Photography and interview by Taylor Ballard
Originally published in Confusion Magazine – Issue 38
Hey Nolan how ya been? Let’s kick this thing off with your age, where you are from and how you got into skateboarding?
I’m 24 years old. I’m from Placentia, California. I got into skateboarding when I was a kid. I was always getting into trouble as a kid so my parents got me into skating as something to do. I was too unfocused for organized sports.
That’s cool your parents got you into it, at what point did you realize that you liked it and wanted to continue skating. What kept you coming back to it?
When my mom started taking me to the skate park. The first video I watched was Elementality and I loved Brent Atchley‘s part. I love the freedom and creativity that comes with skateboarding. There are no rules, and I love that.
What other skaters or videos over the years do you feel have influenced you the most?
Jason Adams, Dead Dave, Craig Questions, Swampy, and I can keep going.
I have a lot of great homies that influence and hype me up. My favorite videos, if I could pick three, would be Magic Sticky Hand 2, Useless Wooden Toys, and Bag of Suck. If I watch any of those, it’s fucking go time.
You turned pro for Heroin skateboards last year, who else do you ride for? How did the relationship with Fos and Heroin start?
I ride for Snot wheels, Opus footwear, Ace trucks, Pepper grip, Lil Jawns rails, and Quantum Bearings. I always loved the creativity that Fos brings to skateboarding, whether it’s the graphics, shapes, or videos. So I started tagging him in instagram clips, and it went from there. Thank you Fos you rule!
What are a few of your favorite current or past Heroin skateboards shapes and graphics?
Mutant, mega mutant, mutant eyeballer, Craig’s gold rush, 9.9″ double shovel. There are too many fun ones to play with. The bug series that Fos did is probably my favorite recent graphics. I also really loved the graphic Hirotton did for my first pro board. It has all of my favorite things on there. Craig’s Allegory of Fear as well.
How did you initially get connected with Fos and Heroin Skateboards?
The first time we skated was at the San Bernardino volcano. I think it was my first time skating with Swampy as well. My memory sucks, but I know that it was a great day.
So let’s get into skating, you have very creative and spontaneous style. I feel like everytime we skate I see you do something I haven’t seen you do before. What’s your process when you are trying something new or different? Are you drawing inspo from videos or does stuff just kind of come to you?
I definitely draw inspiration from videos. Sometimes I’ll see something rad and just think about what I can add to it. Most of the time I think of something when I’m zoned out, and quickly add it to my notes before I forget.
Outside of skating these days what occupies your time? What do you find yourself doing the most when you aren’t skating?
I play video games, mostly PlayStation 2, read comics/manga, watch Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Mostly nerd shit. I like to go to shows when I have the time. I’ve also started to get into photography a bit more recently.
That’s cool! Good to have some other stuff you are into. You’re almost done with a new part right? Who have you been filming with and when can we expect to see it?
Yes I am! Fos filmed most of clips. A lot of the homies in the crew also helped film with some second angles. It’s been really fun working on this one and I can’t wait for y’all to see. It’s expected to release in July!
Do you have any advice you would want to give to your younger self or to kids coming up that take a different or more creative approach to skating?
If I could give any advice, I would say don’t listen to anybody. Skate however you want and have fun! You don’t have throw yourself down shit to skate.
Love that! Have you done much traveling outside of California? If you could go on a skate trip anywhere in the world tomorrow where would you want to go?
My uncle lives in Mexico, so I’ve been there. I’ve also been to Hawaii and Australia, but didn’t skate all that much. If I could go anywhere, I’d definitely go to Osaka. It would be sick to skate triangle park with Hayate, Dal, Chopper, and the other Daggers. I’d also love to go back to Australia. I’m a big fan of Cameron Markin’s skating, so it would be rad to sesh with him.
Both those places sound epic to skate! Let’s think ahead a bit, five years from now where do you want to be and what do you want to be doing? Do you have any goals for your skating or just life in general?
Easy, buy a house, but that’s unrealistic these days. I used to do plumbing and I definitely want to get back into it or any trade for that matter. I guess my life goal is to be the happiest I can.
Not a bad goal! So excited to see what the future holds for you Nolan. Anything thing else you want to say to wrap this up?
Thank you so much for the interview! Really hyped I was able to speak on these subjects. I’ve always been a big fan of the mag, very grateful.