Ask Karl

[ALZ]

Hi Karl,

I have two questions for you.

Please rescue Matt from the one-board-a-year medicority of Stereo. He needs to be on Organika 

After Praxis, what shoes are you rocking now? I couldn't figure out what these were:


Really like the recent art stuff with Lotti & clothing line.

/ALZ

[ORGANIKARL]

Karl, is it true that Satori is a weed front? Have they ever tried to pay you in weed?

Haha! Its not a weed front but while back  I did request to get paid in herb and they declined.

[ORGANIKARL]

stand or sit/squat to wipe, karl?

all of the above.

[ORGANIKARL]

Was that your choice to use "The Mollusk" for your 5 Flavors part?

In 1998 we went on a US tour with Mad Circle and New Deal. The dude who drove us around had the best music selection and one day on that long  journey I was woken up by the beautiful sounds of The Mollusk. Right then, still half asleep, I said "Im using THIS song for my part". So yes indeed that was my choice 

[ORGANIKARL]

Hi Karl,

I have two questions for you.

Please rescue Matt from the one-board-a-year medicority of Stereo. He needs to be on Organika 

After Praxis, what shoes are you rocking now? I couldn't figure out what these were:


Really like the recent art stuff with Lotti & clothing line.

/ALZ

Thats whats up! Thank you man. Im so stoked on how the Lotti graphics turned out. And I'm happy you're feeling my clothing designs.
Matt Rod is the man, love that dude. I've mentioned it to him before but I guess he's happy where he is.
Im skating Adidas right now but theres something cool we're working on over at Kayo.

Thanks for the questions, dudes!

[pencil]

yo whatre your thoughts on aqua teen hunger force

[Jim and Dan]

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Was that your choice to use "The Mollusk" for your 5 Flavors part?

[close]

In 1998 we went on a US tour with Mad Circle and New Deal. The dude who drove us around had the best music selection and one day on that long  journey I was woken up by the beautiful sounds of The Mollusk. Right then, still half asleep, I said "Im using THIS song for my part". So yes indeed that was my choice 

That's soooo rad Karl & what a record that was.

Thank you taking the time to answer our nerdy/fan-out questions, it means a lot to me personally.

[dillanharp]

Karl, if you have any sway can you tell deluxe to make a 5.8 low?!

[idealhandmades]

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stand or sit/squat to wipe, karl?

[close]

all of the above.

You might call it a waste of meditative concentration,
but wiping while in full lotus and levitating above the seat is impressive.

Karl Watson. Always innovating.

[tech pwc]

Hi Karl,

I have two questions for you.

Please rescue Matt from the one-board-a-year medicority of Stereo. He needs to be on Organika 

After Praxis, what shoes are you rocking now? I couldn't figure out what these were:


Really like the recent art stuff with Lotti & clothing line.

/ALZ

Put matt Rod on already!

[Makaveli]

Expand Quote

Karl, is it true that Satori is a weed front? Have they ever tried to pay you in weed?

[close]

Haha! Its not a weed front but while back  I did request to get paid in herb and they declined.

I'm calling bullshit on this one.

[shark tits]

dear karl, back in 99 i was skating 3rd and army in green sweatpants w/ cornrows. i felt a little silly [about the hair, i'd been running sweats for at least a yr] and you told me 'nice hair'. i've got 2 questions, first were you making fun of me or did you really think i had nice hair? and second, i know i was after lennie kirk but do you think my attire started both the sweats and white boy cornrows trends? cause i've been claiming that as well as being the first to coin the term 'philly stairs' back in that pre-millenial era. ps i think you have nice hair and i liked those switch flip 5-0 180s you were doing.

[ORGANIKARL]

Karl, if you have any sway can you tell deluxe to make a 5.8 low?!

Haha! Sure, but they wouldn't listen to me.

[ORGANIKARL]

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stand or sit/squat to wipe, karl?

[close]

all of the above.

[close]

You might call it a waste of meditative concentration,
but wiping while in full lotus and levitating above the seat is impressive.

Karl Watson. Always innovating.

My man!! Was just thinking about you earlier. Hows the carpet cruiser company going? I love mine by the way!

