THIRTY PLUS: SHOOTING THE BREEZE WITH CALVIN KOSOVICH
Intro and words by Mike V, photos supplied by Calvin Kosovich.
Good evening and welcome to another dose of high quality BMX content courtesy of the LUXBMX Journal.
This particular piece centres on an Australian national, ex-Perth based homie, professional biker and video director at Kink, Calvin Kosovich.
Now based in Los Angeles, Calvin has found his feet (and then some) as he pursues the biker boy dream and lifestyle in the lands of our imperial overlords. If I'm not mistaken, Calvin and I are roughly the same age, having hung out a bunch of times over the years - so it's cool to have been around long enough to see the dudes journey from Perth crew stalwart to where he is now. What's most impressive is the dudes motivation and desire to create and challenge hasn't diminished. As we discuss below, from producing some of Australia's most badass full-length videos (in the worlds most isolated city), to landing a videography gig at Kink - one of the most respectable companies in BMX today, the dude has handled himself.
After the release of Kink's most recent full-length 'Thirty', I was hopeful of getting in touch with Calvin to see where he's at in life and to discuss the active projects on his plate. Despite busy schedules, we made it work and I'm stoked to present to you the following discussion alongside a series of killer images provided by Calvin.
Cheers boys.
What's good Calvin, where are you typing this from and what's been the weirdest thing that's happened to you recently?
"Doing well mate! I’m currently on the iPhone in my Los Angeles apartment after being on the east coast for 17 days. I’ve finally had a chance to breathe and go over these questions haha. My definition of weird is so skewed after being in America for so long haha, a guy was laying in my lobby eating cherries off the floor and asked if I’d like some. I think that’s weird?"
Straight off the bat, the latest Kink video 'Thirty' was released earlier this year, a project produced by yourself. You're no stranger to producing full length videos, having started back in 2010 with 'Let It Bleed' and continuing on until 'Thirty' most recently. When you reflect on the last 15 years, what feelings/emotions come up and how does the most recent video compare to your earlier works?
"Well you know after doing the Perth videos I got out to LA and everyone I filmed with was all about their solo video parts and I fucking hated it. I had to understand that these guys are professionals who get paid to ride bikes and they don’t want to wait for a full length from their sponsors. Once money was added to the equation it ruined it for me in that the most natural state of filming is with your friends out of the love of it. It can’t be beaten, the early days. Now it’s a balance of work and passion. 'Thirty' was kind of a rebel run just start it and then sell the vision to Kink. It was never a planned video until 4 months before release date."
"Although I’ll always be a rider, I have to look after this old body of mine and step into a more realistic future."
Would you care to share a story or two from both the filming and the premiere? I think it's no secret that there is always WAYYYY more going on behind the scenes than what makes it into the final product, so it would be cool to get a feel for what went on through the rough and rawness of putting together a full-length video, all the way to the joyous release of screening the video to your friends and peers.
"Dude I was at the premiere for like 2 hours and no-one was showing up. I was like well fuck shits dead haha. But if you know LA, having a video premiere at 8pm on a weekday, the traffic is so bad no-ones showing up until 9pm. It was a successful night after all and I want to thank everyone again for coming out it means a lot to all involved in the film.
Nathan and myself would casually do 5-6 hour round trips back and forth from San Diego and Los Angeles to get this film done. Then literally the next day either one of us would be doing the same drive just to film one clip. We had no team trips for this film so it was done in a very untraditional way lol.
We didn’t go the traditional Kink route of traveling around the world and piecing a video together. Instead we kept it LA heavy with the exception of Barcelona footage and a Houston trip with Nathan. The guys would stay at mine and just hit the streets for a week at a time. Casey and Harrison had about 2-3 weeks of filming for their parts."
The clip of Harrison at 13.25 has fooled me hard. I've watched it a bunch of times and only now am I realising how crazy that was. Firstly, I don't think I've ever seen anyone do that before and secondly, I had to watch it again and again to even understand how he made that happen. Furthermore, the ice stall at 14.25 is equally wild. Kind of slips by in a casual way if you don't properly absorb what is going down. Thoughts?
"Harrison is always going to show you that it’s possible and make you scratch your head. That wallride to wallie bar was just us joking and saying he should do it. He did it no issues and I still don’t understand it. That’s just another spot we pedalled by and he found a way to use it for his part. Kids the real deal."
How about Santi, what is he like as a dude? He comes off as 'cheeky', I don't know if that is the best word, but it feels that way and strangely, seems to apply to a few South American bikers. Christian Porras for example. That nollie bar at the end of his part is seriously stupid.
"Haha yes, Santi is cheeky for sure but in the best way possible. He’s got so much charisma when he’s in front of a camera it’s easy to get cool shots with him. Such a talented human so glad to see him doing well with BMX and really doing it. The nollie bar was ridiculous, he had to put some work in to stomp the landing but he handled it."
Aside from the ender, what was the most challenging clip, physically and mentally with your part? That over smith down the ledge looked scary.
