To work at Virile one must be dapper, it’s part of the territory. Naturally, for Virile week, I had to interview the stylish men that barber here! Matt is a newbie and just started his apprenticeship at Virile a few short weeks ago. Just by talking to him you can feel his enthusiasm and excitement for being part of the Virile team. He’s a cool cat, with great style and great facial hair!
What’s your name? Matthew Carroll
What are you wearing? For the most part all the clothes I am wearing I bought at H&M. The shoes are from Aldo, I am wearing a pair of navy blue slacks…a grey button down vest and a baby blue shirt.
Are you always dressed so dapper? When I am at work I do. When I am just hanging out, I wear a pair of cutoff shorts and a t-shirt, just doing my thing.
How would you define your style? If I am not at work, really punk rock. I wear alot of different vests that I put alot of time and effort into….patches, pins all sorts of things like that. I like tight black skinny jeans and a pair of beat up skate vans.
How long have you been working at Virile? Working here for about 3.5 weeks. Adam gave me the opportunity to come here as the shop apprentice. I have my New York state barber credentials, and I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to work in such a beautiful shop and have the experience of learning and being around so many different people from different walks of life. That is the beautiful thing about Jersey City, is the second you walk off the path train you see punk rockers, guys that own multi-million dollar businesses, the artsy hipster girls, the average guy from the projects…it’s just this giant congregation of people and everyone just gets along. That is what I love about Jersey City is that there is a massive sense of community.
Are you thinking of moving here? I am thinking about moving here in time but now isn’t the best time for me. I have school to get out of the way and a few other things on my plate. Hopefully by January I will move here.
What is your favorite Jersey City hangout spot? Barcade, Lucky’s…We went to Golden Cicada on Saturday and we did this crazy shot. Honestly, my favorite spot to chill in Jersey City would be on one of my friends stoops…hanging out, drinking beer.
What are you listening to now? I’ve been on this crazy death metal kick….listening to Cannibal Corpse, Napalm Death….
So your not listening to Beyonce? That’s my girl…Actually Justin Timberlake is on my list, he is great. I play music, I am open to all aspects of different genres of music because you can’t be closed minded….it’s the same thing with barbering, if you want to continue to progress as a musician you need to be open to continue to push yourself….
What’s a fun fact about you? I used to be really involved in touring with bands, just helping out friends promoting bands… That is a big part of my life.
Matt Carroll
Virile Week Posts
“That is the beautiful thing about Jersey City, is the second you walk off the path train you see punk rockers, guys that own multi-million dollar businesses, the artsy hipster girls, the average guy from the projects…”
But the those first three types of people he mentions, all of which are the clientele that Virile caters to (replace ‘artsy hipster girls’ with ‘boys’) are gentrifying, outpricing, and therefore displacing the “average guy from the projects.” Jersey City isn’t “just this giant congregation of people and everyone just gets along”–that’s an easy view for white people to have for a city that is changing in the direction that favors them.
Hi Mary, thank you for the comment! I don’t think he meant anything by it. I think he just meant he loves the diversity in jersey city. He sees it as a place where people do get along… He doesn’t live here that is just his positive outlook! Thanks!