[ORGANIKARL]

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Karl, is it true that Satori is a weed front? Have they ever tried to pay you in weed?

[close]

Haha! Its not a weed front but while back  I did request to get paid in herb and they declined.

[close]

I'm calling bullshit on this one.

Haha!! Cant put my man on blast like that 

[ORGANIKARL]

dear karl, back in 99 i was skating 3rd and army in green sweatpants w/ cornrows. i felt a little silly [about the hair, i'd been running sweats for at least a yr] and you told me 'nice hair'. i've got 2 questions, first were you making fun of me or did you really think i had nice hair? and second, i know i was after lennie kirk but do you think my attire started both the sweats and white boy cornrows trends? cause i've been claiming that as well as being the first to coin the term 'philly stairs' back in that pre-millenial era. ps i think you have nice hair and i liked those switch flip 5-0 180s you were doing.

WOW! You brought it way back. If I told you I liked your hair I most definitely meant it. Especially the fact that you're a white dude with cornrows. I've always liked when people sway away from whats considered the norm for their "race". Hence me being a black skater.

That was a fun day and there were lots of folks there. I can't remember you too clearly but I do remember doing that trick. Also, WuWelsh created that steez, sorry 

[ORGANIKARL]

Skating for me was always pretty inclusive.  When I started 20 years ago I was so stoked to see another person skating in my town that I'd immediately skate over and try and make friends.  I guess at that time I was too young to know there were any division of hip hop skaters and punkers or whatever.  I liked it all, yknow?  Skate videos were my soundtrack.  Gangstarr right into discharge, exploited into Pete rock, I mean it all made perfect sense to me: we were misfits on boards.  I wrote mad circle all over my backpack in school right next to "punx not dead"...I was an idiot, but it was cool as fuck.  Now when I skate (and probably because I'm an old turd now) it's weird to see the divisiveness.  Everyone's got their look, and being spoiled with skateparks they have the luxury to be "a tranny skater" or a "street skater".  I mean shit, I'd skate it all, and I still do.  

Aside from marketability: why do you think divisions (heshers, tech guys, etc) are so prevalent?  Is it just human nature to divide and categorize?  Are skaters not the ultra humans I thought they were?  Even organika has a niche (that I love and appreciate) but would you ever flow a heshed out tranny skater with an organika tiedye on or is defining your brand a better strategy than a super well rounded crew?


Also, the obligatory "what did you think of nyjahs part?"
Karl: you're the best.

Hey bro, my bad on missing your question/comment.
I can relate to everything you said, especially when skating wasn't so divided.  Back in the day coming across another skater was truly like seeing a long lost relative. And I most def tried to make friends with any and every skater. With Organika I try to focus on the dudes that know how to talk to the younger skaters and are good at it. Because they fuel skateboarding and without the novices our beautiful art form would face imminent death. So it has more to do with personality that image.
And I loved Nyjahs part 

[Berky]

Can you tell us if this footwear project is a brand or a collab with another brand?

[pencil]

Expand Quote

Skating for me was always pretty inclusive.  When I started 20 years ago I was so stoked to see another person skating in my town that I'd immediately skate over and try and make friends.  I guess at that time I was too young to know there were any division of hip hop skaters and punkers or whatever.  I liked it all, yknow?  Skate videos were my soundtrack.  Gangstarr right into discharge, exploited into Pete rock, I mean it all made perfect sense to me: we were misfits on boards.  I wrote mad circle all over my backpack in school right next to "punx not dead"...I was an idiot, but it was cool as fuck.  Now when I skate (and probably because I'm an old turd now) it's weird to see the divisiveness.  Everyone's got their look, and being spoiled with skateparks they have the luxury to be "a tranny skater" or a "street skater".  I mean shit, I'd skate it all, and I still do.  

Aside from marketability: why do you think divisions (heshers, tech guys, etc) are so prevalent?  Is it just human nature to divide and categorize?  Are skaters not the ultra humans I thought they were?  Even organika has a niche (that I love and appreciate) but would you ever flow a heshed out tranny skater with an organika tiedye on or is defining your brand a better strategy than a super well rounded crew?


