Josh Sabini

Josh Sabini is this year’s ringer.

Full disclosure: we know Josh Sabini quite well. He sort of works for us, as uncomfortable as it is to say that anyone necessarily ‘works’ for us. He sort of does. Josh is a writer and photographer from Melbourne whom we have taken quite a liking to for his ability to address his fellow man, but perhaps more specifically, his fellow skateboarder and his fellow artist. He has a knack for speaking in the coded vocabulary of the subcultures we love most in such a way that may at times sound cryptically juvenile but is really the language of the people we draw close to us and those we value most. The weirdos, the talented ones, the youth, the misunderstood and ever-present future creators of culture. Even if Josh weren’t good at writing and photography, we’d still follow him on Instagram because the guy fucking rips at skating. Simple as that. Let me now take the humble and overdue opportunity to say with sincerity, hey, Josh. We love you. Thank you for all that you do. You are doing great. Keep it up.

Who are you?

I am Josh Sabini. At fifteen, I once described myself as the ‘resident kook of Riverslide skatepark’. I don’t really resonate with that title anymore; I haven’t skated there in a while.

What do you do?

I am a skateboarder, writer, and photographer.

How long have you been doing that?

Skateboarding since I was eleven. Writing since I was probably four (I’ll have to ask my mum). Taking photos since I was a child, I remember taking a disposable camera on year three school camp, but I’d say I only have felt comfortable taking the photographer title in the last year.

Where is home for you?

Melbourne, Australia.

If you weren’t writing, what would you be doing?

I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately, so thank you for asking. I really don’t know what I would be doing. I probably would be one of those career university people; try to stay at university for as long as possible, get my PhD in sociology then become an academic. Then again, I was also so sick of university by the last year of my degree so maybe I wouldn’t be doing that.

“I have a really nice group of supportive friends around me who I love very dearly, and my sister is my best friend. That I’m most proud of, for sure.”

What do you think about the current state of the media culture?

I hate it. It makes me so miserable. Every day I’m hearing that my favourite magazines are stopping doing print issues and have the least money they’ve ever had. It seems to be getting worse and worse by the day. I wish I came into this industry fifteen years earlier; I hear all these crazy stories about writers getting paid ridiculous amounts and getting flown to a new city to do a single interview or write a profile piece and I can’t even get paid a cent for most of my work (not at MC though, they pay me well and I appreciate it a lot). 

What do you do outside of writing (and skating) and how does that thing influence or affect your craft?

I really enjoy taking photos. I am drawn to it for the same reasons I am drawn to writing, mostly as a form of capturing memories. It feels like a natural complimentary interest to being a writer. I always hear about so many photographers who were originally writers by trade, and it makes sense. As an influence, I’m sure it does in some way, but I can’t really think of how exactly on the top of my head.  

The best/worst thing about the writing industry as you see it? 

Best thing is I get to talk to so many amazing people, including people that I really admire. Worst thing is there is no money in it which sucks and is really grim knowing that I probably won’t ever be able to make a good living off it.

Something you’re most proud of? 

I have a really nice group of supportive friends around me who I love very dearly, and my sister is my best friend. That I’m most proud of, for sure.

Biggest lesson you’ve learnt in life so far?

Everything will be okay, even when it’s not.

Something anyone can do today to make the world a better place? 

Try to be conscious of your actions and the impacts those have on others. 

Photo by Brendan Frost.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve overcome so far in your industry?

Realistically, I feel like I am in the biggest challenge I have faced currently. I am trying to work out how to make a career and a living out of what I love doing. I really do hope I can overcome it and get the opportunity to be a writer full time, not getting sucked into doing something I don’t enjoy just to survive. 

What is something people might not know about you? 

I really enjoy hoarding. I attach a lot of sentimental value to things that might be considered useless, such as a Barcelona tile that sits on display on my desk.

Who do you think is doing it the best/coolest in your industry right now?

Coolest thing in skateboarding media right now is by far Closer Magazine. Everything Jaime Owens is doing over there is incredible. He’s been able to make a magazine that is current and cool yet still has space to throwback to the past. He also has my favourite photographer, Matt Price and my favourite skate writer, Farran Golding on staff. So that helps win me over even more.

Then the coolest thing in Arts and Culture media are publications like Apartamento and Buffalo Zine that are still going strong making incredibly good print issues that make you want to sit down and read every single word. They are both what I think of when it comes to ‘cool’. They have incredible layouts, incredible photos, incredible writing and incredible interviews. They’re both perfect.  

What do you think the biggest issue young people are facing today?

Cost of Living. Is that corny? I guess so. Everyone says it and I doubt I’ll be the only person in this that says it. But it is true. Everyone has to work more than ever to stay afloat. It really sucks and I think it’s something that almost everyone is facing and can’t avoid.

What were your goals when you began and have they changed over time?

I’m in crisis mode right now, as you can probably tell by my answers. Now I guess my goals now are to try to just enjoy myself. Try to keep doing as much work as I can that I really am proud of. The ultimate goal is to be a staff writer at a publication that I adore, but that’ll come in due time, hopefully.

I really didn’t have goals when coming into writing. I think I got really lucky getting the opportunity to work so closely with MC and I am really grateful for that. I’d like to thank everyone here, especially Crom for getting me in and Naz for keeping on publishing my articles. 

You were sponsored and then kind of willingly stopped, why is that?

I have a love-hate relationship with skateboarding. I really enjoy skateboarding for fun and have periods where I find filming super fun too, but right now I’m in a phase where the only skating I want to do is at the skatepark with my friends after work. I’d feel guilty taking three boards a month when I am only going through one every three months. I haven’t filmed a trick in almost a year and I’m not going to just milk free product because I can. I’d rather the product and opportunity go to someone else who deserves it and really wants it, like how I wanted it for a while. Maybe, I’ll want to do that all again sometime, but right now I’m chill just doing what I want to. I am forever grateful to everyone who has ever helped me out with free product and supported me, especially Anthony Mapstone. I will always appreciate everything he has done for me and the Australian skate scene.

What is the dumbest thing you’ve had to write (and also, sorry for making you write it)?

I had to write about court proceedings at uni. I don’t think that’s necessarily dumb, but it was boring. Dumbest? Maybe like ‘The Skateboarders Guide to’ series but in the way that it was my dumb idea that I love, and I want to do more of them because they are so much fun.

Where would you like to be in five years? 

Ideally writing for a job and not having to work any other job to make ends meet. Still taking photos, still skating, still healthy, still excited by life.