Montréal Design as Seen by Nate Husser

Define Montréal’s soul for us.

It’s like a little baby. It’s really young, and a mix of a bunch of stuff. Wanting to be something but learning that it’s not the way to go. It’s a bit naïve but it’s just itself. Unique.

How would you describe Montréal’s sense of design?

Pretty on point. Just the fact that people bring things to reality that seem like they should belong in the imagination. Look at the windows of the Palais des Congrès, with all the colours, or murals, or even the Expo 67 buildings – you can do anything here.

What’s a Montréal brand that you find particularly inspiring?

Freaking ALDO. Just the fact that it’s a Montréal brand and you see it all over the world, from Singapore to Atlanta, it’s like – what?

Why is it important to you to support local design?

I think just for the basic reasons that if you want to build anything for your city then you’ve got to take from the local talent in anything. Supporting your community, as long as it’s tight. Helping each other.

How does Montréal inform your work and creative expression?

It’s a motivation, in that to do what I do as an artist and rapper, there aren’t many others here, so there’s a void to fill. That brings a lot of frustration, so that’s good to make art. There’s such a small population and even a smaller hip-hop community compared to any other mega city. It makes it more of a challenge, so I’ve got no choice but to put the fire in me.

In what way would you say your style is typically Montréal?

Maybe just because it’s unique, like everyone who cares about style has kind of got their own thing going on here.

What’s your favourite neighbourhood?

Little Burgundy. It’s my stomping ground, it’s where I was raised. It’s a bit different now that it’s getting trendy, but I still love it. I love the community centre there, Youth in Action, and Oscar Peterson Park.

Where do you go in Montréal for a meal out?

I like Chinese spots, or any Asian spot – sushi, or Korean barbecue places where you grill your own food like Seoul Chako. K2 Sushi on Crescent has got a dope little vibe – chill, nice, quiet, all the sushi you can eat.

For drinks?

I’d go to that little hole-in-the-wall spot, Atwater Cocktail Club, get a nice little bourbon lemonade. Or two.

When you feel like shopping?

I like Urban Outfitters or Simons.

To pass the time?

I might go to Oscar Peterson Park to play some basketball.

Tell us about a hidden spot you’re going to regret sharing with us.

It already happened. This rooftop on Crescent Street above the place that used to be Club Seven; we’d go through the back alley, go up some stairs and be on the roof. There’d be some chairs, you could see everyone down on Crescent partying and have your own private little hangout. But it got closed off because the word got around too much.

You have a design-obsessed friend coming to Montréal. Where do you send them?

Maybe I might just send them to the metro system. The underground walkway downtown, and the metros themselves that are all from the heyday of Montréal design. They’re pretty cool.

 

This post has been presented in collaboration with Souk@SAT, avid supporters of Montreal design.