January 2019 - Ken Hada

January 24, 2019January 24, 2019

Lizzie Armanto Podcast complete interview

Lizzie Armanto Podcast skateboarding, fame

The Lizzie Armanto podcast was a time machine for me. I first met Lizzie for a photo shoot back in 2012. And soon after our first shoot we began to shoot a lot. As a matter of fact there was a time when we might go shoot skateboarding pictures 3 times a week. And as some of you might know Lizzie Armanto became a very famous skateboarder.

There is a interesting story that happened before I met lizzie for that first session. At the time I was the kind of photographer who would plop my gear bag in my trunk for sessions. But not the type who always had his camera in the car.

And so one morning I decided to browse a local thrift shop. And for some reason I decided to put my camera rig in the car. Even more confusing I did not know why I put it in there. I mean I had no plans to shoot anyone. Well previously I had contacted Lizzie asking her to do a shoot. I had not heard from her so I thought there was no interest.

While in the thrift store my phone rings and displayed “Julie Van Duren” (a singer friend of mine). An so I picked up the phone and said “hi Julie”. There was long pause and a voice that said “this is not Julie it Lizzie”.

So Lizzie decided to shoot with me. And since I had my camera in the car we were off able to shoot that same day. And did it mean anything that I decided to put my gear in the car that day? Beats me but It makes a good story.

And I have a lot of stories about shooting Lizzie as well as Julie Kindstrand. But that is for another time. Maybe Ill write a book someday about my experience with this new wave of woman transition skateboarders?

For now check out this conversation with Lizzie Armanto.

January 15, 2019January 15, 2019

All You Feel

All You Feel a song written by Joey Grijalva and Ken Hada

All you Feel was not in my mind before a few days ago. In the first place John Terby posted a clip of my old band playing this song at a live show. Then Blake Rehling responded with some kind words about the song. Later on Blake text me and asked for both additional info and a mp3 of All You Feel. And this request set me off on a quest for this song.

Analog To Digital transfer

I eventually found a digital multitrack of the original recording. Previously I had transferred the audio from its original cassette tape four track machine. Next I remixed the song in Logic Pro. And created both Blake’s MP3 and a AIFF. I then created a Lyric Video in Davinci Resolve. It was during this process that I realized the impact of the words from this song. And that thought led me to the subject of songwriting.

songwriting

All you Feel is a song that I wrote with Joey Grijalva. When we played together in our band Shoot The Moon. And Im sure this song started with some chords from Joey. And some words and melody from me. Now that formula changed as our writing evolved. But right or wrong that’s how I remember this songs creation.

Songwriting is something I did because I thought it might one day pay off. And it was fun to do since I had zero training in the process. In fact most times I was just trying to finish songs so we could put out a tape or play a gig. Deadlines are such good things for artists.

The meaning of the song is in the opinion of the listener. Therefore I don’t like to define songs that I have written. So when I wrote the words for All You Feel, at that moment they came out of thin air. In other words I did not feel at the time that these words were important. Or that these lyrics pertained to me. Although I will say that I must have needed some of the advice this song gives. Or maybe it was advice for the future me?

January 10, 2019January 13, 2019

Lizzie Armanto Montclair

Lizzie Armanto Montclair skatepark

On February 20th 2012 I took some pictures of Lizzie Armanto skateboarding Montclair skatepark. Before on this day we had some breakfast at a place called Flake in Venice California. Afterward we probably drove to Montclair Skatepark. And after the skate/ photo session in Montclair I probably dropped her off at the Combi in Orange California.

Back in 2012 Lizzie Armanto and I would sometimes hit up to 3 skate spots in a day. And probably stopped at at least one tea place along the way. More importantly this was a great time for me to work on my skateboard photography technique. Above all it was just a fun time to hang out with Lizzie.

Here is another photograph I published many years ago from the same session.