This week's underground gem is, without a doubt, Tristan Mershon's YouTube channel, one that's loaded with amazing edits and the latest one to date, "ALMOST THERE", really scores so many points. First things first, the skateboarding in itself is beautiful and of impeccable taste (with a couple of really mean 360 flips thrown in the mix, too), but the filming also isn't without evoking strong Dan Wolfe influences, maybe with a hint of early Josh Stewart. Y'all already know: we're talking East Coast-flavored VX-1000 here for a three-minute timespan, still the ultimate format for a quick pre-skate video stream in a style that may be oddly reminiscent of the most classic gems from independent skateboarding's YouTube golden days (the ones that saw the raise of Josh Roberts' first edits in Australia, Robert Brown's mystery montages, the New Jersey-boiled Stay Stackin' or even "MAMA'S BOYS" if still hungry for more Big Apple).

Shout outs to Wes Allen for sharing the goods with us - revisit "SALVAGE TITLE" here!

Javier Varillas, the Spain-born and currently Prague-based filmmaker already behind, most notably, « THE ULTIMATE PESSERTIVE REMIX » screened at Vladimir Film Festival 2019, presented his latest work at Vladimir again, in 2021, under the form of « (OUT)PERFORMANCE » - co-featuring the talents of locals Kuba Novotný, Daniel Dauš, Roman Špaček, Payo Labbé and Štěpán Janda to « tell the story of a group of thirty-plus-year-old skateboarders, united by the tireless motivation for searching » and exploiting their immediate urban terrain. Javier's first venture into the world of HD also marks a more personal spin on his usual approach and results in what he describes as « an intimate testimony of commitment, determination and friendship ».

The video was notably featured alongside words by Kuba Novotný himself on the website of Czech Crook Magazine. Boardmag also has interviews with Javier and Štěpán up, if you really want to dive in!

Dead On Arrival a.k.a. D.O.A. is once more back on our screens to drop this "FINAL COUNTDOWN PART ONE": a fresh, frenetic edit that commendably manages to beautifully encapsulate Herb Brown's smooth operation style, some extravagant stunts courtesy of a Slinky LIVE has been trying to warn you about who just recently earned himself pro status, and a short part for straight up executioner Drew Garbowski, within five minutes and a half. And, behind the lens, the staff is just as qualified since the footage was caught by the likes of, amongst others, Josh Shupe of Threads Ideas Vacuum underground fame, or Ryan Flores, the author of excellent cru "MERLOT".

The Rennes scene has been renowned for its constantly bubbling activity for a good while, now; the most diligent of now-O.G. heads definitely remember Pacôme Gabrillagues' video works, most notably the full-length "CROSSWALK" back in 2010 - at the dawn of the rise in popularity and traction of independent european creation - or maybe more contemporarily, the entire Galerie 126 adventure. Théo Le Guével's newest full-length VX-1000 video, "UNCENSO-RENNES", bears witness to how the recent generations have been insisting to honor such a rich cultural legacy ever since and, in between more Rennes activists throughout the ages, Laurent Ségal also fits right in since at the wheel of Bears Skateshop, formerly Bamboo, open on location since 2004. Thus in a way, it's almost two decades that the release of this "BEARS VIDEO" by Yoann Cailleteau is celebrating - but not just that as, given the variety in the profiles composing its sum, it also reflects the human adventure aspect of skateboarding, on one hand; and healthy doses of elbow grease smoothness, on the other hand. Checking in on everyone involved just had to be done, as to duly honor the Rennes scene as far as we're concerned - and they all turned out to have plenty to say, too, as the joined interview can attest, below!