Skateboarder Felicia Gibbs

skateboarder Felicia Gibbs podcast
skateboarder Felicia Gibbs podcast

Skateboarder Felicia Gibbs has this great skate thing about her. In fact, the first time I shot her there was this legit skate thing in the images. And now I know why its there. Felicia is one of those skaters who walks the walk. And to me, that means she is always skating.

She likes skating so much we sat in the Channel Street parking lot for her podcast. And if you listen carefully you can hear all the channel-street-sounds. In fact, we even had a visit with the local police.

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skateboarder Jazzmen Chavez

Skateboarder Jazzmen Chavez
Skateboarder Jazzmen Chavez

Skateboarder Jazzmen Chavez runs the LA Girls Skate Session. And recently she reached out to me to photograph one of their events. I liked LA Girls Skate Session right away. Since I have run a few Skatopia events I began to wonder how Jazzmen does it. How does she find the time, inspiration and money to run so many of these events? By the end of this podcast, I found the answer to my question. And that answer is that Jazzmen Chavez loves to see people get things. In other words, she likes to help others. I hope you enjoy this podcast. And if you are able I hope you can support her mission of giving to skateboarding.

“I just want to skate and help as many people along the way”

podcast topics

  • LA Girls Skate Session history
  • Getting to know skaters on a personal level
  • The very first LA Girls Skate Session
  • Who helps Jazzmen put on the LA Girls Session’s
  • Bone Bearings
  • Powell Perlalta
  • Lacorda Threads
  • The motivation for running these events
  • Giving support to kids
  • Mentoring
  • hoping skaters will create lasting bonds
  • The price of getting a new skate trick
  • Lessons from skating can transfer to daily life
  • Lawrence Limtao
  • Spank Grip
  • depression and skateboarding
  • suicide prevention
  • reaching out for support
  • alienation and depression
  • self-care
  • making sure your mind and body is right
  • having too many things on your plate
  • being careful about what to focus on
  • having a long term goal
  • unmodern
  • advocacy
  • girl skateboarding
  • what girls go through to get into skating
  • the way guys treat girl skaters
  • skatepark culture
  • skatepark violence and negativity
  • push yourself because others need you
  • inspire others to keep pushing
  • skateboarding injuries
  • company donation wish list Ace Trucks RX bars
  • Micaela Ramirez Poseiden Foundation founder
  • working full time to fund LA Girls Skate Session

“I wanna let people know to keep pushing and to not give up”

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Skateboarder Anthony Garcia

Skateboarder Anthony Garcia
Skateboarder Anthony Garcia

Skateboarder Anthony Garcia bought a skateboard for 25 cents and the rest is history. To begin with, I met Anthony, Lawrence, and Allan many years ago. In fact, we all skated at Caruthers skatepark in the mornings. In time we all became friends. And since those days we have remained in contact. So check out our podcast which happened under a tree near the deep end of the skateparks bowl.

  • Anthony, Lawrence, Allan the old days at Caruthers skatepark
  • Skateboarding influences
  • Skateboard mentors
  • Old Nasty Retired Guy
  • JNCO Jeans
  • Daewon Song
  • New swimming pool at Caruthers park
  • Age and skateboarding
  • Old man runs
  • Volkswagon bay window bus
  • Low blood sugar at Westminster Skateboard Park
  • Volcom Skatepark
  • A very short fight at Paramount Skatepark
  • Houghton Skatepark
  • Lance and Luke Ariza, Apollo, and Kate
  • Dale Arden Anthonys Dad
  • Amy Bradshaw Anthony’s Mom
  • Rock Walk, Alley Oop
  • Jason Sweeney
  • Julie
  • “a bunch of crazy old ladies just getting it on a skateboard”
  • Don Ceaser
  • Belvedere skatepark
  • Duarte skatepark
  • The Office
  • Parks and Recreation
  • Scranton PA
  • Penn Paper building
  • Boston Cheers Bar
  • Jim Gray
  • Transworld Skateboard Magazine
  • Chad Muska Jamie Thomas Danny Way
  • Thrasher Magazine made some moms mad
  • Thrasher t-shirts before they were cool
  • Olympics
  • team sports versus skateboarding
  • People mostly skate the park near where they live
  • Kelly Bellmar
  • John Terby
  • Eva Armanto, Kristine Nicole Sanchez
  • Dale Arden will buy your “pumper” skateboard
  • Factory MFG
  • Running Board
  • Chuck Hultz
  • Brian Martin
  • Skatopia Reunions
  • Lake Cachuma
  • Russ and family
  • The Rennies
  • Jake Jeffries
  • Ray Zimmerman
  • Colin Shumate
  • Bellmar’s Bowl
  • Jeff Grosso
  • Visions
  • Chicken
  • How skateboarding contributes to one’s life
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Musician Joe Wood

