FRIENDS | Fly53

This week we caught up with long term friend of the brand, world class motorbike trials rider, Jack Challoner. At the tender age of 22 Jack has already got some serious titles under his belt and is fast becoming the name on everyones lips, attracting attention for his talent worldwide (and not just from the ladies). Currently training out in Barcelona we (very jealous) got on the blower from a very cold and wet London and swung some questions his way…

Hey Jack, How’s it going? Fill us in on what you’ve been up to recently?

Yo, I’m awesome thanks, just out in Barcelona at the moment putting some hours in on the bike. Unfortunately I had to get away from the lovely English weather. I’m out here for the next 5 weeks and even having a cheeky 5 days snowboarding in March.

You’re only 22 years old and you’ve already been crowned Youth World Champion, Junior World Champion, European Champion and Italian Champion what’s next in 2013 – World Domination?

That’s the plan! The Spanish Riders are dominating at the moment but it would be nice to put an end to that over the next few years.

Can you tell us a bit about what got you into riding trials in the first place?

My dad has always rode bikes, he used to ride speedway for ‘Sheffield Tigers’ back in the day then he went on to ride Trials, only for fun but I was always his number one fan!

I got my first bike when I was 4, a Honda QR50 and my first trials bike for my 7th Birthday, a Yamaha TY80. From that day onwards it’s just been ride ride ride, really couldn’t imagine life without it.

Difficult question we know but hit us up with your most memorable victory?

It’s gotta’ be the Junior world championship title in 2010. The last round was in Czech Republic and I had to finish on the podium to take the championship so there was quite a bit of pressure involved. I had my mum, dad, sister and girlfriend at the time there with me. I rode my heart out and ended up winning on the day to take the gold – Best feeling in the world!

What’s the most expensive thing you’ve ever bought?

I treated myself to a new van before Christmas, a Vauxhall Vivaro Sportive. Had to slide some 18´s on her and some chrome sidebars too.

If you weren’t doing this for a living what do you think you’d be up to and why?

Well when I left school I was going to go to college to do a B tech in construction. I went for my interview and everything and when I got home my old man sat me down and said do you really want to do that?

He warned me of the amount of work and said if I wanted a proper crack at trials then I needed to be on the bike all the time……… Needless to say it wasn’t a difficult decision for me to make and it was definitely the right one.

So I would have probably ended up being a hairy arsed builder who drinks 10 pints on a Friday.

Have you ever used your fame to pull?

Haha! Fame?? I wish! No not really I don’t like to shout it from the rooftops, although I might get a few messages on Facebook now and again off a princess or two……I don’t mind that!

You’re invisible for the day – what goes down?

Hmmmmm…Arabella Drummond…Enough said. haha!

What is the best thing since sliced bread?

Tea and Biscuits, but it’s gotta’ be Yorkshire Tea.

Any thanks to anyone?

Massive thanks to you Guys for keeping me looking dapper in Fly53 threads. Top Trial Team, Beta Racing, Beta UK, RC Marble ltd, My biggest thanks goes to my mum, dad, sister Brooke and all the rest of my family and friends for the support, love you all!

Posted on: January 30, 2013

One of the most hilarious people to work with ever, American Singer Sean Tillmann is best known for his presence in the UK Indie, rock, dance and R&B scene as alter ego Har Mar Superstar.

A character who’s mannorisms and look are uncannily similar to that of world renound porn star Ron Jeremy is gaurenteed to get you rolling around on the floor laughing mainly because he’s round, often performs nearly naked and is one sexual hunk of man (Yeah we went there – what of it?).

Naturally when the opportunity arouse to meet him back in 2006 we wern’t going to miss it, we hailed the nearest cab and were on our way to have a good old rub of that infamous love rug. Don’t ever tell us we don’t treat you.

The other legend in this photo from the vault is none other than American hip hop producer and musician Boom Bip. His music is mostly instrumental but throughout his career spanning over a decade, he has collaborated with several vocalists.

His style has become infamous for being both Exhilarating and exasperating combining a range of styles and like us, never afraid to raise a few eyebrows he plays havoc with any attempt to contain or define him. Leaving no one quite knowing what he’s all about.

Posted on: December 31, 2012

When it comes to talent this guy has it in Bucket loads. Long term friend of Fly53 (mostly because he’s been blowing our minds since we first met him back in the day), Magic Al has accompanied us to office parties, student events and product launches over the years and has never failed to have the crowd and us absolutely stunned.

