LINKED UP 021

Namecore Is the Trend That Unifies All Trends

Goblin mode, dinocore, night luxe… Another day, another viral trend with an instantly clickable name. What the hell’s going on with the internet’s obsession with labelling things? (The Face)

11 NSFW Moments from the Butt Archives

From Rick Owens to Jeremy Scott, the seminal 2000s fag mag featured all our favourites and rallied against the preened era of gay culture with sleaze. (i-D)

Hidden in a Fire Island House, the Soundtrack of Love and Loss

In tragedy, music provided solace during the AIDS epidemic, and newly discovered cassette tapes captured two decades of parties and pain. (NYT)

Hayley Williams Launches In-Depth Emo Podcast Everything Is Emo

The Paramore leader will explore the genre, from its earliest stages through to the modern day. (The Fader)

Create and Destroy: Ed Templeton

Ed’s art and photography are unmistakable, from his early board graphics to career-spanning photo books. Take a tour of his home studio and learn about his process and inspiration - then go make something of your own. (Thrasher)

Chillbies Is the Emerging Footwear Brand That’s Taking on Kanye’s Red Wing Boots Trend

Choose from highs, mids, or lows. (Hypebeast)

Tyrrell Winston Explores the Subtle Art of Focus with His Reebok Footwear Collaboration

Featuring minimal takes of the Club C and Question Mid. (Hypebeast)

Teddy Santis and New Balance Bring Out the Big Dogs for Their First Collection Together

The Aimé Leon Dore designer is rolling out three new versions of the sportswear brand’s classic 990 sneaker. (GQ)

Get Familiar: Dukes Cupboard

London's very own Dukes Cupboard has been a mainstay in the contemporary and vintage streetwear game ever since starting out as a Market Stall in Soho. (Patta)

What Does It Take for a Band to Make Sustainable Merch? 

Organic vs. recycled cotton, water-based vs. plastic ink, $5 vs. $25 - for most touring musicians, eco-conscious T-shirts are an unsustainable investment. (Pitchfork) 

The Microgreen Shoe

Designing a future of material growth through a sneaker that grows edible plants. (MOLD)

Spring/Summer Gear Guide 2022

Spring has a tendency to turn into Summer real quick. Since some of the best activity happens outdoors, we’ve gathered our favorite items to help you take advantage of the warm days ahead. (Weed Sport)

April Radio + Mood

April is almost at its end - a favourite month for pulling out the cardigans as we enjoy the steadily warmer waves of sunlight. Check out some of the songs we’ve been listening to this month and some moods to welcome the soon approaching Summer. (Corridor)

BLOCK ROCKERS - VOL. 2

Block Rockers is photographer James Hartley's ongoing portrait series of New Yorkers seen on the street, playing music through their boomboxes and outdoor speakers. When the portraits are made, the song they're playing is noted, and later mixed with field recordings made around the city. The images, songs and recordings combine to create a visual mixtape of the city. More here.

(Via Monster Children)

LISA LEONE

A New York B-girl turned photographer, Lisa Leone was on hand to capture the rise of hip hop’s biggest names in the '90s. From Nas’ now-legendary Illmatic recording sessions, Snoop Dogg’s 'What’s My Name?', Biggie’s 'Big Poppa' and TLC’s 'Creep', Leone cut her teeth photographing music videos and studio sessions before moving onto Stanley Kubrick’s set for Eyes Wide Shut and eventually to directing her own films.

