its about me!
Please come out and celebrate with us! All ages! We’ll be cutting 10-5 but the party starts at 10am as well and continues late into the evening! Bring your friends! Live DJ’s all day, free food & drinks, going to be a fun day!
Song of the day is my bro Luke Pickett performing live one of his new songs “Treat you so bad”
We’ve been having an overwhelming response about the new shop and thank everyone for their support! Everything is coming together more and more and we’re all having a blast. If you’ve yet to check it out swing by 1053 Bloor St. W at Havelock, south side beside 2-4-1 Pizza. Our shop number is 416.551.8929. Look forward to seeing everyone this summer.
Thanks!
Dru
Here’s a photo of the shop, come see the updates!
I just wanted to quickly announce that today Hollow Ground Barber Shop is open to the public from 10-7 and tomorrow, Saturday 10-5. We are located at Bloor/Havlocke and whether you are looking for a cut or want to just come check it out we welcome you with open arms. We’re very proud of all the work and help that’s been put into the shop and look forward to serving your haircutting needs.
See you soon,
Dru
So some quick updates, the new place should be ready May 24th, I’m so excited.
I’ve also created my own Pomade brand, I’m still in the stages of sorting a name out for it, but expect to see it for sale shortly. I’m very very pleased with how it turned out and can’t wait to let everyone try it.
In the mean time, give a listen to my bro Luke Pickett’s new track coming off his debut full length.
I wanted to announce that I am no longer with Mike’s Scissors. I wish nothing but the best to Mike for the opportunity he has given me but I made the decision it is time I move on to new things. I apologize for any inconvenience I may have caused and look forward to taking care of all of your barbering needs in the coming future. I am very excited for what is to come. If you need a cut or shave you can contact me via dru.barrow at gmail dot com.
Thank you for all of the support, happy Easter weekend,
Cheers,
Dru
(aka Drew/Andrew)
It’s funny when people ask me how I became a barber. It’s not really a crazy tale, it wasn’t declared by the gods, or in my blood, I just simply tried a hundred things in my life, wasn’t satisfied and found my calling doing this which makes me happy. The end. That said, I was thinking about a story and I recalled the first time I ever gave someone a haircut, I was 12 years old.
While growing up in my hometown of Thunder Bay, Ontario I was enrolled in Beavers, Beavers lead to Cub Scouts, then ultimately Boy Scouts. I was on and off with my feelings for Scouts, on the up side I was able to do a lot of neat adventures my more city oriented self would have been too lazy to experience but on the down side I was in Scouts, which did not particularly enthrall me. One year however we took a trip down to Wisconsin for some camping where I did a Polar Bear swim at 5am, shot some bow and arrows, a rifle, and dealt with the usual bugs, but that wasn’t the end of it. Towards the end of the journey my day started off where I was nearly bit by a huge Wolf Spider. Not the most dangerous, but scary nonetheless. It lunged at my hand in a box as I reached for something inside it and I pulled away just in time. I then walked back to my camp where I saw one of the most epic things ever, a daddy long legs spider atop the picnic table jumped onto a bee’s back as it flew by, taking it down to the ground and killing it. I kid you not. EPIC. I should have known that was going to pave the way for something intense later in the evening. That night a storm came a brewing and we found ourselves trapped under the lodging where we ate, it had pillars holding the roof up, but no walls. The storm grew and grew and the sky was darker than anything I’ve ever seen and literally moved across the sky like someone was fast forwarding it. The winds grew and grew until suddenly people’s tents began blowing away. It was at this time we found out a tornado was passing by very close. Nearby lightning struck a tree that was easily over 100 feet tall and it came crashing down beside where we were hiding out. Kids were crying and I remember my friend rocking back and fourth saying “we’re going to die, we’re going to die”. What was I doing during this whole ordeal? Kicking back giving my friend an improvised haircut, which actually turned out pretty good. Perhaps secretly barbering has been calling my name and it just took me a few years to realize it.
Regardless, we survived, the others a little better than I did actually as I returned with ticks on me and was diagnosed with Lyme’s Disease haha, but, the sound of the barber had been made, and my destiny was to be fulfilled. I was the first person in the world to have successfully been cured of Lyme Disease and to this day supposedly exist in a book somewhere for it. Although, years later I was watching American television and a commercial came up saying “Help us find a cure for Lyme disease”, hmmm….
Todays song of the day is from an album I can’t get enough of, this is the old version and the vocals are nowhere as good as the new version, but since it’s not uploaded this will have to do.
I’ve been absolutely terrible at updating lately but I’m planning on trying to fix this. I’ve been cutting a lot lately, shop is well. Spare time is spent working on music, the comic and preparing for warmer weather. Be sure to make sure you are looking as good as this sun is right now and get cleaned up for patio season!
I was given a wonderful gift from the lovely Sol recently, a vintage straight razor trinket with pearl handle as seen below:
It’s awesome and I will treasure it always. Ash mounted it on a chain for me, stoked to be able to wear it around.
Song of the day, Hightide Hotel – Weekends
Happy valentines day, to those with someone and those enjoying time to themselves.
I’ve been terrible at updating but i’m going to try and fix that.
Been cutting a ton and feel great about how it’s coming. Yesterday Andy and I discovered a industrial sewing machine and now we’re going to make cool things with it. I’ve been writing a lot of music in my spare time and have a new set up coming which I am excited about.
In the meantime, here’s a great song by a band that deserves more attention than they get. Sigur Ros:
I never did wish everyone a happy 2011, so happy 2011. I was lucky enough to head out to cottage country for a few days, always a great time. Many thanks to Sean for being a great host.
Life’s been busy cutting at the shop, if you’ve yet to come check it out please do so, if you have, make sure it’s not getting out of hand otherwise come in for a clean up! I’m heading home in 2 weeks for my mums 50th, very excited for that. I plan to do the usual and hunt for vintage barbering supplies and video games so fingers crossed.
As for my plans this year, continue working towards becoming a better barber, although things are coming along well I need to always be striving to become better and I promise you I will not ever give that up. I really want to get updated work photos online soon as anything I have is extremely extremely old and I apologize for that. I’m planning on doing some shoots in the spring and will have those out asap.
All the best in 2011 everyone.
Time for some great metal. The solo will blow your mind. One of my favorites, hopefully they eventually release their follow-up which is long overdue and is supposedly coming out this year…here’s to hoping. Wintersun – Winter Madness
Today is my last day back home before I’m back in Toronto. I’ll be in the shop Thursday and friday before new years if you need a cut, but it will be getting busy!
It’s always great being back home catching up and spending time with family and friends. Unfortunately we lost the winter classic again after a well fought battle and the hicks have come out on top, but next year it will be ours.
I picked up a grand total of 27 games while being here haha. Very excited as I scored some gems, some I picked up for trades and others just so I had the version of it on snes that I already own on sega or vice versa. Scored an amazing Game Pro magazine too with Earthworm Jim on the cover, great coffee table book. Here’s a photo:
Here’s the great razors and strops from my grand father:
Weather has been beautiful back home, it’s a nice dry cold so it doesn’t feel bad like it has been in Toronto. Took a few pics with my little brothers camera and it’s panorama mode.
view from the front yard of the property, eventually i believe the plan is to have some tree’s block the view of the other house built out there.
back yard view:
so relaxing here.
June 19, 2011
jealousbones
