This constant snow and ice is almost as bad as Boise's news reporters.
I received a pair a of Aragon 4's today and I'm dying to get out there and do some blading.
www.thendn.bigcartel.com to order Snake River Special
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Monday, November 29, 2010
Sunday, November 28, 2010
This week's NDN Insight is with another Boise blader, Tyler Schmidt!
1. Give me 5 words that describe Tyler Schmidt:
blade-cook-study-work-chill. I thought about using big words but that sums it up.
2. What does The NDN mean to you?
The NDN is big part of the reason I blade. Without a positive group of like minded individuals throwing stoke my way, I don't think rollerblading would have the same appeal to me. Plus it makes for good TV!
3. How long have you been blading? How'd you get into it?
I've always thought about this question because it kind of has two answers. I first got into blading in 1996 when Arlo Eisenberg and Randy Spizer did a demo at Balboa High School while my parents were stationed in the Canal Zone in Panama. My brother came home with a Team Paradise catalog and one of the Hoax videos. I remember thinking that it was the coolest thing ever. I didn't start really blading and pushing myself until what I'm calling the Coup de Tat era, and I'm sure that's the same for a lot of people. So 10 years or so?
4. After living in Germany, Arizona, and so on...Are you glad you ended up in Boise, ID? Why?
A good number of people are surprised to hear that I think Boise is the best place I've lived. It has everything I need: Four seasons, a low crime rate, a good skate scene and some of the best friends I'll meet. I have been to a lot of places and seen a lot of things but Boise is definitely home.
5. You've been around for a good chunk of the Dayshapes sessions...any parts/tricks you're especially excited for?
I always seem to join the session an hour after, or the spot after the best stuff. So I'm looking forward to seeing some of it on the big screen. There are also a few bangers I witnessed that I would like to see used in a part but I wouldn't want to give those away to early!
6. Top 5 favorite beers? What makes them so fantastic?
This is something I have been contemplating for years and I know I'll change my mind after it has been published:
#1. Adelskronen Pilsner - Only sold in Bavaria, everything you would want from a pils
#2. Köstriker Schwarzbier - The black beer with the blonde soul
#3. Paulaner Hefeweizen - Really good hef from Germany, best if you can get it on tap
#4. Blue Moon Grand Cru - A limited release double Belgian Wheat that was only available during an actual blue moon on new years.
#5. Spaten Munich Optimator - Bavarian style doppelbock that will knock you on your ass and still taste good
(Mikey I would have put Stout's Honor on there but like always it still needs more time)
7. What are 5 things that you've learned through blading?
Great minds think alike.
You should always have "non-blading jeans"
Skate videos turn into great music playlists
It never hurts "that bad"
If a bum asks you for the time, just say no
8. Top 3 most legendary pro's of all time?
This question is way to hard to answer, but I'm going to say Feinberg, Shima and Julio as far as Legends go. They just stand out the most to me.
9. When you aren't out rollerblading, what are you doing?
Well right now I'm gearing up for ski season, which should be cool. I like to kayak in the summer. I also brew my own beer so come ask me for one if you see me; I'm always looking for some constructive criticism!
10. Any advice to kiddies that are just getting into the blade-game?
Network! If you see a blader at your local park, get their number and go skate with them. You will learn more and enjoy more when you are around people that have been doing this for a while. That's what keeps me motivated!
1. Give me 5 words that describe Tyler Schmidt:
blade-cook-study-work-chill. I thought about using big words but that sums it up.
2. What does The NDN mean to you?
The NDN is big part of the reason I blade. Without a positive group of like minded individuals throwing stoke my way, I don't think rollerblading would have the same appeal to me. Plus it makes for good TV!
3. How long have you been blading? How'd you get into it?
I've always thought about this question because it kind of has two answers. I first got into blading in 1996 when Arlo Eisenberg and Randy Spizer did a demo at Balboa High School while my parents were stationed in the Canal Zone in Panama. My brother came home with a Team Paradise catalog and one of the Hoax videos. I remember thinking that it was the coolest thing ever. I didn't start really blading and pushing myself until what I'm calling the Coup de Tat era, and I'm sure that's the same for a lot of people. So 10 years or so?
