Ian  Morris  Interview  Dsc 9061
4 Mar 2016

Why This Street Innovator Is Still Doing It His Way

Ian Morris Talks Still United

Photos by Fred Murray

In this day and age sending your whole team and a filmer abroad every 2-3 weeks for over two years to film for one end result is probably not the smartest financial decision for a bike company. However, would as much amazing stuff have happened in the past 30 years of riding if everyone had been too scared to push the boat out a little? If we all made decisions that revolved solely around a financial situation then we'd no doubt live in a much more boring world, and that world would probably consist of very few full-length videos. Ian Morris has been at either end of the company owner / pro rider spectrum, pushing street progression and doing his own thing early on, to starting and guiding United through its ten year history. Needless to say someone with that kind of drive knows what they like and luckily for the BMX world that is DVD's! We caught up with Ian and threw some questions his way about the importance of full-length's, what it means for the brand and its riders, the decision to call upon Peter Adam and more.

Ian  Morris  Interview Still United Ian Malaga Ruben

Mozza, Ruben and Alex Valentino reviewing one of the first clips Fernando bagged for his Still United section, on the very first filming trip to Malaga. It must add an element of stress when you have two legends like Ruben and Ian peeping your clip!

Why do you think it’s important to put so much time effort and money into a project like this when many other brands go for an continual stream of 3 minute edits?

It’s what I’m into to me it’s what the brand is about I personally feel these 3 minute edits get lost in the mix it’s just another scroll down on your phone or ipad. I really like the fact that the team travel together for over 2 1/2 years hang out in different countries supporting each other to get clips. It’s cool.

How much do you reckon the project has cost to produce? It seems like a pretty major project that flies in the face of the continual doom and gloom predictions for BMX. (We all know those predictions usually come loudest from people who only got into BMX to make money but this time round it’s definitely felt like no-one has escaped it.)

When we started the project a few years back BMX sales were pretty strong but as we got deeper into the project things started to slow down. This made it hard to keep on sending dudes on trips every month..  Imagine 5 riders, a filmer on the road for 10 days every month depending on the location you don’t get much change for $10,000. Flights, van, fuel, food, accommodation etc it soon mounts up.

Ian  Morris  Interview Steep Double Peg

It was the end of the UK leg of the filming for Still United and the guys had one day left in Glasgow, Scotland. We were actually cruising back in the direction of the van when Ian spotted this super steep, no run up, aluminium rail. You could tell in his eyes that it was going down and the imminent 10 hour drive home wasn't putting him off. After borrowing some sweaty socks off of Nando, it was on. One and done like a true rail legend.

"... these 3 minute edits get lost in the mix it’s just another scroll down on your phone or ipad."

- Ian Morris

As a brand thats’s always been very loyal to local shops and local scenes does all of the recent online drama give you continued confidence in the path you’ve always taken with United? It seems that you’ve always put integrity ahead of profit.  What’s your take on that?

To me it’s important that we support local shops/scenes as that’s where we find our riders for example Jimmy Rushmore through John Dye at Cyclone Cycles back in the day then Harry through Tim Ruck at the Boarding House in Exeter. Getting a rider recommended by shop is a lot more legit than watching a web video and saying we’ll pick him. Every rider is good these days but you need to know if the dude can travel with everyone in the van etc. I really don’t pay any attention to the online drama I’m too busy focusing on what we do as a brand. I’m confident in what we do a s brand so I don’t need to look at what other brands are doing. Every company needs to make a profit otherwise you won’t survive in business but I think integrity equals profit in the long run. Riders can see through brands who don’t have integrity… 

You seem to have great loyalty with your crew. Is that part of the thinking behind the ‘Still United’ title?

In the 10 years United has been around the team has stayed 50% the same. We have had some riders go to leave for other brands or a new direction in their life. I’m not looking for constant content from these dudes, I believe in the Less is More theory. I don’t want United to be a revolving door for riders, one in one out kind of deal.  I want people to think of United then be able to name the riders on the team and like wise with the riders.

Dsc 6966

This kid in the background was convinced that his bike was useless - Ian showed him otherwise. Just another kid who will look at his bike a whole lot differently the next day. Good luck wee man.

What made you choose Peter Adam for the project and how has it been to work with him?

Originally James Cox was going to make the video as he done most of our videos for the last 6 years including ‘This is United’ but as we started planning the video James decided he wanted to open a tattoo shop with his wife so he couldn’t commit to the project. He did help a ton with the motion graphics and authoring the DVD. My obvious choice was Peter Adam as I’ve been a fan of his work plus we’ve spent sometime together on the road over the years so I knew he was good to travel with. I want to take this opportunity to thank Pete as he put everything into this video and he was a pleasure to work with.

That’s the plan for the release. Will there be a digital download available?

We have our World Premiere at the new Source Park in Hastings this weekend, March 5th then premiere’s are happening all over the world after this. The Building Distribution March 12th, Crying Wolf Bar Nashville March 18th then the Tender Trap in New York March 26th. We also have premiere’s through our distributors all over the world Amsterdam, Lyon, Montpelier, Paris, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra and Tokyo. Keep an eye on our social media for dates. DVD’s will be on sale worldwide from March 7th through our retailers and distributors. You can pre-order the DVD on our online store as well.  A few months down the line you will be able to purchase the video as a digital download.

Anything else you want to add?

