The Red Tea Box, Toronto

WE'RE SUPPORTING

Maybe it’s because I’m regularly checking in on her profoundly candid blog, or because her work speaks to me in some uncanny way, but I’ve always felt a powerfully calming and comforting relation to the work of illustrator, Penelope Dullaghan. With a complete lack of pretense, Dullaghan creates softly textured images that amazingly, even when commissioned, still manage to feel as if they’re just as much a piece of the artist’s state of mind. She makes you feel as if she’d rather draw nothing more than bubblegum and desk lamps, and darn it if she doesn’t make you feel the same way. Read more

WE'RE LISTENING TO

Killola is three boys and one girl, making rock music out of Los Angeles, California. The band’s style of garage pop (often described as ‘Blondie for the 21st Century’) has received more than 1.5 million MySpace plays from over 80,000 friends, many of whom add the band’s ‘K))’ symbol to their screen names as a show of allegiance. The band recently self-booked its own UK tour — 12 shows in 12 days — and American Tour — 27 shows in 32 days. Oh, and their latest album is available for free download. Viva la independence!

WE'RE THINKING

I checked out the Armory Show in Manhattan a couple of weeks back and amongst the aisles of impressive contemporary art I was particularly taken by the work of Japanese artist, Mahomi Kunikata, whose vibrant and colorful paintings are full of mischievous characters and ‘joy joy’ sentimentality.

WE'RE TRAVELLING TO

Sydney is not as well known for its great bars as other Australian cities. The city centre is dominated by over-priced style bars, while the suburbs are ruled by beer barns overflowing with terrible music, pokies, and sports. Nestled in the back streets of Surry Hills, surprisingly close to the city, The Cricketer’s Arms bucks the trend, with an open fire-place, great contemporary music selection, comfortable couches, a cosy outdoor area, decent food, free board games, and the laidback vibe that’s now all too rare in Sydney. [pic via Time Out Sydney]

Says Van She bassist and vocalist Matt Van Schie about the Bush Tetras track — Too Many Creeps — from 1982: ‘I LOOOVE this tune. It opens with a perfect snare roll, and then the counter bass and guitar rhythms make it so cool. The lyrics are even more valid today. They’re one of my favourite bands of all time, and so many people try to do what they did for real. What a time! I wish I was born back then in New York, hanging out with these kids. Ahhhh!!’

WE'RE WEARING

Jeans are a science, a science based on the deep knowledge of denim, washes and patterns, according to Dr. Denim, who have certainly twisted and turned every single atom of all their jeans into perfection. Each pair exudes a progressive design, made of superior quality at fair prices. My high waists have become the most desirable item in my wardrobe due to the denim’s strength which magically sculpts to your body yet leaves you embracing the comfort of wearing tracky-dacks. Seriously, there is nothing more important than owning a good-fitting pair of jeans. Dr. Denim delivers unisex designs that appeal to everyone.

WE'RE READING

DJ Spooky — That Subliminal Kid — is just about the deepest crate digger around, trawling the barrels of long-lost record stores for choice vinyl to spin in his wickedly dubby sets. He gave us the inside word last week on his eight favourite songs right now via our sister website, My Secret Playlist. This is what he had to say about Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry’s Panic in Babylon: ‘If there’s anything that the twenty-first century has told us, it’s that dub is the real original hip-hop. Lee Scratch even had to make it clear in 1965 by adding “Scratch” to his middle name. Take that, Grandmaster Flash!’ Read the rest of DJ Spooky’s Secret Playlist.