thedeadaredyingofthirst

Out of the dark to a new dawn

2011-02-25T12:09:00.000-08:00

After a year of no posts I'd say most of you had figured this blog was dead, well, it is.... but!
I am almost ready to launch my new site, so in a couplea months time head over to www.mickeysmith.co.uk and if you like what you see, sign up to the site blog under the title, FRONT.
Cheers y'all, its been beautiful
xxx

Jigs birthday clip

2010-05-20T15:03:00.000-07:00

Jack jig Johns is a brother of mine, it was his birthday yesterday and Gul wetsuits and Willy decided to post a clip to celebrate it. Enjoy!

GUL presents Jack Johns from allan wilson on Vimeo.

Arnie hilarity

2010-05-19T13:50:00.000-07:00

Somewhat bizarre, but pretty damn funny!

Emperors new clothes

2010-05-12T03:39:00.000-07:00

"The only man who behaves sensibly is my tailor; he takes my measurements anew every time he sees me, while all the rest go on with their old measurements and expect me to fit them." With that in mind, scope Cedric Delsaux's 'The Dark lens' collection... brilliant

Barnstormer

2010-05-12T02:53:00.000-07:00

THRASH'D - South Coast Highlights HD from Todd Barnes on Vimeo.

More gold from the good General Barnes...

The temple sessions

2010-05-06T03:35:00.000-07:00

I've spent the last week in temple studios with STRAYS laying down 8 tracks for our first record. It was a pretty full on experience but it was challenging and fulfilling. We were trying to nail a full track per day, and our producer Craig was only accepting full live individual takes - no overdubs or drop ins to fix dodgy playing allowed - you had to play your part start to finish, and if you weren't happy with your take, you had to go again from the start til you nailed it. It was frustrating but creatively inspiring, and it all added up to 15 hours days of intensity, starting at 11am and finishing around 2 or 3am, only to get up and get straight back on it in a few hours. We finished up the week with a gig at the Night and Day, and now I cant wait to hear the first mixes of what we've put down. It honestly felt like we were working on something really special and I hope it sounds that way to. Here's some photos from the week, studio shots from me and Allan Wilson, and gig shots from Rivie Verran. Willys going to cut a vid clip of his temple time with us soon to. Yeeharrrr...

Paintin away

2010-04-23T06:18:00.000-07:00

Been busy paintin the inside of our house white the last few days. Also been paintin the inside of a little gallery space in Lahinch Johnny Mac is letting us use for the Summer, legend. More on that soon...

Canarias

2010-04-21T15:56:00.000-07:00

I miss going to these amazin islands, haven't been there in to long, next winter maybe...

Save the Whales

2010-04-21T00:45:00.000-07:00

It's hard to believe now but 40 years ago many species of whales were on the brink of extinction. Thanks to the hard work of the environmental movement commercial whaling was for the most part banned worldwide in 1986. Whats even harder to believe however, is that this week governments around the world are deciding wether to lift the ban and allow the mass slaughter of whales again. Sign the petition here to say NO

Nuit Blanche

2010-04-20T02:51:00.000-07:00

This is pretty amazing...

Nuit Blanche from Spy Films on Vimeo.

So's the making of...

Making Of Nuit Blanche from Spy Films on Vimeo.

Summers come early

2010-04-18T16:58:00.000-07:00

Despite the volcanic activity to the North and snow in Scotland, the last week has been some of the most chilled out warm weather I can remember here in Ireland. To stay productive, a couplea nights ago the ever keen Ferg decided to grab a longboard and paddle 20 odd k's down the coast. Me and Wilbot joined him for the cliff lined part of the cruise, on a ski mind. It was so surreal under those prehistoric looking monoliths man. Still and eerie, no real swell, the clearest water, spooky caves, thousands of weird birds, and even a few oversized dolphins. It was a pretty special evenin...

Slow shutter Polaroids from Strays gig

2010-04-17T12:06:00.000-07:00

Sound checks are boring, Polaroids pass the time nicely, Strays sound check at Sound Control.

Impossible Project

2010-04-15T15:59:00.000-07:00

These guys have been busy resurrecting instant film from the grave and have finally created their own tasty looking monochrome gear for us to play with. Go buy!

Henry Valentine Miller

2010-04-15T15:47:00.000-07:00

Came across this piece of writing today and thought it was pretty dialled...

"Example moves the world more than doctrine. Every man has his own destiny: the only imperative is to follow it, to accept it, no matter where it leads him.

Art is only a means to life, to the life more abundant. It is not in itself the life more abundant. It merely points the way, something which is overlooked not only by the public, but very often by the artist himself. In becoming an end it defeats itself.

Develop an interest in life as you see it; the people, things, literature, music – the world is so rich, simply throbbing with rich treasures, beautiful souls and interesting people. Forget yourself.

In the attempt to defeat death man has been inevitably obliged to defeat life, for the two are inextricably related. Life moves on to death, and to deny one is to deny the other.

One of the reasons why so few of us ever act, instead of react, is because we are continually stifling our deepest impulses. All that matters is that the miraculous become the norm.

Imagination is the voice of daring. If there is anything Godlike about God it is that. He dared to imagine everything. "

Henry Valentine Miller (26 December 1891 – 7 June 1980)

STRAYS

2010-04-14T15:52:00.000-07:00

Spent last weekend in Manchester and played a wicked gig with Strays at Sound Control, a pretty shmick as club with a mad sound rig. Here's a couplea shots from the show courtesy of Rivie Verran. We're recording our first album through the end of April and playing the Night and Day in Manchester's northern quarter on May 2nd for the Maps festival, so if you're up north and up for it, come on down!

This is Spar Ta

2010-04-14T02:53:00.000-07:00

A friend of a friend created this funny mini series based on the lives of Derek and Jeffery, two everyday cats who lose the plot and become Leonidis and Artemis from Sparta. Class!

Mr Toledano

2010-04-01T04:43:00.000-07:00

Really like this guys documentary stuff and his site works really well as a vehicle for his gear...

Hiding from comfort

2010-04-01T03:33:00.000-07:00

Mitch's new film looks set to blow minds...

Hiding From Comfort Trailer from mitchrawlins.com on Vimeo.

Marion

2010-03-31T11:17:00.000-07:00

Marion were an incredible band back in the day, destined for some pretty big things until the ol' golden brown messed things up. Anyways, a few years back they reformed for a comeback tour. As my mates Nat and Jack were filling in on guitar and drums, I ended up taggin along for a couple of gigs. I remember being so blown away by singer Jamie Hardings voice and presence onstage during those nights. There was some special quality in amongst it all you just don't get to see very often. The other day I found these shots of him in my library, and as a little tribute, I thought I'd share 'em... There's a 1996 video clip for their first single below as well...enjoy...

Le Boogie 3

2010-03-29T01:53:00.000-07:00

Le Boogie issue 3 has finally arrived, and in there amongst all the rad photographs you can handle is a spread featuring none other than our own King of Dublin, Tommy Gillespie, doing what he does best. Send her on shamburrrrrrts and scope it HERE!

le BOOGIE issue 3 from Phil Gallagher on Vimeo.

Windy

2010-03-28T14:22:00.000-07:00

One day last month, despite a fun lookin swell, the wind blew so strong offshore I couldn't surf. I'd never really experienced that before. This is that day getting away...

Cover'o Carve

2010-03-24T07:45:00.000-07:00

A new era of Carve mag has just been launched, with Roger Sharp taking charge as editor, and Ferg fronting this first issue of the revamped zine with a perfect one out the 'leen. I'm stoked on how the shot turned out and I'm looking forward to seeing it in print lads!

Surfing World Cover

2010-03-16T16:01:00.000-07:00

Legendary Australian mag Surfing World have done us proud by running a classic shot of Ferg at home on the cover of their latest issue. Absolutely buzzing man. SW is one of the few surf publications consistently prioritising top notch photography, design and written content. So for me it's a real honour to front their mag, and it kinda feels pretty good that this all came about just doing what me and that humble Irish brother of mine like to do at our favourite wave in the world, push ourselves and have fun, cameras or no cameras. Stoked. Thanks lads.