"Definitely the wall 180 over the rail hop. I had to go a few times and the spot was in Stockholm so timing was limited to weather. The thing was tall and didn’t have much carve so I took a pretty shitty slam to my back and threw it out for a month. Luckily, the next time I went back it all worked out. Always wanted to do one and finally found one that wasn’t already done ha."
On your role at Kink, can you go into detail around what this is and how it works? I.E. do you feel like you're more of a 'pro rider' or a filmer? Further, are you involved in the direction and vision for Kink? I'm interested to ask in that this has been my experience with TMPRD, albeit a much smaller company, but it is super fulfilling to be able to have an influence (even if small) as to the direction of the company and how things look and present.
"Yeah so I’m the video director at Kink so that involves anything camera related. Team rider, product videos and team trip films is what my role is focused on (social media cuts too). I work with Jay the team manager and the creative director Jason on look and stylising of the films to match up with Kinks overall look.
Jay is definitely a great person to have running a team and a brand. He’s so chill, organised and can whip a van around in any country no worries ha. Jay lives in BCN, runs The Cut BMX shop and is the marketing manager Kink/Cinema team. Pretty dedicated guy.
Although I’ll always be a rider, I have to look after this old body of mine and step into a more realistic future. It’s been a great and fortunate opportunity to be apart of."
I'm wondering if you'd like to share your views on being a professional filmer in the BMX industry. I've had a chat with a few other professional filmers recently and it would seem like it's more difficult than ever to pursue this path, while also maintaining a certain lifestyle and being able to pay the rent. Are you a full-time filmer or do you have a side hustle to help?
"I am full time filming and editing BMX but you can’t stop me and a good side hustle haha. Over the years I realised I was more of a creative, but man I love using my hands and building too. I got a few families in LA I do plumbing for exclusively. I can’t make it a full time job but when it arises I’ll make time to get my hands dirty.
I am super lucky to have companies supporting my vision as a filmer and getting me around the world with some of the most amazing people. Shout out to Kink & Vans much love. Also COP distribution is a business I run with Graeme Scott in Perth bringing in BMX apparel, mags, videos, protection stuff. The BMX side of the scale is weighing heavily for sure."
Talk to me about the LA lifestyle - what has captured your attention enough to make you want to stay here permanently? Keen to hear about your local crew, nightlife spots, riding options, outdoor spots, family/friends etc.
"I’ve been in LA long enough I’d say haha. My partner is a full time nanny for a couple families here and I find LA perfect for BMX street. It’s definitely my passion and job keeping me here. LA has every single culture, shoulder to shoulder, and at any moment hell or heaven could break loose. It’s such a historic place once you spend time here you realise the magic it has. I love Perth but I feel like I wouldn’t be the same person I am now if I didn’t leave. This city has shaped me into a better person and it all started with nothing but a bike, camera bag and some handrails to grind."
"After 'Thee Block' closed down the lack of new interest in BMX dwindled pretty rapidly. Really shows the impact a local store provides to the youth in your community."
What brand are you smoking these days? Lol.
"Camel Blue short. Ha."
You're a passionate music lover, of which I imagine there is no shortage of being in LA. Can you describe a super positive recent live experience you've had and maybe share a recent discovery that has gotten you hyped?
"So the last show I was at was Wiz Kalifa at X Games and yes very random but it was honestly really sick. I was with a bunch of friends after Lew got third in street so the beers were flowing. I just did a trip in Philadelphia so I’ve been going down a path searching out local bands and artists. 'Philadelphia Freedom' by MFSB was a track I knew but was made famous by Elton John. Turns out there’s always someone influential influencing the top of the pops."
How do you find yourself approaching BMX from a mental perspective these days and what gets you the most excited? I myself am going through a transition to a different phase of biking, very different to how it has looked for the past 15 years, but the fire continues to burn.
"Dude totally it’s just age and it’s a guarantee that it’ll wind down to a very basic version of BMX that we both knew. At the end of the day the things we did on and off the bike helped us become better humans for the future that holds. I’ve found that my passion hasn’t died with my age but only gotten stronger. I feel accomplished as a rider and now I just want to help the next generation have that same feeling I had. Contributing my time and knowledge to the next riders is key for me now."
Sick to hear that your focus has changed with BMX, yet the passion remains strong. Talk to me about the next generation, what is the grom scene like in your area and who stands out as someone on the come up?
"In Los Angeles currently, the scene isn’t super strong when it comes to the next generation. After 'Thee Block' closed down the lack of new interest in BMX dwindled pretty rapidly. Really shows the impact a local store provides to the youth in your community. The most interaction I have with the younger generation are the new team riders at Kink and the occasional event. I always try have an ear to the next generation and lend them some wisdom."
What do you do to wind down? I imagine that your life is quite busy, especially when working on a full-length what with trips, day to day grind and the filming/editing process.
"After a long trip away filming I definitely just go off grid and avoid bikes for a week or so haha. I’m lucky to live in a big city where it’s easy to hide away in a dark neon signed dive bar but I prefer to get out of town. California is so diverse that all you have to do is hit the road and drive a few hours in any direction and you’re in a whole new majestic place. I really enjoy going to Joshua Tree when I have time and just go do nothing other than look around the desert. Very fortunate to experience this place over the years and I think that’s helped me stay sane."
