World of Echo: Motocross Interviews, Articles, and Videos

I've heard conversation coming out of animal pens that is more intelligent than what is going on in here.
JConley691
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Re: World of Echo: Motocross Interviews, Articles, and Videos

Post by JConley691 »

Hey everyone. Back real quick with a spotlight on New England filmmaker Elliot Phelps. Elliot put out his half-hour feature-length film at the end of November. I spotted this on Vital and figured he deserved some recognition. Any mid-2000s MX fan would love the vibes he and his crew bring to this project. Raw racing, pit bike mayhem, chicks, beer, and good tunes. It's a much watch (especially for any of us up north, slowly drifting into our winter hiatus.)

https://inaworldofecho.com/2019/12/08/d ... ot-phelps/
JConley691
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Re: World of Echo: Motocross Interviews, Articles, and Videos

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New interview live on the site! I spoke with photographer Jeff Witthans about his work in and around Bakersfield, California. Jeff is criminally overlooked in the MX community, but he’s one of the best in the business. His passion for riding is only matched by his skillset on the lens. Running a minimalist, “run what ya brung” approach, Jeff has captured the essence of central California’s sprawling freeride scene with the help of Scott Kranyak, Jimmy Hill, Tyler Bereman, Kris Foster, Dereck Beckering, and others. I’m glad I got to learn more about Jeff and hope to see his photos for years to come. Read all about him below.

Discussion includes: Bakersfield life, getting his grandfather's WWII photography equipment, poaching urban spots with Scott Kranyak and Jimmy Hill, favorite photographers, tech-talk (and why it does and doesn’t matter), and why he’s only been to one motocross race in his entire life, among other things…

https://inaworldofecho.com/jeff-witthans
JConley691
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Re: World of Echo: Motocross Interviews, Articles, and Videos

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I just finished work on a new story about the history and legacy of Vurbmoto with a couple ex-employees and contributors. Kyle Cowling, Chase Dunivant, Jeff Urbahn, Tom Journet, and Brandon Biro make appearances, and I pull from one of my own experiences with the site as well.

What Wes Williams and company were able to accomplish with Vurb is something that I look back on with great admiration now. While my site may never eclipse their shadow, it's awe-inspiring to look back at how much time and effort was expended to make Vurb possible.

Story includes: Wes Williams' "Epic," Vurb's impact on filmmakers and riders, their ability to cultivate the amateur scene around their site, Loretta Lynn's, and more.

I hope to do a part two on this topic so hopefully this spawns some conversation with players closer to the heartbeat of the site. Lmk what you guys think. Thanks

https://inaworldofecho.com/remembering-vurbmoto
JConley691
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Re: World of Echo: Motocross Interviews, Articles, and Videos

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A month ago I took a solo road trip in my Ford Transit to Florida to ride some tracks and spectate at the Daytona Supercross. I wrote about the trip, the people I met along the way, and how the coronavirus developed and played its role in making Daytona the last race on Earth... for now. Lots of digital and 35mm pics in there as well if you don't have time to read. Hope everyone is safe out there.

Story includes: Travel in the van, Staying with Jordan Hoover, Tom Journet, and Jason Anderson, meeting some New Englanders and riding at Pax Trax, and reflecting on how the website made it all possible.

http://inaworldofecho.com/the-last-race-on-earth
JConley691
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Re: World of Echo: Motocross Interviews, Articles, and Videos

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I have a new entry today where I recount some stories from the crew that produced Revelation 199, the Travis Pastrana flick that came out in 2001. I spoke with producers Rob Wickens and Jason Pennington, talent coordinator / everyman Malcolm McCassy, and cinematographer Rich Van Every about their time with Pastrana at arguably his most versatile. The time they captured Travis, during his professional racing debut, was the peak of his powers as a racing/freestyle hybrid, and the tales that come with it were enjoyable to hear.

Topics include: Meeting the Pastrana family at their secluded estate in Maryland, earning Travis' trust (and the crew's own mettle), early freestyle competitions, Castillo Ranch, bridge jumps, Travis' will to push everyone beyond their limits, and how the gas crisis put a strain on an otherwise magical MXoN in 2000. Among other things...

Story below, lots of video links inside if you'd rather indulge in some nostalgia.

https://inaworldofecho.com/revisiting-revelation-199
JConley691
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Re: World of Echo: Motocross Interviews, Articles, and Videos

Post by JConley691 »

I have a new interview out today with photographer and key Team Fried member Matt Rice. We talk about growing up at E-Town, skateboarding, his first foray into MX photography under the pseudonym "Vinny," how Instagram changed his profession, his perspective on - and love for - the sport, and of course, Team Fried. Link is below, thanks.

What a drought, though. This year has been such a bummer in a multitude of ways. I'm glad Matt and I could turn this conversation around pretty quick, I really needed it. He's a great dude.

https://inaworldofecho.com/2020/07/19/matt-rice/
JConley691
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Re: World of Echo: Motocross Interviews, Articles, and Videos

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I started a new column on my site called Scope yesterday, a place to share some cool things I've found through moto friends. Take a look if you like. Follow the link here to read up on it. http://inaworldofecho.com/scope-1

This installment features a short interview and video presentation from Jordan Hoover about his project, "The Plague Mixtape." Jordan's brother Austin is the global marketing manager for Fox Racing, so he has some access to high profile shoots and such. No mistake about it though, Jordan is mega talented and earns the opportunity he's given. The video features Barcia, Roczen, RC, Reed, Des Nations B Lot footy, and more.