An Ode to Winter

2010-03-15T07:40:00.000-07:00

While the sun has made a cheery appearance the last few weeks, and everything and everyone seems to be bright and shiny with the promise of spring, I for one am already mourning the passing of the dark months. Winter is, without a doubt, my favorite time of year. I love it and I'm feeling pretty sad now. Seasonal Affective Disorder is defined as the Winter Blues. Well reverse that for me. I miss brutal cold, endless giant aggro swells, hectic missions, short days, long nights, purpose and the promise of tomorrow. So here's a few from those happy months to say cheers to the deep freeze. What a season...

Hard days night

2010-03-15T03:05:00.000-07:00

Wilbot after a hard days documentation in the drink

Split the Peak

2010-03-14T10:50:00.000-07:00

You want the brown or the green?

Wilbot

2010-03-11T10:40:00.000-08:00

Willy's been a busy bot since he turned up in Ireland, this is one of a series of clips he's cutting for one of Fergs sponsors this Winter...

Fergal Smith - February from Astray Films on Vimeo.

Tow jam

2010-03-08T11:16:00.000-08:00

Am currently redoing my site and as a result have to go through my library and get it all in order. Was going through some old shots and came across this rainy afternoon tow out session with Griz, Jake and Pencil. Lads were going bonkers. Rad...

Frabjous Day

2010-03-07T03:51:00.000-08:00

Went to see Alice in Wonderland in 3D last night, blew my mind.

The film also lit up memories of my favourite poem as a kid,

The JABBERWOCKY.

`Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe:
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe.

"Beware the Jabberwock, my son!
The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!
Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun
The frumious Bandersnatch!"

He took his vorpal sword in hand:
Long time the manxome foe he sought --
So rested he by the Tumtum tree,
And stood awhile in thought.

And, as in uffish thought he stood,
The Jabberwock, with eyes of flame,
Came whiffling through the tulgey wood,
And burbled as it came!

One, two! One, two! And through and through
The vorpal blade went snicker-snack!
He left it dead, and with its head
He went galumphing back.

"And, has thou slain the Jabberwock?
Come to my arms, my beamish boy!
O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!'
He chortled in his joy.

`Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe:
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe.

Boogtique

2010-03-06T00:32:00.000-08:00

BOOGTIQUE is open for business, with threads, gadgets, foam, fins and some flashy prints from yours truly. Go purchace!

BoogTique NOW OPEN from Jack Johns on Vimeo.

Old Pards Party

2010-03-04T02:17:00.000-08:00

I stormed into my 30th year in this existence last week. To celebrate we went surfing. Then we had an old pards weekend. It was class drinking, dressing up, and shaking my old bones with laughter at my ol' pard mates. Here's some memoirs...

Koots bares all...along with 4999 others

2010-03-02T00:38:00.000-08:00

Hairy all round legend and our brother on the southern continent, James 'Koots' Kaylee recently stripped along with 4999 Australians for Spencer Tunicks latest photo shoot, all in the name of art. Read on Here its a pretty interesting interview with the ol' kootysnatcher, here's a quote...

What will you take away from this experience?
The idea that everyone is equal. No one is better than anyone for any reason it's an even playing ground for everyone - gay, straight, black, white, male, female, fat, skinny - everyone was cool with each other. It's not like a music festival where everyone is judging each other and you can label people by what they're wearing.

Koots also put pen to paper for the latest issue of Riptide magazine, documenting his Autumn stay with us whilst visiting his long lost relatives here in Ireland. Have a quick squiz on the Riptide site Here...

Thrash'd

2010-02-22T05:02:00.001-08:00

Professor Barnestroms latest creation, covermounted on the March issue of Movement mag, owww!

THRASH'D Teaser from Todd Barnes on Vimeo.

Robin Hood

2010-02-20T02:41:00.000-08:00

Sign the petition for a small Robin Hood tax on the mad profits of international banks to raise money for the NHS and tackling poverty HERE

Kerry Skarbakka

2010-02-15T11:31:00.000-08:00

This guys photos are pretty interesting. From what I can gather, he sets up a composition, then sets himself up for an almighty fall of a self portrait. Pretty rad...Have a look at his site HERE

Skateistan

2010-02-15T10:52:00.000-08:00

This project is a pretty incredible idea. "Skateistan is Afghanistan’s first skateboarding school dedicated to teaching both male and female students. We aim to build indoor and outdoor skateboarding facilities on which Afghan youth can come together to skateboard: here, they forge bonds that transcend social barriers; here, they’re enabled to affect change on issues important to them." Have a look at the Skateistan SITE and the clip below,
and if you feel stoked, maybe even donate a little here

The Weird Intensity of February at the 'Leen

2010-02-11T01:59:00.000-08:00

Ireland is usually the most unpredictable place in the world. Weather fronts come and go in a matter of hours, and you never seem to really know what the winds doing, or when the swell might pulse.

A run of decent waves is such a rarity at times as a result. Most of the time it's more like constantly trying to snag random sessions between psychotic weather fronts.

The weirdest thing is, for the last four years, (that's for sure at least - it might even be longer - or we just might have been real lucky these last few years) - a mad run of massive swell and freezing offshores has kicked into gear at the start of February.

I always seem to end up out at Aileens at the peak of the swell. It's the only roughly recurring pattern I've noticed during my whole time out in the waves over here. Everything else has been utter chaos.

True to form, the last ten days we've experienced an intense run of thumping swell and offshores here.

Heres a brief snapshot of the last four years of February swells through my lenses...

2007... Mackin Aileens for ten days. Shots are from the first session of the swell, with Tom DH, Skindog, and Piz 'avin a dig.

2008... Giant Aileens on steroids, just about handling on the first day of the swell. Tom DH, Steve Thomas, Mole and Skindog towing. The swell cranked for a week, five days later I broke my arm surfing Bumbaloid.

2009... One of the most incredible sessions I've seen at the 'Leen. Ferg, Johnny Mac, Tom DH, Greg Long, Twiggy and Sundoran Gillespie. Massive caves in a nasty Nor'east devil wind. The waves pumped for almost two weeks straight either side of this sesh up and down the country.

2010... Ten days of heaving swell and offshores. An almighty couple'a sessions at the 'Leen. Some of the best tuberides I've seen go down out there. All the boys 'avin a dig. Here's a taster of the few that weren't hollow and one of the many that got away...

The Ferg in ASL

2010-02-10T01:32:00.000-08:00

Me and the Ferg, george and pedro, a long day at sea and a spread in ASL...

This is pretty rad

2010-02-10T01:28:00.001-08:00

Rad super slo mo clip, must be like 500fps, tasty.

Black Holes

2010-02-05T14:25:00.000-08:00

Today, I've mostly been looking at holes in the ocean...

Mutant Onions

2010-02-03T15:22:00.000-08:00

savvy...

Well done lads

2010-02-03T03:00:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to congratulate our brothers Greg Long And Anthony Walsh for doing so well in Hawaii this year. Greg took out the Eddie and Walshy just got second at Pipe to Jamie O'brien. Get on lads!

Plucka

2010-02-02T03:49:00.000-08:00

Heydon 'Plucka' Bunting was one of my favourite riders to watch as a kid. I was buzzing to see this clip of him still shredding and havin fun, no matter what waveriding vehicle he's riding. Like he says, as a grom, you just want to have a go on every ride in the park... Legend...

Heydon Bunting Sequence: From Seaworthy from Nathan Oldfield on Vimeo.

Cold is the Water

2010-02-02T00:11:00.000-08:00

The past couple of weeks have been pretty much full time salt duty at home in Ireland. At one point we were getting amongst solid waves twice a day for a full week. Might not sound like much, but when the wind chills in the minus's and the mizzle forces every last layer of warmth out of you, it takes a fair bit of mental strength to stay motivated at times. Up in the dark, home in the dark. A few hours sleep to thaw out, on it again. That's Winter for you. We've had welcome visits from psyched brothers such as Igor Harris and Patch Wilson to keep the amp factor cranked up a notch though. Bombie missions out to sea, lost in freezing fog, pumping Aileens, awkward Rileys, howling winds and still water, drunk late nights into first light bombs, we've seen a fair bit of action, lucky lads that we are. Long may it continue! Heres a few...

sonic youth

2010-02-01T06:20:00.000-08:00

Classic bizarre Sonic Youth...

