WE'RE SUPPORTING

Having been at the vanguard of Bristol’s graffiti scene for some time now, Sickboy has just released his first solo show, Stay Free, in London. The concept is a good one, although slightly reminiscent of his contemporary, Banksy. He’s transformed a Victorian Grade II listed building in East London into a ’3D creative playground, a la a Charlie and The Chocolate Factory’. What’s more, there’s a golden ticket up for grabs. 1000 keys will be released to visitors, and the person whose key fits the lock will become the new owner of the Factory.

WE'RE THINKING

Of all of the tasty condiments out there – savory jams, off-the-wall chutneys, exotic spreads — mayonnaise might seem like the ultimate Plain Jane. No longer. Allow us to introduce you to a tiny little company called Empire Mayonnaise, purveyors of ‘luxury’ mayo in flavors like pistachio, black garlic, and smoked paprika. Read more

I spent the formative first six years of my life in Wellington, New Zealand, a beautiful windswept city framed by a magnificent harbour in one direction and a stunning collection of green, rolling hills in the other. It was here, on a return visit many years later and deep amongst the clipped accents and ruddy faces of the weather-beaten locals, that I stumbled upon the vast catalogue of the then Dunedin based record label Flying Nun. And what a roster of acts they housed — The Chills, The Bats, The Clean, Tall Dwarfs, The Verlaines, and my favourite guitar-pop band, Straitjacket Fits. Read more

WE'RE TRAVELLING TO

Monet and The Impressionists is on display at Sydney’s Art Gallery of New South Wales until January 26, 2009. Alive with bold brushstrokes and dappled colours, the exhibit features 58 masterpieces by Cezanne, Manet, Degas, Renoir, Pissarro and Monet himself, among many others that have never been shown in Australia. It was amazing to view some of the finest quality works that revolutionised modern painting and the way natural light is portrayed on canvas. Go Monetise yourself and see Rough Weather, and all those serial haystack paintings.

WE'RE READING

Says Yuko Shimizu on the artwork of legendary Japanese illustrator Katsushika Hokusai: ‘I was just at Kinokuniya Bookstore [a Japanese book store at Rockefeller Center in New York] a few days ago and bought The Complete Hokusai-Manga Sketchbooks [published by Shogakukan]. It was $150, but worth every penny with its mind-blowing works of art by Katsushika Hokusai from cover to cover’
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WE'RE LISTENING TO

Arriving two years after their debut, Settle Down City, Old Wounds completes Young Widows’ transformation into a top-shelf rock band firing on all cylinders. Forging the best parts of Nirvana, The Jesus Lizard, Nick Cave, PJ Harvey, Fugazi and The Melvins, Old Wounds is a series of dynamic, thoughtful tunes anchored by cavernous grooves that will certainly push most speakers to their breaking point. Read more

WE'RE WEARING

Yes, Karen O wears it. And we don’t blame her. Launched by make-up artist, Mike Potter, Knock Out Cosmetics nail polish is a little Victorian, a touch art deco, and a lot of rock n’ roll.