Guitarist Joe Wood podcast

Guitarist Joe Wood first appeared in my life back in 1978. In fact, I was 14 years old when I skated with Joe at Skatopia. And I realize for some Joe Wood is that legendary punk rock guitarist / songwriter from T.S.O.L I was lucky enough to visit with Joe at his house and even more lucky to find that same warm person I met over 40 years ago. I hope you enjoy our conversation.

podcast topics

  • Quiting Music
  • Joe’s cat
  • shore fishing

Skatopia back in 1979

early punk rock

  • punk rock
  • The Mask
  • the zero
  • Hong Kong cafe
  • Perry Peterson
  • Scotty Bunnel
  • The Germs
  • Der Stab
  • Mark Richardson surfer
  • Fruit Bowl
  • Dogtown
  • The Blasters
  • The Palamino
  • I wanted to learn how to play my instrument

songwriting

  • songwriting is really important
  • job writing songs
  • “Let me go”
  • Every song that I write is part of who I am
  • songwriting process
  • Townes Van Zandt
  • “Pancho and Lefty”
  • “a hundred dollar bill and a bottle of wine”
  • “I don’t slack on this part of my life”
  • I wanted to be my uncle Trent
  • Jim Morrison

death

  • Mom’s advice at 5 years old “we’re not here forever”
  • right now im in this moment

T.S.O.L.

  • I hate what they were doing with my songs
  • multiple people depend on me
  • when TSOL got back together people didnt realize what it did to me
  • smartphone backlash
  • news fast
  • the world before the pussies took over
  • Played Tony Alva’s wedding
  • staying fit
  • running surfing
  • lemonade cleanse
  • your body becomes addicted to anything you put in it
  • love’s cigarettes and drugs

drugs

  • legal drugs
  • legalization
  • artist feel things strongly
  • drugs calmed things down

family

  • raising kids
  • bullies
  • raising the 2 kids was the best thing in my life
  • I had a great wife Dee Dee Wood

tough times

  • loosing everything
  • stopped caring about everything
  • mad at God
  • self destructive run
  • running pain
  • watching the one you love suffer
  • thoughts of suicide
  • therapy

road stories

  • coach surfing
  • Mike Roach
  • sleep at the club
  • 11 guys in a ice cream truck
  • you wake up and your spray painted
  • disgrace land house, Selma Ave
  • Drac house
  • Freddie house
  • Gerry Hurtado house
  • wake up in the club
  • The Germs drummer
  • Cafe De Grande
  • Mike Martt
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photographer Grant Brittain Grant Brittain photography part 2 Grant Brittain photography part 3

Grant Brittain photography part 3

Grant Brittain photography part 3 podcast. When one takes a photography class or seminar one hears the voice of the lecturer in their head long after. In fact every time I pick up a camera I hear professors, fellow photographers, and students telling the things. Things like watch your background, or is the kicker light correct and is your horizon straight. Well for the last 3 days I have heard Grant Brittain’s voice in my head. Because I have been editing the podcast we made together. And like other generous photographers, Grant’s voice will be in my head.

