Neishon

Neishon is off to Vegas this weekend to meet up with the homies at Knyew clothing boutique.

We’ll be back with a new post on Sunday, but until then enjoy this Vegas style:

Please excuse the sound quality:

500 skaters take over the strip Las Vegas:

Ninja,
-Travis NN

I don’t often take interviews from other blogs to post here, but this is a really good one about Macrafama; the fixed gear video that came out a couple years back.

What I liked about this video is that it provided an escape from anything that was stressing me out. It was as if the footage of the city blended so well with the bikes that the whole thing flowed along. It is the reason I started riding fixed gear so definitely check it out if you get a chance!

The original interview can be found here at the plain and furious blog. Click through and check out their site, especially if you’re into fixed gears!

Here is the interview:

‘-Can you tell me a little bit about your film background, or how you got into filming?-

Well, I kinda just jacked my grandpa’s camera when I was about 14 or 15 so my friend Matt and I could film each other skateboarding. He had some kind of media class a year or so later in high school that we would make skate videos for, and they would air on public access, haha. Not gonna lie…they were pretty fresh for public access. Then a couple years later, some friends from St. Louis flew out to skate for a couple weeks. I filmed them, and put together a 20 minute-long video. No computer, just a Hi 8 and a VCR we rigged. I’m pretty sure I didn’t even have a computer then- some hood shit. After that, I didn’t really film for a few years, just skated all the time, until I jacked my knee up. Because I couldn’t really skate, I decided that I might as well do something to keep me around skating. I had a little money saved up, and got a VX2000 with a death lens, and started filming all my homies. Started sending stuff to 411vm, and to my surprise, my footage made it in on the first try. From there on out, I just filmed full-time, sending stuff in for different videos and companies, making shit money for all the damn work I put in… but I can’t complain because it was fun, and it led me to where I am now. No school, self taught. Thanks Grandpa! Rest in peace.

-How did meet Colin Arlen?-

I met Colin through skating. We had mutual friends that we skated with, and we started skating and filming all the time after that. He didn’t look like a Frenchie douche back then. He used to think he was Nate Jones (haha.)

-When MASH came out it was one of the first films about fixed gear cycling in an urban city. Afterwards it seemed like the flood gates were opened and several other films came out. How did the idea come about for doing Macaframa?-

Well to be honest, we actually started filming that first promo before we saw the MASH trailer. That’s why we just let it sit on the computer for so long. We didn’t think anybody gave a shit, or would want to see it. Once we saw the MASH trailer, we were hella pumped on it, thought ours was wack, and pretty much thought we were done working on it. Then one night, Colin was indulging on some medicinal marijuana (for his flaming case of hemorrhoids, which he has yet to cure), and decided to try to figure out how to use compressor (a video compressing program). He figured it out and put a piece on youtube. I woke up the next morning to my friend Chris Wilmore texting me, “Shits blowing up!” I obviously had no clue what he was talking about, but once I saw the hits we got, I made a Myspace page for Macaframa. We didn’t start filming for another year and a half after that. Our camera was broken, and we were poor folk. But to answer your question, it came about as pure fun, nothing more.

-When I (and my friends) saw the short clips you and Colin Arlen made and posted on Youtube we were so stoked to see it. What was the feedback you got based on these short films?-

Everything was really positive. We kept waiting to put something out, and have everyone just hate it. But for some reason that never happened….well not until that little fiasco with the dvd presales. Which wasn’t completely our fault! We’re slow, but the printers were much slower! and we had no clue what the fuck we were doing. But yeah, other than that everything was great. Thank you to everyone that has supported us along the way.

-The stylized directing and framing in Macaframa are beautiful. Was that a main point or an emphasis in creating Macaframa?-

It was definitely what we were going for, but at the same time, that’s just naturally how we shoot. So, yes and no. We also thought watching someone ride a bike around the city would get kinda boring, so we figured making the scenery, as well as the biking, a little more visually stimulating would balance it out. I think it worked?

-When you where filming Macaframa, was it important filming the cityscape of San Francisco as well? It seems that the film is not only about cycling but about the Bay Area itself, as if it’s another character alongside with the riders. -

Yeah, without a doubt! We wanted people that haven’t been to SF to get a feel for what it would be like to ride here or whatever, and to show how beautiful the city is, even in the shitty parts. There are tons of historic buildings with amazing architecture, and all kinds of weird shit. We just wanted to do the city justice, you know? Just be thankful you got to see the city, without having to smell it (ha ha!)

