Dopamine: a neurotransmitter that plays an important role in reward-motivated behavior. A naturally-occurring chemical amplified by amphetamines. One part of treating Parkinson’s disease. The latest release from frequency TSJ media partner Absinthe Films, which played to a standing room only crowd at Bellingham, WA’s Pickford Theater this past Friday the 13th of September, 2013.

It’s always nice to see the filmmakers themselves putting in work at premieres—such was the case as Absinthe honcho Justin Hostynek worked the ticket line alongside co-producer Laning Andrews as the theater filled. In typical Bellingham fashion (town motto: the city of subdued excitement) the crowd remained quiet as newcomer to the Absinthe crew Jason Robinson dropped a heavy opening part featuring big mountain freestyling from BC to AK. They remained, well, subdued, as standout sections from Manuel Diaz, Blair Habenicht, Brandon Cocard and more rolled into the Bode Merrill/Victor de le Rue crescendo. It was a backcountry-freestyle oriented opus with just the right level of heavy street riding to keep things in balance—creative on both ends of the spectrum, and home to enough subtle grit and unexpected riding to set it well apart from the slew of cookie cutter edits flying around the interwebs on a daily basis without resorting to in-your-face art film tactics. Nice.

And when the credits rolled, the full house remained seated—they stayed to chat with the riders and filmmakers once the lights came on. Quiet applause, sometimes, means more than drunken screams and an early exit. Besides, 90s punk rock covers and a few well-themed absinthe cocktails were waiting around the corner at The Shakedown. But the rest of the night may be a story better told another time.

Thanks to Justin and Lanny, the riders in attendance, and the snowboard community for a resounding welcome to winter here in Bellingham, WA. Look for a conversation with J Rob coming to frqncy.com soon—and look for Dopamine on tour in a city near you as they make their way north to Canada, Alaska, and then back down through Montana, and continue to travel Europe.