For this episode of The Skate To Create Podcast, we had the chance to speak with David “Phat Kid” Ricci. Experimental musician and freelance artist, David is going to school for a fine arts studio degree with further study in music theory & composition and computer science. Originally from Alabama, David Ricci had his life begin to take shape at the age of 10 when he moved to Albuquerque, NM. Although he found a melting pot of culture and people in the Land of Enchantment, he had a really rough childhood and shares his history of complex PTSD. Growing up, David was extremely shy to the point where it paralyzed him. He found one outlet in the form of drawing and would give away his drawings of popular characters like the Ninja Turtles and Beetlejuice to the other kids. Art was his way of expressing himself when he was unable to talk. Skateboarding is an extension of that. It has enabled him to overcome his introversion by the fact that he uses public transportation and that forces him to talk to strangers. “After a day of skating, I just feel so good. The things that would normally bother me become less significant. If I'm upset in any way, all I need to do is skate and usually I will feel better, even if its just around the block. It's like taking a walk to get your head straight, only better because I'm on a skateboard.” At 15 years old the video game Descent and the Descent 2 soundtrack inspired him to start creating music with things around the house. Experimentation with a karaoke machine, dual tape deck, and computer programs have helped him to develop his own electronic music style. To David, skateboarding is an artform, a personal creative outlet. “I'm always trying to start from a place where I don't know what I'm doing. I love mistakes, because there's always something unpredictable that I can use, like I'm collaborating with the randomness of the universe. Skating is like that, too.” David believes knowing how to fall is a vital key when learning to skate. Being into martial arts as a kid he was able to apply some of those principles to falling properly. Then you just have to hang on, keep riding and go with the flow. Along the way he has realized that sometimes you have to stop focusing on the hard trick and find one that comes more naturally. He finds beauty in that. David states that you have to learn perseverance, and that’s what makes you a skateboarder. He believes, “Skating is all about taking yourself to the edge, knowing your limits, but pushing the edge a little bit further each time.” After the Episode, Visit his website and social media links below! Website - http://phatkid.net Bandcamp - http://therealphatkid.bandcamp.com/ Soundcloud - http://soundcloud.com/phat-kid Youtube - http://youtube.com/user/dddkiddd Facebook - http://facebook.com/dddkiddd?ref=nf Record Label - DreamHaus http://on.fb.me/1FC8ZeI