I pulled some photos from an old issue of Racer X I have, just to highlight some things I found interesting. I miss how thick the magazines used to be.

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Ben Gustavson is a filmmaker from the northeast who I'm a big fan of. He shoots a lot of non-moto as well, but he's really talented with his 16mm camera.



And of course, I gave props to Chelsea Wright Adams, a motocross photographer. She's one of the best, in my opinion. Check out her work on Instagram at @chelseadub11.

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JConley691
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Re: World of Echo: Motocross Interviews, Articles, and Videos

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I guess Jordan's Vimeo link got a little hairy - https://vimeo.com/442919374
JConley691
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Re: World of Echo: Motocross Interviews, Articles, and Videos

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Wrote a small piece about the 2018 RedBud Grass Race, an event the staff in Michigan held just two short weeks after the Motocross of Nations. One of my favorite weekends of racing at a facility that really cares. Article link below along with some 16mm film I shot of my friends and family.

http://inaworldofecho.com/speeding-motorcycle

JConley691
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Re: World of Echo: Motocross Interviews, Articles, and Videos

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Second edition of Scope is out on the site now. This edition features a heavy video section, as a lot of great projects have hit the internet since I've last done one of these. Along with that are some old Frank Hoppen scans from an early issue of Transworld, and some words I thought you might like to read. Peep it if you like, thanks.

https://inaworldofecho.com/2020/09/17/scope-2/

Transworld scans.

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Videos from Josh Prior of Bad Dad Racing, Kyle Cowling, Jake Juett of Flower Boy Films, and the Foxhead team below.

(Prior edits music to his DIY punk band in New England. I thought that was extra sick.)







JConley691
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Re: World of Echo: Motocross Interviews, Articles, and Videos

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New interview is live on the site right now with the enigmatic Mike Emery. I was lucky enough to spend some extended time with Mike through the midwestern run of the Nationals, skating in Jordan Robert's backyard paradise and shooting at RedBud.

I won’t drag on with the details, but Mike is a good dude. One of those people you think of from time to time and go “man... he’s sick.” His photography, his attitude, and his outlook on life are all on point. And he’s got a mean mini-ramp game on top of it all.

So read all about Mike, in a conversation at his childhood home in Pennsylvania.

Skating, TransWorld MX, magazine covers, shooting with Chad Reed, Ken Roczen, and Zach Osborne, living in Spain for 3 months as a 20-something, and why you should “never take this shit for granted."

http://inaworldofecho.com/mike-emery-interview

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JConley691
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Re: World of Echo: Motocross Interviews, Articles, and Videos

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This doesn't directly pertain to the site, but I wrote a feature about the origins of Vurbmoto a few months back that's now hitting the web. I spoke with Wes Williams, Andrew Campo, Brent Stallo, Kevin Kelly, and Brien McDowell about how they found each other and launched their game-changing site. You can read the story, complete with rare archived photos, on Vurb now. Linked in the image below. Hope you like it!

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JConley691
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Re: World of Echo: Motocross Interviews, Articles, and Videos

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Another Scope article on the site (http://inaworldofecho.com/scope-3), highlighting video work from the Fox Racing camp with their new film "Dead Man Walking." I have an interview with the director of that video, Ryan Marcus, coming soon!



I do have an interview with Euforeia Golf's Patrick Farris (co-founder of the Viewing with Mike LeGrand and Darryn Durham). He's merging his two loves, golf and moto, into a new company aimed at changing the image of the leisurely activity. He and LeGrand reunited for this project, a motocross film shot on an abandoned golf course.



Along with that are some words, as well as archival photos shot by Massimo Melani from an old Donnie Bales "How-To" book. Hope you all are having a good holiday season. Thanks.

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JConley691
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Re: World of Echo: Motocross Interviews, Articles, and Videos

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New interview is live with Fox Racing's Ryan Marcus! Ryan is the head of the video department over there, and has been for the last nine years. Ryan is another of many who have come from the skate scene to breathe new life into motocross. With his team in (fellow skater) Ricki Bedenbaugh and Avery Rost, the Fox crew have been putting out hits like ALWAY5: The Ryan Dungey Story, RIDE ABOVE with Ken Roczen, ENDLESS with Jimmy Hill, and most recently Dead Man Walking with freerider Justin Mulford.

You can read about Ryan's history growing up skating with legends at the Huntington Beach skatepark, securing a job at the famed 411 Video Magazine and earning his mettle in the editing room, eventually finding his way to the motocross scene...

In short, Ryan Marcus is one of many working behind the scenes, enriching the culture of motocross through his life experience and camera skill. Links below, thanks for reading. Hope you've all been enjoying a relaxing and safe holiday season.

http://inaworldofecho.com/ryan-marcus

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JConley691
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Re: World of Echo: Motocross Interviews, Articles, and Videos

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New interview out on the site with freeride guru Jimmy Hill! Jimmy’s talents expand beyond his motorcycle as he writes, records, and produces all of his own music under the Hillsack moniker in his central California home. Jimmy and I spoke about his musical and familial history, the process behind recording, what bands influence him, and the meaning behind select songs on his new album, “The Weird Is World.” Jimmy shared some insights close to his heart, and I appreciate that he trusted me with carrying those words to print. Hope you enjoy the read, thanks! (I have a new video coming out soon too that I think you guys might like!) Busy.

Link here - http://inaworldofecho.com/jimmy-hills-weird-world

Listen to his new album here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kh5mQGB ... sUfoBwT4uE
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