Tangram Bookshelves

WE'RE SUPPORTING

It must be in the jeans. The offspring of musical hedonists Richard and Linda Thompson, Teddy Thompson is one hell of a talented songwriter. Since his debut self-titled album came out in 2000, Thompson has been busy working on collaborative projects (including the ‘I’m Your Man’ tribute to Leonard Cohen) and solo recordings. His latest album, Up Front & Down Low, is a typically skittish and melodic collection of folk tinged melodrama. We spoke to him recently. Read more

WE'RE TRAVELLING TO

As a non-coffee drinker, I’m not going to rant about the coffee. I’ve heard, though, that the coffee is damn good. But I am going to talk about something else: food. Oh. My. God. Sydney’s Single Origin cafe have this awesome meatloaf sandwich and a raft of sourdoughs and prosciutto and roast lamb and chevre and chunky steak pies and yogurt with compote and four-cheese toasties and baked beans and … oh! Don’t forget Karlie’s special homemade lemonade! Karlie is always in the house so you know that it doesn’t come from a can and arrives at your table with that sour tang that reminds you of the annual Royal Easter Show. Everything they serve is created ethically and organically. Add the constant grinding aroma of coffee beans wafting through the air and, well, is there any other place to be? [photo by Daniel Boud]

WE'RE WEARING

In celebration of an election year, Attus Apparel is offering thirty percent off all of their rad shirts using the promo code “rexforpres” at checkout. In conjunction with the big sale, they are dabbling a little in politics by introducing their own candidate for President, Rex Vanderwoodsen, representing the Strange Party. They have kicked off the campaign with a blog, campaign posters, buttons, stickers, and have all sorts of fun stuff on the way like campaign parties, and videos. Read more

WE'RE THINKING

Portland artist Aijung Kim creates the most heartfelt and endearing comics and prints. A highly candid viewing experience at times both quiet and haunting, often as cozy and reassuring as a familiar friend. With a keen eye for folksy patterns and clean detail, Kim’s work is simply a treat to view.

WE'RE READING

It turns out that the Internet was invented for cute animals as much as it was for porn. All these four-legged nobodies suddenly have our attention, and all they have to do is sneeze or fall asleep or act like they’re talking for us to fawn all over them. Heeding the growing chorus of people calling for these furry hacks to be cut back down to size, Fuck You Penguin aims to keep the egos of goats, puffins, moose, and pretty much every adorable creature on earth in check.

Oh man! To be young enough to bop, groove and scratch like these kids. For Japanese superstars DJ Sara (8 years old) and DJ Ryusei (5 years old), there’s no such thing as tomorrow. Read more

WE'RE LISTENING TO

Wow! This song — More Childish Than In A Long Time — from Swedish teenage twins Taxi Taxi! just burst into my headphones like the first welcome glare of a mid-morning sunshine, stinging my ears wickedly with its coarse, repetitive beauty. The forlorn, introspective lyrics and melody tease and shimmer, sending a fleeting and not-so-subtle tap on the shoulder to hit repeat, repeat, and soak it all up again.