1. Every month we put an U2 fan in the spotlights, the fan of the month April of 2015 is user FLXone. Read along for the interview we had with this fan and designer of the Shirts of Innocence.

    "I remember when I was about 15 I went to my father’s bar and I found an old scratched and dirty CD box which contained a CD with the song With or Without You"

    Tell us something about yourself, who are you and what do you do for a living?
    Hi all. My name is Felix and first I would like to thank you guys for introducing me here and for accompany me in all this journey to get here, specially to Remy and Sergio who had been with me all the time. Also to say that like some of you know that my English is not very good, but I’ll try to do the better I can and hope someone can help me… haha And well, about me I do not have too much to say but this would be an approximate resume: I’m 33 old, I was born and I live in a little town from Navarra (North of Spain) and by now I work as graphic designer (I guess you noticed it haha) for myself since 9 years ago. Most of the time I’m happy, a bit crazy and open minded person who always likes to be doing something. It doesn’t mind what, just doing something, and even better if I can be with someone, preferably my wife or my friends.

    How did you become a fan of U2, tell us how it happened?
    I remember when I was about 15 I went to my father’s bar and I found an old scratched and dirty CD box which contained a CD with the song With or Without You (I think my first known U2 song, you know, one of our age first ballads. At least where I live, and I “stole” it for me. It was The Best of 1980-1990 and I think today still have it out there. Then, with the curiosity of what more was on that CD I started listening the other songs and they had something I liked. After that, some time later again in my father’s bar, the same thing or very similar happened again, but at this time it was the time for Pop, and if we consider for then U2 had been started to be everyday more present in my life, until today, you can imagine the result.

    You are known here as the designer of the Shirts of Innocence, a great collection of shirts for U2 fans to wear. Can you tell us where you got your inspiration from in coming up with these designs?
    Really? I’m known as the designer of the t-shirts? Hahaha I was just kidding. But surely you saw me here before, as the designer for some 360 tour bootleg and other CD covers, some DVD covers, some U2 360AFTER34 (360ºTour live from Donostia / San Sebastian Multicam) stuff and things like those. But wait… I´m going from the question… hahaha Well, this is: one day I noticed there was the intention of make some t-shirt designs for the next upcoming tour in the forum and I thought it could be a good time to try making some different things as graphic designer I can`t do in my everyday so I offered my help to the crew doing what I know to do and by the way, so I could contribute my bit for the site of which I had received too much. Then I thought it would be a great idea trying to capture the essence of the songs in a picture, so I started listening for the songs again and again in repeat mode searching a word, a sound or an emotion which could translate the song on a t-shirt. And that’s it, one thing led to another and we suddenly have a collection of shirts ready to be launched

    Can you tell us which favourite shirt is?
    This is a hard one to answer… because I’m happy with the result of the complete collection, including shirts of other mates who have also done a great job. But I had to choose, I’d say California or Yogi’s Raised by wolf. Already U2.com would like to have those shirts hahahaha



    Do you have any future plans as for the Shirts of Innocence? Can we expect updates or additions in the future?
    Who knows… you continue buying some of them and stay tuned!

    What does your U2 collection look like? What kind of stuff do you have and how is it organised?
    I have my little corner yes, I guess like many other fans, more or less organised, dedicated to U2 at home. The most I like is obviously the music so there are lots of CDs and DVDs in my shelves, but there are also books, magazines and a few rarities I had the luck of collect. Best if you see



    Can you share us your tour plans for the iNNOCENCE + eXPERIENCE tour?
    By now I’m having some problems with mi tickets because the dates, but I think I can meet some of you in Barcelona the days 9 and 10 (somebody who speak Spanish please xD)

    How different is U2 compared to other artists that you like?
    Wow… another hard one… I don’t know what to say here because every artist or band has their thing. But what I know for sure is that listening to U2 is always something special. Or that or I have a big problem, because I never get tired of listening any of their songs... hahaha

    What are your hobbies and interests away from U2, musical or otherwise?
    As I said at first, I have always to be doing anything, but apart of U2, music in general and designing some stuff my favourite hobbies are photography, traveling or excursions, Dragon Ball (now not like time ago), The Simpsons and have good times with my people. This one the most one I like

    So that’s all folks. That’s me more or less. I hope I haven`t bored you and we can see around here often. Thanks for everything and a big hug for you!



