Chris Tatsuno is professional when it comes to both skiing and living large in a van. He also has some great tunes laid out that just may inspire you to do the same…
Pro Playlists | Chris Tatsuno
[Earlyups] Do you listen to music while you’re skiing? Only in certain situations?
[Chris Tatsuno] I usually only listen to music on the uphill. There’s something to be said about zoning out on some rad beats where you can just lose yourself in the hike rather than counting each step. As for the down, I’m really into the sounds of skiing: the whooshing, the wind, the uh-ohs of scraping edges on rocks, etc. I think the sound is a huge part of the experience, and no music can top that for me.
[Earlyups] What are your thoughts on tunes while doing a Freeskiing comp?
[Chris Tatsuno] I know a lot of guys plug in to get in the mood for their runs, but I’ve never really tried it. I know there were more than a few times where music might have been better to hear than the scrape of skis on ice; that can really kill the confidence sometimes. Maybe I’ll have to try it out.
[Earlyups] How about in the backcountry?
[Chris Tatsuno] Only on the up, and usually with one bud in, one bud out. You don’t want to miss any audible warnings of avy conditions. I like to pop in a whistling mix where the songs keep me whistling right along. I like how it helps keep my breathing steady.
[Earlyups] Has a song ever helped inspire you to send something big? What song?
[Chris Tatsuno] I get songs stuck in my head really easily, so I’ll usually find myself humming or whistling some Black Sabbath in those moments where I’ll be sending it big. Maybe ‘Crazy Train’…I like that maniacal laugh Ozzy kicks it all off with
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Hit play below to stream via 8tracks. There are Spotify links below as well. Enjoy!
Van-Tramping Playlist: (nothing goes better with shag carpet than new wave) listen on Spotify
Ice Cube - “Today Was a Good Day”
Talking Heads - “Once In a Lifetime”
The Vapors - “Turning Japanese”
Gary Numan – “Cars”
Talking Heads - “This Must Be the Place” (on the way home after a long trip)
Skin-Tracks Playlist: (songs to whistle along to; shout out to my gf Jamie for this mix) listen on Spotify
The Drums - “Let’s Go Surfing”
Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros - “Home”
Otis Redding - “Sittin on the Dock of the Bay”
Peter Bjorn and John - “Young Folks”
Foster the People - “Pumped Up Kicks”
More from the Pro Playlist Series
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Check out ChrisTatsuno.com for more of his antics!
Ski/preview image Frank Shine, Lifestyle image Julie Weinberger
