[Best of OC 2008 Post Cards] Diversions: Greetings From Alex Knost

Pro surfer for both RVCA and Vans. Filmmaker. Artist. Lead singer of the Japanese Motors. Knost is a part of the new slew of young jack-of-all-trades creative types who have congregated in Costa Mesa, where Knost was born and raised.

Costa Mesa’s full of great young bands. I’ve been all over (LA, New York, San Francisco, Australia), but we’ve got great artists right here, like Matt McCluer. From a songwriter’s point of view, he’s the best I’ve ever met. He’s written something like eight albums in his living room.

I’ve been surfing since I was 5 (my dad was a surfer in Newport in the ’60s and ’70s), so all the surfers down in Newport Beach, especially the ones that hang out at Blackies at Newport Pier, are another one of my favorite things about this county. Beginning with the Newport Beach Surfing Association and Blackies, there are tons and tons of kids who pave their own way and are creative.

Actually, the two people who make my surfboards even live in Costa Mesa. Tanner Prairie shapes all my boards and went to Newport Harbor High School--—he’s only 19. Robbie Kegel shapes a lot of my boards, too.

One last thing: the Avalon Bar. When I turned 21, I met Mike Conley, and he was one of the most genuine, nice people I’ve ever met. I like supporting that place. Bands, artists, DJs hang out there. We’ve just got a nice community of creative people, you know? It’s a good contrast here to Newport Beach and Laguna Beach. And it’s cool that it hasn’t been overrun by displays of wealth with BMW dealerships or McDonald’s or something like that.

• Matt McCluer, www.myspace.com/mattmccluer.

• Avalon Bar, 820 W. 19th St., Costa Mesa, (949) 515-4650.