Matthias Dandois spends his days training for BMX championships; Rowan Zorilla devotes his time to mastering new tricks on his skateboard; Steve Van Doren is the Vice President of one of the biggest sneaker companies in the world.

While these three individuals are world's apart geographically and in terms of their daily routines, music is the one thing that is in common between them. In this feature, Dandois, Zorilla, and Van Doren share with us about the pivotal role music plays in their lives as well as playlists they've curated for you to hear the world through their chosen tunes.

MATTHIAS DANDOIS

BMX FLATLANDER

Image Credit: Colin Mackay

Tell us how music features in your daily routine? 

Music is a huge part of my daily routine. There is music around me basically from the moment I wake up (breakfast, morning stretch, morning run, lunch, afternoon ride, drinks with friends...) till the moment I go to bed. I can’t ride my bike without music, and if I have some new songs on my playlist I’m stoked about, it motivates me to go ride. It’s a love-love relationship with music. 

If you could pick just one song to get you into the mood before your main activity, what would it be and why?

It’s a super hard question cause it’s always changing, haha. Right now, it would be Claire Laffut – 'Mojo'. Good vibe song.

Tell us the backstory to one track in your playlist and what played a part in it becoming a favorite.

I’d say the first time I won the world championship I rode to 'The Funeral' by Band of Horses. I was obsessed with that song at that time, and now every time it comes up it brings back incredible memories. Only music can do that. 

Listen to Dandois' playlist here:

ROWAN ZORILLA

 SKATER

Image Credit: Anthony Acosta

Tell us how music features in your daily routine? 

Music definitely helps me get through these long days of quarantine. Normally I’ll get up and put on a record while I make coffee. I’ll listen to it during almost everything I do each day and especially while riding my bike.

If you could pick just one song to get you into the mood before your main activity, what would it be and why?

'24 Hours A Day' - Hugh Mundell   

Tell us the backstory to one track in your playlist and what played a part in it becoming a favorite.

'Blue Skies' - Willie Nelson became a favorite while driving from Denver to Kansas City through the countryside. There were no clouds in the sky and all you could see was blue. We listened to it a few times on the drive and now it always reminds me of that.

Listen to Zorilla's playlist here:

STEVE VAN DOREN

VICE PRESIDENT, VANS/ SON OF VANS FOUNDER

Tell us how music features in your daily routine?

Music has always been a part of my daily routine. I got my first car in 1973 and it had a cassette player. My brother had an 8-track and we used to play so much of our music together. That tradition of listening to music in my car to and from work lives on today. 

If you could pick just 1 song to get you into the mood before your main activity, what would it be and why?

If I had to choose one song it would be 'Bro Hymn' from Pennywise. It fires me up! I discover so many artists on the radio and every year on the Vans Warped Tour, I hear and see so many different bands, but 'Bro Hymn' is my go-to song.

Tell us the backstory to 1 track in the playlist and what played a part in it becoming a favorite.

I wanted to include 'Master of Puppets' by Metallica because we were able to have them perform at House of Vans London two years ago! The band was able to skate the ramp at House of Vans the night they performed. It was a night I’ll never forget, so I had to make sure they were on my track list!

Listen to Van Doren's playlist here:

Cover Image Credit: Vince Perraud, VANS