4. After living in Germany, Arizona, and so on...Are you glad you ended up in Boise, ID? Why?
A good number of people are surprised to hear that I think Boise is the best place I've lived. It has everything I need: Four seasons, a low crime rate, a good skate scene and some of the best friends I'll meet. I have been to a lot of places and seen a lot of things but Boise is definitely home.
5. You've been around for a good chunk of the Dayshapes sessions...any parts/tricks you're especially excited for?
I always seem to join the session an hour after, or the spot after the best stuff. So I'm looking forward to seeing some of it on the big screen. There are also a few bangers I witnessed that I would like to see used in a part but I wouldn't want to give those away to early!
6. Top 5 favorite beers? What makes them so fantastic?
This is something I have been contemplating for years and I know I'll change my mind after it has been published:
#1. Adelskronen Pilsner - Only sold in Bavaria, everything you would want from a pils
#2. Köstriker Schwarzbier - The black beer with the blonde soul
#3. Paulaner Hefeweizen - Really good hef from Germany, best if you can get it on tap
#4. Blue Moon Grand Cru - A limited release double Belgian Wheat that was only available during an actual blue moon on new years.
#5. Spaten Munich Optimator - Bavarian style doppelbock that will knock you on your ass and still taste good
(Mikey I would have put Stout's Honor on there but like always it still needs more time)
7. What are 5 things that you've learned through blading?
Great minds think alike.
You should always have "non-blading jeans"
Skate videos turn into great music playlists
It never hurts "that bad"
If a bum asks you for the time, just say no
8. Top 3 most legendary pro's of all time?
This question is way to hard to answer, but I'm going to say Feinberg, Shima and Julio as far as Legends go. They just stand out the most to me.
9. When you aren't out rollerblading, what are you doing?
Well right now I'm gearing up for ski season, which should be cool. I like to kayak in the summer. I also brew my own beer so come ask me for one if you see me; I'm always looking for some constructive criticism!
10. Any advice to kiddies that are just getting into the blade-game?
Network! If you see a blader at your local park, get their number and go skate with them. You will learn more and enjoy more when you are around people that have been doing this for a while. That's what keeps me motivated!
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Friday, November 26, 2010
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
NEW YEARS WITH THE NDN!
As many of you know, December 31st will be the final day to get footage for DAYSHAPES.
I think that everyone involved with the video should get together and celebrate all of their hard work sometime near the end of December. Come a few days early to blade and sneak in some last-minute bangers, score a lot of timeless lifestyle footy, all the good stuff.
We'll get the dates planned, the kinks worked out and keep everyone updated.
My bday, christmas, hannukah, kwanzaa, new years, and end of filming are all within a few days of eachother so a party must ensue.
PS - KEEP THE CALENDARS CLEAN FOR MARCH TOO, BECAUSE THE BOISE DAYSHAPES PREMIERE WILL BE A GOOD ONE!
As many of you know, December 31st will be the final day to get footage for DAYSHAPES.
I think that everyone involved with the video should get together and celebrate all of their hard work sometime near the end of December. Come a few days early to blade and sneak in some last-minute bangers, score a lot of timeless lifestyle footy, all the good stuff.
We'll get the dates planned, the kinks worked out and keep everyone updated.
My bday, christmas, hannukah, kwanzaa, new years, and end of filming are all within a few days of eachother so a party must ensue.
PS - KEEP THE CALENDARS CLEAN FOR MARCH TOO, BECAUSE THE BOISE DAYSHAPES PREMIERE WILL BE A GOOD ONE!
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Sunday, November 21, 2010
This week's NDN Insight belongs to another long-time homie of mine. We take a trip to Wisconsin to visit Jeff Scanlon.
1. Jeff Scanlon in a nutshell:
Optimistic, encouraging, weird, misunderstood, film-maker, poet, father, random
2. What does The NDN mean to you?
People that choose creativity as a lifestyle.
3. How long have you been blading? How'd you get into it?
I've been blading almost as long as you are old. 17 years. I got into it in Chicago. I just learned how to ice skate and when it started warming up and I needed something to fill that void. In come the rollerblades. Little did I know how much they would define me. I saw a couple guys trying to grind these long skinny square rails that are actually kind of famous. They're shitty rails, but have been skated a lot. Well there really aren't many good rails in downtown Chicago. Anyway, that's how I got into it.