“you’ve got the God of skate photography”

I will miss hearing J. Grant Brittain talk about photography, creating a magazine, and the golden days of skateboarding. But we have these recordings to inspire our art and sometimes even make us laugh. And if you need more of Grant Brittain pick up one of his prints and put it in the place where you make your art. You can also go to his website or one of his shows.

Grant Brittain photography part 3 podcast topics

  • going all in for film
  • Ray Barbee
  • making images that stand out
  • images that have meaning
  • sleeping on the pool table at Del Mar Skatepark
  • Brian Ridgeway from Tracker Trucks
  • after hour arcade sessions
  • Palomar College
  • Eric Grisham lived in the slot car room
  • surfing everyday, no mortgage, no spouse, no kids

“everything is fleeting now, images dont stay with people”

photography workshops

“if you know you want to do it just do it”

Del Mar Skatepark back in the day

  • radio station 91X
  • the sound system was a mic keyed with a rock to keep the mic open
  • The skatepark was like a clubhouse
  • There were no rules
  • dealing with thieves
  • High Ball, Shawn Gordon
  • after sessions

more J. Grant Brittain podcasts

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photographer Grant Brittain Grant Brittain photography part 2 Grant Brittain photography part 3

Grant Brittain photography part 2

Grant Brittain photography part 2 podcast contains more brilliant insight from this legendary photographer.

“The photos that stand out in history are photos that were just shot by one person”

Grant Brittain photography part 2 podcast topics

skateboard photography ethics

  • photoshop and skateboarding photography
  • skateboard photography ethics
  • Leap of Faith Jamie Thomas
  • will California remain a skateboarding mecca
  • getting authentic skateboard shots

nothing stands out

  • the demand and amount of content
  • nothing stands out
  • nothing will be remembered

magazine skateboarding photography

  • how to make a magazine today
  • giant magazines have gone out of business
  • today’s skateboarders don’t read skateboard magazines
  • smartphone verses magazine views
  • magazine consumption (back in the day)
  • Tod Swank cover pissed people off
  • David Carson
  • magazines are advertorial
  • authentic skate media
  • the day of the monthly magazine is gone

contest photography

  • crowded decks
  • i wouldnt go to a contest just to watch it

photographers are having to reinventing themselves

  • intellectual property in the age of the internet
  • companies using your images to sell things (until you call them out)
  • art directors shoot products on their phones
  • Atiba Jefferson
  • selling prints
  • having shows
  • shows dont sell

Transworld

  • first I had to learn how to shoot photos
  • then I had to learn how to make a magazine
  • it was the optical days
  • you had to order type and get it delivered
  • do halftones
  • rules triangles and t squares
  • then computers
  • and lighting progressed
  • then computers progressed
  • now people create content with their phones

analog is in

  • anything that shows more craft is in
  • Henri Cartier-Bresson

Sony verses Fuji

  • I didn’t want a camera that says Sony on it
  • mirrorless features and ergonomics
  • Fuji cameras are fun
  • Fuji’s are stealthy

4×5 cameras and iPhones

  • Graflex
  • TSA and old 4×5

everybody’s a photographer

  • “When I started there were 5 photographers and now everybody’s a photographer and everybody’s got a darkroom and a camera in their pocket.”

film negatives and history

  • artifacts
  • cultural historical photos
  • photos with processing mistakes

“with skateboarding its always been a one up contest

  • The photographer , and skater have to get gnarlier as each new shot is made.

back in the day

its all about video now

  • Chris Miller does Miller Flips
  • and we thought WOW how could it get any better
  • then Mike Mcgill 540
  • next Tony Hawk does a 720
  • then a no-name kid 1080
  • but its not a big deal beacues of the way its promoted and because he is a kid
  • if it had been Bob Burnquist

I was in the right place at the right time

Skateboarder Magazine, Action Now

Skateboarders find a way

  • skaters are innovative
  • they build ramps and empty pools
  • some people look down on skateboarding