Mutineering

2010-01-31T05:35:00.000-08:00

Went to watch Mutineers play Love Riot on Friday night. Was a rockin set. The lads even called me up out the crowd for guitar duty on their last tune Hyde Road. It was pretty hilarious, quite enjoyed playing a Les Paul for once though. Here's a couplea shots from the combined skills of Ally Sopp and the Wilbot.

Black Hearted Love

2010-01-28T11:46:00.000-08:00

My blackened heart loves this song and this video...

Big daddy K

2010-01-28T03:34:00.000-08:00

Kirstin Prisk or Big Daddy K. Whatever you may or may not know him as, take my word for it, the man is big, not yet a daddy, one of the funniest humans alive when he's in the mood, and generally an absolute legend. Here's a rad clip of him getting tweaked on the knee with a go pro rig. I feel dizzy, top...

Dropknee Gopro surf hero HD from Kirstin Prisk on Vimeo.

Astray...again

2010-01-25T01:49:00.000-08:00

Last weekend I travelled to Manchester for some studio time with Strays. We laid down the first song of our album, wrote three newy's, and mighty fun was had by all. I also found out one of my best mates Iwan Gronow was getting married. As he just bought a house we christened it properly. Heres a few shots from another lost weekend in mancville...plus a little clip of Nat laying down his slide part for 'Outsiders'.

Brother on the slide from mickey smith on Vimeo.

Back in Action...almost

2010-01-22T00:08:00.000-08:00

We've had three mad days of heavy salt this week. I tried to shake off my dopey xmas hangover and document them, but...

I fell over and broke my housing on the way out to Aileens. I patched it up with blue tac, went out anyway and hoped for the best.

I developed a love for speed blurs. Most of them are shit in the cold light of day.

We almost drowned Fergs landrover on a slipway swamped with surge. We put some nice big dents in our ski instead of ditching the rove.

Stef got in a fight with the reef at Rileys. He now has a crab claw.

Willy got lumbered with a ski in the lineup at 20ft Aileens. He'd never driven one before.

I almost drowned in the foam of doom, twice. It's the first time I've panicked in the sea since I can remember.

Maybe I'm getting old. I still thoroughly enjoyed it all however, so probably not.

Hopefully shot some decent gear for the mags either way, because, like everyone else, I'm SKINT!

Here's some I might not submit...

Big Dav Transcends Mount Doom

2010-01-15T04:58:00.000-08:00

Heading home from the waves down south yesterday my pocket buzzed and I left one eyeball on the road so t'other could read a text from brother Wilbur. The lad needed collecting, he'd just arrived at Shannon airport. Without thinking I started drawing what I thought would be the straightest route from me to him. Up through the hills. Follow the trusty nose into the wilderness. I love these little missions. After a half hour or so of climbing though, the road began to get pretty damn icy. I kept plodding along in my old transit van Big Dav, but soon enough I was skidding left right and centre as the lane I was negotiating became more of a runway into the abyss. There was no way to stop, no way to go back. Braking was certain doom. The only thing keeping me going forward was momentum and a little acceleration. I pressed on for sometime by the skin of my plums, but eventually of course, I slid miserably into a hedge. It was pitch black. Freezing cold. I had no phone reception. I had no idea where I was. Suddenly out of the pine trees comes a wild lookin old geez carrying a chain saw. I kid you not, for a second I thought I was done. After we'd established he didn't want to hack me into pieces though, dude turned out to be a quality ol' pard. He advised me to keep going. It was ten miles or so to safety, heading back would be worse. I hiked a little higher to reception and phoned the boys. Come save me brothers. Half an hour later they tracked me down. Ferg, Lowey and Patch armed with Relentless landrover. Sigh of relief. Thank fuck for friends. Little did we know the journey was just beginning. It took us 3 hours to crawl ten miles across the thickest blue ice I've seen on a road. You couldn't even stand on it. Draggin Big dav up hills, then lowering him precariously down the other side became standard procedure. Of course it went tits up plenty of times, and we hedged Dav more than thrice, almost sending him to his doom at one point. We almost left Dav to weather the deep freeze. In the end though, Fergs drivin, Patches knot tying, Loweys man strength, and my determined cackle's got us through to the other side. Now Wilburs safe and settled in Moybeg, and we have an epic memory of a not so standard airport run. Gotta love the unexpected. Thanks fellas.

Snow Virgins

2010-01-12T14:46:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was one of the funniest days I've had in a long time, so I cut a clip to celebrate. This is what happens when 24 hours worth of snow falls on a town whose inhabitants rarely get to see it, let alone roll around in white powder all day. Work goes out the window, driving down the lane becomes lethal, big hills become mountains, said mountains are scaled, and a complete lack of snow riding experience is overcome by the kid inside us all. Thanks to Ferg, Pete, Rivie, Aisleen, Hugo, Stef, Mel, Robin, George and Steve for a classic adventure... Happiness is a snowball and a pair of frozen wet socks...

Snow Virgins from mickey smith on Vimeo.

WILBURRRR

2010-01-10T13:28:00.000-08:00

Brother and co conspirator on many an off the wall adventure, Allan 'Willy' Wilson arrives in Ireland next week. I'm looking forward to frozen hang time with the ol dog as well as gettin stuck into work on some quirky projects with him. Heres a couplea edits Wilbur recently put together from our stint filming in Tahiti last Summer, and his Winter in Australia around the same time...

Lime juice and the sea! from allan wilson on Vimeo.

Time to Go in the SEA! from allan wilson on Vimeo.

Le boogie Le iphone

2010-01-10T02:09:00.000-08:00

Me ol' pard Phil Toinzy Gallagher has done it again with a Bboard industry first, an iphone/ipod touch application for Le Boogie magazine. He's even giving away the app and the first issue of the mag for free at the minute, so go get yourself a copy here, and watch the clip below to see Toinz unveil his silky smooth application and even smoother chest to the world.

le BOOGIE iphone application from Phil Gallagher on Vimeo.

Crooked contrast

2010-01-09T07:52:00.000-08:00

Two interesting clips, Nirvana scaring the living daylights out of the Jonathon Ross show circa '91, and Them Crooked Vultures on the same show 2009. Dave Grohl, geez still pushing it through all those years in between.

icy world

2010-01-07T13:20:00.000-08:00

ice on the road ice in my eyes ice in the air ice in my pipes ice on my mind...frozen water, seems like its engulfed the northern hemisphere. here's some shots out amongst the ice en route to crab iceland today...

Heaven Can Wait

2010-01-07T01:49:00.000-08:00

Top music video for Beck and Charlotte Gainsbourg by Keith Schofield, watch HERE

Black Sabbath 1970

2010-01-04T15:13:00.000-08:00

Been going through a bit of a Sabbath stage for the 1000th time since I was born and thought I'd share this clip of them in their prime. Hold on through them pissing about setting up for a full blast version of Paranoid. Imagine what they sounded like live back in 1970, coming down from flower power into chaos. Rad. Ladies and gents, the mighty Black Sabbath.

Jive talkin

2010-01-04T11:22:00.000-08:00

Watchin this underground cat named 'Zancudo' from El Salvador throw down his own tweak on riding a bodyboard in little waves resurrected wicked memories of hilarious summer stand-up-boogs sessions past. You wouldn't believe how fun it is, or how tricky. Goes to show, whatever you're floatin on, whatever the waves are like, if you're laughin, your doin better than most, and this lad looks like he's havin a grand ol time jivin in his own way... Here's the clip, and below it, a shot of Brendo rockin the stand up boogs love at chopes for the hell of it to...

CLIMBING ZION

2010-01-04T03:07:00.000-08:00

FEVER DREAM the musical from FLAMES YATES on Vimeo.
Ryan Maddog Mattick was one of my favourite bodyboarders to watch in heavy waves a couplea years ago, and probably still would be if he ever felt like pushing into a few. Presently though he's been pushing things behind the lense and on the design table instead, launching ZION wetsuits and filming for FEVER DREAM THE MUSICAL, the trailer for which is above, along with a reminder of some of my favourite vintage memories of Maddog on the boogs below...

