WE'RE SUPPORTING

Here’s an interesting map of passport ownership in America. It certainly reaffirms certain stereotypes about the country.

WE'RE THINKING

Nashville artist Tim Hooper, aka Mr. Hooper, loves pipe smoking robots, black bears that look a little tweaky blowing bubbles, and brooding solitary rabbits. Many of his pieces are done on vintage postcards and wood. Gene Autry and Elvis lurk on his psyche, too. Read more

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 TRAVELLING TO

On the roof of Bangkok’s Banyan Tree Hotel is a dining experience like no other. The Vertigo Bar sits sixty one floors up, and serves delicious gourmet meals and cocktails. These are expensive by Thai standards, but cheap enough for shoestring travellers to indulge in now and then (a cocktail costs around AUD$12). I’ve spent hour after hour in the bar, drinking and smoking and taking in the amazing view. Most nights at Vertigo end the same, with fast-moving storm clouds rolling in without fail at about eleven pm. While wait staff scurry to move tables, and drunken diners navigate the steep stairs down to the safety of the hotel, the more hardy can sit and watch the clouds race closer and closer towards the building, soaking in both the atmosphere and the rainwater until the lightning gets too close for comfort.

WE'RE READING

From the cutting rooms of Dior through to the backstages of the Babyshambles, and even These New Puritans, it seems former Dior designer Hedi Slimane has seen it all. But his newly published photography concept book — Rock Diary — leaves me asking many questions about the symbiosis of fashion and music, especially the glorification of renowned drug addict Pete Doherty. Read more

WE'RE LISTENING TO

At a gig last year Foals were forced to abandon their last song halfway through because the stage was stormed by too many crazed fans. The reason behind the hype they’re creating, both on stage and in the normally merciless media, isn’t immediately clear upon first listen: the sound is less than friendly on the ears, and they don’t employ the same catchy hooks and melodic chorus patterns that shoot your average band to fame in their early years. Read more

WE'RE WEARING

Yellow Bird Project, a Montreal-based organization, has teamed up with indie rock bands to raise money for charities. The rock bands, including big indie rockers like The National and The Shins, design their own tee-shirt and choose the charities that will benefit from the sales. What a great way to support a band you love and a worthy cause. Read more