Vent City

What's up, skaters?

It would be nice if there would be a rebuttal after that YouTubey "What's Up" greeting. It's very isolating, like having a conversation with your own canyon echo. Damn. This is getting off to a weird start.

Let's get a do over. Welcome back to another episode of Vent City!!!

Too much? Shit. Whatever. We've got a hell of a sincere show here with our incredible guest Ashley Rehfeld who helped us break into this business of mental health crises in skating. Sadly, being a skater doesn't make you immune to depression, or really anything else. So Kristin Ebeling, Alex White, Ryan Lay, and the author of these show notes talk about our individual experiences with mental stuff and what our journey through therapy has looked like. Are hotlines helpful? Maybe. They also might be an extension of the carceral apparatus. You won't get any hard answers, but you will get a few tools, options (openpathcollective.org), and insights into daily practices that help you feel like waking up is alright. Okay, I'm done now. you don't even fuckin' read this far down. Scroll down to see the trick challenge and the people off mic that help us out.

Trick Challenge: Backside bluntslide on a curb or ledge (don't even think about doing it on a rail, you sicko)

Pro Challenge: Backside bluntslide BIG SPIN OUT! It won't look great, but it can be done.

Intro music by Roar

Credits music by Dylan Bryne (naivetrax.bandcamp.com)

Logo and graphic design by Michael Worful (@worful)

Support the show:

Patreon.com/ventcity

Contact the show:

DM @vent.city on Instagram.

I'm way behind on emails.

What's up, skaters?!

Here we have another skateboarding and current events discussion in light of the episode at the Capitol. We do a little talk about how we felt watching the coverage, and look into the ways life lessons from skateboarding are used in icky ways by right-wingy goofballs like Tim Pool and Jordan Peterson. Does skateboarding reinforce the popular virtues of Individualism by making you solely responsible for your own success and failure? Or do the bootstrappers miss the point that if anything from skating is really important to your wellbeing, it's that it plugs you into a communal, collective effort of fun having? That sentence was probably poorly written. Who cares, you know what I'm saying. Join Ted Schmitz—the author of these show notes and weird third-person-voice user—Kristin Ebeling, Ryan Lay, and returning guest Alan Gomez as they discuss the intersection of right wing grifters and skating. Oh yeah, we also talk about our favorite silly skate moments of 2020. This shit's fun but maybe don't play it around your kids, 'cause we say the fuckin' eff word a few times.

I'm not gonna link to the videos we talk about. You can look em up if you're a real sicko. For a VERY good piece about the things we talk about, please read Hanson O'Haver's article on the Baffler. Here's the link:

https://thebaffler.com/outbursts/a-crime-and-a-pastime-ohaver

Trick Challenge: No Comply 180 grind (Thanks, Alan...)

Intro music by Roar

Credits music by Ilana Bryne (naivetrax.bandcamp.com)

Logo and graphic design by Michael Worful

Support the show: patreon.com/ventcity

What's up, skaters?!

Today on Vent City we've got three regulars and a guest! You already know Kristin Ebeling, Ryan Lay, and Alex White. And actually you might already know our guest Marbie Miller who is a full-time skater for There Skateboards and many other fine companies. Anyway, we had the privilege and the pleasure to talk with Marbie and her little scene growing up in Iowa and of course the slightly bigger scene in Wisconsin. "Stay Gold" premiere stories? Yeah, they're in there. What about getting jacked with Jeff from There? Yep, we talk about it too. Oh, and we play SOTY and the SHOTY (Skate Hottie Of The Year). And this was recorded before the Mason news, so if you have something to say about that, maybe don't? Or do. I don't really give a shit, but it would be cooler if you didn't.

Trick challenge: THE NOLLIE VARIAL FLIP!

Thank you again, everyone, for listening. We'll be back with a year-end wrap up shortly.

Talk to us:

@vent.city

Support the show:

Patreon.com/ventcity

Intro Music By:

Roar

Credits Music By:

Ilana Bryne (naivetrax.bandcamp.com)

Logo and Graphics By:

Michael Worful (@worful)

What's up, skaters?

You've heard the name Mason Silva a lot this year. And you probably have accidentally called him Miles once or twice. Lucky for us we put a voice to the face that birthed a part for every season this year. It was fun.

We talked about whether or not AVE's DC part is his worst part. I, Ted Schmitz, say it is, and since I get to write the show notes, let's just go ahead and say the official position of the show that it is. Mason disagrees, but what does he know?!

