru this Saturday, and we'll choose 3 of you to be sent a surprise “love package” in the mail. Dontcha love it?

“I think it's important to follow your own path.”

Honored to say I was chosen as 1 of “50 People to Keep on Your Radar” in the Spring Issue of Tosser Magazine! While Dance Party Massacre is my blood and guts, I'm also proud of my other work and can't wait to show what else I can do. Thank you to anyone and everyone who has helped me along the way.

Sharon Needles tweeted at us yesterday saying she wears our clothes constantly. This is very newsworthy. On the same day her album comes out and hits the Top 5 even.

In the latest issue of Papercut Magazine we have a 4 page spread featuring an interview with myself (Alex Dakoulas is me) and photos from our latest look book. This menswear issue features some top notch design, photography and fashion and I'm honored to be included. You can jump right to our spread here.

Love and blood,
Alex 

We have a full page ad in the latest Fangoria focusing on our collaborative tee with them. It's pretty surreal! The issue is out at newsstands right now. You can read about the details of the collaboration in our announcement post back in November. And if you want to pick up your own shirt, get on it! We only printed 50 and they're already over 60% gone.

Love and blood,
Alex

 

In cleaning out some things at the end of this year, I came across this banner from the very first release party for Dance Party Massacre. I taped up a big brown banner and asked people to write down what they're afraid of. (This idea eventually took on a bigger role in the concept of the brand and even started a campaign a few years later.)

In looking toward a new year, I hope we can all overcome some fears that are stopping us from living fuller, happier lives. We only get one chance at this, so as we say... live while you can.

Happy New Year everyone!
-Alex