4. Explain the whole being homeless, blading with TJ Webber, Portland thing.
I was trying to live in Portland on my own, and without a job or any real friends to fall back on, I was forced to live outdoors for a little while. I have to say the fresh air was amazing. It's interesting, when you're homeless you don't count money like, "I have a dollar fifty". You say, "I have six quarters". For some reason money doesn't seem as hard to obtain if you think of it as a number rather than an amount.
Skating with TJ was a humbling experience. He was the nicest guy, so fun to roll with, hilarious, and totally on the same page any time we went out. He never carried himself like he was above anyone, which could be said for most of the Portland skaters back then. It was a community of friends encouraging each other through skating, and always talking shit to keep you humble. It wasn't about being cool, in fact it was the opposite. It was about embracing the odd and letting it shine. That somehow created the cool. TJ just happened to be so fucking amazing at skating that you knew he was special. Then he became the best rollerblader in the world after winning NISS in 95. I can always say I knew him when, and wish he still played some role in our community of rolling.
5. After living in several states, which scene do you consider most suiting to you? Why?
Portland for sure, it molded the rollerblader I am today. Boise is a close second and that's due mostly to you E.Bill, your motivation, motivates. In P-town there was an energy that made us feel like we were a family. A family that owned the city. We would skate wherever we wanted and just kill everything standing. Everybody was always so juiced to skate and get fired up from watching each other land trick after trick. It would get to the point where everyone was dropping hammers every time they tried. Perfect energy for any session.
6. All-time top 5 favorite Radiohead tracks?
All of them
7. What are 5 things that you've learned through blading?
1. That if I totally trust myself, I will land the trick first try
2. With age comes fear, and the courage to face it
3. Stretching and fish oil will keep you young
4. Some of the greatest minds in the world rollerblade
5. Being sweaty and dirty at the end of a good skate is almost better than sex
8. You taught me quite a bit about skating over the years we spent out and about. I wanted to thank you for that and also ask how you could put up with a young E.Bill?
The first time I pulled up to Glory and heard you say "Whoaa" when I tossed my skates out of the car was when I knew I could put up with you. I didn't need help putting up with you, it's who you are that helped. I knew you had more than those clowns you were rolling with at the time (like Nick). So far you haven't proven me wrong. Thank you for taking whatever advice I've given you, and learned something from it. Knowing that I have some responsibility for who you are now really means a lot to me. Glad I could help. I know you've helped me.
9. What are some similarities and differences between your skating 10+ years ago and now? Where did you draw inspiration from then and where do you now?
Well I'm not the crazy, go-for-broke skater that I use to be. I remember skating with two sprained ankles and just skating lower stuff so I didn't have to jump too high. Now I can still skate with a little pain, but I know that it's better to rest when I need to. One thing that has really changed for me is that I think about getting hurt more than landing the trick. Like I will look at a rail and know that I can grind it no problem, but for some reason I start to think of every bad thing that could happen and start to doubt my own ability. Really have to meditate through shit sometimes.
My inspiration has never changed. Just going out and skating is always what gets me going. It's always fun, even when it isn't.
10. Any interesting stories you'd care to share?
I have many interesting stories I could share. I could talk about the gentleman with racquetball breath. Or the man sitting at Rhodes with his special playing card. Yes, I could talk about a lot of things... but I won't.
Thank you Erik Bill for asking me to do your interview. This is truly an honor. The new Dayshapes trailer is fucking amazing.
This is a section that I made of Jeff about 4 years ago in Boise, ID.
Don't Forget Section
Jeff | Myspace Video
1. Jeff Scanlon in a nutshell:
Optimistic, encouraging, weird, misunderstood, film-maker, poet, father, random
2. What does The NDN mean to you?
People that choose creativity as a lifestyle.
3. How long have you been blading? How'd you get into it?
I've been blading almost as long as you are old. 17 years. I got into it in Chicago. I just learned how to ice skate and when it started warming up and I needed something to fill that void. In come the rollerblades. Little did I know how much they would define me. I saw a couple guys trying to grind these long skinny square rails that are actually kind of famous. They're shitty rails, but have been skated a lot. Well there really aren't many good rails in downtown Chicago. Anyway, that's how I got into it.