-Now that several films about fixed gear cycling have come out, what new directions are cycling films going to need to go in order to distinguish themselves from what’s already been done?-

Hmmmm good question…. I really have no clue. Style is all I can think of. The personal reflection of someone’s style, whether it be the film maker or the rider, translates big timeon film. For example, if you’re a douchebag filmer and your rider’s tight, you’re going to have lame filming, editing, and music with some good biking. But it’s just going to make the rider seem less than what he really is, ya know? Basically just screws the rider over. Same goes for the other way around. Great filming and shit riding doesn’t work either. So I think if people put some thought and time into a project, it would be legit and it would be different from the other films, because you’re using your own thoughts and ideas……hopefully. I’ve only seen a few fixed gear videos, so I’m mainly going off my experiences from skateboard videos, MASH, Bootleg, Death Pedal- all very unique and you can see the different styles come through them, in filming and riding style.

-Besides film making, what other hobbies do you enjoy?-

Skateboarding for sure, I’ve been doing that since I could walk. I like biking obviously. Lately, I have been trying some different riding styles from my normal steez. Got me a super fixie (haha.) Nate hooked me up with his MKE proto frame, and I was extremely hesitant about it at first. It just kinda sat there for a while, but once I built it up, I understood why all these kids are jumping on the band wagon. Shit is hella fun, I can’t do tricks, or even ride backwards, but it’s really fun smashing through the dirt and jumping stuff, and cruising the streets, hitting curb cuts and such. It gives me the feel I had as a kid when I BMX’ed. (dirt track riding). Still ride my track bike all the time, too, don’t trip. I’ve been shooting photos a lot. I use a tight old film camera my grandpa gave me, and it’s pretty fun. I’m going to be doing that a lot more. Make a little book or something. I’m also a big fan of basketball playing and watching. Another really fun hobby I have is hanging out with my girlfriend Desire haha haaaaay HOW YOOOOU DOIN!

-What other film endeavors are you working on?-

Well we have quite a few. We just did a commercial for Leader bikes, featuring Massan. It’s looking good and should be out around the time you read this. We are going to be putting up a bunch of new lil shorts on the blog from time to time with these new cameras we got, just so you guys have a reason to check the blog haha. Then we have 2 projects I can’t talk about, but one will be out somewhat soon, and then the other is set for late summer or late fall. That one is something that I think OGs and the kiddies will love. That’s all I’m going to say about that. Besides film stuff, we have some clothes we are going to trickle out there soon, as well as some actual bike goods.

-I assume this has been already asked to death, but what are the plans or status of Macaframa 2?-

You are correct. Well the project I mentioned above won’t really be Maca 2. It’s a Maca project, but nothing like the first one. So we are going to handle these 2 projects, and when we feel the time is right we will start on part 2. It took us over 3 years on the first one, so I don’t think we are totally ready to dive back into that again, right this moment. Ask me in the fall and I will have a better answer for you haha. For now, we are going to have some fun working on some other stuff.

-Well thank you very much for taking time in answering some questions, kind sir. It’s been a pleasure. I (and everyone else into fixed gear cycling) look forward to the new projects you will be coming out with and shall be supporting it 100%.-

For more information on Macaframa and related projects, please check out the website below.

http://www.macaframa.com/

Again you can check out the article at: http://plainandfurious.blogspot.com/2010/02/interviewed-colby-elrick.html.
Photos courtesy of Jason Maggied, Jason Rosete, Tsuchiya Yasu and Colby Elrick’

Off to Vegas this weekend.

Keep it easy Ninjas,

-Travis NN

Santa Ana Dj/producer Chris Alfaro’s solo project ‘Free the Robots‘ creates instrumental hip-hop/electronic music out of obscure samples sliced and contrasted with each other. Pulling together traditional jazz and psych to incorporate into his beats he creates a mix of genres that all share a common analog and digital composition.

His recent “Ctrl Alt Delete” release party at Low End Theory sent the LA’s beat kid scene into a frenzy. “The record release party at Low End Theory was quite possibly one of the heaviest nights I’ve experience for a live show” remarked Alfaro (source: Dazed Digital).

Free The Robots Ctrl Alt Delete Record Release, Low End Theory, 3.31.10 from Aaron Bennett on Vimeo.

You can connect with Free the Robots on Facebook and Twitter as well as by reading his tumblr.

In addition to his music endeavors Alfaro and a couple of friends started their own restaurant in Orange County called The Crosby. We’re definitely going to have to check this place out in the coming months.

Free the Robots has reached a worldwide audience since its humble beginnings and found its place among the top artists in this genre. With the constant development of Alfaro’s sound and live show, Free the Robots will continue to rise to the top of this sound movement.

Welcome to The Neishon Alfaro.

-Travis NN

First off I just want to thank all the artists for submitting their designs. I was very happy to see so many cool images from people supporting The Neishon and I wish we had the resources to print all of them, for real.

With that said,

The Neishon has spoken and our winner for our first ever Design Contest is: Design#1 Eddie Arcilla!