Starting out in close up magic at the age of just 7 and going pro at 18, Al has nearly ten years experience of performing magic all over the UK. His freestyle approach is visual and shocking and creates an intense buzz like no other performers we know.

Check out the latest video of Al (literally) working his magic whilst repping a little Fly53 – Naturally.

Posted on: December 21, 2012

Just stumbled across this little beauty from our big old bank of artists we’ve worked with over the years. Scottish, 2007 Mercury prize nominees, indie rock band, The View.

Their sound, which incorporates a wealth of styles including punk, pop, alternative rock, powerpop, and folk was a hit from day one and their debut album ‘Hats Off To The Buskers,’ released back in January 2007 shot to number one in the UK Album Chart the week of it’s release.

Riding a wave of popularity which started in the mid-noughties and saw a boom in young, working class bands writing straightforward songs with catchy choruses. Their style at their peek was reminiscent of The Enemy, The Fratellies and The Pigeon Detectives which we’d fallen in love with five or six years earlier, and best of all they were even more interesting and gave even less of a fuck about us, you and the world.

Heres a shot from our day of hanging out with them. Ah it’s hard work right – but someones got to do it.

Posted on: December 18, 2012

This week after another long hard dig through our computer’s memory bank we’ve dug out this little beauty. One of South London’s favorite Hip-Hop rappers Rodney Hylton Smith first caught our attention back in 1994 (the same year Fly53 was conceived) as part of IQ Procedure, through Suburban Base’s (short lived) Hip-Hop imprint, Bluntly Speaking Vinyl.

In the same year he bounced onto our radar he also flew into the spotlight under new stage name roots Manuva on Blak Twang’s ‘Queens Head’ single before shortly after releasing his own first single, ‘Next Type of Motion.’

Nearly 20 years later and this lyrical G’s still big in the game. Performing his famous beats with that uniquely warm, recognizable voice at festivals up and down the country.

The reason for his lengthy reign? Part raw talent, part being an absolute pleasure to work with and part those distinctly British lyrics with references to cheese on toast and drinking bitter (yeah we know you love it). Oh and of course more sick collaborations than we thought humanly possible including hook ups with the likes of (cool as fuck) Charli 2na, DJ Shadow, Mr Scruff, Nightmares on Wax, U.N.K.L.E. and believe us the list goes on, impressive or what?

Heres a little trip down memory lane to remind you why we love him. Three words. Play. It. Loud.

Posted on: December 11, 2012

This week we hooked up with latest epic bundle of talent to hail from Brum – Jamie, Nick, James and Daniel aka The Traps. With their new single having just dropped and being big fans of it ourselves, we thought it was high time we caught up with the guys on everything from what they’ve been up to recently to how they came up with the idea for their new video.

We predict big things for this amazing 4 piece so get behind them and keep it locked.

1. Hi Guys, So fill us in on what you’ve been up to recently?

Hi, we’ve been recording an album and releasing a couple of singles. The album ‘Calypso’ is going to be out at the start of next year.

2. Explain to us how you came to be The Traps, have you known each other forever or is playing as a band a relatively new thing for you?

We’ve known each other forever, we met in German lessons, through the same guitar teacher and from having the same parents. All of those apply to different members of the band but the crux of it is, we’ve known each other and played music together for a long time.

3. Describe your sound in 5 words?

Big, energetic, fist pumping tunes

4. You’re second single ‘Moving Pictures’ was released to the world last week (November 19^th) What’s the inspiration behind the track and what’s the reaction to it been like?

The reaction has been great so far. The song and the whole album is inspired by the character of Calypso from the Odyssey and her character’s flaws and traits.

5. We’re big fans of the video – How did you come up with the idea for it?

Before starting work on the videos for both Moving Pictures and Your Headland, we decided that, as this would be most people’s first introduction to the band and the material from our debut album, that we wanted to try and show subtle tones in the imagery we used to get across the theme of the record.

Then hopefully by the time the album comes out next year people will already be familiar with who The Traps are and what the album ‘Calypso’ is about, hence the inclusion of the image in the picture frame. Our bass player Nick worked with a good friend and skater of ours Benni Hughes and together they shot, created and edited the video. We wanted something that was fast moving/high tempo but had a good mix of dulcet tones that supported the track and its dynamic changes and I think we got that.

6. What gets you up in the morning the music, the money or the women?

It’s an easy question to answer as the latter two are still eluding us but of course it’s the music. We’ve known each other a long time and still, making music in The Traps is the most creative and enjoyable thing any of us have done with our lives.

