Matt Nordstrom Interview

All photos by Walter Pieringer

Anyone that has been riding BMX long enough has seen how different generations come and go and it seems like with each generation we get a whole new level of riding that we never expected to see. We’ve been seeing a number of new riders starting to really make a name for themselves lately and it’s safe to say that Matt Nordstrom is one of those guys who has really been on fire lately and really pushing BMX to new levels. After seeing him in countless videos, getting super stoked on his riding and just seeing how much traveling and crazy stuff he has going on, we knew it was time to get ahold of him to find out a little more about him! Let’s see what he had to say!

Name: Matt Nordstrom

Location: Austin Texas

Sponsors: Fit Bike Co. and Odyssey BMX

Years riding: 8

What was it that first got you into BMX? Any early memories come to mind?
Since I was was a little kid I’ve always had this fascination with riding bikes, but the summer I moved to Fort Worth I started hanging out with my neighbor at the time, Ben. We would throw the football around and do war kids do like finding ways to get into trouble to occupy ourselves for the summer. Ben had a crappy bike at the time but the brakes on it were for some reason kind of dialed, so he showed me how to skid by hauling ass and squeezing the back brake. We would set up those plastic kicker ramps and launch off those with about no bike control whatsoever. Thats what comes to mind when I think back to what got me into BMX.

You have been doing it for Fit Bike Co. for a while now. How are things going on that end? Do you have any trips or projects in the works with them that you’re getting excited about?
It’s crazy to think that its already almost been 3 years, but things are going great. I couldn’t be more stoked to be supported by such a solid company. I don’t have trips or projects planned out at the moment since I just got back from San Francisco the other week, but Im sure something will come up soon.

What was the plan for that trip to San Francisco? Did you guys doing any shop stops or was it pretty much just a filming mission for the video that ended up coming out amazing?
The plan was to drive to San Francisco in the new 15 passenger van with Justin Spriet, Ethan Corriere, and filmer Francis Castro. We only stayed for 5 days, which was a short trip, so we made it a strictly filming trip.

Had you ever been to San Francisco? Is there anything you had in mind for things you want to do or did you leave things wide open just to see how it went?
I had never been to San Francisco prior to this trip and I honestly didn’t have anything in mind to do besides bomb hills and stack some footage with a dialed crew. I would like to go back and see more of the city besides just riding.

You had your new Odyssey video drop the other week and it was absolutely phenomenal! How long did you work on that one with Walter Pieringer?
Thank you! The funny thing about this video is that it was originally supposed to be a welcome to Odyssey video, but at the time I was progressing a lot. Most of the footage I would film with Walter I would end up sitting on for awhile and end up not being stoked on things that I was stoked on at the time. In the end the oldest clip from the video was almost 2 years old.

What clip would you say is your favorite in that video? Was there any in there that have a good story behind them like getting caught up in a crazy situation or taking 200 tries to pull?
I would say the last clip was by far my favorite clip! I had a final deadline for the video in my head and I was about to leave for another trip the next day, so this was the ideal day for me to film the ender to the video. We showed up to the spot, which I had been eyeing up this spot for awhile but I had never noticed that I had to hop over this metal thing that was at the end of the roof and the roof had puddles that I had to ride through to get the proper run up. After Walter got set up and was ready for me to try it, I didn’t hesitate to try and and I almost pulled it first try but I slipped pedal. The crashes were only getting worse until the 5th try I ended up rolling away successful.

You recently made a trip up to Denver with some of the Full Factory crew. What did you guys get into during that trip? Any idea when we’ll see some footage surface from that one?
Yes, that definitely happened! This wasn’t your ordinary riding trip or it at least didn’t feel the same because we would go out riding everyday like a normal trip but when we got back at night and Walter had uploaded all of the footage, we would all sit down together and watch each others footage and judge everyone on a scale from 1-10 and depending on who got the best scores they would get the most food money for that day and the guy who gets the lowest scores gets the least food money. It was an interesting concept and at times it was hard for some of the dudes to judge everyones riding but we made it happen and I think people will be stoked on how it turned out. The footage will hit the web by sometime in November so definatly keep your eyes peeled for that one.

Do you have anything else cooking with the Odyssey crew that you can tell us about? Seems like they always have trips or something rad in the works?
Oh yes! There is currently a video project going on for Odyssey’s 30 year anniversary that will premiere towards the end up the year. I’m actually going to Toronto, Canada soon to visit Brandon Webster and Walter is coming with, so we are gonna be getting stuff for the 30 year Odyssey video.

Other than your new Odyssey video, have you been filming for any projects at all? Can we expect another video to surface any time soon or a video part in a full-length at all?
I just started filming again with Walter for a project for Ride BMX and its been going well. Hopefully, if all goes well, that will be surfacing later in the year.