TURNSTILE - MYSTERY

LINKED UP 020

Future Is the Best Rapper Alive 

Few artists are as prolific. As widely imitated. As consistently excellent. Which is why it’s finally time to declare what’s been true for a while now... (GQ)

Feeling Elevated: How Fearless Self-Discovery Inspired Denzel Curry to Write His Own Rap Destiny

Denzel Curry on drum 'n' bass influence, challenging police brutality, and exploring his unfiltered self through music. (Mixmag)

From Graffitti Tags to Diss Tracks, DJ Kay Slay’s Hip-Hop Influence Was Generational 

Kay Slay, who passed away on Monday, was an era-spanning innovator who never shied away from competition. (The Fader)

Listen to the Music That Shaped Jean-Michel Basquiat 

From Nina Simone to Run-DMC, four newly released playlists celebrate the musicians who inspired the artist - and the many he influenced. (Hyperallergic)

The Guy Collecting Every Gap Store Playlist Ever Made

“I’m still obsessed with ‘Cotton Wool (Fila Brazilia Mix)’ by Lamb from the August 1998 playlist. It really captures the feel of the Gap store that year." (MEL)

Intricate Symphonies: An Interview With Spiritualized 

Jason Pierce speaks to Piers Martin about how he drew on Kurt Vonnegut, "ridiculously complicated" production, and the lessons learned from across his career, to produce Spiritualized's best album since Ladies and Gentlemen. (The Quietus)

The Sound of: Deep Jungle 

Releasing both hidden gems from the old school and essential new-gen bangers, Deep Jungle has secured a reputation for buy-on-sight junglism. Alongside a mix representing the past, present and future of its catalogue, founder Harmony shares the secret of the label’s success. (DJ Mag)

Flock Together Reveal New Music Project, Taste the Sky 

The ever-expanding collective has revolutionised birdwatching. Now, they’ve released three EPs which merge soothing field recordings with contributions from artists based in London, New York and Tokyo. (The Face)

Size Matters: Inside the Politics of Festival Posters 

Joyner Lucas’s Lollapalooza meltdown is just the latest manifestation of one of the touchiest subjects in the concert industry: how big the name is on the flyer. To get to the heart of the matter, we spoke to some experts about all things font size. (The Ringer)

Searching for Harvey: Solving the Mystery Behind 200 Influential Gospel and Jazz Album Covers 

Decades down the line, the artist who created some of the most celebrated records has been revealed. (It's Nice That)

Gritty Photos Celebrating the Madchester Years 

Photographer Richard Davis recounts capturing the city’s flourishing creative scene at the turn of the ‘90s. (Huck)

“For a Long Time, I Felt Like I Had Failed as a Photographer.”

As a photographer in New York in the aughts, Alain Levitt had turned his back on photography by the time the decade was out. (NR)

Nigeria Meets Willy Wonka: Inside Designer Yinka Ilori’s New Studio 

The rule-breaking artist gives us a tour of his joyful space. (The Guardian)

How South London Became a Talent Factory for Black British Footballers 

From the playing fields of Lewisham and Bromley to the Premier League, south London’s football clubs have nurtured wave after wave of stars. (The Guardian)

A Sports Brand for Spiritualists 

District Vision wants to meld the inner and the outer life of athletes. (NYT)

Our Legacy and Stüssy Are Back in the Studio Cooking up Classics 

An exclusive first look at the latest drop from the least likely - and most exciting - partnership on the planet. (GQ)

Help! I’m Becoming a Sloane Ranger 

It’s been 40 years since a handbook made Chelsea style world-famous. Here’s why it still works in 2022. (FT)

‘Bozo’ Is the Absolute Best Insult 

Recently deployed to describe Ben Shapiro, ‘bozo’ is such a perfect insult - biting, unexpected and totally inane - that it’ll have you questioning yourself for days. (MEL)

HARD-SHELL®

HARD-SHELL exhibits Joshua P. Matthews’ living archive of Arc’teryx outerwear. Printed in full colour and bound in 144 pages, this book serves as Matthews’ official record of over 14 years of life on the bike in NYC. 

This composition comprises garments, accessories and paper materials, built over time, since 2008. Along with an essay from the author, these articles illustrate a symmetry between the brands innovative history and Matthews’ unbounded relationship to the bike.

For a special edition copy of HARD-SHELL, Matthews and COMMA repurposed 75 used Arc’teryx into their play on the dust cover. Hand cut and sewn in NYC, each bag is a unique individual.