Also, the obligatory "what did you think of nyjahs part?"
Karl: you're the best.

[close]

Hey bro, my bad on missing your question/comment.
I can relate to everything you said, especially when skating wasn't so divided.  Back in the day coming across another skater was truly like seeing a long lost relative. And I most def tried to make friends with any and every skater. With Organika I try to focus on the dudes that know how to talk to the younger skaters and are good at it. Because they fuel skateboarding and without the novices our beautiful art form would face imminent death. So it has more to do with personality that image.
And I loved Nyjahs part 

you missed my question about aqua teen hunger force

[SodaJerk]

Expand Quote

dear karl, back in 99 i was skating 3rd and army in green sweatpants w/ cornrows. i felt a little silly [about the hair, i'd been running sweats for at least a yr] and you told me 'nice hair'. i've got 2 questions, first were you making fun of me or did you really think i had nice hair? and second, i know i was after lennie kirk but do you think my attire started both the sweats and white boy cornrows trends? cause i've been claiming that as well as being the first to coin the term 'philly stairs' back in that pre-millenial era. ps i think you have nice hair and i liked those switch flip 5-0 180s you were doing.

[close]

WOW! You brought it way back. If I told you I liked your hair I most definitely meant it. Especially the fact that you're a white dude with cornrows. I've always liked when people sway away from whats considered the norm for their "race". Hence me being a black skater.

That was a fun day and there were lots of folks there. I can't remember you too clearly but I do remember doing that trick. Also, WuWelsh created that steez, sorry 

Not to be argumentative but sweatpants not withstanding wasn't Vinnie Ponte the OG white guy with cornrows in the skate game? I say this because I copied it circa 95.

[shark tits]

you're right that 'new jack of the 90s' vinnie ponte did rock the sweats/cornrows combo but i can't be sure when. i think it was in the part he skated to AC/DC and maybe i didn't see it til later?

[idealhandmades]

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stand or sit/squat to wipe, karl?

[close]

all of the above.

[close]

You might call it a waste of meditative concentration,
but wiping while in full lotus and levitating above the seat is impressive.

Karl Watson. Always innovating.

[close]

My man!! Was just thinking about you earlier. Hows the carpet cruiser company going? I love mine by the way!

Haha, glad you like yours, though Ideal isn't a carpet cruiser specific company (I make more regular decks than anything, but the carpet grip is a fun alternative here and there)
It wasn't going good for a while 'cause I was having problems getting re-stocked and then had a bunch of unforeseen life expenses, but that's changing real soon.

[Balanced]

Karl that edit you put out a little awhile ago was great, switch back 180 grind that silver rail was so good, I like the music too.  I remember you mentioning in the past that one of the most impressive people you seen skate 3rd and army was PJ Ladd, Do you have any good PJ stories? You think he's going to come through for the Plan B video? Thanks G

[ORGANIKARL]

Can you tell us if this footwear project is a brand or a collab with another brand?

More like a collaboration 

[ORGANIKARL]

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Skating for me was always pretty inclusive.  When I started 20 years ago I was so stoked to see another person skating in my town that I'd immediately skate over and try and make friends.  I guess at that time I was too young to know there were any division of hip hop skaters and punkers or whatever.  I liked it all, yknow?  Skate videos were my soundtrack.  Gangstarr right into discharge, exploited into Pete rock, I mean it all made perfect sense to me: we were misfits on boards.  I wrote mad circle all over my backpack in school right next to "punx not dead"...I was an idiot, but it was cool as fuck.  Now when I skate (and probably because I'm an old turd now) it's weird to see the divisiveness.  Everyone's got their look, and being spoiled with skateparks they have the luxury to be "a tranny skater" or a "street skater".  I mean shit, I'd skate it all, and I still do.  

Aside from marketability: why do you think divisions (heshers, tech guys, etc) are so prevalent?  Is it just human nature to divide and categorize?  Are skaters not the ultra humans I thought they were?  Even organika has a niche (that I love and appreciate) but would you ever flow a heshed out tranny skater with an organika tiedye on or is defining your brand a better strategy than a super well rounded crew?


Also, the obligatory "what did you think of nyjahs part?"
Karl: you're the best.

