The Rodfather – Rod Ferens
Check out this dope interview Skatenewspot.com did with our Gastown location manager Rod Ferens. Rod has been holding it down in Vancouver for us for a while now, get to know the dude.
Interview: Oleynik
Photos: Christian
Boosh, Swoosh, Juiced. Four years ago, The Rodfather had the first skatenewspot interview. A lot has changed for the former Pegger/Vancouver transplant. Find out exactly what below.
In your first interview, you talked about how much you love Vancouver. You said you don’t leave unless it’s to visit family. Do you still feel the same way about your city?
Ya totally! I just moved into a dope spot with my home boy Luke, right in the heart of the city. It kinda sucks to see a bunch of the homies leave back to the peg, but someone needs to run things out there.
At the time of your first interview you were managing the Canucks store, then you managed Goodfoot. Your new job is different. Tell us about it.
Ya! That was a fun time running Goodfoot, but like everything good, it always comes to an end! I took a job with Take Five trading which was a great learning experience, but unfortunately, it was victim to my wife breakup. I just wasn’t in the right mind frame, and I probably drove Garry crazy with all my shit.
Back then you rode for some serious companies (Nike, DGK, Gold, Venture). Out of the blue you decided to quit them all. What was your thinking with that decision? Looking back, do you feel it was the right thing to do?
Naw, I don’t regret doin it. I hope they gave my shit to someone who needed it, who couldn’t afford to skate, who loves to skate. It isn’t hard to get boards and skate shit, but I remember being that kid who would give anything to get that shit. All those sponsors were about the people behind them, once they were gone, I felt I was gone.
So you work full time, are unsponsored and 35 years old. I heard the other day at the Plaza you did a pop shuv front crook in the middle of the ledge. What keeps you skating at that level after all these years?
Ya now I run Livestock in Gastown, I wish I could say I still skate a lot, but I won’t. Mentally when I go skate, especially with dudes like Wherry, Spenny, Twa, Bryon and Paul Spencer, they keep you thinking you’re on that level, even tho I’m sure I’m not. Also when you just feel the trick that much, and wanna do it that much, usually you do it. Even if I don’t skate that much, you know when I do……it’s on!
It always seems like you try to take care of the people around you, whether it’s through hooking up product or giving advice about things you’ve been through. Do you feel a responsibility as an older guy in the scene/community to try and help it grow?
I think with all the fuck ups I made, and seen how certain people have been successful I just try and look out for my boys! Sometimes it’s just busting balls to see dudes like Robbie light it up. I get hella stoked when my boys make things happen!
What advice would you give to the kids who want to skate for many more years to come?
Skating is a lifestyle! Either you’re in it or you not. If you’re into it, it’s your life.
Do you pay attention to skate videos, magazines and websites anymore?
Not too much, once in a while something will catch my attention. I always get hyped to see Canadian killers!
Who’s skating are you feeling right now in Canada?
All my boys! McD and his whole Green Apple Team, Wherry, Spenny, Trav, Twa, Mc Court, Vince and Trep is nuts!
I asked you this in your first interview and I’m interested if anything has changed: “So if there’s a Micky in your freezer, and you have one drink, what are the chances of you not having another drink?”
Pretty sure that hasn’t changed at all. It just doesn’t happen as much these days.
Last words and thank yous?
Don’t get married! Thanks Matt and Garry! I have the dopest Fam ever! Thanks Benny!
Big thanks to Skatenewspot.com for the write up.
Kazuki Kuraishi X Adidas Originals by Originals: Real Style of KZK Interview
Here is a great Interview with the talented designer and artistic director, Kazuki Karaishi, one of the key members of NEIGHBORHOOD and also the Creative Director for Adidas Japan.
In the third issue of “Felicity”, adidas sat down with Japanese designer Kazuki Kuraishi to talk about his sense of design and vision, the present and the future, and his current personal style. The piece also dissects the ObyO KZK range; its inspirations and inner workings of the collaborative venture between Kazuki and the adidas Originals by Originals program. The interview in its entirety can be read below.
First of all, what’s your personal style like these days?
K: To put it simply, it’s mainly layering. I would start with something like long, cut-and-sewn innerwear, and then put on layers of garments over it. Last winter for instance, I was wearing a rain jacket over a long coat.
Where did that idea come from initially? Did something inspire you to dress that way?