Ending or beginning?

2009-12-26T05:15:00.000-08:00

2009, end of an era or the shape of things to come? Either way I feel pretty damn lucky, the last 365 were some of the very the best I've had. Psyched for a full blast future chasing more of the same. Here's some moments that defined 12 months of demented grinning for me...

An interview with the 'Doc'

2009-12-16T10:51:00.000-08:00

I picked up a call about a month ago from a really genuine geez named Doc from Oz. Turns out he runs the Riptide forum and he ended up conducting an interview with me, firing questions from him, Toinz and some other cats. They ended up writing some stuff that put a lump in this ol' pards gullet and some of the questions were interesting and humbling, and got me remembering once again, man, right now I'm one lucky geez to have lived this life and still be living this way... Here's the link to Doc's piece or here's the transcript below...

Sometimes you come up with someone to interview and there’s an ‘aura’ of talent around them that makes you feel very bloody humble. Sometimes in these situations my own words aren’t enough, so I’m going to default to something Phil Gallagher wrote privately when he knew I was interviewing Mickey. Not intended for publication, I’ve checked with Toinzy and he is cool to share them here. Their power is in this simple and honest expression of respect between mates.

Phil Gallagher:
“I have known Mickey for nearly 10 years, I even sold him one of his first camera housings so he could mess around with his fisheye. In that time he has made the transition from film maker to photographer to musician and is a master to all of the previous talents listed. I was recently talking with a total stranger in the middle of the USA, and after some time we realized we were both talking about the same friend, Mickey of course. He is a great human and a true friend and his skills in what ever he chooses are always blowing people's minds.”

Doc: Mickey, how would you describe your working relationship with Toinzy?

MS: Me and Toinz have been crossing paths for a long time man, in my book the geez is an absolute leg-end. He always has been and continues to be a huge source of inspiration for me. I remember when I first started traveling with him, his work rate, commitment and consistency always went that much further than almost any other lensman. He knows what he can achieve with his talents, but also knows exactly where his role in the rider/photographer equation lies. In this game you see a fair few ‘photographers’ getting caught up in the scene and missing the point a lot of the time. Toinz has always worked a million miles away from that in a league of his own. His approach showed me what kind of commitment it takes to to make sure you’re there for the boys when they’re putting it all on the line. I don’t mean in mindless craziness or just through being ballsy when it’s heavy, I mean having the savvy, know how, preparation and experience to not f@k things up when it counts. Not for covers or any of that bollocks, but for the act itself, to bring home an incredible image from a unique moment in time. His work rate on trips can borderline obsessive at times. In a 3 hour session he will have nailed something insane from the water through three different lenses, nailed ten epic shots through the big lense, and a load of quirky lineups and pulled back gear through other lenses. All the while everyone else with a lense will still be left scratching their heads wondering why they missed that bomb two hours ago. So yeah, when I first started doing this full time, I learnt alot being around guys like Toinz. Everything he’s achieved with DLUX and now Le Boogie is still teaching and inspiring me loads. Outside of all that he is the funniest storyteller around, and somehow manages to end up in completely ridiculous situations on almost every trip, coming out the other end with yet another classic mad tale to tell. Like i said, an absolute geez.

Doc: Just to make this totally random, I’m going to ask our readers who have the internet capacity to go scope this free download of “Powers of Three” on MSW. This provides some great personal portraits of Mickey, and his mates Fergal Smith and Tom Lowe, then I’ll get on with the question stuff: The ‘Powers of Three’ movie download from MSW:
http://magicseaweed.com/Relentless-Powe ... #pageTitle

Doc: ‘Powers of Three’ begins with this Quote from Vincent Van Gogh:

“The Fishermen know that the sea is dangerous and the storm terrible, but they have never found these dangers sufficient reason for remaining ashore.”

Mickey, this quote has a fitting tone for you guys. Even on the phone in the West coast of Ireland you’re laid back, you just take things in your stride. Is that what appeals to you, the realness and simplicity of just getting on with things in big waves, just like the fishermen get on with what they need to do?

MS: I do like how everything gets simplified around the waves, so much work and focus goes in and everything else properly dissolves for those few hours. I like the trippy intensity of those rare days, preparing, getting there, floating around amongst big lumps, on isolated parts of the coast, having to laugh about things that can be pretty sketchy, feeling equally nervous and confident, usually being out of your personal league but getting on with it anyway, looking out for each other and coming out of it with something special, its always a pretty cool experience.

Doc: In an interview 6 years ago you said that your inspirations were - Earth, Positivity, imagination and simple acts of kindness and courage; and your hates were negativity, agro, and ego.

How relevant is this now and how much do you reckon this says about not only you as a person, but the art you present in photographic images and movies?

MS: I think its all pretty much still relevant. I’d probably add a bit more to my list of inspirations. I guess what it says about me and my work, is that I value life and the opportunities I have, and that I always want to keep learning from them and progressing, I never want to take anything for granted if I can help it.

Doc: Your first vid release was “Redefynd”. How far have things come?

MS: Hahaaa...classic mate! I guess things have come a pretty long way, I never thought I would be pulling a living together doing this back then, it was all just fun, dreams, and starting to realise I had a little bit of talent. I still feel like my motivations are coming from a similar place though, I find the same things interesting and inspiring. My work has just been refined and focused one hell of alot since, and I’m not so susceptible to other peoples opinions and direction, or to getting ripped off either. I understand my motivations, what I want to do and what I want out of things a little more now. Back then, I was just having fun and figuring things out as they happened. Actually I’m still doing that most of the time now, so maybe not that much has changed!

Doc: You and Tom were born in Cornwall and Fergal in Ireland, yet you all blend together so tightly and you have a real sense of home in Ireland itself. One of your recent vids was a short but powerful vimeo movie from Cornwall, “Home” http://www.vimeo.com/6778370 . What is it like travelling far and wide experiencing what most people would consider to be exotic locations, and then finally being able to settle back to the salt of your own waters?

MS: I think one thing that travelling reminds me personally is to try and appreciate not only where I’m from, but what’s around me, wherever I’m at. I’ve been lucky enough to have seen and experienced parts of the world, doing things and riding waves I only dreamed of as a kid. There’s still a huge world left to experience, but after spending a long time constantly on the road, I realised I was getting tired of chaos, and gravitating more and more towards places that felt homely, and home’s a feeling for me more than anything. For example, it’s easy to look at a country like Australia and think that it’s the best place for anyone to live in the world. You’d be pretty mental not to think that, because it probably is, and I love my stints in Oz. Back in the day I even quietly thought I’d try to move there permanently sometime, but now I think I realise that no matter how much I love being there, it doesn’t ‘feel’ like home. It feels like someone else’s home, and no matter how much time I spend there, I still feel like I’m a privileged guest each season. Its still rad visiting each year, but in Ireland and in Cornwall and a couple of other random places, I actually ‘feel’ like I’m at home, in myself, and that’s the difference I guess. I’ve been living here in Ireland the last 4 years now, bar trips to WA each Summer. Its the longest I’ve been in one place since i was 16, so that must stand for something.

Phil Gallagher has come on board and sent some questions through for you Mickey (thanks Toinzy). Here they are:

Phil G: How does a kid from Cornwall become a big wave guru when the UK’s really not that well known for the surfing side of things?

MS: Hahaa! I’d definitely not call myself a guru of any kind mate, I’m pretty much a muppet! As far as coming from the corn and getting comfier around bigger waves goes, all thats just about spending time in the ocean, in all sorts of situations and scenarios, and learning to understand them little by little I guess. Maybe coming from the UK I was lucky in a way. I’ve always been pretty open to learning something each and every session, never trying to be the best guy in the world, just wanting to get better on my own terms. When I travelled at first I was never expected to know anything or have any experience, which kind of takes the pressure off learning. In Oz people are expected to know everything about the ocean, which I guess could sometimes make it harder to actually learn. On the other hand, at times maybe being seen as a kook from the corn motivated me to work harder to, and I’ve also been lucky enough to spend alot of time around some incredibly talented watermen over the years, and their understanding has inevitably taught me a little to.

