#Holla | Mo Skate Deck

Not a lot of people can say that they managed a skate shop at 17, or even say they have creative input on the product that the shop produces. I feel extremely privileged to be in the position I am. I can't wait to grow and see where life takes me. With that being said I am pleased to say that the deck design that I helped produce is finally available. Check out the write up I did for fromthefeetup.ca!

With most of our staff and team growing up in the late 80's and early 90's it made the most sense to bring back a familiar graphic, and re-vamp it on our first shop deck.  The graphic design was a collaborative effort (idea came from Ryan Mack, hand-drawn by myself, and final touches/photoshop by Jeremy Marucot). We are pleased to say that this deck is now available in sizes varying from 7.625" to 8.5" for only $45. Support your local!

*Thank-you Geoff Warrington for bringing out my inner child in this photo.

Fotography Fridays | Ricky Powell

Ricky Powell has changed photography forever. Documenting some of the most iconic and memorable moments of the 80's and 90's. This NYC photographer was a huge part of pop culture and help bring up some of the biggest names in hip hop and entertainment with a snap. He brought the candid approach to most of his unique and iconic photos. Capturing some of the biggest names in entertainment: Beastie Boys, Run DMC, Slick Rick, Method Man, Easy-E, Chris Walken, and Cindy Crawford (to name a few). Capturing moments on tour, and in unique settings. He is most known for his endless amount of work with the Beastie Boys. His work stacks up to over 10 years... he famously was the alleged 4th member of the iconic hip hop group.

 There are a lot of creators around the world that wouldn't be where they are today... if it wasn't for his impact on pop culture, photography and hip hop. Still doing it today, check out his interview with Frank 151 about his new series of NYC art. I also highly suggest to any art/photography enthusiasts to check out this Ricky Powell Art Show called "SNAP!" that Momentum Marketplace is throwing down:

Local Saskatoon photographers: Chad Coombs, Geoff Warrington, and 1 Take Photography will also be showcasing their work. Support your local!

Customer Service

Award Tour has been in my 'go-to' daily blog lists for about a year now. They always keep everything original and fun. I ordered my first shirt after the haiti disaster in February, I thought it was a rad cause and I really liked the shirt. Super stoked when I saw this on the back of the package... 'Saskatoon, What Up. Keep It All Sort Of Funky'.

Recently, Phil and The Award Tour Fam dropped the Friends&Family Collection. Basically, made for the people that have been wanting some Award Tour ink... on a tee. The collection looked super rad, like always... nice and colorful with some great design. I unfortunately missed the drop due to 'Boy's Weekend in Edmonton'. Super bummed out when I realized this traveling between two prairie cities... with no internet. 

Customer Service is probably the most important thing in running an effective and fun business. As you probably already know, I manage a skate boutique-ish shop (Momentum Marketplace) in Saskatoon. I try to keep every customer that walks through the door feel great, by socializing about anything and everything. 

Check out this video of Phil & Friends, sending out the collection. The personalization that is put on every parcel... inspires me. While we get our clothing line designed it reminds me that every detail from the 'packaging' to the 'presentation' is important.

The Friends&Family Look Book

'Hand addressing every single package is one of those ideas that seems great with the first twenty packages…and then begins to get extremely tiring after about eight straight hours of personal time with sharpies, Award Tour shirts, and manila envelopes. But at the end of the day. It’s worth it. We’re firm believers that that hand written personal attention to detail makes all the difference in the world of Twitter, Tumblr, and “text me, don’t call me.” Hopefully you all feel the same, and can live with the fact that it takes a while longer for the packages to arrive on your doorstep.

About half of the packages are in the air as we speak, headed off on their way. The other half are preventing me from leaving my dorm room and should be gone within the next two days. I’m planning on the next drop, we’ll work on having that as quickly as possible as well! Hoping to get full runs of the Relax tees, World Wide, and Ivy Mountains. Perhaps some 1990 Sea Foam’s as well. Hell. We mine as well get them all again. More details to follow.

Thanks for the support everyone. Truly. It means a lot. To see the same people ordering over and over again is really inspiring and the reason I keep throwing these things out there. You guys make the brand what it is. Enjoy the video! Shouts to Ellington on the camera work.'- The Award Tour

"Tiffany" Janoski

All you sneaker heads remember these "Tiffany" Dunks?...

Well Nick Tershay(Diamond Supply Co.) and Nike SB collaborated again! To produce these "Tiffany" Janoski's:

And if you are wanting to cop these?! and you live in Saskatoon area? We are getting these @ Momentum Marketplace this Fall.

Mo Market Skate BBQ!

I have been planning and brain storming a fundraiser/event for the community for quite sometime. About 2 weeks ago after having a discussion with Kent(Outtabounds) about what I was thinking about planning (BBQ/Skate event), He agreed that it was a great idea. Little did I realize that the best possible date for this idea was in approx. 2 weeks (end of school for high-school students)... basically a perfect kick off to summer!

After 24 hours of planning and numerous discussions with other staff, I got everything written down and finalized. We thought of fundraisers over and over again. But, the one that stuck out most to me was The Canadian Cancer Society. Recently, one of my friends/staff member's father passed away from cancer. I felt like I should sort of throw this for her and her family. Cancer is one of the most common illness' in the world, My Grandpa passed away when I was 14... I was devastated, He was not only the funniest person I have every met but one of the many people that has effected my life in a positive way.

Once, we had everything planned it was ready to go. We had a lot of sponsors that were stoked to help this event out... Co-op, Vitamin Water, Sous Chef, Dr.J, and Single Second. Co-op supplied the buns, Vitamin Water supplied refreshments, Sous Chef donated there water, Dr. J brought the entertainment, and Single Second generously donated there ever so popular t-shirts.

