Welcome back to our little corner of the world, this time we dive into the playful mind of Ryan Schude. A Malibu Sandals friend of the brand that lends his photographic and filmic talents to our seasonal efforts. We adore this fella, he's got a secret sauce for mind-bending compositions and hilarious on-set anecdotes.
What comes to mind when you hear the word Malibu?
The Reel Inn, Neptune's Net, Leo Carillo, Moonshadows
What was your first concert? We want to know the artists, the year, tour and venue.
I don't think these were the actual firsts but they are the earliest I can remember:
Phish, Alpine Valley Music Theater, East Troy, Wisconsin, August 1996
Cypress Hill (Temples of Boom Tour), 311, The Pharcyde, Aragon Ballroom, Chicago, IL, February 1996
Which Malibu Sandals style are you wearing right now?
Colony Moc in Japanese Denim and Crepe Sole. Love em to death!
We understand you were once a fruit booter - do you ever get back out there?
I try very infrequently because it hurts my old body. I still shoot photos of bladers from time to time as well. Wish I did both a bit more. Maybe moving to Ojai things will quiet down enough that I make a weekly run to the local skatepark or get on the bike path?
Being from Chicago and having the best ‘Hot Beef’ in the nation - have you found a West Coast replacement to fulfill the void?
Yes, there is a Portillo's in Buena Park which is pretty darn authentic, I definitely stop by every time I am remotely close. Joe Mantegna used to have the Taste Chicago in Burbank but it sadly closed a few years ago. There is a place in Culver City pretending to have an Italian Beef but it is not worth mentioning, for shame!
On what level is your podcast consumption and could you share any particular one we should know about?
I'd say it's close to half my Spotify consumption at this point. The two I listen to the most are embarrassingly WTF with Marc Maron and Lex Fridman. Just stumbled upon You Made it Weird with Pete Holmes which is pretty good if not a bit manic. Looking to give POOG another try.
Does your daily screen time notification ever make you worry or is it work related?
Both. I justify a lot of it being work related but somehow if I never had to work again I feel like my screentime wouldn't change that much.
What’s your preference, reading in print or on a device?
I like the idea of my Kindle a lot but find myself using print more for books anyways. The Kindle is nice because it is so light, I can read in the dark and turn pages silently but I miss seeing the cover art lying around on the nightstand.
Who is someone you bumped into around town that we might know?
Dave Heffernan although I don't bump into anyone by happenstance. Can't remember the last time that happened. Oh, I saw Adam Sandler on the street in Beverly Hills not too long ago, rolled down my window and yelled "What's up Sandman!" and he yelled back "What's up Buddy!." That was the chef's kiss for my escape from LA.
If you could snap your fingers and change one thing today, what would it be and why?
I would like to grow into becoming less judgemental, more compassionate and model that for my family.
Where and when do you find solitude in your daily life?
Reading, driving, retouching. I'd like to say cycling but it has been neglected as of late.
Who do you consider the greatest living legend?
Without sounding like this is just a cute answer, I honestly challenge anyone to go toe to toe with my daughter Antonia in the "smile that can light up a room" department. Obviously my wife Agatha and I are biased when we agree that she makes us feel immense joy on a daily basis, but the reviews are in from many a complete stranger and they are unanimously quite beside themselves when they are lucky enough to catch a grin from the queen of beam.
If you had a warning label what would it say?
I swear I'm not arguing with you or trying to be combative, I don't mean it. I earnestly value your opinion and wish my tone conveyed that more adequately.
How has life changed for you post-COVID?
Quite a bit more cautious about germ exposure, especially with the baby but I'm assuming that goes out the window once she starts daycare. My understanding is that we should just relent to being sick for the next 5 years?
What is one of the most gratifying moments in your life so far?
Getting married and having a child by miles. It seems so obvious in hindsight but everything outside of that thankfully feels so much less important now.
Were you named after someone?
I don't think so, I have an annoyingly common name for suburban white males born during the tale end of Gen X. Wish I would have had the foresight to change it when I went to college. Could you see me as Buck Schude?!
What was your first car?
A short lived 1985 Toyota Corolla in light blue. (not the actual picture of mine but the same one). It used to die while driving at full speed for no reason and I would drop it into neutral on the highway and restart it.
I would be remiss to leave out the next one which I more identify with as I had it for a few years, the 1982 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale (also not original image but exact same). 12 inch subwoofer in the trunk that could easily house a few full size snowboards with room to spare.
If you’re having a not so good day what cheers you up?
A nice boothy steakhouse for a ribeye and gin martini. Although we haven't taken her yet, it would be sweetened by the aforementioned smiles from Toni Baloney in a high chair and capped off with some boob-tube in bed with Agatha. That sounded kinkier than I intended, that's TV, er, Netflix for the younger folk.
What is your latest guilty pleasure?
Breakfast Burritos for sure. Supposed to lay off on account of the high cholesterol and what not but some say it's a myth? Sub for egg whites, take out the meat, add jalapeno though and I think I'm ok if the establishment is willing to humor me. Lemon Poppy does a great one with turmeric tofu scramble. Nick's in Chinatown might be the best in LA if you're looking for the gut-buster type with their own homemade salsa.
What movie could you watch everyday?
Never went in for the repetition much but a few that I have seen many times would be Royal Tenenbaums, Dumb & Dumber, Billy Madison, Clifford, Princess Bride, When Harry Met Sally, Goonies, Back To The Future, Bugsy Malone, Darjeeling Limited, Ferris Bueller, and No Country For Old Men. Not that I would cite them as my favorite movies although I like them just fine, just ones that I have rewatched the most probably. The early ones mostly due to the nature of VHS versus streaming for sure. I have a hard time rewatching things now that we have access to so much.
If you're interested in seeing more of Ryan's work and to reach out directly to this talented gentleman here are some place to do that:
https://www.instagram.com/ryanschude/