Phil G: Is the current swap over in the DSLR world with your cameras now being able to capture HD video footage a bit of a dilemma for you? Your two worlds are now colliding in your hands, or is it a sweet blessing for you and your camera bag?

MS: I think its nothing but a rad blessing if you can scrape the funds together! No more lugging two sets of equipment everywhere, footage with proper depth of field, a range of insane lenses to work with, no more burning coin on 30 seconds worth of expensive film stock, and higher quality photo’s thrown into the bargain to, insane!

Phil G: Is there any country you’re interested in travelling to for any reason but have yet to set foot in?

MS: I’d like to go to Antartica for a while and maybe find a perfect slab made out of ice.

Phil G: What's next for our vegan eating, pommie jive talkin, sharp shooter?

MS: Who knows brother! Defo still trying to make better films, trying to improve my photography, arguing with mags to up their game and pushing things musically with Strays http://www.myspace.com/straysuk

Doc: Mickey, on that note let’s head over to some music stuff mate. First let’s make sure the crew have seen the main” Lives of the Artists” clip:http://www.relentlessenergy.com/films/v ... er-gallows
Gallows lead singer Frank carter is a pretty loose fella, how would you describe him through the film?

MS: He probably seems pretty bonkers at first glance, but as the film unfolds you realise he’s just an intelligent geez, pushing himself as hard as he can to make his point about music and life.

Doc: Stu from Gallows contrasts “Orchestra of Wolves is more chaotic — a sporadic burst of anger and energy vs Grey Britain is a much more controlled beast.” Man, any form of control and Gallows just don’t seem to fit into the same sentence really – your thoughts Mickey? Haha

MS: Yeah they’re a pretty damn full blast live act man. We saw them at Reading festival this year, their set was finished, people were leaving and the drummer was still smashing things up on stage. They’re proper punks, and they really believe in what they’re doing, best of luck to ‘em.

FYI: The full version of “Lives of the Artists” has been released for free download courtesy of Relentless Energy. For an amazing cimematic documentary journey which will blow your mind and every emotional sense you have, put 80 minutes of your time aside, put your phone on silent and goto:
http://www.relentlessenergy.com/films/v ... he-artists

Doc: You’re a lead guitarist in your own band ”Strays” http://www.myspace.com/straysuk . How would you describe the general vibe you want to get across in your music?

MS: We want to push ourselves as hard as we can to write dark, intense, guitar driven, edgy rock’n roll music lead by epic, conscious vocals.

Doc: Boogs, one of our forum members riding some sick breaks down in the Phillip Island area of Victoria (along with his bro, mates and another bloke around the place ‘Swoodle’) said to me: “I reckon you've gotta ask him about shooting Iceland with Brandon Foster, the water temp, those photos of them climbing over glaciers and stuff is pretty insane...” so we’re askin’ ya Mickey…

MS: I love Iceland. It is bodyboard heaven. Crazy wedges, thick slabs, the maddest locations and proper isolation. Even the cold adds something special to the whole scenario. If you ever get the chance, go explore without hesitation.

Boogs again: I thought maybe one question could be "What's the craziest situation he's been in OUT of the water?"

MS: Ah man there’s alot of different tales i could tell here. Police chases across rooftops. Getting lost in mountain ranges. Escaping a gang of psychotic brazillian surfers baying for my blood. Theres to many tales to pick one but I’d say Hezzy jumping off a massive cliff onto rocks was one of the craziest though, it was all so hectic at the time, kids a legend.

Doc: Mickey, what does Bodyboarding mean to you?

MS: Therapy, happiness, gratitude, motivation and inspiration. It’s taught and given me pretty much everything.

Doc: your Blogspot is titled “The Dead Are Dying of Thirst” http://thedeadaredyingofthirst.blogspot.com/ How did your creative juices come up with this title mate?

MS: Well this might spin some folk out but I’ll try and explain anyway. I was up at Gnaraloo a couple of years ago, tripping out after a couple of months of desert time and reading ‘The Fight’ by the late great Norman Mailer, (a wicked read on the infamous Ali/Foreman Congo fight in ‘74). The first part of the book is called ‘the dead are dying of thirst’. It’s an old african saying that originates in Bantu philosophy. From what i can understand it sees each person as a unique vital force, and a karmic sum of all not only their past lives, but the forces of the living and the dead currently surrounding them. This force is called N’golo, and throughout life a person does his best to increase his N’golo - the amount of life inside him, in harmony with those forces acting upon him each day. If we are the sum of our own force, we are also subject to the forces of the dead - or the past. So we have to be bold enough to live through each day with all the forces at loose between the past and the present, and live responsibly despite our ‘thirst’ to increase our current life force through any means. I thought it was interesting, acknowledging that we’re constantly dealing and learning from the past we carry inside us, but are still trying to move forwards each day without letting that baggage from the past influence life negatively.

Doc: ~ Rohan Inglis on the Slut clothing website http://www.slutclothing.co.uk/sw_articles.asp?n_id=28 talks about one of the bigger shoots you worked on saying:

"It was pretty damn funny seeing the film crew out there, but definitely a bit worrying at times too. It was blatant they were all used to doing jobs on dry land. At one point they were casually taking turns in being sick over the edge of their boats, when only moments later, one of the biggest sets of the day came through, breaking out loads further than the rest, and making their life flash before their eyes for sure. I was sat real far out and just managed to paddle over the biggest one, but as I looked back I could see the same boat, loaded with six people and over £200K worth of equipment, scrambling on full throttle to the channel to avoid being completely smashed. Whilst at the same time Lowey came flying past on the ski, towing a slightly psychotic Fergal, who then somehow managed to hang on as he freefell over the ledge into one of the heaviest barrels yet to be ridden in the UK. Ferg and Tom have definitely got a screw loose, but in a good way. Amazing stuff to watch..”

The looseness just follows you Mickey – or maybe you follow it – how does the power of the ocean affect you personally?

MS: That shoot was a commercial for AIB bank in Ireland, and it was pretty interesting trying to organise and supervise people with no oceanic experience around big waves. Everyone pulled together and made it happen, but I did feel for the guys being sick and spinning out, it must have been terrifying for them being used to dry land then suddenly being on a boat around big waves with no understanding of them. I guess it just shows that as waveriders we get used to relaxing around the power of the ocean, but it’s never something you can take for granted, as it always has a surprise up its sleeve for even the most experienced geezers.

Doc: Lunas – here is the clip:
http://vimeo.com/7411153

That session is over 6 years ago now Mickey. What makes the clip for me is the hectic story you write underneath it. Two questions 1.How does it feel to be apart of iconic booger history? And 2. Going to waves like this breaks down psychological barriers for people – the barrier that these waves can actually be surfed. What feeling do you get when you crack a mean mother of a wave like this before anyone else?

MS: Being a part of that Lunas session, well I’m stoked to have been lucky enough to be there at all really, it was Kingy and Tobes rewriting the history books not me. What a pair of legends. Somehow I’ve been around quite a few epic moments in time and I just feel lucky to have been around and played a small role in the incredible feats guys like that have achieved. King and Tobes, Brendo and Crashy, Hughsey Chad and Mitch, Ben, Danny Wall, Lowey, Ferg, Morgo, Walshy, the Longs and Twig, the list goes on and so do the memories, they’re all legends I’m honoured to call friends. As for the feelings involved in pioneering different spots, when everything comes together it has to be one of the most exciting feelings of anticipation, nervousness and focus, dissolving into relief and stoke when it all goes right and works out well. It’s alot of work but there’s some incredible memories and experiences to be had out there.

Doc: The Analog Clothing site states:

“Fergal Smith, Tom Lowe and Mickey Smith are more than just athletes, they are Artists driven by obsession, and prepared to suffer and sacrifice in pursuit of their art

.”

and further in describing the West coast of Ireland:

“This is the place of choice for these Artists of the Oceans, those who will never choose the easy route. During winter, a small stretch of Atlantic-facing coastline provides an unpredictable selection of waves with the scale, power and weight that can comfortably compete with what the rest of the world has to offer. That they are named Aileen’s, Lauren’s, and Riley’s conceals their brutal nature behind a veil of charm.”

