The following is a text interview I had with Nick Traycoff the night following his knee reconstruction surgery. Nick is one of my closest friends and favorite skateboarders, and although I'm sure you've heard more of the brokeboy in recent months with the release of Bloomington Indiana's "Dirty Brah" video and his introduction to Scour Skateboards, Nick has remained relatively under the radar over the years, skating more than anyone and stacking footage incessantly. Here's a quick conversation with him; hopefully you can get a bit more understanding into the baby-faced ripper who you've heard about but never seen.
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You ready to do this?
Yeah, you got questions ready or are you some kind of amateur?
I'm winging it. So explain to me how you are feeling right now and why you are feeling that way. A type of way.
Right now I feel a little trapped. Stuck in my basement. I'm on some gnarly pain meds from surgery today.
Fuck dude, that sucks. How did you fuck your shit up again? A half cab heel attempt?
Yeah. I have a new rule, if you can't jump up it don't jump down it. I think its Pete Eldrige's rule.
I saw some shirts on the internet that had that printed on them. Prob gonna order you some. So you tore your acl? And they fixed you up good? How long you think til your back cruising around?
Probably like 6 months.
:(. That's not too bad. Lots of kayaking to do this summer, right?
Yessir. Lake time.
It's the best time. So, you just came out with a part in Bloomington's very own "Dirty Brah" video. It's gnarly! I would know ;). How did you get involved with the video?
Thanks to you dude! I'm pretty sure Michael (Wissig) asked me. I'm not a "dirty butt" or a "sah brah" but I've skated with all those dudes for a long time and they were down to let me intrude on their video which is awesome cuz they're the best crew to skate with.
We were a tag team, a dynamic duo some might say. And yes, they are the best dudes, it was amazing to see you shine in another amazing Bloomington epic.
You killed it. I miss filming with you. Everyone in Bloomington does.
Can you break down some of your part for me? A few questions to help: Hardest trick to get, easiest, trick Gehl bugged you to get the most, scariest trick you got, amount of time it took for you and Gehl to settle with a song and why.
Every line was the hardest. The flatground kickflip in one of the lines was one of the hardest. I remember freaking out over that. Easiest was the indoor shuv it. The tail drop at the health center was the scariest. Why do you ask this?? It took forever to come up with a song cuz you didn't like anything.
Haha it took us a while, we just couldn't agree on anything! I don't know if people are ready for the first version I had edited with Fleetwood Mac/Ms. Jackson…or was it Lady Marmalade? There was a few rough cuts…
I like the song we went with. Glad we put feet on it.
Gehl is my hero
This may bum you out, but what were you working towards before you messed up you knee?
Me, Chris Cardenas and some other fools went on a filming spree for magg the movie.
You guys did. And some scour stuff too, eh? Some edit promotional things here and there.
Yeah. Whatever didn't pass the Gehl test for the magg haha.
Haha, nice. We will be back on it sooner than you think. Just a few more questions Traycoff, I promise. This is my first interview thing I think ever, am I doing ok?
I wonder if pros ever try and change things they say
I bet they do.
And say nevermind but its actually too late and the writer puts it in anyways.
Haha sometimes you gotta though! Lame question time but I want an honest answer. What is so great about Bloomington? What makes the scene so special? I don't know why but I keep coming back, weekend after weekend, just to have Cardenas have me film some 15 trick flatground line down Kirkwood, but I love it. I don't get it. What makes it such a special place for Indiana skateboarding then?
Bloomington is sick because everyone is hyped on everyone else's shit for the most part. There are legends who keep everyone in check if people start blowing it. There's also a surprising amount of spots in a close area that makes street skating awesome without driving anywhere. Not to mention the free nonprofit skatepark "the warehouse" and the spine ramp, and the outdoor park.
And Kilroys! ;)
The real reason Bloomington is sick is because Prather keeps it going strong at Rhett. He loves skateboarding more than anyone I've ever met and supports everybody...oviously Roys.
I totally agree even though he smells.
Yeah dude he's hyped on it too.
Rhett is the best, he taught me how to grip boards!
Should attack him with axe but he'd probably hurt me because he's freaked about some toxins or other hippie idea shit.
Exactly, and that's what makes him great - and smelly. Talking all this Bloomington talk makes me wanna come down. I'm thinking two weekends from now if I can. That's the other best part about skateboarding in Bloomington; half of the best times I've had down there skateboarding don't even involve riding a skateboard. I'm pretty sure Ben Sharritt told me that, and it's stuck with me ever since.
I'll be right here on the couch waiting.
We can tinder together. Stay swiping to the right.
Damn right! Why didn't you just interview me about tinder??
I know! I've been waiting to ask you about it.
Ben is the wisest. You should throw this interview away and talk to him.
How's it going so far? Thinking the knee will get you some sympathy swipes? I won't throw this away but I will definitely talk to him soon…
I wish dude. I'd take sympathy swipes.
As would I. Alright I think that's enough for now Nick…I we covered enough b.s. Thanks for putting up with my questions. Best believe I'll be down there soon enough.
Hurry up I'm losing it. Seriously though, interview Ben. It'd be so funny.
I will.
~
- Interview by Matt Gehl
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