#69: The Ghost Ship Fire

On Dec. 2, 36 people were killed when a fire broke out during an electronic music show in a warehouse known as the Ghost Ship in Oakland's Fruitvale neighborhood. 

Oakland's arts and music community rallied in the wake of the tragedy, hosting benefits for families who lost loved ones, as well as attempting to protect other live-work spaces in a city with skyrocketing rents. 

Music from this episode was either performed or mixed by Johnny Igaz, a victim of the Ghost Ship fire. You can hear more of his music at https://soundcloud.com/nacktmusic

This podcast is made possible thanks to our supporters on Patreon.

Direct download: GhostShipReverb_2.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:45am PDT
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#68: Michael Braud and Philip Moore

Philip Moore and Michael Braud are two southern gentlemen who have been skating and filming together over the last few weeks here in the Bay Area. We talk about Making America Blade Again, 2016 as a whole, and racism in fast food chains, and why pizza is not a vegetable.

#MakeAmericaBladeAgain

Huge thanks our supporters on Patreon. Thanks to Trudy, Dustin, Edward, Jose, Nate, Steve, Alexander, Zach, Basti, Jon, Levi, Sean, Brad, Ivan, and our newest sponsors, Randy Edwards and Jeff Asi.

Like this episode? Interested in becoming a Patreon for as little as $1 a month? Click here.

Don’t forget to like our stupid Facebook page so you don’t miss the latest episodes, relevant links, and updates about our growing list of guests.

Direct download: BraudMoore_mixdown.mp3
Category:Blader Digest -- posted at: 6:08pm PDT
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Kevin Chow has been everywhere forever. 

Kevin is a mainstay in rollerblading, from writing profiles for Daily Bread to being part of FISE in France, this Canadian-born Barcelona resident has had his hands in more rollerblading-related events than, possibly, anyone else. 

This and all episodes of the Rock Town Podcast are made possible thanks to ourour supporters on PatreonTrudy, Dustin, Edward, Jose, Nate, Steve, Alexander, Zach, Basti, Jon, Levi, Sean, Brad, Ivan, and most recently Uncle Jeff.

#RockTownPodcast

Direct download: KevinChow_mixdown.mp3
Category:Blader Digest -- posted at: 5:23pm PDT
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#66: Trump and the Riots

In this episode, host Brian Krans talks to himself about covering the 2016 election, rollerblading through the protests and riots that followed in Oakland, and the ramifications of underestimating the "fly over states."

The music at the second break is "The Last Days of Oakland" by the Fantastic Negrito. (You should buy the full album.)

This podcast is made possible thanks to our friends through Patreon. But since episodes aren't coming out as frequently, don't feel compelled to continue donating to the podcast. 

Direct download: Trump_and_the_Riots.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:53pm PDT
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Now in it’s fourth year, the OBJ is getting back to the streets this Saturday, starting at Madison Park in Oakland. Right near the Lake Merritt BART station, if you’re in the Bay, there’s no reason to stay away.

Omar, B. Free, and I talk about the comp, a few things that are resting heavily on our hearts, infighting, and other less serious topics.

Huge thanks to our supporters on Patreon: Trudy, Dustin, Edward, Jose, Nate, Steve, Alexander, Zach, Basti, Jon, Levi, Sean, Brad, and Ivan. Like this episode? Interested in becoming a Patreon for as little as $1 a month? Click here.

Don’t forget to like our stupid Facebook page so you don’t miss the latest episodes, relevant links, and updates about our growing list of guests.

Direct download: BladeJam2016.mp3
Category:Blader Digest -- posted at: 9:36pm PDT
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Matt Lewis is the founding editor of the zine-turned-literary journal, The Radvocate, which publishes poems, fiction, non-fiction, art, photography, and illustrations by bladers and non-bladers alike. A publication of So Say We All, a non-profit in San Diego, it recently released it’s 14th issue.

We talk over Skype about how the magazine went from a Kinko’s copy-and-staple publication that started with a joke about a Xsjado ad to becoming a publication you can find at some of the best bookstores in the country.

This and all episodes of the Rock Town Podcast are made possible thanks to ourour supporters on PatreonTrudy, Dustin, Edward, Jose, Nate, Steve, Alexander, Zach, Basti, Jon, Levi, Sean, Brad, and Ivan.

#RockTownPodcast

Direct download: MattLewis.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:22pm PDT
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#63: Aaron Powell

Aaron grew up in the Bay, but took some prime time off from skating. Now that he’s all in again, he’s been a consistently great homie for a session. Now, he’s heading to Portland.

We talk about why he’s moving up north to Oregon, not missing Bay Area traffic, working at AMall, Trigger skates, and why it’s always important to leave home.

This podcast is made possible thanks to our supporters on Patreon. That includes Trudy, Dustin, Edward, Jose, Nate, Steve, Alexander, Zach, Basti, Jon, Levi, Sean, Brad, and Ivan. 

Direct download: AAronPowell.mp3
Category:Blader Digest -- posted at: 9:18pm PDT
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Medium’s “Children of the Night” featured skaters like Dustin Latimer, Brian Shima, Pat Lennen, Robert Lievanos, Jake Elliot, and featured music from Metallica, Steppenwolf, The Who, AC/DC, Megadeth, and more. This podcast is supported from listeners via Patreon. Please like our dumb Facebook page. #RockTownPodcast

Direct download: ChildrenoftheNight.mp3
Category:Blader Digest -- posted at: 12:16am PDT
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Michael ‘Obe’ Obedoza is a major source of positivity in rollerblading. We talk about what’s left of Xsjado, his Thrive Inline skate classes in Carson, getting new people to skate, and so much more. This podcast is supported from listeners via Patreon. Please like our dumb Facebook page. #RockTownPodcast

Direct download: Obe.mp3
Category:Blader Digest -- posted at: 12:22pm PDT
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Dayton Coopersmith is a “triple OG” rollerblader who influenced many of today’s great skaters. We discuss almost getting kicked out of the Extreme Games, skipping school to film for Hoax 2, teaching Jon Julio to ride ramps, Rise Above, the Sea Otter Classic, skateboarding propaganda, and getting respect at the skate park. This podcast is supported from listeners via Patreon. Please like our dumb Facebook page. #RockTownPodcast

Direct download: DaytonCoopersmith.mp3
Category:Blader Digest -- posted at: 7:44pm PDT
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