Interview by Jacob Tyler Mumford
Photos by Bradford Bishop
How long have you been skating in Milwaukee? And tell me about some of your sponsors.
Years skating would be 24. Sponsors are Dogghouse Hardware, Beer City Skateboards and I’d like to think Sky High skate shop, who knows? Mystery team.
You’re on the team.
That’s it then. You guys help me out. Much love.
Is skateboarding still cool?
I think the best argument is that it never was. Always fun. Never Cool.
What’s it really like being a Midwestern skateboarder? What are some of the ugly parts, and how does it shape your skating?
I think the ugliest part would be the spots, there’s always something wrong with them. Especially when you’ve traveled and seen beautiful spots, it’s hard to come home to the shitty ones. But it’s also one of the best parts about it. I feel like it changes your skating for the better too. You’re more willing to try and skate stuff, and get creative, even if it sucks.
How did you keep the stoke alive for skating during periods of injury or recovery?
It was challenging. There’s an insane amount of media, so it’s easy to watch stuff and get sparked. Setting up a nice cruiser for recovery helped a lot, just enjoying riding again. Also shooting photos and just being at the session around the homies kept me sane.
Did it change your approach to skating, having those kind of injuries that took you out?
It definitely made me a little more timid at first. But it also got me excited to come back and try stuff. It’s fun to challenge yourself, relearn tricks, achieve small goals and all that.
You kind of get a chance or opportunity to do that again.
Yeah, there’s a lot more love again. Appreciating a slappy noseslide, instead of getting in my head about what I think I should be doing. Simply doing what feels good.
What’s the wackiest falling asleep story you have?
I’m not a huge baseball fan, but I like going to games every once in a while. We went to a game and I may have tailgated a little too hard. The Brewers won in the ninth inning with a grand slam home run. Pretty much the coolest way to win a game, and I was dead asleep in the stands the whole time, as the entire stadium cheered around me.
Why do you think bongs are the superior weed smoking device?
The filtration is key, flavor is also important.
What never fails to get you hyped to skate?
My friends, for sure.
What’s your advice to someone just starting to skate?
I would say stick to what’s fun and be patient.
What was the key takeaway from the intimate conversation you had with an orchid flower on a heroic dose of mushrooms?
That things and people in my life appreciated me and that I was very lucky. It felt like a very real moment of karma. I was putting energy into keeping this thing alive and then it felt like I got that love back from said orchid.
It’s still alive now?
It’s not flowering right now, but it’s alive.
What is the importance of style in skateboarding?
Style is important because it’s what makes skateboarding artistic. Everybody can kickflip, but there are a few top ones, and whoever has yours is probably sick, but someone else may have a different favorite one. It’s the fact that it’s subjective that makes skateboarding and skate styles so unique. As for me and my style, I try my best not to think about any of that shit. I’ve never really been good enough to where I could control my style. I can’t keep my arms from doing weird shit. I’m just worried about the skating part.
Trend watch 2024. What’s next? And what’s out for good?
Oh, the next trend. Um, hopefully not skating. Hopefully a bunch of people just quit. More non-skate related sponsors, that’s my prediction.
What’s not cool anymore?
I’m over the ironic NASCAR hats or just like the corny gas station beanies with flames.
What’s a trend that you unironically fuck with?
I’m stoked that pants got a little bigger. I don’t need the big boys, but I like baggier pants.
What’s the trend that you wish would come back, that hasn’t yet?
People making edits with their friends, versus their own skatepark edit, or taking their footage out of videos and posting just their shit. I’m guilty of that stuff too but the fun you have with your friends shows through in those homie edits.
Who are the Milwaukee skaters everyone should know about?
Max Murphy, Sean Hanley, Vince Stranc & Taylor Lalk. The scene is dope in general though. Big love to everybody!
Any other shout outs?
Fuck Yeah. Aaron Polansky, Bill Kashner at Cream City, Pat Forester, John McGuire, Jon Rock and Mike Beer, all the ones that showed us the way. Bradford Bishop, Drew Rickaby, Josh Ellis of wiskate.com, Eric Risser, Gabe Chan, Pat Forester, Jacob Tyler Mumford, Payne Counihan, Pat Murphy x2, Esta Baby, The Mayor, and Mikey Big Shits. If I missed you, I still love you.