Here is the winning image which will appear on a white tank top in the coming weeks:

You can see Eddie’s entire portfolio here.

Thanks again to everyone who participated in this contest, both the designers and the Ninjas out there voting!

$50 will be donated this week to the Love Scholarship as was promised in the contest. The money will be put to good use helping students from around the world attend and experience the International House at UCSD.

-Travis NN

Sup Ninjas,
Before I post some photos from Huf SF, make sure to go vote in our design contest before Sunday at midnight.

The other week when The Neishon traveled to San Francisco to check out the scene up there, I made it a point to stop in at Huf.

Huf came on the scene back in 2002 when they made it their mission to bring the “best brands footwear, streetwear and skateboarding had to offer under one roof.”

What started as Hufnagel’s frustration to find what he wanted to wear in SF, has grown into 3 shops, a clothing brand and in 2008 he expanded his work to LA.

However the focus has always been on skateboarding when it comes to Huf, so expect to find a good selection of boards in any of the stores you visit.

Also congratulations to Logan for helping to make The Film Vault the #1 podcast on iTunes!

All the colors of The Neishon flannel can be found now at Outback Adventures on the UCSD campus. We also have the blue flannel for sale at our Online Shop, so make sure to grab yours before we run out those too.

Go Ninja!

-Travis NN

Neishon editor Logan Moy has been working on a new top secret project called ‘The Film Vault.’ Finally revealed you can get a sneak peak here at The Neishon website. The first podcast will premiere this Friday!

The Film Vault
Hosted by: Bryan Bishop & Anderson

Premiere:
Friday, April 23rd, 2010
on
Adam Carolla’s
ACE Broadcasting Network

iTunes Link:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-film-vault/id368403941

Listen to a promo of the first show:
http://bit.ly/9yaOi7

www.adamcarolla.com
www.adamcarolla.com/TFVBlog

8 years in the making, The Film Vault is primed and ready for the ACE Broadcasting Network. Hosts Bryan Bishop (The Adam Carolla Show) and Anderson (Loveline) take a look back into the annals of film to comprise their top 5 films of a different genre each week. Their top 5 lists will also be joined by entertaining segments such as Flickfessions, Biopicks, and Red Light/Green Light with Miss Movies. Guests on the show range from comedians and professionals in all areas of the film industry.

Tune in, pay attention and enjoy.

Also remember to go VOTE in our design contest. You only have a few days left to help your favorite design win. Voting will officially end on Sunday at midnight.

-Travis NN

Thanks to Tim for posting this video on Facebook. I’ve watched it at least 5 times over the past couple of days. They are so freakin creative!

Sit back, enjoy and watch Korean bboy crew ‘Jinjo’ tear it up;

Here you can watch their battle with USA:

If you rearrange Jinjo take out a ‘j’ and add an ‘a’ it spells Ninja…

You have no idea how badly I want to make a collab shirt with them. Picture ‘Ninja’ written on top with the letters melting down to form ‘Jinjo’ or something similar. Dang Ninja…

Also go vote in our Design Contest!

The Designs are in and voting is open! Look through the designs, memorize the number and name and click here to take survey. There is another link at the bottom of this page. Goodluck everyone!

Design# 1 Eddie

Design#2 Kent

Design#3 Debra

Design#4 Yoda

Design#5 Ted

Design#6 Michael

Design#7 Shannon

Remember you can only vote ONCE so pick the design you like the most.

When you are ready, click here to take the survey and submit your vote.

Thanks!

If you have been keeping up with The Neishon blog then you probably downloaded the Kid Cudi mixtape I posted about here, and the Symphonies (Remix) track 02 is probably stuck in your head also.

Dan Black is behind the original track that featured Kid Cudi. Originally a member of the alternative rock back ‘The Servant’ Dan went on to become the vocalist for the Italian group ‘Planet Funk.’ “Symphonies” was released as the U.S. “Single of the Week” for December 28, 2009 and the music video was released for free for the week of March 15, 2010.

It’s a pretty sweet music video and Kid Cudi’s part is fun to watch.

Enjoy.

-Travis NN

This week Ninja Neishon held a pet rock petting zoo to try and find some rocks a nice home.

One by one people came to experience the magic of the petting zoo.



Turk stopped by with his new ‘NN’ red flannel!


It was an easy process to bring a pet rock back with you. After a few papers were signed you were on your way with your new friend, and a new Neishon shirt.



Ninja Wooton bought a new tank top and experienced the power of The Neishon.


Ji-san brought out his skate decks and set up shop next to us outside Outback Adventures.

All in all a successful day for rocks.

Design contest is ready to begin the voting phase! This Monday we will put the designs up for you to choose a winner. More on that in two more days.

For now you can check out the rest of the photos from the pettings zoo on our Facebook fan page.

-Travis NN