With the number of videos I end up seeing everyday it seems like the names and riding all just starts to mix together, and like everything else forgotten the next day. There is one name that has stuck out, and I have always been impressed with, and that name is Matty Long. The guy produces some real good videos of himself, and a positive vibe. When I saw all these people talking bad about him when his bio he did for his brother came out, I knew I needed to interview him so people could get a better feel for him. So here it is, check it out, and leave Matty a little love in the comments!
Photo: Jody Stoddard
Name:
Matty Long
Location:
Billerica, Ma .. just outside of boston.
Sponsors:
My Mother haha and Jody and Christine at Timeless Bmx always help me out a ton
Years riding:
I’d say since I was about 7, that’s when I got my Haro Zi
What was it that first sparked your interest in BMX? What is it that keeps you going day after day still?
What really got me into riding was my older brother, I copied everything he did. So when he picked up a bike I did the same as well. What keeps me going is the same thing that keeps every other kid who rides everyday going. It’s just the love of riding your bike. For me it’s all I really know to do in my spare time because I never really got into sports or anything like that.
Your recent video bio dropped and it was real good. However, there were a few kids out there calling you out saying that you are “too hungry” to get sponsored. Care to explain yourself? You don’t really seem too worried about that.
Thanks a lot for being into it man. For the whole hungry thing .. People can think what they want I shouldn’t let it bother me. Although I do understand where the people are coming from about the hunger because of the way I talk and the words I chose haha. I had to explain myself to people who have no idea about riding in any sense. Since the documentary was for my brother’s teachers. Everyone has their own dreams, goals and opinions.
Photo: Matty Branscombe
You have travelled all over the Northeast because of BMX. What are your top 5 favorite spots that you have had the chance to ride?
My top 5 favorite spots to ride in the Northeast. That’s pretty tough haha! I’d have to say Boston being the first and best for me. So much riding that people have no idea about and Timeless has been a huge part of Boston’s growth and bringing people together for things like video premieres and pro teams coming by the shop to hang out. For the next 2, I have a friend who has taken me on a few trips with him which I am so fortunate to have gone on and some of the places I’ve gone with him are amazing. Like Philly and the LD warehouse on the last day it was open to the public. Before it got taken down. I know that it’s not technically “the Northeast” but close enough. It got me hooked to go to Philly a few more times after that haha. For the 4th I’d say CT. Connecticut has so many little hidden gems. Some of the best spots I’ve ever rode. Plus I have a ton of awesome friends down there which keeps me going back almost every weekend to ride, hang out and goof off. Lastly I’d have to say Hadley Park every summer night. The place is only 10 minutes from me. It’s a tight little tiny tiny pre-fab park but the people there are awesome and everyone gets along really well. Skater’s and Rider’s alike. A22 actually did a little Hadley edit this fall which was pretty funny and sweet.
If you could travel more and farther, where are some places you would really like to go?
If I could go anywhere, and anywhere being farther. The first place I’d travel to is Europe. I’ve always been fascinated with the UK so that would be my first stop. Then maybe head to Germany and or Barcelona. I wouldn’t want to narrow it down if I was over there. Just go to as many places as possible and see all the different culture on and off my bike. But here in the states, Texas before anything. Especially if I could go in the winter. I hear it’s really good down there. Plus some of the best rider’s are from Texas!
Do you feel like the ability to go out and ride all these different spots and places has made you progress faster than normal?
I never really worry about my progression as much anymore now that I’m a little older but I would agree that riding all these different spots has definitely helped me progress a little bit faster. I honestly don’t think I really learn as fast as some kid’s I see cause everyones different. What helps me the most with my riding is being with a lot of positive people and friends. Then I never stress anything and just have fun riding. That’s what Im supposed to be doing anyway .. rather than beat myself up over new tricks. But there are times I like to set goals for myself to learn things that I would like to film or just learn because I like the trick.
Photo: Matty Branscombe
If you could go on a trip with 5 people, and one photographer/filmer. Who would you pick, where would you go, and why those picks and places?
Aw man you gonna put me in that situation? Haha. If I could go on a trip with 5 people and one photographer or filmer .. I’d say for a filmer my brother, of course. A photographer would be Jody from Timeless. The 5 riders I’d bring discluding myself would be Mike Mastroni, Rory Ellis, Chris Childs, Brian Hunt and Aaron Smith. Brian would be the dude with the stories and making everyone laugh. For places to ride I’d just say travel the UK. It’s still a dream of mine to go over there and I just have a fascination with the culture and architecture.
It’s pretty apparent that you’re riding is real solid. What is one trick that no matter how many times you have tried, it just hasn’t worked out for you?
Wow thanks man. A trick I’ve tried a lot and hasn’t worked out for me I’d say are .. well .. for me it doesn’t work that way. I try things for a while then I’ll sit on them then go back to it. Some tricks I try I’m fortunate to learn quicker than others. I try not to frustrate myself too much.
Are you more of a person who once you try something, you have to do it, or have you been known to give up on a trick from time to time?
I never give up, but I definitely always take breaks on tricks. Some days you are just feeling better, you know?
Who are some pros, or maybe even non-pros, that you look up to?
I feel like a tool saying this haha but a pro I’ve looked up to forever is Aaron Smith. I used to jock him so hard when I was younger haha. He wasn’t pro then but he sure is now.
