For a considerable number of years, William Rhoten, known as DJ Sober, has been working to build Dallas’s diverse and danceable music scene. He’s spun with a variety of players in the industry including Cut Copy, ?uestlove, and the Flaming Lips, but always stays focused on his hometown grind, playing shows in both Dallas and Houston with upbeat regional styles.
On top of his music grind, Sober has broadened his reach to other areas as well. He draws his own event posters, track art, owns a clothing line, and constantly collaborates with fellow musicians to keep Dallas on the map.
Taking inspiration from older vinyl, cassettes, and CDs, Sober keeps up with lesser-known samples while honing his artistic craft. With numerous music collaborations under his belt and growing endeavors in the art and fashion worlds all at once, Rhoten seems positioned to grow his influence across multiple areas of business and creativity.
Can you give us a rundown of your art background and how you got into illustration in the first place? Where do your visual instincts come from?
I started drawing at an early age. As a kid, I remember my drawings being real detailed and advanced, especially for a kindergartener. I was drawing typical young guy stuff like cars, tanks, guns, and Army-related things. I think my mom still has those drawings tucked away somewhere. I’ve always appreciated good design and aesthetic. I even remember noticing fonts, logos and signs as a kid. Looking back, those same logos, etc. still look good to me today or are considered timeless.