Alex Olson Interview
by The Messageboarders
Alex, what was the best industry advice your pops gave you when it was apparent you’d be skating for a living?“Make sure you don’t get ripped off.”
Since you’re more of an “in the moment” type of guy, what’s your take on Reality TV? Would you ever consider participating in one of those shows?
Sure, why not?
When did you stop being Alex Parker (the Toy Machine and Baker kid) and start being Alex Olson (the care-free, bad boy mix between Julien Stranger and Stereo-era Ethan Fowler) ?
I wouldn’t go so far as to say I’m a bad boy. I stopped being Alex Parker ’cause I just got called Olson.
Explain a typical day in the life of Jason Dill when you were staying with him in NY.
Go to the diner to get a grilled cheese, fries, and a coffee. Then he’d get on the MySpace and clock in a good six to seven hours on it. So it would get dark, then he’d go eat again and walk over to the hole and spend the whole night there. Wake up and do it all over again.
When you see a speedy Olson coming out of a back smith, you best get the fuck out the way. Photo: Colen
Some electronic shit.
Worst part about LA?
Fake people.
Best part about NY?
Food and girls.
Compare the Beauty and the Beast tour to the Indy tour.
There will be another Indy trip, and there won’t be another Anti-Hero/Girl trip.
Varial flip in the ditch... Got it! Seq: Colen
How did you end up skating to King Diamond? Awesome pick!
I talked to my friend about it before I even got on Lakai, about how no one has really used him. I’m also a big fan, so two and two went together.
What’s the story with you and the Olsen twins?
There isn’t a story; she’s my boo and that’s it! Just fucking around. I don’t really know her.
How much time do you spend on the Internet? Favorite sites?
That’s easy—it’s a music blog site called Hypem.com.
Do you read comments? What do you think of messageboards and comments in general?
Lies…
Alex snaps a healthy ollie into the street. Photo: Colen
Facebook or MySpace?
Facebook. MySpace is out, but it’s still good for music.
If you were going to be stuck on an island for six months, who’s the Girl team rider you would want along to ease your way through, and who would you want along to torture?
BA, ’cause the dude wouldn’t care and he was a line cook. Carroll to torture, but he doesn’t care.
After completing your first full part in a skateboard video, what did you learn from it and what would you do differently the second time around?
It’s fucking a lot of work, and if you don’t put your all into it you’ll end up hating what you put out—or just wish you had tried harder.
How about a big ol' backside ollie? Photo: Colen
Has filming started for the next Chocolate video?
I guess the monster is coming.
Who has the best style in skateboarding? If that’s too hard, give a top 5.
Gino, Gonz, Julien, Phil Shao, AVE, Oster, Hosoi, BA, Cardiel, Kenny Anderson, Carroll, Sheffey, Drehobl, Heath…and the list keeps going.
List your sponsors, and tell us what motivates you to ride for each company.
Girl, because everybody respects them. Vans, because they’re the first skate shoe company. Quiksilver; I like surfing and respect the whole surf team. Spitfire, because all the other wheels I don’t like. And Indy—everybody knows why.
-
10/25/2024
Chris Russell "Breaks Out" Interview
Chris Russell looks like a tough guy—and he is!—but this transition maniac has more depth than any pool. So we caught up with the Muscle to talk real-life issues: fatherhood, traumatic injuries, mental health and identity. Don’t miss this one from our December, ‘24 mag. -
9/25/2023
The Follow Up: Adam Davies
Despite being a stand-up adult with staggering on-board talent, Adam Davies still has a healthy appetite for mischief. From staging a fake wedding, to sneaking onto forbidden roofs in China, Melbourne's emerging tech god opens up to Dave Chami about all the hijinx while filming his shocking new part. -
9/25/2023
Vitória Mendonça on Heelflips, Homies and Hitting the Big Show
The last few months have been huge for Vitória, from turning pro in Copenhagen to putting out a part for Element and making an appearance alongside some of the best in Abnormal Communication. Homie Emanuele Barbier calls up the rising star to talk about early skate exposure via Internet cafes, trick obsessions and the whirlwind lifestyle of a modern pro. -
3/08/2022
Spanky: 5 Greats
Baker’s art director, rad dad AND switch slappy savant, Spanky is a modern-day renaissance man, so of course his 5 Greats is full of gold. From wack trends to things Reynolds says, this one’s crucial reading—as seen in our Jan ’22 mag. -
12/28/2021
Kevin Bækkel's "Gangreen" Interview
Kevin put life and limb on the line for Creature's newest video. Catch up with Norway's gnarliest viking as he talks thwarted kidnappings, first impressions of the States and nonverbal communication mishaps. From our February 2022 mag.