The best friendships are often forged in the fires of shared humor, and what better way to develop that than through the rapid-fire exchange of memes? This is the premise behind our new interview series, Left On Read, where we delve into the digital lives of our friends, exploring their phones to uncover their hidden tastes, obsessions, and quirks. We’re not just talking about surface-level browsing history; we’re diving deep into camera rolls, notes apps, and meme collections. For our inaugural edition, we’ve unlocked the phone of Salomon Cardenas, a skateboarding icon known for his early days with WKND, his time with Alltimers, his work with HUF, and his recent skateboarding film, “Frontside Flip: The Movie.”
Salomon, or Sully as he’s often called, was a great sport about this whole process. So, without further ado, let’s dive into the digital world of Salomon Cardenas.
Sully’s Spotify Soundtrack
First up, let’s take a peek at Sully’s music tastes. According to his Spotify, he’s currently hooked on the new SahBabii album. He describes it as “so fucking good.” He’s also been listening to Young Nudy’s Sli’merre 2 and diving into the classic sounds of Curtis Mayfield’s Back to the World. This mix showcases a diverse palette, from modern hip-hop to soulful classics, hinting at a wide range of influences.
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Performance Art and a New Ride
Moving from music to visual art, Sully shared his fascination with the work of Sagazan, a performance artist known for his dark and disturbing videos. He was eager to share these with his friends, intrigued by their unsettling nature. Beyond art, Sully also highlighted his new ride: a 2007 gold Honda Fit, which he acquired through an unusual circumstance—a gift from his father, who received it after a friend’s passing. This vehicle holds a particular significance, blending practicality with a touch of sentimentality.
Salomon Cardenas and a photo of his phone screen with Sagazan's video
Further into his search history, we stumbled upon a search for “Moby with hair”. This led Sully to revisit the electronic music pioneer Moby’s earlier work and movie scores, after his girlfriend showed him a sticker that reminded him of the artist but with a full head of hair.
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Meme Master
A key element in Sully’s digital life is his use of memes. He’s sent a few hilarious ones, which you can check out here, here, and here. These memes underscore the importance of shared humor in his friendships, proving the opening thought to be true.
Meme example from Salomon Cardenas
Unreleased Footage and Epic Fails
Moving into Sully’s video collection, he shared a random clip he never posted, showing his willingness to share even unfinished bits of his life. This was followed by a hilarious bail clip featuring Jeff Cecere attempting a boardslide, reminding us that even pro skaters have their share of mishaps.
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Salomon Cardenas's unreleased video
Jeff Cecere's bail clip
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Board Graphic Brainstorms
Sully’s Notes app reveals his creative side, filled with ideas for board graphics. One note reads “dog on his back” with “wasted meme” in quotes, while another simply states “fingerling potatoes” in all caps. These quirky ideas offer insight into his unique and often humorous approach to skateboarding.
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Screenshot of notes app with board ideas
Skate Legends and Spot Mapping
Sully also highlighted Juskatin, a skate legend from West Palm, whom he admires for his free-spirited approach to skating. His phone also showcases his practical side with a recommendation for the “GPS Log” app, a tool for skaters to mark and label skate spots with GPS accuracy.
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Salomon Cardenas's screenshot of Juskatin
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Screenshot of GPS log app
Blue Halloween and a Cat’s Quirks
Sully’s photo collection reveals his dedication to a unique Halloween tradition: dressing up in blue. He’s been blue many times, including a stint as George Washington, highlighting his playful and quirky side. His cat Ginger also makes an appearance, captured in a comical moment with her tongue stuck out, showing his appreciation for life’s humorous moments.
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Salomon Cardenas dressed as a blue George Washington
Salomon Cardenas's cat Ginger with her tongue out
Classic Skate Videos and Comedy Icons
His favorite skate video? The classic “Lofi,” a Brad Cromer VX edit that clearly holds a special place in his heart. This is complemented by his appreciation for the comedy of Norm Macdonald. Sully admits to diving into “endless Norm content,” showing a love for sharp, unique humor.
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GIF of Brad Cromer's Lofi skate video
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Image of Norm Macdonald
Murder Mysteries and Timeless Comedies
Sully’s recent television and movie choices further illuminate his eclectic taste. He recently finished watching a show called “The Madness,” a murder mystery he describes as “almost fantastical, but they keep it real.” He also revisited the comedy classic “Along Came Polly,” which he says “still hits.”
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Image of The Madness show
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Image from Along Came Polly
Literary Adventures and Kindle Discoveries
Currently, Sully is immersed in Haruki Murakami’s Kafka on the Shore, finding it to be “so easy to read.” He admits to being an avid Kindle user, a shift from his past preference for physical books. This change reflects a pragmatic approach to his reading habits.
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Image of Kafka on the Shore
The PA Gig Dilemma
Finally, Sully candidly admitted to a common struggle: turning down PA gigs when he’s not actually busy, opting to go skating instead. This habit often leads to a moment of self-reflection, asking himself, “Why TF did I do that?”
Screenshot of Salomon Cardenas's texts
Final Thoughts
When asked about his preferred catchphrases, Sully responded with options such as “I’m not Pro,” “AM for Life,” “It is Awesome,” or “Broke as Fuck,” perfectly capturing his relatable and down-to-earth persona. This peek into Sully’s phone reveals a man of varied interests, a strong sense of humor, and a genuine love for skateboarding and the community it fosters. From music and art to memes and skating, Salomon Cardenas is a fascinating individual, and this was just a glimpse into his world.
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Interview by: Ben Komins
Header by: Wilson Lucas