    Thanks for this interview FLXone!
  2. Nice read, Felix! The Best Of 1980-1990 compilation also played a small part in me becoming a U2 fan Like you, I "stole" it and listened to it many times.

    And many thanks for those great T-shirt designs (to you and all of the designers involved). I love my California shirt and will be ordering one or two more designs over the coming months
  3. Felix, you're a rock star man.
    Congratulations on your wedding too, by the way. Saludos.
  4. Greta read !

    I didn t know that you were "the designer of the Shirts of Innocence " ! you did a great work
  5. Wait, that picture of your collection wasn't here last time I visited! Some sweet little items you've got there, Felix. I've always wanted a SATS kaleidoscope!

    I like the way you have it set out, I've got a lot of stuff that isn't easily accessible like that. I might have to look for some similar shelving.
  6. Hey I've always liked Navarra!

    And great designs btw, loved them

    ---

    Follow up questions:

    Besides WOWY which other song got your total attention from the best of cd?

    Have you heard U2 before that, not knowing it was U2? Or knowing that it was U2 but you haven't found it anything special? Or you didn't even knew there was a band named u2?

    What did you thought about the musical direction change from the 80s to the 90s after listening to pop for the first time?
  7. thanks for sharing it with us.
  8. Hey guys! Thank you for your comments! And sorry for taking so long to respond ...

    Thanks also for your support with tshirts! I'm glad you like them!

    Have all of you also post your pics?? Come on! What are you waiting for? hahaha




    Thank you Cesar, you do what you can. And by now we are being happy!




    Then I think that advertising is not working quite right... hahaha
    I hope you can see me more times by here!



    Originally posted by iTim:Wait, that picture of your collection wasn't here last time I visited! Some sweet little items you've got there, Felix. I've always wanted a SATS kaleidoscope!

    I like the way you have it set out, I've got a lot of stuff that isn't easily accessible like that. I might have to look for some similar shelving.

    Hey Tim, Remy had lost the pictures on the way... hahaha About collection, it is only a question of organization over time. The shelves are really from IKEA or something like that... and it was not always well organized
    And if you are interested in a kaleidoscope, you can PM me, maybe I can help you getting one


    Originally posted by Bloodraven:Hey I've always liked Navarra!

    And great designs btw, loved them

    ---

    Follow up questions:

    Besides WOWY which other song got your total attention from the best of cd?

    Have you heard U2 before that, not knowing it was U2? Or knowing that it was U2 but you haven't found it anything special? Or you didn't even knew there was a band named u2?

    What did you thought about the musical direction change from the 80s to the 90s after listening to pop for the first time?

    You are invited when you want! And the same for others
    And wow... those are some deep questions! It's been 18 years since then... But let me try to answer:

    As I said before, I live in an small town, and by then there weren't so many facilities as now, so everything came much later here. But I also remember that I had heard I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For too, which I had listened before I don't know where and which for that moment I didn't know it was a song by U2. Oh, and Angel of Harlem. It was love at first sight. Possibly is what you say, and is more likely that I didn't knew who were U2... Although when POP did came, I didn't care what they could do, because they were already part of my life. It was different, but I loved it. It was U2

    I hope this answers all your questions and you can understand me... Sorry for not being able to explain better.




    Thanks to you for reading, for me it was a pleasure



    So that is guys, I hope we continue to see around here. Or at concerts. Who knows.

    A big hug for all!
  9. Felix So proud of your interview and of all the work you've done for the shirts project. Congratulations Un abrazo!!

  10. Gracias amigo! It is a pleasure to share it with all of you.
  11. Felix,

    Great interview! Though, you make me feel so old! To think that "The Best Of" album was your introduction, while mine was every one of those albums as they were released! It does make me happy though that the "younger generation" is finding and falling in love with this band just as much as we old-timers are!

    Thanks for all your contributions to this great place!

    --
    Paul - Who's even older than "40" now