After looking online at the weather I noticed it was supposed to be a horrible rainy/stormy day... I was starting to get worried. Rain, DJ's, Skateboarding and BBQ's aren't a good mix! I began to think of back up plans. After, Asif(momentum) left for South Africa/World Cup... I knew that I was the one to make the 'executive' decisions.

On, June 21st 2010 (Day Before the BBQ) I had a quick skate sesh with some of the boys. It was a mellow sesh. I wanted to practice up. But, soon figured out that this was already a shitty performance on my part, and to top it all off... I tried to shuvit over something... landed super awkwardly and dropped to the floor... this meant I couldn't skate for a while... and definitely not at the BBQ. I was super bummed out after that.

The BBQ went really well, we had a lot of skaters come out! As well as, a lot of BBQ lovers! haha. We ended up raising $300 for Cancer. Super good turn out.

More coverage to come!

WDYWT. DALLAS SIEMENS.

Check out this 'WDYWT' from FTFU! Shout out to ... Dallas Siemens from Hello Saskatoon for this summer look, Ryan Mack from Hello Saskatoon for the photos, and Jeremy Marucot for the logo; I supplied the arrangement of photos (photoshop) haha.

WDYWT:
• The Hundreds “Rosewood” Zip-Up Hoodie
• Obey Tee
• Uniqlo Denim
• Black/White Janoski’s (Nike SB)

Favorite Brand(s)? HUF, Alife, Hello Saskatoon

What are you listening to right now? 
92.9 The Bull, Drake, The Roots

Favorite athlete(s)? Kobe Bryant

Favorite Website(s)/Blog(s)?
Hello Saskatoon, The Weather Network, The Award Tour

What influences your style?
The weather, and my mood.

What’s your favorite thing about the shops?
The people/atmosphere.

“When Dallas isn’t working hard; selling refrigerators at Rona, you can find him at Momentum Marketplace being a ’shop rat’ … every Saturday”-Brennan Elliott

I Love This.

Yesterday (May 8th) was my first full bike trip! Biked to work, took me 40 minutes, 8.4 kilometers. I was impressed with my "no physical activity" body. Stoked for summer, no car driving allowed... unless its necessary!

P.S. This is a preview to a new asset to the blog... (WDWWT... "What Did We Wear Today"). It wont be a scheduled post... but just outfits that im stoked on.

Comune Waxed Denim, Nike SB Dunk High Brain Wreck.

Nike SB Dunk High... Grand Purple.

Suede and Leather combos are the best! Very simple, 3 color color-way.So much hype! These shoes are killing it. I've never seen so many "bangers" in a month! White Perf Janoski, Cinco De Mayo and these Grand Purps! They all have one thing in common... They will all be available at Momentum Marketplace. Come on by, you don't have alot of time before these are all gone!

Summer Here I Come!

Stopped by Outtabounds today, and picked up the bike! It took sometime to finally get it into the back of the van, but we got it in. I cannot wait for summer now, biking to work everyday and cruising around the city of Saskatoon. My body will have to immune to the idea; Physical activity... But I am stoked for this... good purchase.

Stefan Janoski White Perf.

I've never wanted a pair of shoes sooo bad. When I first laid eyes on these, I was looking for some pairs of Vans... I ended up stumbling upon these in a blog forum. They are super clean looking, stitched swoosh blends in nicely with the all white profile. Black tubing above the vulcanized sole allows character to the shoes. Right now, I have a huge obsession with leather laces, so I'm stoked on these. This is my next "wear everyday" shoe, no socks thou... don't worry my feet smell good all the time. 

Luckily for me... Momentum Marketplace is receiving these next month! Stoked! I have access to an 11, 12, and 13. Most luckily gonna cop the 11 for optimal fit and stretch of the shoe.

ListenUp.

Vampire Weekend!!

"No Mom, I don't have to dress-up like a vampire for my staff trip".

I was fortunate and priviledged to be invited by Asif Moola & Momentum, to Vampire Weekend Live in Edmonton. Me and 6 staff members hundled up in the good 'ole mini van, and headed 6 hours west. The trip was awesome. It was a hot and sweaty drive up. But we made it.

We stayed at The Metterra Hotel on Whyte, right beside Julio's Bar & Grill.

@ Julio's Bar... we consumed alcohol and tequila before heading to the concert(Vampire Weekend) at The Edmonton Events Center.

Vampire Weekend was soo good live, it was definitely as good or better then the CD.

After the amazing show. We went to a bar called Black Dog... We danced. hahah

Steve shouting out to his "sponsors", Mo and WeSC.

More Photos! Soon to Come!

ListenUp.

Fotography Fridays.

There are alot of people out there with a camera, people that shoot pictures at parties, people that think they are good at photography... then there are people that are photographers. Photography is an artform that can express your mood as a photographer and the mood of the people in your photos.

I met Jeremy Marucot a while back, when I was a young kid, shopping at Momentum. He is a great guy, and helped me get to where I want to be. Jeremy is an avid sneaker collector, and as he would say "over two hundy purr", he knows alot about shoes, clothing and ... photography.

Jeremy has been shooting photography for a while now. Learning as he goes, and a very good photo editor. Jeremy doesn't have a one type of photography that he "sticks" to, but he does have a distinct style that can be recognized as his. He did my grad photos last year, they turned out real good.

Here is some of Jeremy's work:

Check out more photos by Jeremy, and 1take photography; here.