RICHIE CULVER

A selection of work by British multidisciplinary artist Richie Culver. Check out more here.

IN BETWEEN DAYS

In Between Days is a seasonal publication which serves as a transient space for thoughts, musings, and stylistic influences, brought to you by New York-based product designer Garrett Albury.

Issue two is available here.

BAIRD - EASY ON THEM TURNS

 

(Bank Holiday) Monday morning mood music.

TINGS IN BOOKS

Arcana: Books on the Arts on Instagram.

LINKED UP 019

Fivio Foreign Had an Epiphany. Can He Change Drill Rap? 

On his debut album, the Brooklyn rapper hopes to smooth a path forward for the city’s ascendant hip-hop scene, even as it draws criticism amid a rise in gun violence. (NYT)

For Lord Apex, the Sky’s the Limit 

Is Lord Apex currently UK hip-hop’s greatest vibesman? (Crack)

Meet Heba Kadry, Mastering Engineer to the Indie Stars 

Catching up with the in-demand studio guru, who’s worked with everyone from Björk to Big Thief, about her empathetic approach to an unnecessarily mysterious field. (Pitchfork) 

Pictures of You 

Chan Marshall, known as Cat Power on stage and in the studio, takes a minute to interview fine art photographer Christy Bush about the early influences on her work, where she finds inspiration, and what she wants to do next. (Bitter Southerner via Public Announcement)

Prison, Lawsuits and a Glovebox of Fake Cash: The Film the KLF Didn’t Want You to See 

The enigmatic rave duo refused to approve Chris Atkins’ documentary on them - and then he got five years for tax fraud. He explains how he channelled their anarchic spirit and made it anyway, Ford Timelord and all. (The Guardian)

New Grime Exhibition Opening at the Museum of London in June 

Grime Stories: From the Corner to the Mainstream features the likes of Jammer, Skepta and Roony "Risky Roadz" Keefe, who co-produced the exhibition. (Resident Advisor)

The Divine Purpose and Visual Ministry of Jamel Shabazz

From photographing anti-war protests and impoverished communities to fashion moments and street engagement, the legacy of Jamel Shabazz paints itself as an everlasting offering to humanity. (032c) 

The Imagined Reality of Nigel Van Weick 

Nigel Van Weick creates paintings that you want to be in. (Monster Children)

Studio Visit: Smith & Goat 

Smith & Goat is a specialist creator of concrete homeware. We went down to their East London studio to watch our exclusive new collaboration come to life. (Goodhood)

Mad About Memphis? Here’s the Menswear to Match 

Ettore Sottsass’ shapes and colours inspire an ’80s Milano style. (FT)

Last Resort AB Is the Sneaker Brand for Skaters, by Skaters 

We caught up with Pontus Alv to get into the details of his sneaker brand, Last Resort AB, who are making the best skate shoes right now. (Highsnobiety)

Happiness Is Knowing Exactly What Time the Sun Sets 

Héctor Bellerín the swaglord superstar footballer on a vibey Y2K watch, heliocentric-nature-walk drip, Spanish design legends, his new clothing line & more. (Blackbird Spyplane)

Victory Lap 

An exhaustive list of links from around the web that we’ve been clicking on. (Weed Sport)

☆THE VIOLET PROMO☆

Watch the new video from William Strobeck and the Violet crew here.

SAKIR KHADER

One Block Down spoke with Dutch photographer and film director Sakir Khader about his new photo book Martyr’s Brigade. They explore his background, his work, and the concept behind Martyr's Brigade, in which Khader provides an intimate, unfiltered look at a rebel group fighting in Syria.

Check out the full interview here.

JASON DILL

A peek inside Jason Dill's enthralling photo archive courtesy of GQ. The Fucking Awesome co-founder and skate legend is publishing Prince Street (Photos from Africa, People Remembered, Places Forgotten), a monograph of photography taken over the course of his wild life. Check it out here.