Artistry and brutality are rarely mentioned in the same paragraph, yet your work and attitude constantly interweave these concepts through your lenses and the music you choose to accompany your moving creations. Where do you see your life as an artist mastering his craft with such a brutal, yet beautiful, palette leading you?

MS: Well I dont know if I’d call myself an athlete or an artist, and i definitely haven’t mastered anything, I’m only just beginning to get somewhere near a level of competency that I’m comfortable with, but as long as I continue doing this for the right reasons I’m sure it’ll lead me wherever I’m supposed to end up, it’s been one helluva ride so far anyways.

Thanks so much for your time and all you have given Mickey.

Thank you for taking the time to interview me Doc, legend pard.

To be visually blown away, be sure to go to Mickey’s website:
http://www.mickeysmith.co.uk/

While this interview has been underway, “From Shadows” DVD has been released for sale through the UK’s majicseaweed site. Sick trailer and purchase details are available at:
http://store.magicseaweed.com/From-Shad ... Item/2756/

Also check out Mickey's mate Fergal Smith's site http://www.fergalsmith.com/home.html and when you are there mouse over the little pic frame hanging from the rafter for some epic travel photos filled with mood.

Tickets selling out fast

2009-12-16T04:13:00.000-08:00

Tickets for FROM SHADOWS tomorrow night are selling out fast. Get onto it now to book yourself a seat for two mad films, some massive beats and a full blast headline performance from STRAYS.

Available from ATTLA in Truro, ACADEMY in St Ives, GRIP in Helston, LEVEL in Falmouth, SOUTH SHORE in Penzance or online at http://www.slutclothing.co.uk/tickets

FROM SHADOWS and LIVES South West premiere with STRAYS

2009-12-11T04:02:00.000-08:00

On Thursday 17th, way out west in Penzance, the Astray collective present 'From Shadows', a bespoke Xmas celebration from the finest frontiers of film, music, snowboarding and waveriding.

The night kick starts with a full blast 30 minute headlong dive into Irelands heaviest waves, with local riders like Tom Lowe, and Jack Johns all starring in 'From Shadows' the first amping release from Astray films.

The evenings action then takes a serious turn toward the realm of incredible cinematics, with the South West premiere of 'Lives Of The Artists' from Relentless energy. This dark yet ultimately uplifting piece examines the lives of Cornish and Irish waveriders, freeride snowboarder Xavier De Le Rue, and hardcore punk band Gallows. The locations are just as impressive as the content, comparing the bone crushing might of the infamous Teahupoo, the isolated intimidating beauty and danger of Greenlands mountains, and the stark grind of the warped tour through America.

After a brief moments reflection over a drink after the film credits fade, the night swings full blast into party mode, with Dave Spenceley (Sir Vinyl of the Fattest) battling for the crowds attention, and firing things up on the dancefloor ready for the highly anticipated return of STRAYS. This bands last Cornish appearance was an acclaimed headline performance at the Greenaway pro Guildhall after party in St Ives back in September, and now the creative mix of Mancunians and Cornishman will lead the night into the early hours through an intense journey of dark edgy rock and roll.

Buy tickets HERE!

Time Travel

2009-12-11T00:41:00.000-08:00

The last few days presented me with a tricky proposition, existing simultaneously in three places at once. London, Manchester, and the Atlantic all beckoned. After losing my mind in London, leaving my heart in the Atlantic and dragging my weary soul here to Manchester, I'm under the vague impression I lived through all three. Problem is, being torn that many directions at once, I'm not actually sure if I was, or currently am 'present' anywhere. Whatever the delusions of circumstance though, facts remain... WAVES are still firing, the LIVES OF THE ARTISTS premiere was a trip, the films now online, and I'll pay penance in blood for my sins at STRAYS Ruby Lounge gig tonight...

Lives Of The Artists Laaandan Premiere

2009-12-06T12:43:00.001-08:00

Been a mad week of it since we played Deaf institute last friday. All night raves, massive waves and crazy weather. Goodtimes. This week looks pretty mad to and it's a toughy on the calls department for me. Loadsa swell here but we have the Lives Of Artists premiere in London on Tuesday, a Strays gig at the Ruby lounge in Manchester on Friday, and then a weekend recording in Futureworks after. SO I could well be back and forthing quite a bit. All good though, nothing like a bit of chaos to keep things interesting!

Deaf Institute gig

2009-11-25T16:25:00.000-08:00

Flying to Manchester tomorrow ready for the first Strays gig of the coming festive season. Should be a belter of a Friday night, with us and five other well touted acts playing High Voltage - an evening the Guardian newspapers city gig guide has tipped as night of the week in Manchester. If you're in the vicinity head to the Deaf Institute on Friday for some out there rock'n roll...

FROM SHADOWS now available for pre-order!

2009-11-22T13:13:00.000-08:00

FROM SHADOWS is now available for pre order exclusively from MAGIC SEAWEED
Book yourselves a slice of the madness in time for Xmas HERE!

ONE YEAR ASTRAY

2009-11-14T09:40:00.000-08:00

Here is a clip I've cut out of various pieces of film and footage we've shot at different STRAYS gigs and rehearsals over the last year. The tune is called Blind Beggar, it's the latest demo we've laid down, and it's my personal favourite so far, feeling the lyrics big time. Have a listen properly at our Myspace page. One year in and momentum feels stronger than ever for STRAYS, diving headfirst into the fray with mad gigs at the Deaf Institute on the 27th November, and the Ruby Lounge on the 11 December. Enjoy...

ONE YEAR ASTRAY from mickey smith on Vimeo.

FROM SHADOWS Trailer V1.0

2009-11-12T02:21:00.000-08:00

FROM SHADOWS Trailer v1.0 from mickey smith on Vimeo.

FROM SHADOWS is the bastard son of two long hectic Winters filming here in Ireland.

While its all well and good making documentaries and getting the ol grey matter inspired, we thought to ourselves, lets make a film that properly gets your blood boiling for a surf in the depths of the dark months.

Somethin you can throw on to psyche up for a mega Winter session, or to motivate yourself to get out and get into that frozen wetty for a session on an unfreindly day.

This is the first production from our collective alliance, Astray Films.

One full blast, simple, rockin rollercoaster ride through some of the heaviest waveriding Ireland has yet seen.

Available for pre order exclusively through Magic Seaweed, ready for general release mid December.

Stay tuned for framegrabs, Trailers 2 and 3, and more details as the project unfolds...

Corpse fronts Movement

2009-11-08T11:03:00.000-08:00

Hells bells been a couplea mad days of weather here, Winters finally lookin like its turning up for the long haul. Spent the day locked inside yesterday, and saw that brother Thom Rob has nailed his first cover, fronting Movement mag, with a shot taken by none other than 16 year old Brandon Waleuw.
About bloody time for the corpse, and hellston, if I was shooting tech water gear this good when I was 16, I might even be out of debt by now! Massive shout outs to both the lads, well done boys, frrrrig yeahhhhh...

Breaking Ground at Luna Park

2009-11-03T04:02:00.000-08:00

Breaking Ground at Luna Park from mickey smith on Vimeo.

This is a clip made up of footage I shot during our first mission to Luna Park back in the day.
These two sessions were where it earned its name and reputation.

Damian King had won the world title and I was working on his movie at the time. He got a call from Phil 'Toinzy' Gallagher, and within hours myself, Toby Player, Toinz and Kingy all met up in Melbourne. I think it was April 2003.

We drove for a while and met up with local lads Jason Hazle and Josh Barret. Then we drove for an even longer time into the middle of nowhere and finally peered over cliffs through trippy early morning light.

To put it bluntly, I shit myself immediately. The wave looked psychotic and there were giant close outs taking out the whole lineup. No real channel that I could make out. The sea looked angry and wild.

Kingy and Tobes were psyched regardless. Toinz was mad for it if they were. Hizzle and Barret didnt look convinced at all. I was confused but just had to suck it up and 'av it.

There were no skis, no safety in sight, just an isolated part of coast with life threatening waves, strong offshores, hectic seas and a few mates who were interested in riding them.

