WE'RE SUPPORTING

My friend Paul Pope is back hurting my mind again with his killer stories and even more incredible illustrations. DC Comics has debuted its Wednesday Comic series with a twelve-part episode of Pope’s Adam Strange story. Coloring by the amazing Jose Villarrubia. They are off the shelves quick so keep an eye out. Read more

WE'RE TRAVELLING TO

Old-school, timeless French is the vibe of creative agency Mother London’s latest campaign for Stella Artois. Titled Recyclage de Luxe, these massive, 1960s vintage-esc posters lining the walls of London’s tube aim to unabashedly promote Stella’s green credentials. The vibrant, revival ads, along with other campaign gimmicks, are all part of the brand’s efforts to boost its environmental image. Read more

WE'RE LISTENING TO

TheStar69 track So What Is The News is the very personification of great pop. In fact, it takes bits and pieces of the best music the The Cult, Hall & Oates and The Steve Miller Band ever recorded and messes it up with a well-honed, Scottish sense of mischief. We like.

WE'RE READING

In the wake of America’s historic presidential election, nearly two years of divisive campaigning, and eight years of a controversial administration, the nation is in desperate need of healing. Beloved Internet personality Ze Frank started From 58 to 42 with Love where contributors use their webcams to post messages reaching out to the side of the country that didn’t vote for their guy. It’s saccharine at times, and there are one or two borderline nasty posts from people that don’t seem completely onboard with the project’s objective. But overall, it’s pretty effective and moving. I’ll admit I needed a couple tissues while reading it.

WE'RE THINKING

Firekites, from small town Australia (Newcastle to be exact), are my new musical obsession, and have been since early yesterday when their song Autumn Story randomly burst into my headphones and latched itself deep into my inner ear iPod. I wish they’d been around when I last lived in Sydney; it would have been well worth the two hour drive north to see them play. The whole album (The Bowery) is beautiful, but this song especially rings out with poignancy. I love the subtle sound of the fingers sliding across the guitar frets, the gently whispered vocals, which hint at secrets and cheeky serenades, and the sense of soulful introspection that tangles itself elegantly amongst its minor chord tapestry.

Improv Everywhere strikes again with a spontaneous musical in a Los Angeles mall. Wireless microphones hooked up to the mall’s PA system ensured the feeding masses didn’t slip into Cinnabon-induced comas until after the show was over. Note especially the angry dude in sunglasses at about 2:51 — apparently he thinks nothing can ever top Rent.

WE'RE WEARING

Created in 2003 as a skateboard footwear brand in Los Angeles, Cipher is now an international urban lifestyle brand offering designer products for an emerging group of global hipsters. Now based in Hong Kong, where metropolitan living manifests the dynamic fusion of East and West culture, Cipher is an expression of life in the brave new world. Cipher shoes launched with three different styles, in a range of colours, each with its own story and attitude: Seditionary, Subterranean and Libertine.