Tom Blyth is a unique and interesting character, the 30 year old mentalist hailing from the UK, has cut his teeth as a musician, professional BMXer, and now shares the early stages of a creative project based in softgoods, called Forlorn, here is what he had to say…
What is Forlorn brand, and what does it mean to you?
Forlorn is a independent, rider owned clothing project that I’m working on.
The name is a reference to the current state of BMX which seems to have rejected and abandoned most of what originally attracted me to it.
It’s also kind of a joke in that if you refer to a venture as forlorn, it means that it’s almost certain to fail. I’m aware that what I’m offering is pretty far from what the majority of riders are looking for these days so it appeals to my sense of humour that the name reflects that.
As a life long BMXer and creative type, what influences brought you to a point to where you decided you wanted to start your own project?
Well basically despite riding bmx having a huge role in shaping my development as a person, I don’t feel like there’s much going on in bmx these days that I can relate to. Rather than just complaining about that, or just accepting it and withdrawing from it altogether I decided to start something that expresses my interpretation of what BMX is about.
That’s not to say that anyone else is doing it wrong, there’s room for all kinds of styles and outlooks within riding, this is just mine.
Who do you work with on this new project?
The team is myself, Kenny Horton, Eric Holladay, Josh Bedford and The Count.
I’m also working with different artists, French drew the first design and Matthew Glover (Sin eater illustration) is currently working on the next one. There are a few other people I plan to collaborate with later on too.
How did you choose to identify Forlorn with these characters?
Everyone on the team is someone that I’m friends with, that I share common interests and ideas with and that I’m stoked to watch ride and spend time with. They all do things their own way, no one takes themselves too seriously and to me they embody what BMX is all about. The same goes for the artists, they are amazing at what they do, each have their own individual style and are cool to work with.
Why do you feel like it’s important for BMXers to pursue various creative outlets, Ie, bands, art, clothing, etc…? Are there any people or brands that inspired you?
I think that BMX needs people who are interested in more than just bikes to stop it from becoming stagnant. It seemed like when I was younger, everyone who had an interview had something interesting to say, a slightly different outlook, they were free thinkers. I think there is a distinct lack of that now, somehow mainstream BMX has become homogenous and in need of some fresh ideas. Without people bringing influences from different music, art and different ways of thinking we may as well just all be kicking the shit out of each other after the match with the other idiots.
How can people learn more about what you are doing?
You can follow us on Instagram at @forlorn_brand
We’re also on Facebook at Facebook.com/forlornbrand
And we have an online store at www.forlorn.bigcartel.com with shirts and stickers for sale.
Also keep an eye out for a promo edit coming soon!
Photos of the count are by James Newrick, Tom Blyth Peg Fakie by Joe Bailey all other photos of Kenny Horton, Eric Holladay and Tom by Steve Crandall/ Least Most…
