Flightless Bird Nest Sessions: Cold War Kids on Vintage Shirt Collecting
Dec 4, 2025
Nathan Willett, lead singer of Cold War Kids, and bassist Matt Maust dive into their shared obsession with vintage t-shirts, sharing how punk culture fueled their collection. They discuss the uniqueness of worn shirts and why they resonate with collectors. Highlights include amusing stories of eBay negotiations and memorable local pickups. The duo also pays tribute to their late friend and collaborator Richard Swift, reflecting on his immense talent and the lasting impact of his work.
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Vintage T‑Shirt Obsession Origins
- Matt Maust and Nathan Willett describe collecting vintage t-shirts as a lifelong obsession rooted in punk and subculture scenes.
- They treat shirts as billboards for identity and chase rare pieces through trades, eBay haggling, and local pick-ups.
Worn Shirts As Social Signals
- Vintage shirts signal insider identity differently than mainstream reissues or mall brands.
- That rarity and wear create social cues that spark conversations and shared memories.
Tokyo Sticker Shock
- David Farrier recounts finding a Nine Inch Nails shirt in Tokyo that was priced at $5,000 before he backed out.
- The story highlights sticker shock and the premium some vintage shirts command internationally.