Matt Rodriguez interview
HUCK catches up with one of skateboarding's OGs about spirituality, vegetarianism and having the loosest trucks in the business.
More like this...
Throughout skateboarding history, there have been certain skaters that have defied the imitated trends and trick selections of their contemporaries. These skaters have had a little something that not only made them shine from the darkness of the herd, it seemed as if they possessed a naturalness about their skating that transcended any athletic prowess. For these chosen few, it’s as if there style is intertwined with a natural flow that comes from a soulful place inside. Guys like Cardiel, Hosoi and Gonz, they all have it. And the legendary Matt Rodriguez, he’s got it too.
Rodriguez has been in the industry spotlight for the last couple decades, and now at age 33, he hasn’t showed signs of settling down. Read on and get a taste of one of skateboarding’s true originals.
HUCK: Where are you from and how did you get into skateboarding?
San Jose, CA. I got into skateboarding by finding an old dagger board in my grandpa's closet while rummaging through it one day. I have had a one-track mind since. I have been skating for 23 years and I have been pro for 14.
What was the skate scene like growing up in San Jose?
When I first started, I didn't know anyone who skated. A year later, I met some dude's who were into jump ramps. One guy in particular named Paul, who went to junior high with my brother. He schooled me on the OG’s such as Gonz, Natas, Guerrero and Jessie Martinez. The also schooled me to not push mongo. It was a blessing!
How did you get involved with Stereo?
I got involved with Stereo through Shawn Mandoli. He told me that Jason Lee and Dune were trying to get a hold of me to tell me about this new company they were starting. I thought he was full of shit. I told him "shut up and stop bullshittting me! And let's go skate!" He said, "No dude, here is Dune's number. Call him!" I said, "What? Are you serious?" So I called Dune and we chatted. He told me about the whole theme of the company and the riders. He then asked me, "Are you down?" I said, "hell yeah!" Three days later, I got the sickest package ever!! Two Jason Lee's, two Dune's and some wheels. I blew my load! I think I still am! Anyone have napkins?
During your career, your appearance has evolved to reflect a personal spirituality. What spiritual beliefs do you subscribe to and where have they stemmed from?
Most of my thoughts in lifestyle come from an outlook based on a simple sense of humanity: eat well, live clean, think positive and be conscious in everything you do under the sun. A long period of searching and reading from books on Buddhism, Taoism, Hinduism and Rastafarism levity and culture have led me to a place of where I feel best to live from. Live simple, eat like a king and love all people as one humanity that we are.
How long have you been vegetarian? Do your vegetarian ideologies waver?
I have been vegetarian for 15 years. I prefer not to wear leather shoes. However, until people stop eating meat, there is no use in letting the rest of the animals resources go to waste that could be used to its fullness, such as shoes. Unfortunately, most of the time when manufacturing synthetic leather and suede, it creates more harm to the environment than just using the natural hide that would otherwise go to waste if not used.
As far as I know, you ride some of the loosest truck in skateboarding. Can you describe how you got into riding loose trucks?
My skateboarding had a big influence from Sacto when I moved here when I was 11-years-old from San Jose skating with Jeff Toland and Ricky Windsor and other Sacto OG old schoolers who rode loose trucks. It grew on me over the years and I grew into it! There is only the benefits of carving as hard as you want. Other then that, it makes you have to be that much more on point.
How did you first get involved with Ipath?
Ipath was born from the spirit of do your own thing and skate your own positive way. Matt Fields, Big Foot, Matt Pailes and I got together with an investor to share our ideas on simple looking shoes and soulful spirited vibes. We went forward and got a weird response at first but then cats realised and liked the uniqueness we were bringing to the table.
How did Frontline Skateboards begin?
Frontline uprising started from the inspiration of wanting to see more cultural and conscious concepts that you don’t really see too much these days. Do you want to promote silly vibes or aspects that inspire people and wake them up from the everyday rut they may be in? Every board graphic is a window to inform people of crap or encourage real life aspiration and awareness.
I notice that you ride an interesting shaped board with a thin, squared nose and tail. Is there any benefit to riding a non-traditional shape?
Yeah, I like the blockhead square shape because it’s actually a shape. Stubby round or pointy boards bug me out. I love it and it only has the benefits of style and uniqueness that stokes me out and hopefully others.
Through the years, you’ve been frequently pictured playing a guitar or some other instrument. How does music factor into your life?
Music is a calling for me that is bigger than life itself. It’s like a life long prayer or meditation that is able to change and take new forms of life that it is. Skateboarding is music, timing. personality, creativity and it’s own artistic language open to interpretation.
You have an obvious rhythm when you skate that seems to be naturally incorporated into your style. Are there any similarities between music and skateboarding?
Oh yes, when I skate I’m playing the drums or bass within my soul. When I play music, I’m skating, hopping over shit, slashin’ and bashin’!
What’s up with your band, Storytellers?
The Tellers are 10 years deep and it started out with just vamping on grooves, then we started building from that and rocking some grooves whenever. We have done a lot and it’s just the surface and got to much more to go. Jacob Moss on guitar, Reggie Drew on bass, Mark Fecinnie on vocals and trombone and Antwan Alshay and Rachellelonia on vocals and booty shakin'!
Skating for as long as you have, how do you keep skateboarding fresh and fun?
Skateboarding has to be fresh and creative. When you encounter an amazing spot and you are like, 'holy shit lets rip this shit and stack some chips and flicks!' That’s the best. One must always be skateboarding in the mind, thinking of new combos and places to unleash them.
Your style and trick selection has always stood out amongst your contemporaries. Have you ever made a conscious decision to approach skating differently or is it something that just came naturally to you?
I would say a little of both because I want to always try what I feel is against the grain and not be boxed in. Sometimes I’m just tweaking on some shuffles that I’m feeling because you are always vibing on what way your body may want to do on any particular day at any given spot. Many things and spots bring about how you are gonna do your dance!
Subscribe to HUCK for six issues
Only £20 (UK) / £43 (EU) / £58 (Rest of the World).
Matt Rodriguez interview (text) by Jay Riggio is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.
Add Your Comment...
Please note: Your comment may be held in moderation for approval by an administrator to prevent spamming. This usually doesn't take long, please be patient.