4. Explain the whole being homeless, blading with TJ Webber, Portland thing.
I was trying to live in Portland on my own, and without a job or any real friends to fall back on, I was forced to live outdoors for a little while. I have to say the fresh air was amazing. It's interesting, when you're homeless you don't count money like, "I have a dollar fifty". You say, "I have six quarters". For some reason money doesn't seem as hard to obtain if you think of it as a number rather than an amount.
Skating with TJ was a humbling experience. He was the nicest guy, so fun to roll with, hilarious, and totally on the same page any time we went out. He never carried himself like he was above anyone, which could be said for most of the Portland skaters back then. It was a community of friends encouraging each other through skating, and always talking shit to keep you humble. It wasn't about being cool, in fact it was the opposite. It was about embracing the odd and letting it shine. That somehow created the cool. TJ just happened to be so fucking amazing at skating that you knew he was special. Then he became the best rollerblader in the world after winning NISS in 95. I can always say I knew him when, and wish he still played some role in our community of rolling.
5. After living in several states, which scene do you consider most suiting to you? Why?
Portland for sure, it molded the rollerblader I am today. Boise is a close second and that's due mostly to you E.Bill, your motivation, motivates. In P-town there was an energy that made us feel like we were a family. A family that owned the city. We would skate wherever we wanted and just kill everything standing. Everybody was always so juiced to skate and get fired up from watching each other land trick after trick. It would get to the point where everyone was dropping hammers every time they tried. Perfect energy for any session.
6. All-time top 5 favorite Radiohead tracks?
All of them
7. What are 5 things that you've learned through blading?
1. That if I totally trust myself, I will land the trick first try
2. With age comes fear, and the courage to face it
3. Stretching and fish oil will keep you young
4. Some of the greatest minds in the world rollerblade
5. Being sweaty and dirty at the end of a good skate is almost better than sex
8. You taught me quite a bit about skating over the years we spent out and about. I wanted to thank you for that and also ask how you could put up with a young E.Bill?
The first time I pulled up to Glory and heard you say "Whoaa" when I tossed my skates out of the car was when I knew I could put up with you. I didn't need help putting up with you, it's who you are that helped. I knew you had more than those clowns you were rolling with at the time (like Nick). So far you haven't proven me wrong. Thank you for taking whatever advice I've given you, and learned something from it. Knowing that I have some responsibility for who you are now really means a lot to me. Glad I could help. I know you've helped me.
9. What are some similarities and differences between your skating 10+ years ago and now? Where did you draw inspiration from then and where do you now?
Well I'm not the crazy, go-for-broke skater that I use to be. I remember skating with two sprained ankles and just skating lower stuff so I didn't have to jump too high. Now I can still skate with a little pain, but I know that it's better to rest when I need to. One thing that has really changed for me is that I think about getting hurt more than landing the trick. Like I will look at a rail and know that I can grind it no problem, but for some reason I start to think of every bad thing that could happen and start to doubt my own ability. Really have to meditate through shit sometimes.
My inspiration has never changed. Just going out and skating is always what gets me going. It's always fun, even when it isn't.
10. Any interesting stories you'd care to share?
I have many interesting stories I could share. I could talk about the gentleman with racquetball breath. Or the man sitting at Rhodes with his special playing card. Yes, I could talk about a lot of things... but I won't.
Thank you Erik Bill for asking me to do your interview. This is truly an honor. The new Dayshapes trailer is fucking amazing.
This is a section that I made of Jeff about 4 years ago in Boise, ID.
Don't Forget Section
Jeff | Myspace Video
New DAYSHAPES trailer!
Rollernews
And long-time NDN Kyler Martz designed this new Valo bag!
Julio's wearing it so you know it's sick.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
NEW DAYSHAPES TRAILER!
MARCH 2011!
Help us out...post this video on your facebook/myspace/twitter/blog/whatever...spread the word!
DAYSHAPES Trailer #2 from erik bill on Vimeo.
MARCH 2011!
Help us out...post this video on your facebook/myspace/twitter/blog/whatever...spread the word!
Friday, November 19, 2010
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Be-Mag's Pic of the Week.