We also learn the correct pronunciation of the perineum, which is important to know probably. This kinda knowledge is important goddamnit.

Thank you again for listening!

Intro Music by Roar

Credits Music by Ilana Bryne

Logo and Graphics by Michael Worful

Email the show:

Support the show:

Patreon.com/ventcity

What's up, skaters?!

On this episode we are joined by the phenomenal Jessie Van Roechoudt! Alex White kicks off the show with fellow adult skaters Ted Barrow, Ryan Lay and Ted Schmitz (also the one who writes these notes).

Jessie has had a unique career as a '90s pro for Rookie, Silicon Valley designer and now as a director at adidas skateboarding. She's seen skateboarding from a vantage point unlike anyone else and this interview is good for anyone with a brain. Also, maybe plants like this show too, but I don't even know how to figure that out. Seems like a waste of time. Just listen to it and tell your fuckin' friends that own brains to do it. I guess dogs have brains too and might not get a kick out of this. It's really hard to pinpoint exactly who this show is for, but it's really good and Jessie's words should be heard by every skater. Probably better to say it's for skaters than just brain-havers. Anyway, listen and then do a nollie 5-0. Jessie says to leave the trick challenge open so technically backside counts, but honestly, I think you should do a frontside one. Or do a backside one and be intentionally snarky about it. That's fun too.

We hope you're doing well. And we love you all for listening, except the kooks who listen to talk shit on the show. You guys are fucking assholes. Don't be shitty, and we'll love you again.

Support the show:

Patreon.com/ventcity

Intro Jams: Roar

Credits Jams: Ilana Bryne (naivetrax.bandcamp.com)

Logo and Graphic Design: Michael Worful (@worful)

Skaters,

Ted Schmitz here with a short miniature episode in dedication to Keith Hufnagel. Here I look at the way in which some Huf's canon and the music in it went on to have some very good real-world impacts. I also reflect on how his legacy can help us with further appreciate the people who are still with us. We of course encourage you to take a second to consider the ways your life has changed by developing interests in tandem with skating as well. Of course, also go back to relive all the goodness Huf has left us with. We are better off for having him while we did.

Intro and Credits: "Explosions of Birds" by Roar (feat. Evan Bisbee and Robin Vining)

Logo and graphics by Michael Worful (@worful on Instagram)

Hello Skaters,

Are you feeling remotely human? We hope so, but we understand if your sense of humanness is off-kilter. Rather than talking about world-collapsing forces like the unchecked advance of razor-toothed, bloodthirsty capitalists or a pretty good Antihero video, we at Vent City thought our time with you would be better spent conceptualizing a utopia. Yes, Professor—and man I once described on the Thrasher site as “firebrand novelist”—Kyle Beachy leads a discussion with Kristin Ebeling, Ted Barrow and Ted Schmitz about THE PERFECT SKATE SPOT. And if you are reading this before listening, I encourage you to take a moment to think of your immaculate plaza or parking lot or whatever. And then answer this question: Why are you reading the show notes before listening? You’re weird.

Though the panel differs slightly on what ideal sessions would look like and what players would constitute the perfect crew, one thing emerges as absolutely true—you must do a frontside noseslide for the trick challenge. Do it, or die trying. Actually, it’s not not worth dying over…maybe not even worth getting sweaty over. But it might be fun and we hope to share that experience of fun.

Nothing gets set ablaze on that beautiful future-banning bonfire which we have come to know and love as the Funeral Pyre segment, because this is a rare exercise in building up a brightly reimagined skateboarding.

As always, whatever I, the latter Ted, said on the show is probably wrong but I get to write the notes so I’ll leave you with the answer to the perfect spot. It’s that 20 stair in DC that Bobby tried to ollie.

As always!

Intro Music by Roar

Credits Music by Ilana Bryne (naivetrax.bandcamp.com)

Logo and Graphic Design by Michael Worful (@worful)

Support the show at patreon.com/ventcity

And yes, I did buy the whole squad Taco Bell for $6.56. Live mas, skaters.

What's up, skaters?!

Here is about a third of Ted Schmitz and Ryan Lay's conversation with Vans Footwear Design Director of the Skate Category Neal Shoemaker. Neal's an old friend of ours and we had an awesome time talking about the process of how pro shoes make it from the design room to the shop shelf. We also talk about the best skate shoe of all time—The Vans Slip-on Pro (don't listen to the other people on this show when they gas up the Blazers). Oh, also I think the Slip-On talk is behind the paywall. Whatever.