The two sessions we had out there were insane in the full sense of the word. Kingy and Tobes were charging so hard. It was incredible to be a part of. As these were the days before Digital took full hold of photography, Toinz kept having to swim in and out to the land to change rolls.

Eventually, after several close calls, our stint out there ended when I paddled over what had previously been a bomb to see a frickin gigantic set of close outs already pitching top to bottom outside the reef on both sides. Toby cackled next to me and shouted 'holy fuck we're fucked'. I was so scared I didnt even penetrate the water.

The set ended up smashing everyone into the rocks on the inside. Toinz went tumbling over the rocks. Kingy was even screaming for help at one point. Tobes was just laughing like a madman. I kept swimming for the horizon. It was chaos, beautiful chaos.

The photographs Toinz shot made the cover of Movement issue 2. My footage culminated the heaviest section in Kingys first film. That session changed the way I thought about shooting heavy waves. The waves, the lads and the experience gave me belief in myself that I didnt have before.

Here are most of the clips from those two mad sessions. Although folk have done all sorts of far crazier things since, the stuff the lads were doing out there back then was pretty damn ground breaking for the time.

Cheers to King, Tobes, Hizzle and Toinz for the inspiration...

Straight back into it

2009-10-29T03:31:00.001-07:00

Got straight off my flight from Strays rehearsals in Manchester and headed down the coast for more of this, goodtimes, what a spell of fun waves, almost cant wait for it to go onshore for a month or two... never thought I'd see the day!

Back in the Studio

2009-10-25T16:15:00.000-07:00

Presently back in Manchester rehearsing with Strays, renting a new jam room we've nicknamed 'The Temple' and have some mad new tunes on the go, vibes are good. Saying that though, was walking down the street en route to our little temple earlier, alas, my wallet fell out the ol' back pocket - 200 paper bones inside made someone else's day. Ah well at least Liverpool beat United...

Ferg sleepwalks at the 'leen

2009-10-21T08:20:00.000-07:00

Aileens was massive yesterday, some proper giant lumps of water pulsing around the joint. Ferg didn't seem to bothered by it though, reckons towing big mushy lumps like this almost rates as one of the most mindless things he's ever done. Hell, he fell asleep on the sled in the sun before riding this giant fatty boom boom, it was pretty classic man... Either way it's the biggest wave I've seen anyone ride out there...

BNP on the BBC Voice your concerns

2009-10-20T14:16:00.000-07:00

The leader of the Fascist BNP is due to go on the BBC's number one debate show 'Question Time' on Thursday night. It's a dangerous game to play by the Beeb with a man whose twisted mind is armed with a slippery silver tongue. Send Question times host a message through Hope Not Hate, HERE, making sure he knows how crucial it is that he exposes this guy and his party for the nutter he really is, no matter how innocently he tries to dress it all up in spin.

Hoping paid off

2009-10-19T01:51:00.000-07:00

A little hope and alot of work paid off with one of the best weeks of waves I can ever remember, so stoked. There might even be more to come these next few days... here's hoping!

Gilded Lily Exist

2009-10-16T02:58:00.000-07:00

Finally the music exists somewhere else but in our heads...
After 4 years playing random gigs every now and then, and writing weird dark songs outside our usual musical endeavours, me and the boys in the Gilded Lily project finally got together during our annual once a year rehearsal and gig, to dive in dares studio for one whole day and lay two tunes down.

Born out of a side project from members of Strays, Mutineers, and Mclusky, the Lily is a spooky piece of work, but it feels good and is a release for us all. Have a listen HERE...

Lives Of The Artists - Surfing Trailer

2009-10-15T14:56:00.000-07:00

Here's the trailer for the surfing part of Lives of the Artists...
She's due for release November 11th...

Never know your luck

2009-10-15T01:23:00.001-07:00

Here's hopin...

AIB Surfer - Directors cut

2009-10-11T15:54:00.000-07:00

This here's an ad I worked on for Blinder productions. I shot all the water gear for it as well as advising on alot of logisitics. It recently won best commercial at the Shark Awards, so well done to Richie Smyth the director, Helen Hayden the producer, Simon Walsh the DOP, Blinder and Rothco, as well Johnny Mac and the rest of the crew involved...

AIB SURFER from mickey smith on Vimeo.

Tools cometh

2009-10-11T12:19:00.000-07:00

This is a snapshot sent by Erik at Delmar Housings of the mould for my newest tool.

The quote from his email goes "it may not look like much, but this is the coolest thing in the world"

Rad...

Matt Smith Focus

2009-10-11T11:59:00.000-07:00

Below is my good friend Matt Smith, photographed for a new feature in Carve magazine entitled 'Focus'. It's hopefully going to become a place I get to write and photograph from a more personal perspective around interesting cats like Smithy...

CARVE FOCUS - Matt Smith

Introduction - Mickey Smith

For me the whole point of clearing space for this corner in CARVE, is to allow a small place to focus creatively on some of surfing’s real individuals, and bring a sense of their personal vibe back into the cold monotony of surf journalism. I want to let the photography and the individual do the talking, and cut the bullshit hype out of things.

I’m inspired by the folk I meet doing what I do, and I want to give something back to them. From my point of view, everyone has their own missions, their own hopes and dreams, and you have to fight a long time, riding out heavy highs and lows to achieve the things you believe in. I admire those with the resilience to keep pushing forwards...

I’ve been on the road in one way or another since I was eleven years old. Travelling and living on the move for a while, it teaches you a thing or two. Some unexpected lessons and a fair few obvious ones.

Situations change fast and you learn to appreciate that a little more. You end up drawn toward looking for the good in small things, and as a result, annoyance at the minutiae of the mundane begins to dissolve, it even starts becoming pretty funny.

Happiness boils down to keeping a simple sense of perspective all these years later.

There’s so much negativity and cynicism shoved down our throats all day long. I think it’s important to remember us humans can achieve some pretty cool things to, however small.

For me, I dig working and playing with cameras. They help me translate and interpret the radness of life in my own way, and hopefully pass on a little of that magic around us all the time.

I feel like cameras have a little life of their own. People will say “hey their just machines man”, but like some lads have their magic boards, I’ve found a mad connection with certain rigs.

They have their own minds, own bodies, and most importantly, their own eyes, and can produce something unexpected or extraordinary, beyond what you thought you’d originally seen through them.

They take what you tell them to see, combine it with what they actually see, then translate that into a format everyone can try and relate to. It’s a pretty trippy process but it gets me out of bed in the morning. That and the smell of waves, or the incessant ticking of tunes in my head.

I like to think there is something deeper and playful at work inside all of us, and if we let that something breathe we can make choices to let us relate, feel inspired, connect and feel hopeful.

Whatever we’re into and whatever we do, there’s beauty there, and if your motivations are coming from a genuine place, that weird unknown something will help you get wherever it is you need to go, if you trust it.

Probably sounds like a load of geeky dribble, but it’s trust thats got me through some tough times to better times, and will do again.

This issues ‘Focus’ is all about a cat who really sums up all of the above. Matt Smith is the genuine article, a man with a big heart full of integrity. A one time St Ives boy through and through, at 23 he’s since spent a lot of time lost in translation, searching for fresh uncharted experiences beyond the border.

Right now he dwells way out west in a barn with his girlfriend down at Lands End, where he works as head lifeguard at lonely ol’ Gwenvor. With some of the most beautiful coves in the county as his backyard, it’s clear he’s no fool.

I grew up here, and it seemed fitting the first of these photographic essays of sorts was set around the area I know best, with a lad who has just as much mad love fore the place.

Anyways, I’ll halt my own hype train right here before it accelerates to fast and derails...

Ladies and gents, a couplea days way out west with Matt Smith...

Autumn

2009-10-10T03:15:00.000-07:00

Last few days the weathers changed alot, from Indian Summer sun to chilly damp windy days with leaves falling around the first inklings of weird Autumn sessions. I for one am frickin excited...

Seaweed loves to boogie

2009-10-05T01:26:00.000-07:00

The other day Ed at Magic seaweed asked me to submit some photos for an interesting feature on their site representing the boogs. Its stirred up a load of people, which is always a funny read. Get involved if you've got alot of time on your hands HERE

Lives Of The Artists Edit

2009-10-03T12:37:00.000-07:00

Just got back from London town where I met up with director Ross Cairns and editor Julian Eguiguren to work on the beast that is Lives Of The Artists. Ross has put his heart into visualising this thing from the word go and it shows, with epic moody visuals and a heavy vibed look into the lives of the lads involved.