Blader: Erik Bill
Photographer: Toasted Berry
Trick: Dead Fish
www.be-mag.com
And here's another photo from the same session.
Blader: Erik Bill
Photographer: Toasted Berry
Trick: Dead Fish
www.be-mag.com
And here's another photo from the same session.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Monday, November 15, 2010
Good homie Gavin Fitch made this edit of good homie Ross Kuhn.
Very well done!
Keep an eye out for DAYSHAPES for footage of both Gavin and Ross.
Very well done!
Ross Kuhn from Gavin Fitch on Vimeo.
Keep an eye out for DAYSHAPES for footage of both Gavin and Ross.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
For this week's NDN Insight I got ahold of Jeff (Brent Joey Joseph Chicken-Brent Rubberlegged TTS Jebediah Frodo @tweet) Stanger. He Shane Coburn'd some of these questions with some insightful walls of text but hey, we're all about that shit.
I put together an edit with Jeff's helmet clips to coincide with the release of his NDN Insight. Peep that edit after the interview.
1. You've played a big role in making the SLC blade scene what it is today, are you satisfied with the way things are turning out?
Wow. Thank you for saying so. At the very least all I ever wanted was for people to stop calling it skating. That's why I've pushed.
2. What are some similarities and differences you've noticed between the Boise blade scene and that of SLC?
Boise is one of my favorite scenes and also one of the cities I enjoy being in more than most others, so this shouldn’t be a difficult comparison:
-Snow is a major clip preventer in both cities. The price we pay in the winter for living in such sweet places for the other three glorious seasons. Requires us to get creative. Which rules.
-Both of our towns have a huge contributor that moves and shakes things to keep the scene moving. I consider Billy Anderson (aka Beastmaster) and yourself (aka Brent) to be in the same class of stand-up blade ambassadors. I catch Billy being a missionary for the church of bl8in all the time. Spreading the good word.
-Boise has so much substance for it’s tiny population, just like my town. Not only in spots but also in art/film/music culture.
3. What does The NDN mean to you?
Blading. Quality. Friends.
4. You're pretty well-known for your rubberknee AO Souls and TTS's. Would you consider the condition of your body pretty good? Do you take stretching and healthy eating into consideration?
You are an asshole for asking if healthy eating has anything to do with my daily thought processes. Anyone that has spent any time with me knows that I have the worst diet on earth.
But to answer the prior questions, I would consider my body’s condition to be quite good to well. Not quite at the wellness. I do a few other things when I’m not blading to keep in shape. Love riding my bike as often as I can (best way to discover spots). This winter I’ll be skiing more than I have in previous years. Just got a seasons pass today to a resort just down the road from my work. Really looking forward to that since blading won’t be as feasible once the dreaded snow hits.
5. Who are a few of your favorite bladers to watch lately?
I know that this is cliche to say because there are others that have publicly declared it but it is the goddamned truth: my favorite bladers to watch are the ones that look like they know how to rollerblade. Most people that don’t know have to rollerblade force their style and that’s just a vicious cycle. Those that just know how have their style come naturally and it’s a great thing to see. It is so much more presentable than people who overdo the fuck out of their take-offs and landings.
People that I think best represent modern-day blading are: Jon Bolino, Rob G, TORY TRESEDER, Kevin Yee, Dave Benski, Montre Livingston, Alex Broskow, Brian Aragon, Marcus Benevidas, Chris Haffey, Jeff Stockwell, Brandon Smith, Dustin Latimer, Chris Farmer, Erik Bailey, Erik Stokely, Kevin Carey, Travis Rhodes, and Jeremy Spira. I know that I just named half the superpros and a few ragtags but all of the people listed above are legit in my book. If I could get the whole lot of them together, I would make a video with Brazillionaire that’d be MTV ready and impress the bejesus out of the masses.
6. What's up with RollMart?
A not-so-brief history: Roll Mart was started in Spring 2006 by Cameron Card and myself. After a trip to Arizona we were inspired by Revolution to start a shop in Utah. Shortly after inception, Cameron handed everything over to me and we’ve remained buds ever since. Probably the only partnership to part ways and have no bad blood whatsoever.
