WE'RE SUPPORTING

James Rajotte’s photo series on Rochester’s East High School is a revealing insight into the parameters of ‘spatial relationships and the connotations of objects’. Of the work, he says: ‘My interest in photographing East came about as I was volunteering in a mentoring program in which students made short video productions with an anti-violent message. When I decided to photograph, I wrote a formal letter to the Superintendent and the Principal. After a bit of humming and hawing they made me East High School’s “official” photographer. They gave me a make-shift laminated pass and I became friendly with the security guards’. For an extended interview with James Rajotte, check out the Feature Shoot photo blog.

WE'RE THINKING

The problem with firing up the grill is that it’s not worth it unless you’re cooking for a large group. But if you have an Altoids box-sized grill, you can grill yourself a solitary burger or just enough veggies for you and maybe a companion.

Australian group Pivot have recently signed with the mighty Warp label and — even better (well, for us anyway) — have written a fun Secret Playlist for us. You can see where the many disparate influences have seeped into their latest recording, the beautiful and colourful, O Soundtrack My Heart.

WE'RE TRAVELLING TO

The American South’s hippest city — Austin, Texas — got a little bit cooler last year with the opening of Uchiko, a contemporary Japanese restaurant that serves up innovative and sustainable food in a warm farmhouse setting. Read more

WE'RE READING

Whoever said Goth is dead failed to inform these people. This blog is vivid proof that Goth is very much alive — I mean, undead — and kicking, in style. So if sinister sisters and brooding brothers tickle your fancy, cast a glance at this virtual necropolis. Don’t forget your parasol. I hear they’re praying for rain. Read more

WE'RE LISTENING TO

Fate is the record, Dr. Dog were destined to make a timeless yet contemporary distillation of the band’s open-armed, big-hearted sound. Inventive, magnificently realized, and absolutely irresistible, the Park The Van Records release sees the Philadelphia-based quintet filtering the gamut of American popular music into its own idiosyncratic brand of blue-eyed, dilated-pupil soul. As ever, Dr. Dog makes magic from an enduring pop palette of intricate harmonies, shape-shifting melodies, and ramshackle audio ingenuity all presented through their slightly skewed and utterly individualistic outlook.

WE'RE WEARING

The new Melbourne-based football themed t-shirt collection — GFUNK&BATZ — is a lot of fun. Driven by the designers’ passion for the game, the shirts will have you leaping around like Kewell or Beckham (if that’s what you want) in no time. Read more