Are you into filming? It seems like some riders get really motivated by it and some get super stressed. Where do you fall in that scale?
I’m into filming! Ever since I started I’ve always been into picking up the camera and going out to ride with friends. I try not to get too stressed out when I try things that end up taking a long time, but I always just think about how stoked I will be when I pull it. I just try and have fun while I’m filming it. I would say that I’m the type of rider to get really motivated to film, especially when its with a motivated crew who is just trying to have fun and get shit done.

Are you the kind of rider that won’t do something big unless there is a camera around, or are you down to send it regardless? Have you done anything super gnarly and been like “damn… I wish there was a camera to catch that”?
Haha, I would love to claim that I send it when I’m not filming but usually when Im not filming I am just trying to have fun and ride anything, even if its just flat ground or a manual pad I still manage to have a good time with the homies.

One thing we really like about your riding is that it’s pretty unpredictable because of your ability to mix crank flips, double barspins, candy bars and saran wraps into combos. What we can’t figure out is how the hell you do it. What’s the key to a proper ice pick to candy bar out?
Hahaha, I don’t really know why my riding has turned into this unpredictable thing but, I really just think it comes from the love for learning new tricks. I enjoy the process of learning a trick flyout or even flat and taking it to a setup that you wouldn’t normally do that trick at so I guess thats what led me to the ice candy bar. The key to this trick is getting candy bars dialed and then just find a ledge that you are comfortable icing and that has a decent drop at the end and send it.

What’s one trick that you cannot do for the life of you?
TURNDOWN

We noticed in your latest Odyssey video you were rocking a medical mask in what appeared to be china. What’s the story behind that one?
So, most people in China wear these face masks because the air is so polluted and I don’t blame them for wearing them, but my main concern wasn’t the pollution, I just thought it looked sick and I wanted to shoot of photo of myself doing a trick with it on and managed to male it happen.

Obviously you have had the chance to travel a fair amount because of BMX. Where are a few of the more notable places you have been? Do you have a favorite trip that comes to mind right off the bat?
I’ve been to Vietnam, China and England as far as overseas trips go, but I would probably say Vietnam, because I was 16 at the time and I was on a trip with Aaron Ross and Tony Hamlin and I had always looked up to those dudes. It was such a change from what I was used to and it really opened my eyes up to the importance of traveling.

Where are a few places you have been but haven’t had the opportunity to get to yet?
I went to Europe for a cruise when I was younger and didn’t get the chance to ride. I also have been to NYC a couple times with family so hopefully I’ll make it out there soon with my bicycle.

Do you feel like living in Austin, Texas has a big advantage in keeping you riding? Seems like having a big scene around is always a way to keep people from getting bored.
Definitely! There are so many riders in Austin, so you can pretty much show up to any of the skateparks and have people to ride with. Yeah, I wouldn’t say I spend too much time being bored in such a energetic city.

Who are a few of the riders that really motivate you?
Of course Garrett Reynolds has always been a huge influence, but lately I’ve been really into Devon Smillie’s riding. A lot of my good friends that I ride with at home or even that live all over the world are some of my favorite riders.

What do you think you would be doing today if you never got into BMX?
Good question! I would probably still be playing baseball, because thats all I really did before BMX.

What are you usually doing when you aren’t riding? Any hobbies you like to do?
Usually when I’m not riding my time consist of hanging out with friends and bringing my dog on cool nature walks. There’s a lot of swimming when it comes to Texas summers, too.

Aren’t you in college right now? What are you going for?
Yes I am. For now I’m just going for the basics but I’m sure later on down the road I’ll find out what I’m going for exactly.

Do you have any sort of “dream job” for when adult life kicks in?
I’d like to possibly have a job that involves me in the BMX industry that isn’t too much like a desk job and one that can keep paying rent and putting food on the table.

We noticed you have a dog. What kind of a dog is it and what’s his name? How long have you had him?
Yes I do! He is a Basenji/ Chihuahua mix and his name is Dante. I’ve had him for over 2 years now and I don’t know what I would be doing without him.

Do you have any other dogs? Do you think you might ever have more?
My mom has a Westie named Abi and my dad has a weiner dog named Scrappy. I could definitely see myself owning multiple dogs when I am older and more settled down.

What’s the last song you heard and movie you watched?
“Bad Things” by Cults was the last song I’ve heard and the last movie I watched was the Bones Brigade Autobiography.

What’s something about yourself that might surprise people?
I’m a easy going person and I try and always see things in a positive way no matter how negative they may seem.

Where do you see yourself in five years?
Hopefully I will still be riding and traveling the world with good company.

How can people keep up with you these days?
Instagram @matt_nordstrom
Twitter @matt__nordstrom

Do you have any shout outs or thanks?
Shoutout to all the cool people Ive met through BMX, thanks to Fit and Odyssey for keeping my bike rolling, thank you Walter for all the opportunities you’ve given me. Last but not least, Thank you mom, dad, and Jeremy (stepdad), Jenny (sister) and Jackie (girlfriend). I could’nt have done any of this without everyones support.