The business never grew to be anything more than a shop-in-a-trunk and a few fixtures in my parents basement while I was in college. My old Honda (Thalmus) got us around to a lot of contests and filming weekends. One of the perks of owning a shop was that it took me to so many places and introduced me to so many people that I would not have had the opportunity to otherwise. There is no doubt in my mind about that.
Things were going fine and I was selling enough product to keep buying more. It had a really loyal following. People would constantly ask me if I was going to open a physical location. I never had the heart to tell anyone I didn’t think a physical location would survive in our small scene. At least, not on my sort of financial situation (college student, working another job just to buy goods, etc).
In early 2010 I was just graduated with my bachelors and had my sights set on a masters degree. There is no way I would have been able to give ample attention to both the shop and school. Either the bladers would have been neglected because I’d be so focused on school or my education would suffer because I’d be constantly running product to this town at this time of day or spending hours putting new product on the site. Just didn’t seem fair to me or the scene.
This is where Matt (Farnworth) and Zach (Nelson) came into play. They approached me with an offer to put Roll Mart in their skatepark they were (and are in the process of) building. I told them straight up that I would be happy to sell it to them and offer my assistance as they get their feet off the ground.
I really feel good about this. I did not want to leave the scene with nothing and just stop. It was great to be able to pass the torch to some dudes that are willing and able to pick up where I left off. Owning a shop is definitely not as awesome as people think but I wouldn’t change anything that happened to me because of Roll Mart. It is such a big part of my life that gave me back everything I put into it and then some.
7. You've witnessed a nice chunk of clips go down for DAYSHAPES (you've been lacing shit too, well done), are you excited for any parts in particular?
I do end up getting a lot of opportunities to both session with and witness my friends pulling clips. Especially if I’m not feeling a particular spot, then I get to see their blading as an outsider. With that being said, everyone that is getting sections are my boys. So, I’ll be hooting and hollering at the premiere for all of them!
8. Included with this NDN Insight is your 'Helmet Clips Edit'. What made you try out a helmet and what made you decide it's not for you?
When I lived up North, I would ride my bike and take the train to blade with Nicholas downtown. I didn’t and still don’t ride my bike without my helmet (don’t trust the average drivers ability to pay attention). At the time, I would roll my bike up the spot, put on my blades and take off my helmet. Thought it was silly to wear it during one dangerous activity and not another.
It was a good thing to try out and anyone that has an inkling to be safer while blading should definitely wear one. In the end it felt strange because two of my closest friends also wear helmets and I started to feel as though I were on some sort of bandwagon. They wear them and look boss, I felt it didn’t really fit my blading. I am proud of all of the clips I did get during my helmet-life and wanted to share them with everyone. Hope you enjoy them.
9. Top 5 South Park moments?
5. Coon and Friend obliterate San Francisco, Burning Man, and every Whole Foods on earth
4. The kid with downs-syndrome (Nathan) sells Jimmy steroids
3. The Canadians “I’m not your guy, buddy!” monologue
2. Bluntly confronting how insane many religious organizations are
1. Cartman’s dad is Mr Tenorman
10. Any hopes/plans for 2011?
-Since filming for the shapes will be over on new years, I hope to capture the last of my clips in Boise and celebrate 2011 there
-Nicholas and Courtney giving birth to a healthy baby girl
-Captain Dawn not getting married again
-Die-cut NDN stickers
-Apple releasing an impeccable iPhone 5 in June
-Matt & Zach’s dreams becoming reality
-Another good wave of shows like we had this fall
-Erik installing a @the_ndn tweet widget on the blog
-Getting comfortable enough financially to buy a new Honda
-Slaying mad hoes
-Never stop traveling
-Jazz getting all the glory. This is our year. SLC runnin’ this bitch now!
I put together an edit with Jeff's helmet clips to coincide with the release of his NDN Insight. Peep that edit after the interview.
1. You've played a big role in making the SLC blade scene what it is today, are you satisfied with the way things are turning out?
Wow. Thank you for saying so. At the very least all I ever wanted was for people to stop calling it skating. That's why I've pushed.
2. What are some similarities and differences you've noticed between the Boise blade scene and that of SLC?
Boise is one of my favorite scenes and also one of the cities I enjoy being in more than most others, so this shouldn’t be a difficult comparison:
-Snow is a major clip preventer in both cities. The price we pay in the winter for living in such sweet places for the other three glorious seasons. Requires us to get creative. Which rules.