I just want to thank the team, Peter Adam and everyone involved in this project. Everyone put in 100% to make this project a reality… Thank you!

Ian  Morris  Interview  Harry  Mills  Wakley Pegs Toboggan Over

Harry Mills Wakley sneaking in a pegs to toboggan over before the light disappeared in Aberdeen, Scotland. Pizza Hut didn't know what hit it 30 minutes later!

Ian  Morris  Interview  Jeff  Kocsis Wallride To 180 Gap

Jeff Kocsis ignoring the mayhem that surrounded us at this spot and juiced this wallride 180 into the other bank. Jeff has to have one of the best styles out there...

The awesome STILL UNITED is available to buy here here on DVD or Digital Download.

Related Video

'Still United' - Official Trailer

This is all out of hand... - More Info

Previous

Two Years In The Life Of A Full-Length Filmer

Peter Adam and Still United

Next

IGNITION 01: Kris Fox

"BMX will never owe me anything..."

Related Content

Img 4418

Two Years In The Life Of A Full-Length Filmer

Peter Adam and Still United

3 Mar 2016
alex-valentino-feebcrnk180

The ABC of ABD's in BCN with UTD

United hit Barcelona for their upcoming DVD and we try to figure out if it's even worth going there anymore...

9 Oct 2014
VALENTINO UNITEDSUMMER BMX TABLE NJ RD

United Summer Memories: Jersey Life

Looking back to 2014 when Williams, Rigal, and Valentino did a little Dirty Jersey exploration with host Lil' Jeff...

7 Sep 2015
Nathan  Williams Hanger Frankfurt

Nathan Williams - A Year In The Life

And what a year!

12 Dec 2015
https://www.kunstform.org/

Latest Content

E y0 Wy WAB Ihqdefault
Play Button

FROM THE NORTH

Reynolds, Adams, Hoffmann & Ntavoutian

12 Dec 2024
A Ihi7jen Erwhqdefault
Play Button

UNCLICKED - JEFF ZIELINSKI

From the very start to GT, and everything in between

12 Dec 2024
67h Y Ud C Xu E0hqdefault
Play Button

CLUUT JAM BXL

Flat out in Brussels

11 Dec 2024
Ck Vgg V Xw Y ohqdefault
Play Button

Matt Miller - Borough Breaker Rally

The combined strengths of two spot gurus

11 Dec 2024
Id K44 Lzm Y94hqdefault
Play Button

JimmAhNIMAL - James Pease - 2024

Throwing it down in OZ

11 Dec 2024
B Ffe Fj A Pb Q0hqdefault
Play Button

FIDS x S&M 4EVER

Mark "FIDS" Findlay

10 Dec 2024
Eyj S Rd FX Ff0hqdefault
Play Button

133 TRAILS JAM

Lyon, France

9 Dec 2024
8kx P Sy Krk Uwhqdefault
Play Button
BSD Grime Safari Reed Stark Austin 6

Reed Stark - A Photo Safari

Safari Forever...

6 Dec 2024
P1ye57 J1 Ga Yhqdefault
Play Button

BOYD HILDER - NO MORE BETS

BIG MAN COMIN' THRU

6 Dec 2024
6j Ordp SN Btshqdefault
Play Button

ONE MAN SHOW 2 | Township Tour 1

WEIRD & REVERED

6 Dec 2024
Uw Pz UZMD7 S4hqdefault
Play Button

RIXIN BIKES Presents - Jack Hennicke 2024

From NJ to Mexico City

5 Dec 2024

DIG Partner stores

More Features

2024 E FISE WOLVERHAMPTON 0009

E-FISE Wolverhampton - In Photos

6 teams and one untapped UK city

3 Oct 2024
KG drone shot

KEEPING IT LOCAL - 20 YEARS OF KELVINGROVE SKATEPARK

Happy Birthday to our local Glasgow park.

18 Sep 2024
Jamie Pipe Tribe

A Brave New World - The history of KHE Bikes, Part 2

Taiwan, a pornstar, and innovation in a can

18 Apr 2024
Dragon Higa gap to manual copy

PROJECT X

This is Project X - This is BMX

9 Apr 2024
WILL JACKSON SOUTHPORT OLDHAM SESSION SHOT BY KANO KANE 2

WILL JACKSON - THE 'MUSCLE MEMORY' INTERVIEW

"I got my first WTP frame at the back end of 2001. Half a lifetime ago."

21 Dec 2023
Simple session 2023 boyd hilder 9

Simple Session 2023 Photo Journal

23 years and counting...

27 Sep 2023
BOH RAIL JAM 2023 47

Battle of Hastings - Photo Journal 2023

From the beach to the basement of Source Park

12 Sep 2023
Trey Jones Pocket Air1 Aguilar 2023
20230804 DIG GLASGOW 0028

30 YEARS OF DIG EXHIBITION & BSD Jam - In Photos

Jammin' and premierin'

11 Aug 2023
20230421 OHIO 0218

Postcards from Ohio - Photo Journal

3 cities, hundreds of spots

9 Jul 2023
45 dig 93 by dolecki LYNN 250 POSH

Trails Closed - The End of Posh Woods

Why the legacy of Posh will absolutely endure

14 Jun 2023
2nd angle Zack Scott DIGBMX 4

The "Full Coverage" Interview

Never underestimate the camera guy!

8 Jun 2023