Interview by Larry Davis.
fs 5-0 p- Ben Colen
It’s been a busy week for you hasn’t it? What’s it like having so much on your plate?
It’s been a good time! I’ve been in Sweden for about two weeks for the opening of our new vintage & skate shop called Rapsfield. It’s been busy, but I’ve also made time for my family and friends from back home since I just moved to NYC and don’t get to see them all too often anymore. I’ve missed them for sure. I definitely have more responsibilities nowadays than what I used to have just a year ago. Sometimes it can feel a bit overwhelming since I’m just getting used to this new role, but I am happy about how things somehow worked out. It feels pretty surreal sometimes. Skateboarding has been my main focus for a long time now and because of it, I got to help create new projects and brands which hopefully can create a positive change for other people as well. Having the opportunity to do what you love for a living with your friends is the biggest win regardless, so I’m super grateful for everything that’s been happening lately.
What’s up with Rapsfield?
It’s a dream that me and my friend Anton have been talking about for a few years now. Last year we did a pop up shop for a week in Malmo and it was a fun project so we decided to make the permanent shop happen this year. It’s a work in progress, but I’m surprised how well everything has worked out so far.
tail drop 50-50 into bank p- Elias Parise
Even though you’re still young, do you feel a responsibility to look after the scene in Malmo?
Yeah, I feel like that should be important for everyone, but different people have different ways and different resources to do so. For example, some people might have an ability to talk to others and help them make the right decisions in life, while others have different methods to make a positive impact in their community.
Did you have health problems growing up?
I had a serious heart surgery on my aortic valve as a newborn. There was a chance I wasn’t going to make it, but thankfully the surgeon and everyone else involved did a very good job. I was supposed to have two more surgeries as I got older but I ended up only having that one. Having problems with your health can be such an eye opening, humbling experience. You realize that being healthy is one of the most important factors in order to live a happy life. Mental health is also very important, and something I think everyone should make time for.
fs ollie p- Joe Brook
Wild. Happy you’re here! What was your favorite subject besides skating at Bryggeriet?
Film.
Do you think you’d ever go back to school for a degree or anything?
I hope not. I have dyslexia and although I sometimes envy the knowledge and professionalism some of the people who have graduated university possess, I feel like the learning system is not really made for people like me. I am more of a visual learner and it’s very hard and depressing for me to sit down and read, memorize and study several hours a day.
Tell me about Lurpiv. Who’s on the team?
Lurpiv is mine and John Magnusson’s truck brand which we launched in August this year. As soon as John asked me if I wanted to create a truck with him I was on board. Trucks have always fascinated me and I feel like a new truck brand could be something others would be hyped on as well. In the beginning it was just me on the team, but now Filip Almqvist is on, and we’ve been talking to Kader as well. A lot of people have been very interested in being involved with the brand, and skating the trucks, which makes me super stoked. It’s been hard to keep up with the demand, especially in these covid times, but we’re starting to get more control over the situation slowly, Hopefully we can keep making trucks for a long time. I’ve been skating mine now for three months and I don’t want to change them for something else.
lien air p- Elias Parise
So I didn’t know you had dyslexia and I was going to ask if you’ve read any good books lately…
I’ve been reading various articles and listening to a lot of podcasts on race. Seeing White on Spotify is one.
Is that because you’re moving to America? Did you have exposure to race theory and racism in Sweden?
I learned most of what I know today about race and racism from my girlfriend Brianna. She is black and also an expert on the subject. She’s currently finishing up her debut novel In Our Shoes which is about the struggles black millennial women are facing in this world today. Having seen how this world treats Brianna has really raised my awareness to a completely new level. No one can minimize how big racism is in this world to me any more, but a few years ago I was just as blind as them. I have always thought of myself as a progressive and compassionate person but I can see now that like so many other white people. I have had unconscious biases and a terrible understanding of how easy I have it. Learning about yourself and your own history is something I recommend everyone to do. A lot of us white people just like to think of ourselves as progressive as a way to make us feel better. Not voting for the sexist, racist, delusional psychopath with a father that was a part of the KKK in the US election is not enough. Change is not going to happen without white people actually making an anti-racist effort. Especially when most of the white people who claim not to be racist still accept friends and family members who are. Especially when people still hold unconscious biases towards people of color and uphold structures of our society which makes life and success so much harder for people of color, every day.
Well said. Did you read magazines growing up?
Yeah, I used to read Thrasher all the time, wondering if I would one day be in there. Since I made it in there, my next goal was to make it into Skate Jawn…
fs 50-50 p- Joe Brook
So is it true you weren’t down with Polar at first?
When I was 13 Pontus asked me if I wanted to skate for his new brand. I said yes but a year later when he started up Polar, I had already had a board sponsor. The team manager was promising me a spot next to Josef Scott and Jonas Skroder who I really admire. At the time I was into some weird clothing styles, and this brand was about to release this weird jacket that I really wanted too. I called up Pontus and he seemed confused, “Oh really? Well if that’s really what you want… perhaps you’ll change your mind.” I did end up changing my mind only a couple of weeks after when I was out skating with David Strensom. Pontus was there and he asked me again. I said yes that time because David is like a big brother to me and I realized that I wanted to be skating and doing things with the people I love doing it with. That was ten years ago.
What’s it been like to watch the company grow into this really big international brand?
It’s been crazy. I’m super proud of having been a part of the process. The best part of it is that everyone is so close. We’re all really good friends and have a lot of history together.
Did you ever wear tight pants? What’s the next big fashion trend?
Yes. Sharks.
You’ve got a new pro shoe coming out, is there anything special about the design?
It has sharks on it.
bs noseblunt p- Elias Parise
Tell me about this Olympic documentary you’ve been involved in.
The Olympics is a part of it, but it’s more so a documentary about my life up until now. Last year the director gave me a call and asked me if I was interested. I almost said no, I was worried that it would feel pretentious. I ended up telling him that if I was going to do it, it would have to be with Johnathan Lomar, who skates, and who I already knew and had filmed with a little bit. We’re pretty much done filming and the project is supposed to be ready in December. I feel a bit nervous about it coming out because I’m not the most extroverted or talkative person. Sometimes I’ve felt uncomfortable but it makes me feel better trusting the people behind the camera and behind the scenes.
Do you prefer Sweden or the states at this point?
I always imagined myself living in different places and although I’ve traveled a lot since a young age, I’ve spent the majority of my life living in Malmo, Sweden. I feel like I want to try something else now and the US is good because it has so many different options in the same country. The best and the worst all in one place. Sweden is a bit more average, normal, safer. For good and for worse.
Aight so how do you skate the way you do?
Thank you. I think it’s a product of the terrain I grew up skating mixed with the influence that the people I’ve looked up to have had on me.
ollie in p-Elias Parise
Anything you do to warm up?
I usually ride around doing some mellow skating for a while.
Has anything ever been too scary for you to skate?
The loop unfortunately.
Want to say anything to the readers?
It’s important to make time for being thankful for what you got. If you feel like what you have is not enough, it’s okay to work for whatever change you want to make in your life. Just make sure you do it for the right reasons and in a way where on your path, you bring up others with you. And when you do have more, make sure you also use your knowledge and resources to give back.
