We have a limited amount of sunglasses that the good people over at Ashbury Eyewear sent over to us to treat our loyal customers with! So while supplies last we will throw in a pair of shades with every order over $50.00!
California surfing, art collectors and general all-round quality people: the Mattson Family Art Benefit is this Friday, June 26th. It’s a silent auction to help The Mattsons recover from some crazy medical troubles they have experienced. There will be an auction held at the Surfindian in Pacific Beach, CA (4658 Mission Blvd., Pacific Beach, CA 92109). There will be a silent auction from 7pm-9pm and 100% of profits go to the Mattson Family to help them out. A list of the featured artist is below! If you can make it down there it is definitely worth the trip!
Introducing Robust Flavor’s exclusive interview with Skateboarder Dax Miller. If you don’t yet know him, you will.
RF: Where did you grow up?
DM: I grew up in Rockford, Illinois. It’s about 2 hours away from Chicago. Lived there till I went to college in Dekalb, now residing in the city.
RF: What were you into growing up?
DM: When I was younger I was super hyped on video games; then I got into Tae-Kwon-Do and the usual high school sports like basketball and track. Stunting whenever possible.
RF: What do you need to survive?
DM: I need good food made by the wifey, sleep, my board, and the MPC and I am a happy man.
RF: We were checking out your throwaway footage over at Transworld, you were killing it! What is there to expect from the Affiliate Skateboards video?
DM: Everyone has been killing it! Lots of expansion and filming. I’m personally trying to get Chicago on the map, let people know what’s really good in the Midwest. Everybody on the squad has been putting in work, so people will see how unique we are.
Frontside Flip - Photo: Berarducci
RF: When did you start skateboarding?
DM: I started skating in high school. One of the guys on the basketball team had a board in his basement and tried to teach me how to ollie. Hooked like crack instantly. Putting creativity into action is an unbelievable feeling, and I’m sure that all of you feel the exact same.
RF: We hear that you are quite the beat-master, where can we listen to some of your tracks?
DM: I’m no master, but I love creating. Nothing is really posted anywhere, I do my networking directly. If anybody really wants to hear some heat, just get at me. I’m not hard to get a hold of.
RF: The world wants to hear a few lyrics; will you grace us with a few bars?
DM: Hahaha, I don’t even rap like that! I will freestyle with anybody who is down though. You’ll just have to catch me at the spot and I’ll flavor in your ear…
RF: Who’s killin’ it right now?
DM: To me everybody kills it. So many head are out there blowing minds that it is ridiculous. Everybody on Affiliate makes me just shake my head, Neen is hurting the game in the LBC right now, and so is Derrick Wilson. All the homies make me psyched to skate and get dirty.
RF: What are your favorite brands right now?
DM: I never leave home without something Affiliate in the kit. I wish I had some of that A# gear… they got some fly gear. Neff beanies keep the ears warm as well. Waiting on an el Tigre cap as we speak. Waiting for a particular shoe company to get underway…
Nollie Flip - Photo: Herbold
RF: What inspires you?
DM: I get inspired by great weather and being around friends that are just positive. The energy is enough for me to do anything I put my mind to. I also get pumped to see little kids learn tricks and get extra amped on skating. That’s where the goods are at, progression. Oh, and a bomb cup of tea will have me on point with the quickness.
RF: What are your goals and aspiration for your skating career?
DM: I’m trying to see the world and skate new spots with the fam. Got a couple trips planned so we are indeed putting thoughts into action. Everyone needs to know what Affiliate is about, and the world will see very soon what we have in store.
RF: What’s something you wish you were good at?
DM: I wish I could play the piano a lot better than I can now. That’s always been a skill that I wanted to have on lock. Just to be able to sit down and play an elaborate piece would be great. I’ve got my Piano for Dummies book, so I’m getting there…
RF: Any tips for the young skate rats out there?
DM: Don’t waste time worrying about others or comparing yourselves to others. Just go out and have a blast. That is the only way that positivity will come to you. Smiles rule the world.
RF: Whats your favorite musicians of all time?
DM: I’m gonna have to go with the O’Jays. Everything that they put out was a masterpiece. Early Michael Jackson is a personal fave as well. Anybody that can go to another county and make people faint was obviously doing something special.
Photo: Phillips
RF: What skate videos have you been in?
DM: I got clips in different videos here and there. Lately I’ve been low key with my footy, even stuff that I knew I wasn’t going to use I just kept in the vault. Of course I released that footy on Transworld (big ups to Blair for the love), but I still kept my goodies for the upcoming part.
RF: What motivates you?
DM: My girl motivates me on the daily with positive support, and of course that phone call from E. Duffy or somebody else talking about the weekend plans for filming. Clearly, banging an instrumental fresh out of Pro Tools really gets me going on the way to the spot.
RF: What’s next for Dax Miller?
DM: Lots of trips to get more clips for the Affiliate vid, working on a bunch of tracks for mixtapes in STL, DC, NY, the Bay, for Based Radio, just working with artists all over. Steady grinding on our website www.teaamigos.com, just making power moves you know!
RF: Thanks for your time Dax, any shout outs?
DM: Thanks to Robust Flavor for this opportunity! Much love goes out to the companies that support me: Affiliate, Silver, Bones, Ogio, and Krush. Shout out to my family, the gifted teasan Mike Kof, all my Chi-town crew, Based Magazine, Elevator Hip Hop, Mirko Mangum, and everyone who I can’t fit here. You already know what it is; the Affiliate Movement is in effect.
Banksy, as many of you know, is a world renowned street artist who has caused much unrest to the people who oppose him. Yet for the people who appreciate his work, every piece he does on the street has been said to actually increase the value of that property. His work is not only amazing aesthetically, but is absolutely strong in message as well. As Banksy says himself … “This is the first show I’ve ever done where taxpayers’ money is being used to hang my pictures up rather than scrape them off.” If you happen to be in Bristol in time for the event it runs from June 13 - August 31, 2009 at the Bristol City Museum & Gallery.
SLVDR just launched their new web site today! Read their story and check out their collections. Keeping true to self, the site lives up to the brand’s clean aesthetic. Check it out here!
One of the sickest collaborations from the B.I.G. - Redman and Method Man joined up with B.I.G. to do “Rap Phenomenon” off the Born Again album. A classic that will never get old, enjoy your slice of the week from Robust Flavor.
The much anticipated Zoo York video “State of Mind” is making its west coast premiere close to Robust Flavor headquarters in Encinitas, CA! A good turnout is expected so get there early! Check out the trailer below for a little teaser of the movie. You can still get your hands on the Zoo York Night Series Decks, available at the online store!
“Today, I had to find a date for this banquet we did in my town every year. I payed my neighbor 40 bucks an hour to be my date. It was a 4 hour event. Best part: she got drunk and told the whole town I was paying her.”