Skating became mainstream

  • in media
  • soft goods (clothing) in the general population

Skate photography the dawn of digital

more J. Grant Brittain podcast episodes

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photographer Grant Brittain Grant Brittain photography part 2 Grant Brittain photography part 3

Grant Brittain photography part 1

I first met photographer Grant Brittain at my friend’s backyard ramp (The Old Bro). In fact, I was taking skateboard pictures of my Skatopia friends. And Grant Brittain shows up to the session (he is a good friend of Bill Billing)! Yes, it was intimidating to take pictures in front of this master of photography. But Grant made his way over to me and quickly put me at ease. I always knew of Grants contributions to skateboarding. But on that day back in 2009 (or so), I realized what a generous guy he is.

This podcast is literally the second conversation I have had with Grant Brittain. And I hope it gives you a glimpse into his personality, craft, and journey.

podcast topics

  • skateboarding documentary accuracy
  • Stacy Peralta
  • Del Mar Skatepark
  • Skatopia
  • Bill Billing
  • Wally Inouye
  • Chris Strople
  • Ed Economy
  • Caster skateboard
  • Art major in school
  • first photo shot on a Canon Ae1
  • Kodachrome 64
  • Kyle Jensen was the first person photographed
  • Sonny Miller
  • first experience in a darkroom
  • Chris Miller pole cam photo
  • photography origins
  • film slows down your workflow
  • Fe Nikon
  • novice photographer gear recomendations
  • get a used film camera
  • get in a darkroom
  • the expense of film makes you slow down the workflow
  • photographers who are anti-digital
  • “I’m going to be a photographer until the day I die”

flash photography

  • Nikon fm2 changed everything
  • K-Mart focal flash
  • Jim Goodrich
  • Hasselblad
  • hypersync
  • flashpoint, Godox
  • Qflash
  • Pocketwizard
  • light flare
  • Terry Richardson
  • Yashica T4
  • portraiture
  • Richard Avedon
  • Irving Penn
  • available light
  • Transworld visual style
  • books, lectures, mentors, college

skateboard photographers then and now

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drummer Phil Maturano 2

Drummer phil Maturano 2 of 2

Drummer Phil Maturano 2 of 2. More in-depth and personal. In fact, subjects range from drumming to the future of the planet. So put your seatbelt on, and grab some lemonade. As can be heard, this is a conversation between two old friends.

a photographic process

  • the photographic process
  • and the 4×5 view camera process
  • digital camera process
  • and how digital takes away the journey
  • the analog process is a meditative process
  • spray and pray
  • Photography, the quest to find the photo

money and technology

  • wechat
  • digital money allows access to all your money
  • gives the government access
  • to your money

Adam Sandler demo recording

  • Phil booked Adam Sandler into my recording studio
  • Toshi Yanai
  • Atari 1040 ST, Tascam 244 Portastudio, Alesis Hr16
  • John Stamos
  • Casper Van Dien, Johnny Rico, Starship Troopers
  • Making Catherine Oxenberg’s website

Phil Maturano on acting

  • Acting detour
  • actors were not super into the art
  • superficial vapid person

early photography

  • photography in high school

minimalism

  • Throwing away everything from the past

health regime

  • yoga
  • not having kids
  • doing a thing you love
  • doing a creative thig
  • traveling
  • walking meditation

drumming is a lifelong meditation

  • maintaining enthusiasm for your art
  • a natural sense for the thing
  • physical effort
  • having the right people around
  • keeping on the true track of drumming

advice for young drummers

  • keeping your eye on the big picture
  • never ends
  • and no one drummer
  • regret not going to college
  • …after Musician Institute
  • being around people who will help your drumming
  • picking the right mentor
  • 6 hours of practice per day
  • rhythmic development
  • clave
  • youtube video
  • of kid Drummer
  • from Senegal Africa
  • took 2 years to master
  • My Favorite Things
  • Juilliard School of Music
  • systematic-indepedence

latin drumming

  • drummers who know Latin drumming
  • larger rhythmic palette
  • rhythmic study develope
  • a rhythmic grid in your body
  • its not about a beat
  • instead a space in time
  • that your trying to create a texture in

finding your own drum style

  • fins your own voice on purpose
  • vocabulary
  • rythmic knowledg
  • enviroment

rhythm as an exlporation

  • the exploartion of rhythm
  • is the most fulfilling aproach drumming

drummers

  • Tony Williams
  • Ken Hada
  • Buddy Rich
  • Indian drummers
  • Brazillian drummers

