Steampunk Maker Spotlight: an Interview with Tobias McCurry
Introducing Tobias McCurry
GSN TV's reality competition Steampunk'd introduced me to new makers and broadened my own steampunk horizons. Even with the conflicts and frrustrations the contestants faced, I loved seeing their amazing creativity.
Tobias McCurry was one of those contestants and, in the first episode, seeing things he had already made, I was interested in seeing what he would come up with for the show. Alas, he was the first let go. Of course, he continues making wonderful things, attend conventions, and lead an all-around creative life.
I'm happy to bring you this interview with him. He talks about costuming, how he came to steampunk, and much more.Tobias has provided his Facebook and Twitter links, so at the end, remember to visit and follow him at your social media site of choice.
The Interview
Jonathan Fesmire: Please tell us a bit about yourself? What makes Tobias tick?
Tobias McCurry: Well, hi! I’m Tobias, and I am primarily infamous for my exploits as a performer and convention goer in Seattle. Often referred to as Spring Heeled Jack due to my steampunk’d out jumping stilts and armor, I enjoy bouncing around convention halls talking about what I do, and things that I’ve been fortunate enough to have done.
I’m a prop maker and costumer, and ended up getting featured on Steampunk’d, a competition show on GSN. I did steampunk for several years before transitioning into a more post-apocalyptic genre due to my love of Live Action Roleplaying. Though the show thrust me back into our wonderful community head first, and I’m happy to be back around!
JF: I know you got into steampunk in 2009. Were you always into speculative fiction? Did your childhood influence this?
TM: As a child, I read quite a few books of various genres, but speculative fiction was by far the frontrunner of my reading. Artemis Fowl, Pendragon, and Storm Thief were some of the books I remember enjoying when I was but a young(er) buck. Thinking back on it, that very well could’ve helped influence me when my interest in steampunk was actually sparked when I learned of the genre from a family member who, early on, started to work on steampunk jewelry.
Between reading speculative fiction, getting into theatre in ’08, and being introduced to a steampunk live action roleplaying game (Rise of Aester), steampunk was a community that absolutely appealed to me due to its creative outlets in all aspects of life.
JF: What do you like most about being a steampunk maker?
TM: Being considered a steampunk maker has been a little surreal. I mean, I’m a maker in general. I like props of all kinds, in several genres, but what I’ve enjoyed the most about being a steampunk maker in specific has been the gadgets and gizmos that I can offer subtle Victorian flare to. For example, even being called Spring Heeled Jack is absolutely a Victorian urban legend from 1837. Suddenly, something that wouldn’t generally have much meaning to it now has a story and a world to reference. It makes a bracer that shoots fire into the reason why Jack was said to have red eyes of fire.
Being able to find something in history that acts as a hinging point to your storytelling has been a joy, an educational joy, to boot! I didn’t start out with these concepts in mind, they just eventually fell into place as I worked on my main costume over the years. You can work a story into costuming both ways, and the freedom that steampunk offers in its ability to tell story is wonderful.
JF: I was sorry to see you leave Steampunk’d so early, and that you weren’t brought back for the finale. I understand the contestants have remained in touch as friends, though. How’s that going?
TM: I’m not going to say I was displeased to get out while the getting was good. The drama ended up flaring up soon after my departure, so I’m not going to cry about that. I got to sass some people, have the hashtag #BringTobiasBack, do an AmA on GSN’s Steampunk’d page, it was awesome.
As for staying friends, most of us absolutely are keeping solid contact. I’ve brought Tayliss and her beau LARPing in Southern California, and I play D&D with them over Skype. I had the opportunity to see Karianne when I was doing an internship with Thomas Willeford. Charles, JW, and Kato aren’t far from me, just being around Portland, so when cons come around, we get to hang out and be badasses like we are. They’re family now, absolutely, and we see one another when we can!
JF: What’s your specialty when it comes to making?
TM: When it comes to making, I enjoy working in realer materials such as thick leathers and metals, but because I’ve started doing a lot of crafting for LARP, I’ve moved towards crafting a lot of props out of foam with the intention of a more realistic flare to add immersion to the setting in which players are working in.
JF: How hard do you push yourself?
TM: Depends on the day! Like any artist, I have my ups and downs. I’ve been in a bit of a rut recently, but I think with a few commissions on my plate already, I’ll be able to kick start myself into a great upswing that will hopefully mean I’m producing some kick ass stuff!
JF: When are you completely satisfied with something you’ve been working on?
TM: That’s an interesting question, and I’d like to say it depends on what that project is. A prop, for example, feels fleshed out when the fine details are added, be it rivet work and blood splatter, or that final piece of personalization that the client asked for.
There’s a sixth sense of sorts that will tell you when something is becoming too busy or loud. Especially regarding costuming, the sweet spot is just under that. Feeling out the piece, I know when something I make doesn’t look good, in a matter of speaking. Sometimes I can look at it objectively, but other times you just know.
My thought on my costumes is that the work is never actually done. A lot of my costuming is modular, pieces sometimes come and go depending on the event, the weather, and even how I feel at the time. You can have a solid base, but there’s always an opportunity to accessorize it, or flavor it a little bit differently. (Just make sure you don’t accessorize so heavily that it takes 30 minutes to pee. It’s a bad life choice. I speak from experience.)
JF: Who inspires you among other makers or anyone else?
TM: I have been incredibly fortunate to meet kind and talented individuals throughout my time in this community. I have a figurative laundry list I could go down of some of the most talented steampunk makers in the country. Just to name one in particular, JW of J.W. Kinsey’s Artifice does some of the best work in the country. Though all of my Steampunk’d makers also do some phenomenal things. If you get a chance to go through the list of the contestants and what they’re doing now, do it.
JF: I agree, J.W.'s work is fantastic. Just for fun, if you had to be turned into any sort of automaton, what would you be like?
TM: I’m really torn here. If I was to offer a serious answer to your fun question, I’d definitely say Joueuse de Tympanon. It’s a French harpsichord playing automaton. It’s lovely, and you can look up the refurbished work of art on YouTube.
But let’s be real I’d probably have way too many strobe lights installed and act as a mobile rave… or be like brewski bot, a Seattle r2d2 with beer taps… you know what, I like that one.
JF: Wow, Star Wars and steampunk, two of my favorite things! Thank you so much for speaking with me, Tobias. Is there anything else you’d like to share with my blog readers?
TM: For those who’re newer to steampunk, don’t let the elitism of others discourage you from the hobby. It’s an open and interpretable art, lifestyle, and genre. You can think outside the box and still be amazing. I can’t count the amount of times I’ve seen people get discouraged because they feel they don’t meet a standard or bar that any given group might have. This is exemplified in places such as cosplay, LARP, or even just attending a convention. We all start somewhere. Put in some effort, go to Value Village or Goodwill and get some basic ideas for what you want to do. Chances are, you’re going to go and meet some amazing people who’re very talented, and you’re going to learn some badass skills by talking to them. Being a maker takes knowhow, but you don’t get knowhow without having friends.
Furthermore, I’m going to shamelessly plug myself by saying hey! Follow my shenanigans online at ALL the places:
IG/Twitter: @TobiasMcCurry
If you have any questions, feel free to ping my Facebook page!
Coming Soon
I'm so happy to be able to bring this interview to you all. For interviews with other steampunk makers, including contestants from Steampunk'd, plus steampunk cosplayers, and a lot more, check out the rest of this blog.
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Feel free to leave a comment on Tobias's interview below.