-Both of our towns have a huge contributor that moves and shakes things to keep the scene moving. I consider Billy Anderson (aka Beastmaster) and yourself (aka Brent) to be in the same class of stand-up blade ambassadors. I catch Billy being a missionary for the church of bl8in all the time. Spreading the good word.
-Boise has so much substance for it’s tiny population, just like my town. Not only in spots but also in art/film/music culture.
3. What does The NDN mean to you?
Blading. Quality. Friends.
4. You're pretty well-known for your rubberknee AO Souls and TTS's. Would you consider the condition of your body pretty good? Do you take stretching and healthy eating into consideration?
You are an asshole for asking if healthy eating has anything to do with my daily thought processes. Anyone that has spent any time with me knows that I have the worst diet on earth.
But to answer the prior questions, I would consider my body’s condition to be quite good to well. Not quite at the wellness. I do a few other things when I’m not blading to keep in shape. Love riding my bike as often as I can (best way to discover spots). This winter I’ll be skiing more than I have in previous years. Just got a seasons pass today to a resort just down the road from my work. Really looking forward to that since blading won’t be as feasible once the dreaded snow hits.
5. Who are a few of your favorite bladers to watch lately?
I know that this is cliche to say because there are others that have publicly declared it but it is the goddamned truth: my favorite bladers to watch are the ones that look like they know how to rollerblade. Most people that don’t know have to rollerblade force their style and that’s just a vicious cycle. Those that just know how have their style come naturally and it’s a great thing to see. It is so much more presentable than people who overdo the fuck out of their take-offs and landings.
People that I think best represent modern-day blading are: Jon Bolino, Rob G, TORY TRESEDER, Kevin Yee, Dave Benski, Montre Livingston, Alex Broskow, Brian Aragon, Marcus Benevidas, Chris Haffey, Jeff Stockwell, Brandon Smith, Dustin Latimer, Chris Farmer, Erik Bailey, Erik Stokely, Kevin Carey, Travis Rhodes, and Jeremy Spira. I know that I just named half the superpros and a few ragtags but all of the people listed above are legit in my book. If I could get the whole lot of them together, I would make a video with Brazillionaire that’d be MTV ready and impress the bejesus out of the masses.
6. What's up with RollMart?
A not-so-brief history: Roll Mart was started in Spring 2006 by Cameron Card and myself. After a trip to Arizona we were inspired by Revolution to start a shop in Utah. Shortly after inception, Cameron handed everything over to me and we’ve remained buds ever since. Probably the only partnership to part ways and have no bad blood whatsoever.
The business never grew to be anything more than a shop-in-a-trunk and a few fixtures in my parents basement while I was in college. My old Honda (Thalmus) got us around to a lot of contests and filming weekends. One of the perks of owning a shop was that it took me to so many places and introduced me to so many people that I would not have had the opportunity to otherwise. There is no doubt in my mind about that.
Things were going fine and I was selling enough product to keep buying more. It had a really loyal following. People would constantly ask me if I was going to open a physical location. I never had the heart to tell anyone I didn’t think a physical location would survive in our small scene. At least, not on my sort of financial situation (college student, working another job just to buy goods, etc).
In early 2010 I was just graduated with my bachelors and had my sights set on a masters degree. There is no way I would have been able to give ample attention to both the shop and school. Either the bladers would have been neglected because I’d be so focused on school or my education would suffer because I’d be constantly running product to this town at this time of day or spending hours putting new product on the site. Just didn’t seem fair to me or the scene.
This is where Matt (Farnworth) and Zach (Nelson) came into play. They approached me with an offer to put Roll Mart in their skatepark they were (and are in the process of) building. I told them straight up that I would be happy to sell it to them and offer my assistance as they get their feet off the ground.
I really feel good about this. I did not want to leave the scene with nothing and just stop. It was great to be able to pass the torch to some dudes that are willing and able to pick up where I left off. Owning a shop is definitely not as awesome as people think but I wouldn’t change anything that happened to me because of Roll Mart. It is such a big part of my life that gave me back everything I put into it and then some.
