Besides Playing Drums for METZ , Hayden Menzies Also Makes Weird-Ass Art

If you follow Hayden Menzies on Twitter, you’re likely aware that he is a double threat. Not only is he the hard-hitting drummer for Toronto noise rock trio METZ, but he’s also a highly respected and prolific visual artist with a unique style. Since the band’s humble beginnings, Menzies has provided an array of perplexing doodles for 7” singles, band shirts, and gig posters. Most of Menzies’ work is stream of consciousness illustrations that scour the wild and weird depths of his imagination. From a deranged and age-defeated portrait of MAD Magazine’s Alfred E. Neuman to a trippy 3D design that came out “long before all these 3D movies started coming out again,” Menzies has put his Fine Arts degree from Concordia University to great use. In fact, if you Google “Hayden Menzies” and “art,” a whole pre-METZ existence centred on his artwork dominate the results. While METZ prepare to release their much anticipated second album, II on May 4, Noisey fired over some questions to Menzies to ask how he comes up with all this shit.

Noisey: Your drawings feature all kinds of weird awesomeness. Where does the inspiration come for them?
Hayden Menzies: I think most of the inspiration comes from the most unexpected, mundane aspects of everyday life. A glimpse of an object you see in passing, overhearing bits of a conversation or seeing something that reminds you of an inside joke you have with someone. These types of things seem to have a holding effect on me. I’m intrigued by the minutia of things that can easily slip by if you let them. I just like weird things.

Do you try and come up with explanations for each illustration?
I have my own little back stories or reasons for using certain images or recurring icons, but I try not to explain too much. I like the idea of people coming up with their own narratives for what they see, like things that I may not have intended. Even the layout or negative space between figures or doodles can create shapes or patterns that I could never have planned which can spawn an entirely new outlook on the art.

How often do you look at a drawing and go, "That is extra fucked up! I can't show anyone this"?
[Laughs]That does happens here and there. There are very few times that I truly censor a piece of work by not showing it to anyone, but it happens. I don't plan out drawings or pre-sketch, so sometimes the way things develop is a bit unexpected. It's fun to embrace that spontaneous side of things, but it can be a risk. I’m a pretty private guy.

You've designed posters, artwork for the 7"s and T-shirts. Is there one format you prefer to see your work?
I've been lucky enough to see my work in a variety of formats which has forced me to question whether it really has a home in any specific environment or medium. I think that's a really amazing place to be. To be able to apply, or to see others apply your work the way they envision is pretty interesting and can give it new life. You have to monitor this of course, to make sure it’s being represented accurately in whatever format it is being applied to. But that's usually not too difficult when you work with cool people. I think the only time it’s disappointing is when it’s a work that is six-feet tall condensed down to a fucking thumbnail.

Do you have any work on display somewhere?
I don't at the moment. I have a long standing relationship with La Petite Mort Gallery in Ottawa. They may have some of my stuff on the walls or in their inventory. They’re a really good gallery.

Is there one piece of work you're most proud of?
At the risk of sounding completely pretentious, I don't think I could choose, partly because I don't even remember some of them. Sometimes I draw every day and there's just too much stuff to remember. I was also terrible at documenting things when I first started painting and drawing years ago - which may be a good thing – so I don't even know if I could go back through photos and recall a lot of them. Let alone pick a favourite.

I like to think that, just like songwriting in a band, your most recent work is your best. That's what makes you feel like you are still inspired and driven to do more and to get better. Current or recent work is at its prime because you've learned from things you've done in the past and you know what to avoid and what you can improve upon to take to new levels. I'm proud of certain milestones that occur randomly while working. Things like finally realizing how to make a certain mark in one motion instead of two, figuring out the perfect combination for mixing a colour you love to use or admitting that coffee stains don't actually add "character" to the work.

How do you think the music ties into the artwork?
I'm not sure it was always does. Music is a huge part of my life and I love that people can see a connection between the art and the music, but I also like to have a degree of separation between them. They are very different head spaces for me, creatively. They definitely can tie in to each other because they both exude this organized chaos, but they need their own breathing room. When things really click between art and music, I find it even stronger when they have started in two completely separate environments and collide at the end. Creating a continuity that takes both entities to new heights.

What material do you prefer: paint or pen? Canvas or cocktail napkin?
It varies. At the moment it’s pen rather than paint, but I think that's a result of lack of time and space to really get into doing large canvases. Very different processes are both really rewarding when you can commit to it. I'll doodle pretty much anywhere, on anything, but I prefer real paper or canvas. Not because it’s more precious, but because it’s just easier to make the materials work in your favour. Napkins rip and wrinkle and fold. Fuck that.

Have you done work for any other band besides METZ?
I've done some T-shirts or poster designs for a few other bands or illustrations for zines and stuff. It’s flattering and it's good fuel to force me to find the time between tours.

Is there a place people can buy prints of yours?
You can check out www.lapetitemortgallery.com and a company called Nuvango that sells prints and phone cases and stuff like that.

To see more of his work, check out Hayden Menzies on Tumblr.

Cam Lindsay is a writer living in Toronto - @yasdnilmac