Have a listen and if you're interested in pursuing something in footwear and design in skating. Reach out to the show [email protected] and we'll give you Neal's email. Just make sure the subject line says "Please Give Me Neal's Email. I Promise I Won't DM Him"

Intro Music: Roar

Credits Music: Ilana Bryne

Logo and Graphic Design: Michael Worful

Hear the full episode at Patreon.com/ventcity

What's up, skaters?!

Welcome back to another Vent City. On the show, we have Kristin Ebeling, Kyle Beachy, Ted Schmitz and Ryan Lay talking about the thing we all know and love—song choices in video parts!

Yes, it's true. This is not just a full hour of pants banter and meandering discussions on proper skatepark design. We already did that, I think. This time we take a look at Tiago's new New Balance Numeric part called something like "A trustable fellow with sick-ass running shoes." Is it his best part ever? You'll have to listen to find out if we think so. But also, no, it's not. It's fine. There are some weird effects and song choices that we talk about though and it's really fun.

Also, there is some talk of Beagle's My War that you might've watched. It's fun, you should. Unless you have better things to do, in which case just imagine what it would be like and have us drown your thoughts out with our criticism. Honestly, we're not telling you how to live your life, most of the time.

What items from skateboarding get thrown onto the funeral pyre, never to emerge in skating ever again? Well we don't have the power to make that happen but we have a fun time goofing on Qanon skaters, non-skate journalism, Tony Hawk's agent and something that Ryan said but I can't remember right now. Anyways, we hope you like this, and if you don't maybe take out your frustration with the show by organizing a food drive in your area.

So that's mostly it.

Intro Music by Roar:

Credits Music by Ilana Bryne: (naivetrax.bandcamp.com)

Logo & Graphic Design by Michael Worful (@worful on the fuckin' 'Gram) That looked weird to write with two apostrophes, but technically it's correct.

Support the show: Patreon.com/ventcity

Now go skate. Or don't, I don't know what you're doing. Maybe you're busy?

What’s up, skaters?! Welcome back to Vent City. There will be a mandatory 14-day podcast quarantine for any listeners coming to the show for the first time, where you will have to listen to every single episode across a two-week period all alone in your room. Honestly, it’s a fate worse than death, but we don’t make the rules.

On today’s episode we have three relatively isolated individuals attempting to connect over their lifelong time-wasting passion. They are Ted Schmitz—who writes these notes in third person like a complete narcissist that really needs the attention—along with Ted Barrow from his writer’s lodge in Berkely (sp?), Californ-i-yay, and professional anti-popsicle-stick rider Ryan Lay. Where are the rest of the people on the show? Good question. Send them all DMs and demand they get re-edited into this ep. Or leave them alone cause they’re fucking busy and need to do their jobs well without your nonsense.

We are discussing the return of two absolute KINGS, Brandon Turner and Stevie Williams…wait, actually THREE KINGS including THE YOSHE! That’s right this episode has a full fifteen minute appreciation of Yoshi Tenninbomb (sp?). VC is the only skateboarding podcast willing to dedicate this much time to the Virginian treasure. Why not spend the time talking about Bobby Worrest instead? Because, although he is a fine skater, let’s be honest, he is the Waluigi to Yoshi’s…well…Yoshi. Does the rest of the cast co-sign this message? Probably not, but they don’t write the show notes.

With that said we also investigate what one skate pundit has coined “Good Guy” Syndrome that might be—but probably isn’t—the leading cause of burnout among technically proficient adult skaters. Anyway, that’s just to say a lot of people have had the sponsor ladder be the carrot in front of their stick stick for so long they really don’t know what to do with themselves once they lose their early-twenties bag. Without getting too preachy about it (although the episode is basically a masterclass on how to do the skate sermon right [this phrase should not be confused with whatever the fuck Brian Sumner does]) it's pretty cool to be oky with getting worse.

And finally there is an out-of-time, off-key ode to our forepodcasters where, like, half the shoutouts were accomplished, leading to a straight-up reading of every name on the list of our Pro-flow Patreon tier.

Thank you again, everyone. We love you.

Intro music by ROAR (https://roarsongs.bandcamp.com/)

Credits music by Ilana Bryne (@ilanan.bryne or naivetrax.bandcamp.com)

Logo and graphic design by Michael Worful (@worful)

Support the show at Patreon.com/ventcity