PHH: How did your movement journey start?
Jackson Garcia: I was always interested in movement from a video game ‘tekken’. And then my mum saw my brother and I were really into it – so she put us in a break class and I learnt the Baby Freeze and didn’t look back after that haha.
PHH: You’ve danced down escalators, in fountains and on the main stage… What’s the weirdest place you’ve ever boogied?
JG: Haha I have! For a theatre it would definitely be the Opera House. And then the Concorde Fountain in Paris was insane – and no security told me to stop.
PHH: When you’re feeling creatively stumped, where do you go?
JG: I’ll just go for a walk, maybe watch people or do something else that I can get lost in like a sport or deejaying, play congas and then come back to what I was working on.
PHH: Amongst the physicality of your work, how do you look after yourself?
JG: To look after myself, I do hill sprints, swimming, I’ll stretch, maybe random gym sesh. And just make sure to look after or switch on parts of my body so I don’t go into my lower back.
PHH: Are there any places on your breaking bucket list?
JG: To dance and play percussion in Medellín, Colombia!
PHH: What was your first encounter with breaking?
Chris Cielo: I remember being shown some footwork when I was around 7 years old by a friend. and also seeing breaking in the Run-D.M.C. music video on TV.
PHH: How would you describe your personal style of movement?
CC: It’s smooth, it’s in the moment, in the music and free.
PHH: What did you feel was missing from the scene when you decided to create Concrete Waves?
CC: It was more about what could I add and how I could give back to the culture that helped shape me and gave me opportunities that I never thought I’d be able to experience, like being flown around the world to compete, perform and be in fashion campaigns. I wanted to create more events to give the existing and next gen a place to express and grow their talent and art. I also wanted to create well-curated events that would bridge underground culture for a public audience and showcase the real culture of hip hop and breaking, as well as showing how amazing and raw the art form is – and how it is so positive for the youth and the community.
PHH: What can spectators and guests expect from their first break battle?
CC: Just how real and genuine the art form is. People who haven’t been to events like this only really have a perception of what mainstream media has shown and when you experience the culture and witness the talent and celebration that goes on, there’s a very special feeling in the room. So yeah, expect to hear dope music and see some crazy sh*t. Be prepared to dance and celebrate; these events are for everyone to enjoy!
PHH: What comes next for Concrete Waves?
CC: Well, right now we are very grateful to be partnering up with Paramount House Hotel and Space Mountain. It has definitely made us believe in ourselves even more. We just wanna keep running more events, more dancing and more great music. Bringing people together to have a great time with the freedom to express themselves. We just released our first T-shirt that we will be selling at the event, and we look forward to expanding the merch side of things in the future.
Five Favourites
Song?
CC: I can’t answer this haha
JG: Summer time – Jukestrumental, DJ Slugo
Snack?
CC: A tub of ice-cream or hummus and crackers
JG: Raspberries
Coffee order?
CC: Oat Cap
JG: Ice latte or, when feelin fancy Mont Blanc
Move?
CC: Flag Spin
JG: 2 Step
Destination?
CC: Bali
JG: Moore Park
A big thank you to everyone who joined us for Break Space.
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