[close]

Hey bro, my bad on missing your question/comment.
I can relate to everything you said, especially when skating wasn't so divided.  Back in the day coming across another skater was truly like seeing a long lost relative. And I most def tried to make friends with any and every skater. With Organika I try to focus on the dudes that know how to talk to the younger skaters and are good at it. Because they fuel skateboarding and without the novices our beautiful art form would face imminent death. So it has more to do with personality that image.
And I loved Nyjahs part 

[close]

you missed my question about aqua teen hunger force

I like that show but I prefer South Park.

[ORGANIKARL]

Expand Quote

Expand Quote

dear karl, back in 99 i was skating 3rd and army in green sweatpants w/ cornrows. i felt a little silly [about the hair, i'd been running sweats for at least a yr] and you told me 'nice hair'. i've got 2 questions, first were you making fun of me or did you really think i had nice hair? and second, i know i was after lennie kirk but do you think my attire started both the sweats and white boy cornrows trends? cause i've been claiming that as well as being the first to coin the term 'philly stairs' back in that pre-millenial era. ps i think you have nice hair and i liked those switch flip 5-0 180s you were doing.

[close]

WOW! You brought it way back. If I told you I liked your hair I most definitely meant it. Especially the fact that you're a white dude with cornrows. I've always liked when people sway away from whats considered the norm for their "race". Hence me being a black skater.

That was a fun day and there were lots of folks there. I can't remember you too clearly but I do remember doing that trick. Also, WuWelsh created that steez, sorry 

[close]

Not to be argumentative but sweatpants not withstanding wasn't Vinnie Ponte the OG white guy with cornrows in the skate game? I say this because I copied it circa 95.

You've got a point. I give it to Vinnie too.

[ORGANIKARL]

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stand or sit/squat to wipe, karl?

[close]

all of the above.

[close]

You might call it a waste of meditative concentration,
but wiping while in full lotus and levitating above the seat is impressive.

Karl Watson. Always innovating.

[close]

My man!! Was just thinking about you earlier. Hows the carpet cruiser company going? I love mine by the way!

[close]

Haha, glad you like yours, though Ideal isn't a carpet cruiser specific company (I make more regular decks than anything, but the carpet grip is a fun alternative here and there)
It wasn't going good for a while 'cause I was having problems getting re-stocked and then had a bunch of unforeseen life expenses, but that's changing real soon.

Rad! Im glad things will be looking up for your business soon. You deserve it!

[ORGANIKARL]

Karl that edit you put out a little awhile ago was great, switch back 180 grind that silver rail was so good, I like the music too.  I remember you mentioning in the past that one of the most impressive people you seen skate 3rd and army was PJ Ladd, Do you have any good PJ stories? You think he's going to come through for the Plan B video? Thanks G

Hell yeah he's going to come through  PJ is so rad.
Thanks for the love!!

No cool PJ stories aside from the fact that he and I dated the same girl back in the day haha

[SodaJerk]

Expand Quote

Karl that edit you put out a little awhile ago was great, switch back 180 grind that silver rail was so good, I like the music too.  I remember you mentioning in the past that one of the most impressive people you seen skate 3rd and army was PJ Ladd, Do you have any good PJ stories? You think he's going to come through for the Plan B video? Thanks G

[close]

Hell yeah he's going to come through  PJ is so rad.
Thanks for the love!!

No cool PJ stories aside from the fact that he and I dated the same girl back in the day haha

Uhhm... That sounds like an interesting story in itself. Who dated her first?

[pencil]

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Karl that edit you put out a little awhile ago was great, switch back 180 grind that silver rail was so good, I like the music too.  I remember you mentioning in the past that one of the most impressive people you seen skate 3rd and army was PJ Ladd, Do you have any good PJ stories? You think he's going to come through for the Plan B video? Thanks G

[close]

Hell yeah he's going to come through  PJ is so rad.
Thanks for the love!!

No cool PJ stories aside from the fact that he and I dated the same girl back in the day haha

[close]

Uhhm... That sounds like an interesting story in itself. Who dated her first?

obviously PJ, cause once you go black you never go back