K: I was given this underwear from NUMBER (N)INE a while ago, but it happened to be quite long. And as I continued to wear this underwear, I suddenly found myself wearing a few layers of garments all the time.
And before that?
K: I’m not sure. Layering has always been my favourite style and it’s just that it became longer in length. Also, if anything, perhaps I used to favor ribbed garments more. Regardless of season, knit and cut-and-sewn garments I was wearing were mostly ribbed. Needless to say, you would’ve found many ribbed pieces among the stuff I designed then.
So did you approach this season’s ObyB KZK on the assumption that they would be “layered”?
K: Yes. I definitely designed with layering in mind. Whether it’s the length and the width, or the fit, I was very aware of trying to come up with pieces suitable for such styling.
Would you say that sort of awareness wasn’t there two years ago, when ObyO KZK was launched?
K: Well, I did give thoughts to coordination to a certain degree from the very beginning, but I was more conscious of making very much self-contained products. You know, ultimately, style is defined by the individuals who wear that piece of clothing. So my feelings back then were more like, it’s not for me to intrude into that territory.
Perhaps there les a significant difference. Do you now feel that your own style comes first, and then products are made as extension of that style?
K: Absolutely. I suppose I’m taking on a little more subjective view in my creative process.
Was that change brought about by change in your working environment?
K: It hasn’t changed much. I mean, your values and aesthetic tastes cannot be swayed. But you could say that there may have been a “shift” in a positive sense in my attitude.
And that wasn’t there before?
K: At the moment, apart from ObyO KZK, I’m in charge of Japanese affiliate of British brand CASHCA. Through this collaboration, I was able to learn in earnest fundamental aspects of clothes making. I was able to reaffirm which sewing method is suited to achieve beautiful silhouettes, how best to highlight details like buttons and stitches, and so on. Really, I could physically experience profundity of what clothes making is all about. Plus, Takahiro Miyashita had a significant impact on me. He’s a designer in the truest sense of the word. I deepened my love for clothes through various conversations I had with him.
So that difference in what motivates you to make clothes is reflected on this season’s ObyO KZK collection?
K: This is the season where you might be able to catch a glimpse of evolution taking place. I was able to reduce the weight of standard shell jacket to the lightest ever, and with this first collaboration with LUKER BY NEIGHBORHOOD, I tried to make designs tight and solid in order to express their worldview accurately. And overall, these days, I personally give such detailed instructions as how everything should be sewn. Like, ‘If you can’t sew it this way, then try this other way.’ This season’s ObyO KZK products came into being through the process of adding these small changes in my awareness.
You’re saying that these products clearly indicate you have reached a new height. So, are you beginning to see what products you should be making for ObyO KZK? In other words, are you beginning to see what your style look like?
K: Yes. I think I have a clear picture of what I should be aiming to create through ObyO KZK project, what it looks like in a completed form.
So what does that exactly mean?
K: Well, you know, I guess that answer was pretty self-explanatory.
Pharrell Williams & N.E.R.D interview
Check out this in depth Interview with Billionaire Boys Club and Ice Cream’s Pharrell William & the rest of his group N.E.R.D as they touch on what interests them, keeps them motivated as well as projects both past, present, and future. Click HERE for the rest of the interview, “As part of the production duo The Neptunes, Pharrell Williams has won Grammys, helped to sell millions of albums, and become the face of nerdy cool in hip-hop. More recently, Williams has branched out into fashion and art, designing sunglasses and modeling for Louis Vuitton, working with Paris boutique Colette, as well as launching his own clothing line, Billionaire Boys Club, a footwear line, Ice Cream, and partnering with textile firm Bionic Yarn.”
G-Shock x Frank151 book – Digital Edition
Frank151 Media Group is an internationally recognized, independent content creation and distribution company we all know and love. The Frank Book is a pocket-sized quarterly publication, every chapter of the Frank Book is helmed by a special Guest Curator and focuses on a unique editorial theme. Last year Frank151 partnered with Casio to publish an issue dedicated to G-shock watches. This booklet includes a number of interviews alongside a detailed G-Shock history, check it out here
NiceKicks Livestock Interview!
Jesse Leyva Interview
Check out this video interview with Global Design Director Jesse Leyva, in relation to the design and creation of the dj am dunks and dj premier af1’s
also , if you’re a fan of mars blackman and the spizike’s which dropped last week, kill some time with this and spizike yourself:
POLICIES | SIZE CHART | CONTACT | © 2005 - 2010 Livestock All Rights Reserved