The scenic footage from Greenland alone makes this film worth watching, but Xavier de la Rue comes across as a deeply focussed, interesting cat - who draws the craziest high speed lines down critical Mountain cracks you'll ever see. He talks about almost dying in an avalanche, the footage backs it up and it is fucking heavy.

Gallows are real believers in suffering for their art, they lose the plot in a frenzy of energy onstage, whip themselves up to the point of insanity, and do it night after night. This takes it's toll and their reflective questioning insights into what their music means to them is a real interesting contrast to the intensity of their performances on the warped tour in America. I went from not really feeling their music before I watched the film, to really getting where they're coming from and being seriously moved by what they're about during the space of the film. I can be a proper moanin music snob at times so that says alot to me.

Our part in the film is real different from Powers of three. There's no 6ml wettys for a start and we look awkward as all hell in boardies to be honest. Tahiti looks as beautiful as it is in real life, but not in a cheesy holiday kind of way, and dark blue thick perfect 8-10ft chopes looks sooo good at 100fps. Small or big sessions, the waves compliment Tom and Fergs surfing perfectly, with both of them drawing some insane fluid lines as well as taking some nasty beatdowns. The Highlight of this for me is Lowey freefalling into a mega bomb, sticking it and getting spat out, all at 75fps, rad. This clip alone will silence any doubters left about these lads ability for good - it's full on next level paddle gear, and as legit a statement as anyone can make.

Personally I was most stoked with the tracking gear I shot for this thing with a big ol' Arriflex out there, and Alan 'Willy' Wilson has done a really great job nailing everything at water level to.

The film leaves you with a pretty intense heavy feeling inside, you're not really sure where your at by the end of it all, spun out in a good way. It's an honest artistic impression of some of the real scenarios each crew faces whilst striving to get to wherever it is they want to go, and that in itself is pretty inspiring. There's no glossing shit over or hyping shit up here, it's a piece with integrity, and Ross and Julian have done a great job with the intense task of linking up these three completely different ways of life into 90 minutes of interesting documentary film. By the end you can sense the subtle underlying similarities between each completely different set of individuals.

I went in, watched and then put in my tuppence worth at this stage of the edit, and now I'm already looking forward to seeing how the finished piece eventually warps and turns out. Ross wants it to be a visual poem of sorts, and I really hope it ends up just the way he pictured it.

Lives of the Artists is due for general release in November 09.

Here's the trailer again on vimeo...

Lives of the Artists Trailer from mickey smith on Vimeo.

Home

2009-09-27T05:19:00.000-07:00

Here's a little clip I just cut after spending a couplea days lost in translation searching for waves and finding my feet back at home in the corn... Nothin like a dose of home grown salt and granite to quieten the ailments...

Home from mickey smith on Vimeo.

Ferg at home

2009-09-27T01:10:00.000-07:00

Here's a quick promo clip we cut for the Fergs site... soundtrack by the mighty Mutineers ... enjoy

Fergs Site Clip 09 from mickey smith on Vimeo.

Big Si weds Jen!

2009-09-26T02:49:00.000-07:00

A week ago today two of my closest friends got hitched. Big Si and Jen have been together since they were 16, and over a decade on are still crazy enough in love to go the whole way and tie the knot. They are honestly two of the loveliest cats in the world, and I'm so stoked for 'em. It was an epic weekend of insane weather on a clifftop in the most stunning isolated part of Cornwall where Jenny grew up. The big day started off pretty by the book in a rad little church with Si lookin nervous and Jen looking hot, but by the time the party started on the cliff in a huge marquee - with Gilded Lily headlining in true dark style, there was a full blown festival vibe in flight. The party carried on through Saturday night til dawn on Monday, and it was one of the best man, so good. So thanks to Big Si and Jen for making sure everyone had the time of their lives, and reminding us all that love is still well and truly in the air... Who says romance is dead man!

My Weird Feet

2009-09-25T06:45:00.000-07:00

This is what happens to your feet after two decades wearing fins...

Dingyism returns

2009-09-25T06:25:00.000-07:00

Was doing a bit of clearing out the vaults when I came across these ol' dingy riding shots of Thom Robinson and Jack Johns , pushing the limits of a dingys capabilities in the air, class of their own...

Le Boogie lives!!!

2009-09-25T06:19:00.000-07:00

I just received issue one of Le Boogie , and hells bells it is somethin else man. Inspiration is the word. No bullshit, no hype, just eye searing imagery bled onto lush chunky paper stock. A breath of fresh air for the waveriding world. Stoked to have been able to contribute to a print project of this calibre, with Benny Player and Danny boy Skajarowski supplying the fine riding skills over the last year to earn ourselves a couplea doubles. Get online and buy yourself a copy NOW ! Thanks Toinz , fuckin mega work mate, keep it comin son!

Lives of the Artists

2009-09-15T08:57:00.000-07:00

Here's the trailer for the latest Relentless film, Lives of the artists. We did alot of work for this during our stint in Tahiti, and to be honest it was pretty intense working with the Relentless crew on a production this size at times, but it should be worth it in the end, for quality cinematics alone. They've invested heavily in making sure this film turns out pretty different, and it combines Snowboarding Surfing and Music, with the Snowboarding gear lookin especially mega if this trailers anything to go by.
I have to sit in on the edit and advise on our part of the film over the next couple of weeks, and I'm lookin forward to getting amongst it, going to be an interesting experience for sure.
Anyways, there she blows...it plays a bit weird here on my blog, so to check it out properly look HERE on the Relentless site...

Tahits with Tim

2009-09-15T07:07:00.000-07:00

Tim Mckennas an absolute gent, he lives the life man and his family and friends were real good to us on back in June. He's posted some shots from his hand in the filming part of our trip to Tahiti this Summer on his site, have a look HERE - theres a rad one of Lowey I've poached n stuck above...

All away in Green

2009-09-15T03:07:00.000-07:00

Hells Bells man, last weekend was one of the best of my life, it's taken me a week chilling back at home in Ireland to even begin thinking about writing about it. Long story short, the Greenaway Pro went down in rad style way out West in St Ives. The event took place in memory of our good mate Tom Greenaway, and in hindsight was always destined to become the best party of the year. Me and the rest of the lads in STRAYS did our best to live up to that vibe when we headlined the Saturday night, and man, it was one of the best gigs I've ever played, the atmosphere in there was so uplifting and intense with emotion and good vibes... Massive shout outs to Richie Thomas , Matt Smith and the rest of the organisers for putting on a show I'll never forget and for being such deadset legends... Tom would've been so stoked man...Respect...(Thanks to Ally , Charlie and Jake for the shots)...

Reading

2009-09-02T11:58:00.000-07:00

Survived a manic few days at Reading last weekend, all sorts of bands were going mental, but to be honest, Radiohead made them all look like they were joking, they are that good, it's scary...

End of Summer RIOTS!

2009-08-27T11:44:00.000-07:00

This weekend I'm headed to Reading festival - AMPING to see Radiohead , but for those of you who couldn't grab tickets in time to join us there, fear not, as the weekend after there is some absolute madness due to unfold way down in Cornwalls far west.

OCEANDAZE festival kick starts Autumn and says sayonara to Summer down in Sennen starting Friday the 4th and ending on the 6th. Meanwhile, in the midst of the chaos, the GREENAWAY PRO , in memory of our good friend Tom Greenaway looks set to blow minds on Saturday the 5th, with none other than me own band STRAYS headlining!

So get tickets for both here before they sell out, and hit the road to the dark depths of the corn for some welcome debauchery and mad goodtimes...Savvy!

The Cove

2009-08-26T08:16:00.000-07:00

Watch this trailer and then sign this petition, take action friends...

Ally cat

2009-08-21T05:47:00.001-07:00

Ally Cat is the man! Go scope his lovely lense and design work HERE

We love you so

2009-08-21T05:36:00.000-07:00

This blog is mega! Go see!