Buena Vista Social Club

The diversity of rhythm

rhythm is ancient

rhythm, light, polyrhythm, notes, chords

  • Effrain Toro
  • Dan Tepfer
  • humans experience rhythm eyes, ears, body
  • rhythm is a huge part of being a human being

time, money, perspectives

girl drummers

interdependence

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drummer Phil Maturano podcast

Drummer phil Maturano 1 of 2

Drummer Phil Maturano is one of the great drummers of our time. And like all master musicians he has been studying his craft for decades. Every time I see Phil he shows no sign of slowing down or altering his path.

On the road with Maynard Ferguson

  • 1978, La Palma California, Walker Junior High
  • Playing Drums with Maynard Ferguson
  • Ed Sargent, Maynard’s Road Manager

Are machines already controlling humans?

  • are cell phones pushing us around
  • and are cell phones rushing our lives
  • also cell phone addiction
  • and cell phones disconnect us

Intimacy in New York

  • New York and intimacy
  • also Eye contact on a train in New York
  • as well as homeless People in New York
  • And China is clean compared to New York

Thoughts on travel

  • Travel take away
  • traveling takes you out of your head
  • creates a connection to self
  • New Yorkers have more contact with homeless
  • Travel can solve one’s issues
  • as soon as you leave your eviroment
  • your brain changes

Music perspective across the globe

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skateboarder Toby Woller

skateboarder toby woller some things are eternal

Some things are eternal. At the present time, skateboarder Toby Woller and I sit a few hundred feet away from Skatopia skatepark. Even after 40 years Skatopia remains important to us. As well 40 years has not changed our conversation much. Still just two skateboarders talking about things that interest us. Not really caring if anyone else agrees or disagrees.

podcast topics

  • remembering Skatopia skatepark
  • Skate City
  • Ray Bones Rodriguez
  • Skate City Team tryouts
  • Lance Mountain
  • Skateboarding Hall of Fame
  • John Woller
  • Kind Adrian
  • Edie Roberston
  • Wally Inoyue
  • Johnny Walker
  • John Lucero
  • Mickie Alba
  • getting off of Facebook
  • Ruby
  • Javascript
  • Pyphon
  • html
  • Dreamweaver
  • Zachery Woller
  • video game designer
  • benefits of coding for kids
  • Xbox
  • Space Invaders
  • Fort Night
  • Youtube is the new T.V.
  • Becket Woller
  • large format photography on youtube
  • How to Keep Your Volkswagen Alive, book
  • Twitch
  • social media and privacy
  • intimacy and social media
  • social media and politics
  • democracy
  • citizen band radios
  • Deep Purple
  • Black Sabbath
  • Led Zeppelin
  • Genesis
  • Selling Egland by the Pound
  • Missing Persons
  • Terry Bozzio
  • Frank Zappa
  • Robin Williams
  • fame
  • John Stamos
  • Ray Zimmerman
  • taking photography classes
  • Lizzie Armanto
  • City College San Franciso
  • print job in Berkley
  • promotions
  • kids sports and parents
  • Alfredo Zavala
  • Scott Bunnell
  • Bill Billing
  • Pro Tec Pool Party
  • Kelly Bellmar
  • Clark Staub
  • Dale Arden
  • May Pike
  • Chuck Lantz
  • Matt Stocks
  • Brian Martin
  • Tony Howlet
  • Anthony Howlett
  • Michael Weber
  • writing
  • story
  • 3 act structure
  • hero’s journey
  • haunted house
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