7. You've witnessed a nice chunk of clips go down for DAYSHAPES (you've been lacing shit too, well done), are you excited for any parts in particular?
I do end up getting a lot of opportunities to both session with and witness my friends pulling clips. Especially if I’m not feeling a particular spot, then I get to see their blading as an outsider. With that being said, everyone that is getting sections are my boys. So, I’ll be hooting and hollering at the premiere for all of them!
8. Included with this NDN Insight is your 'Helmet Clips Edit'. What made you try out a helmet and what made you decide it's not for you?
When I lived up North, I would ride my bike and take the train to blade with Nicholas downtown. I didn’t and still don’t ride my bike without my helmet (don’t trust the average drivers ability to pay attention). At the time, I would roll my bike up the spot, put on my blades and take off my helmet. Thought it was silly to wear it during one dangerous activity and not another.
It was a good thing to try out and anyone that has an inkling to be safer while blading should definitely wear one. In the end it felt strange because two of my closest friends also wear helmets and I started to feel as though I were on some sort of bandwagon. They wear them and look boss, I felt it didn’t really fit my blading. I am proud of all of the clips I did get during my helmet-life and wanted to share them with everyone. Hope you enjoy them.
9. Top 5 South Park moments?
5. Coon and Friend obliterate San Francisco, Burning Man, and every Whole Foods on earth
4. The kid with downs-syndrome (Nathan) sells Jimmy steroids
3. The Canadians “I’m not your guy, buddy!” monologue
2. Bluntly confronting how insane many religious organizations are
1. Cartman’s dad is Mr Tenorman
10. Any hopes/plans for 2011?
-Since filming for the shapes will be over on new years, I hope to capture the last of my clips in Boise and celebrate 2011 there
-Nicholas and Courtney giving birth to a healthy baby girl
-Captain Dawn not getting married again
-Die-cut NDN stickers
-Apple releasing an impeccable iPhone 5 in June
-Matt & Zach’s dreams becoming reality
-Another good wave of shows like we had this fall
-Erik installing a @the_ndn tweet widget on the blog
-Getting comfortable enough financially to buy a new Honda
-Slaying mad hoes
-Never stop traveling
-Jazz getting all the glory. This is our year. SLC runnin’ this bitch now!
Jeff Stanger - An NDN Insight from erik bill on Vimeo.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Friday, November 12, 2010
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Adam Kola pulls through with some awesome shots of NDN/friend, Ross Kuhn.
Another homie of ours is Jeff Stockwell. This photo is also by Adam Kola.
Visit www.adamkola.com/blog for more sick photography and keep an eye out for more Ross Kuhn in DAYSHAPES!
Another homie of ours is Jeff Stockwell. This photo is also by Adam Kola.
Visit www.adamkola.com/blog for more sick photography and keep an eye out for more Ross Kuhn in DAYSHAPES!
Monday, November 8, 2010
Fellow NDN, Jeff Scanlon wins a lil' film festival out in WI!
Peep the details here.
Here's a school project from Kaze Films.
Peep the details here.
Here's a school project from Kaze Films.
Valo Commercial from Kaze Films on Vimeo.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Saturday, November 6, 2010
While we were out blading today I mentioned to a few of the homies that I had been working on the second trailer for DAYSHAPES. We had a lil' viewing on my laptop and I snuck in a press of the 'record' button.
The trailer only has bits and pieces finished but, so far so good!
Keep an eye out, should be released sometime around Thanksgiving.
The trailer only has bits and pieces finished but, so far so good!
Keep an eye out, should be released sometime around Thanksgiving.
Talked a lot with Spindrift last night, they're down with blading and down with The NDN! They're on tour for another 5 weeks, go out and support musicians with actual talent.
WWW.SPINDRIFTWEST.COM
Almost time for this week's NDN Insight!
Also, check out this new photo.
Blader = Erik Bill
Trick = Outspin Toptorque to fakie
Photographer = Cameron Card
WWW.SPINDRIFTWEST.COM
Almost time for this week's NDN Insight!
Also, check out this new photo.
Blader = Erik Bill
Trick = Outspin Toptorque to fakie
Photographer = Cameron Card
Friday, November 5, 2010
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