7. Difficult question we know but hit us up with the best gig you’ve ever played and why?

We played at Exit Festival in Serbia, in front of a nuts crowd and the gig was projected onto the side of Petravardian fortress I’d say that was the best show. We also played in New York too which was obviously great and once shared a plate of sandwiches with Leona Lewis and Little Chris backstage.

8. You’re invisible for the day – what goes down?

We find Leona Lewis and Little Chris and relive that sandwich moment, only they wouldn’t know we were there, or where all the sandwiches kept going. Otherwise, the usual sinister stuff.

9. What kind of /Who’s music do you listen to when you’re getting ready for a gig?

Television – Marquee Moon. At the moment we’re playing the new Tame Impala, Grizzly Bear, and Efterklang alot.

10. Give us a cheeky insight into plans for 2013?

An album release, a single in January ‘Calypso’ and as many shows as we can muster.

11. Any thanks to anyone?

Just to Leona and Chris for the memories and above all to Fly53 of course.

Check out their new single, ‘Moving Pictures,’ right here right now. With one condition – Kick back and turn it up loud.

Posted on: December 10, 2012

We’ve been hooking up and swaping clothes for beats with this guy since back in 2006 when he stared making a massive name for himself as a host and MC in both drum & bass and dubstep circles.

Regularly working alongside DJ Die, Skream, Benga, Redlight, Pinch and Kutz at their own request, as well as frequent sets at the UK’s top club nights including Fabric, Detonate, Bedlam and Run, Dread’s is now a household name, and if you’re throwing a party it’s more than likely he’s gunna be on your ‘to call’ list.

This week we caught up with the man himself after playing at the Redbull Culture Clash, held in Wembley Arena and featuring all the hottest names in music right now including the likes of Disclosure, Rudimental, Redlight, Ms Dynamite and Katy B but to name a few.

If you missed this one, don’t run home crying to your mum you can catch Dread at the dates below.

29 Nov O2 Academy – Glasgow

30th Nov Warehouse Project – Manchester

1st Dec O2 Academy – Bournemouth

6th Dec Subzero – Colchester

7th Dec Fabric – London

8th Dec Talk – Southend

14th Dec – Smack – Lemington Spa

21st Dec – Death of Planet Earth DOPE – Kent

31st Dec- Chibuku – Liverpool

31st – Warehouse Project – Manchester

31st – Urban Nerds – London

A big thank-you to Justin De Souza for providing the amazing photography for this article Check out more photos from the night over on www.freshtodeath.com link.

Posted on: December 4, 2012

After another weekly rummage through our wealth of golden oldies from back in the day and we stumbled across this little beauty from Fly53 HQ.

We probably don’t need to explain whose in this one as it’s more than likely you’ve seen Ilirjana Alushaj around. Often described as a, ‘one girl revolution,’ not only is she a regular fashion blogger, she also runs her own magazine, record label and still finds the time to be a member of three (yes three) different bands (and we thought we were busy).

Beautiful, tall, commanding and powerful this woman is a striking Australian-raised, Brooklyn-based creative powerhouse who boasts the most exotic name in indie music. And hurr she is Rocking Fly53 threads (we’re calling our mothers to tell them we’ve made it).

To top it all off, take a peek at who took the photo.

Posted on: November 27, 2012

When it comes to music theres not many brands out there that can rival our rich and extensive history of working with the most credible artists on the music scene (even if we do say so ourselves). Which is why, much like a proud father sharing photographs of his son we’re decided to share our Plethora of coolness with you, right here, every week.

This week, we didn’t have to look far to come across yet another exciting name we swapped clothes for free beats with back in the day. Recognise these faces?

Of course you do. LA born rock band – 30 Seconds to Mars aka Jared, Shannon, Tomo remain way up there on our list of favourite bands over the years and heres why.

Describing their vibe is a pretty hefty challenge purely because it’s so experimental and so diverse it almost needs a new category all of it’s own. Associated mostly with neo-prog, progressive metal and post-grunge, over the years the guys have also been known for including elements of emo, screamo, space rock and even synthrock into their music, earning them comparisons to the likes of Pink Floyd (who infamously influenced their work) and Tool (because of their use of philosophical lyrics in a variety of experimental music).

All round rockers, not only is their music utterly unique their really nice guys too which is always a bonus. Who wants to share a beer with a wanker right?

Posted on: November 22, 2012