EC Melodi, the half-New York / half-Atlanta outfit that originally started putting out routine full-lengths back in 2019, was always good for at least one sizable project a year. Then, a hiatus began after Break Your Legs over two years ago — even if the secondhand pain of that boardslide sack on the bench remained seared into the imagination (see #16.)
You can always tell the difference when a crew locks in for the video. There is a subtle shift in the end goal: it transforms from “the video comes out when we have enough clips” to “the video comes out when it feels done.” Think the multi-year hiatus away from full-lengths before Bronze’s It’s Time, or the long crumb-trail of Insta edits before John’s Vid.
Wasting Time feels like that new arrival video for Melodi.
Everything from the caliber of skating, to this ungodly right-place-right-time ability to capture the best B-roll possible (“word”), the one-second backstory paragraphs over the footy you have to pause for, the production value, and care placed in every cut is a level up from Melodi’s already-great lineage of videos.
We have obvious personal biases tied to Quinn, who comes through with an incredible opener and a Columbus Circle surprise, in addition to Coles and Gabe (coincidentally the latest additions to the Alltimers team before the company shut down), who absolutely crush it here — but the entire ensemble cast put in crazy work.
Video by Eli Awbrey.
Features Quinn Batley, Yosef Bubes, Ty Beuthe, Davis Emory, Yoonsun Shin, Zach Kitt, Pete Simpson, Judah Bubes, Anthony Nicosia, Ewing Ayala, Lucas Bin, Ellias Kitt, Akobi Williams, Scotty Cave, Kyler Garrison, Coles Bailey, Xavier Holte, Cooper Qua, and Gabe Felz.
Quarter Snacks is the main skate media I check because you explain to me why I should care about stuff I decided I wouldn’t care about