How do you feel about the way BMX has been going lately? Would you change anything about it at all?
I don’t really pay too much attention to the Bmx Industry. I don’t know if thats a bad thing or not. I just try to ride and not worry about things that I have no control over.
Have you been filming for anything lately? Any web videos or even video parts dropping soon?
Towards the end of the summer I started to go to Philly to meet with Larry Rhodes. He’s filming a video with younger/ less known riders and I was asked to be apart of it. It’ll feature riders such as JJ Palmere, Ben Hittle, Garrett Reeves and more. Amazing. As for web videos I want to try and do as many as I can. Ever since the one I did with Mike Mastroni I absolutely love filming, who knows maybe they’ll be another Mike Mastroni/ Matty Long edit.
Photo: Sven Reed
What is the craziest or weirdest situation you have been put in because of BMX?
The craziest situation I’ve ever been because of my bike was in Philly recently. We were in a real bad part and didn’t realize it. We got cornered in a fenced in school court with one entrance/exit by about 10 to 15 ghetto kids. They said they had guns and took my friend Corey’s brand new bike and this kid Jesse’s bike as well. Not sweet at all.
Have you ever got any form of attention from a girl due to BMX? Phone numbers all the way to the good stuff.
Haha nah none of that, I’m a shy kid. But I did meet my girlfriend at a skatepark hah.
It seems like most kids who ride BMX pick up interests that mix with it like photography. Have you gotten into anything like that at all?
No my brother did though, he goes to school for film production and stuff. Me on the other hand, I play Halo 2 for hours on end.
What do you think you would be up to if you never got involved with BMX?
I honestly don’t know what I could be doing. I guess I wouldn’t be the same person in any form because riding has made me who I am today. Looks and attitude wise. Maybe in college or something if I never go into riding.
What are you doing when you aren’t riding?
When I am not riding I’m either with my girlfriend or playing an endless amount of Halo. haha
You seem to be a really chill dude. What are some things that really stress you out?
Not much stresses me out but I’d have to say money and bills probably stresses me out the most. But I think they do for everyone as well.
Photo: Matty Branscombe I know you said in your video bio that your dream and goal would be to become a pro. If you couldn’t do that, what do you think you would like to do?
I understand that professional bike rider’s don’t really make a lot of money so even with that I’d probably need a part time job. But if that never happens I would like to be involved with the industry in some way or another. It’s just good to be doing something that revolves around things you love to do. I really don’t know though. Maybe just go to school and weigh my options there.
In your own opinion, what is the most stupid thing you have ever done?
The stupidest thing I’ve ever done was steal. I got caught for stealing and I got arrested.
Who or what are the biggest influences in your life?
The biggest influences in my life are brother and my friends. Also whatever big rider I’m way into at times.
What are some things you would like to accomplish in the next few months? How about the next few years?
Some things I’d like to accomplish are just getting my life on track future wise. Figure out what I want to do for the rest of my life and maybe look into some schools. I don’t know if that’ll take months or years to figure out, I just take the days as they come and live happy.
If you couldn’t live in the Northeast anymore, where would you move and why?
Texas or California. The biggest reason is warmth!
What’s the first movie to come to mind and why did you think of that first?
Green Street Hooligans, because it’s my favorite movie.
If you could be sponsored by any two companies, BMX or Non-BMX related, who would you want to be riding for and why?
2 Bmx companies would be Mutiny or Sunday. I love the products and the riders and the feel of the companies. Non-Bmx would be Xbox Live and Subway. Free Xbox Live and free food is key haha.
If you could spend the day with anyone, alive, dead, or ficticious, who would you pick and what would you do?
Probably some mega star that the paparazzi stalk as soon as they leave their house. Just to see how hectic that all really is.
Do you have any good stories involving booze, hookers, midgets, homeless people, or crazy girls at all?
Sean Burns wallriding over a homeless guy sleeping, to rail.
What is something you do, but probably shouldn’t?
Sleep until 2 everyday hah.
What is the worst purchase you have ever made? Why did you buy it in the first place?
Probably all the snowball things from hostess I buy from gas stations. I’m addicted.
Kill one, fuck one, marry one. Paris Hilton (now, not before), Tara Reid (after the drugs, alcohol, and slutting around), and Sarah Palin.
My girlfriend told me “Kill Tara, Ef Paris, Marry Sarah”. I don’t even know who Tara Reid is.
The hot chick from Van Wilder?
You are able to committ any crime and get away with it. What do you do and why?
Any way that gets me some serious money real fast, because a lot of money makes life a little bit easier.
If you could change anything about the world, what would you change and why?
Using fuels, I’m easily swayed so I believe all that global warming stuff.
Do you have any shout outs or thanks?
First off I’d like to thank Kurt for asking me to do this interview. I’d just like to thank Jody and Christine at Timeless, my brother, my mother, all my friends Rory Ellis, Yum Yums, TJD, Mike Mastroni, Denny, Jeff DuPaul, Chris Childs, Corey Godfrey, Boston kids, Jake Frost, Abdul, Little Dave, New Hampshire kids, B Hunt, Zak Early, Aaron Smith and Larry Rhodes.
Anything else you would like to say?
2006
