Currently, there are several important local movements in Australian skateboarding. There are a few fledgling skater-owned companies around the nation that are not only supporting local skaters but are adding a twist to design and presentation unprecedented in Australia. They clearly do not do it for profits, but for the love. Passport is one of these projects. Headed up by young Brisbaner Trent Evans, Passport is one of the few quality local companies that will help boost Australian skateboarding into greener pastures; we caught up with he to see just how his Passport is stamped.
Words: Morgan Campbell
Photo: Beth Willis
MC: Where and when did you start skating?
TE: Would be 1997, we moved to right opposite the beach in Alexandra Headlands, and on the beach was Alex Skatepark. I pretty much lived at that skatepark. Seriously shaped me as a skateboarder and the person I am today.
Did you study design?
Yes, studied for two years at South Bank College of Art, was killer, actually wanting to get up each day to go to school. I learnt plenty.
Which brands inspire you?
I think the brands that inspire me are the ones that just pull it all off, in both in their design and general direction of the company. So that includes, them not bringing out generic graphics / ads and products just for the hell of it, so many brands are so transparent in that you can tell they are wanting to make a shit load of money compared to a shit load of rad graphics and quality products! Brands like Anti Hero and I guess anything from Deluxe is always going to kill it, it’s all so classic and the team just reflects what they are trying to represent.
Which designers inspire you?
I often think about this, but really design-wise I am more inspired by some one off print or picture ill stumble upon in an old book or some web archive. There are so many good designers out there it's a little exhausting some times. Anything from Geoff McFetridge and his brand is always pretty rad. I’ll always look a lot into painters, tattoo artists, directors, photographers as well. A huge inspiration as well are all my friends, their all so fucking creative, everyone is doing their thing, and the more I can get my friends involved with the company the better.
When did you get the idea to start passport?
Would be I guess around 2007.... had a few ideas floating around in my head.
How long after the idea spawned did u get back the first batch of boards?
Would have been about a year and a half until I started actually seeing something physical yeah.
Is it solely your project?
Well there was another guy involved, but that was the same guy who refused to distribute my boards until I agreed upon some terms I was unhappy with. So no just me... but of course every range I will have other people involved in creating artwork, generally close friends of mine.
What kind of things do you take care of on an average day?
Ha ha, man a little bit of everything, answer emails, talk to suppliers, talk to stores, pack orders. Work on future ranges (design and construction wise): graphics for tees, decks or whatever product we have in the pipeline. Talk to the team, cut the odd clip, talk brew with Wignall every so often. Ahaa, and try to fit in a skate at the end of the day.
Why the move from Briz to Sydney?
I guess it was a combination of girl and just was keen to mix it up, and really was keen to get back near the beach again, to have a city and a beach next to each other is killer. I do miss Brisbane very much but!
Have you had much time to explore your new city on your board?
Yeah, hell yeah, so good moving down here and having a crew straight up to go explore the city with, Wignall, Bernie, Juan and a bunch of others hit the city very regularly, so I’m usually lurking with those guys.
How did you go about picking your team?
I have been pretty lucky that everyone on the team, I am so stoked on their skateboarding. I guess it's just watching a guys part or some clips and being totally into what they are doing both style and trick wise, and so far everyone has been down to come onboard. I try to encourage whoever is on the team if they have ideas to approach me; I want this to be their company as well. There are a few other guys who may step on board over the next six months; we will see.
One word that comes to mind when you hear the name of a particular team rider...
Callum: long blonde beast (one word is hard to describe him)
Juan: stunner
Glenn (Wig): brewer
Bernie: chiller
Glenn (Palm): faraway
Sam: ginger prince
Will: tattooed man bear
Does Passport sell overseas?
A little now! I send stuff directly to NZ, which is easy. Then I have Keen Distribution in the UK, which is run by Mike Halls he is putting the word out hard, stoked on him and he just picked up Pontus Alv's brand so that's rad to be next to that. Also Go Skate in Norway, which is rad as well! Few other countries are keen, but it’s just a matter of working out logistics and so on.... in time hopefully.
What is next for Passport?
Anything and everything I guess, because ideally it is just me and then who ever jumps on board each range to get involved on the artistic side, we can do whatever we want, ain’t got no fuck-wit money hungry guy telling me what to do. Hopefully if people keep respecting and supporting the brand, anything is possible really. I am just keen for anyone with the same aesthetics as me and the company to get involved and use the brand as a vessel for their own ideas or creations. An indoor mini-ramp and a bar in a nice warehouse would be nice as well, but hey, can't have everything… I guess that's on the wish list, not the to do list.
Click for the passportal.
