The year was 1970. The chaos, freedom, turmoil and liberation of the ‘60s had yet to subside, seeping into a new decade that had yet to be defined. In the midst of war abroad and the struggle for civil rights at home, American society was in flux, with many left searching for answers. Out of this landscape, The Source Family was born. Founded on a synthesis of spiritual beliefs and ancient religions, the Family was the brainchild of one man; his name was Jim Baker. A World War II veteran, turned martial arts expert, turned restaurant entrepreneur, Jim [...]
It was back in 2011 when Twill first introduced me to the influence of Filter Bubbles. And it was internet activist and web enthusiast Eli Pariser who introduced the idea to him, through a TED talk based on his bestselling book The Filter Bubble . When we first spoke on the topic my pops said it was the most important issue we've ever touched on, yet for many, the consequences of Filter Bubbles have yet to be acknowledged. Although the advent of the internet has provided us with unprecedented access to information, for [...]
"There is a seeing which doesn't see objects. It doesn't see thisness and thatness. It is pure. It doesn't come from thought or intention. This is why it has the power to bypass the mind, and speak directly into the heart of being." It's not every photographer I've interviewed that elects to send over a collection of personal, philosophical meditations with his work. The longest of the bunch is above, but most of the brief notes Alexis Vasilikos supplied were no longer than a line or two, taking on the air of [...]
"Wildcat is a state of mind; an experiment inspired by the composition and performance of jazz music. The characters that populate this world are actual-cowboys; and envisioned-angels. The town they all inhabit is real-Grayson, Oklahoma." It seems like there are still a precious few places in America where it feels like time stands still. I haven't been to too many of them, but it's an eerie feeling when you find one. And somehow, those lively urban centers where I've spent most of my days don't always feel quite so full of possibility. It gives [...]
First of all, fuck rape. I feel like rape cases have been getting a lot of press lately. So fuck the controversy but seriously, fuck the concept. Fuck the fact that somewhere down the line, man realized that they could physically dominate and sexually force themselves upon their own kind. Fuck the systems in play, be they familial or otherwise, that don't have the mechanisms or strategies to teach our young men to respect others, or young women to respect themselves. Fuck power-tripping neighbors, uncles, and teachers. Fuck that all my friends have to carry pepper spray. Fuck creepers at [...]
I think I sweat through everything I had on the first time I saw Thundercat . I know I accidentally knocked D Nash on her ass on the way in. Okay, so I was faded, but that shit was groovy. Like a magic in the air, this feels important kind of night. When Steven Bruner, now known across the indie universe as Thundercat, strolled out of The Echo-decked out in skintight, glossy gold pants and his trademark headdress-he looked a litte dazed, overwhelmed even. It was, after all, one of his first solo gigs-an album release party-turned-mindfucking, [...]
In 1987, French photographer and cultural documentarian Eric Valli traveled to the cliffs of the Himalayas to capture the Himalayan Gurung men's harrowing journey to gather honey. Nestled high up in the foothills of this mountain locale lies the habitat of the rarified Himalayan honey bee, the world's largest bee, and the producer of Asia's most highly sought-after honey. Building their nests anywhere from 8,200 to 15,000 feet into the air, each nest can contain as much as 130 pounds of honey, with different types available at varying altitudes. Making use of rope ladders and baskets, [...]
Chicago has been in the news quite a lot in the past year. A year ago, folks all over the country were simaltaneously fascinated and horrified by a 16 year-old rapper, whose intensely violent music reflected the realities of a city in which 508 people were murdered in 2012, and teenagers find themselves stuck at the center of the violence . But out of all that negative press and glorification, Chicago's seemingly endless pool of talented rappers have managed to create a scene full of opportunities. Chief Keef and GBE have all signed deals, vets like King Louie are [...]
Starting a business isn't easy. Raising a child isn't either. The first words I heard inside the doors of Oakland Surf Club were barely audible. They came from the voice of Coco, the glowing creation of shop owners Max Klineman and Ari Serrano-Embree, and the OSC's beloved shop baby. From Coco's blue stripped blouse and polka dot leggings, to the vibrant array of men's and womenswear pieces lining the walls of their Downtown Oakland boutique, the couple's aesthetic synergy is constantly on display. The first floor of OSC boasts an eclectic selection of the things [...]
I couldn't tell you when it hit me. Perhaps it was the 54-point performance in the Garden , or maybe it was the 272 threes this season, many of them pull-ups off the fast break, sorry Ray. Maybe it was the all-star snub, his Alabama Shakes , or perhaps just the third quarter of last night's series clenching victory against the Denver Nuggets, where Curry once again took over the game. But regardless of when the turning point was, at some point throughout this illustrious 2012-2013 NBA season, Stephen Curry became a star. [...]
Photography by Katie Orlinsky When a portrait is really good, it doesn’t just capture the subject’s essence – it gives you a glimpse into their world. Even better, is when that world is something most don’t even know exists. Katie Orlinsky’s beautiful black and white photographs in her series Prison Portraits: The Ciudad Juarez Women’s Prison do just that. Living in El Diario of Ciudad Juarez, the then murder and drug capital of Mexico, Orlinsky sought out the women’s prison to capture images of the prisoners. What emerged are stunning black and [...]
First off, please don't miss that Thundercat. That's the one right there. I've been gushing for two weeks plus about Jai Paul and Kurt Vile, which means both their projects-official or unofficial-have plenty more to dig into. Among other gems here are the latest visuals from Julia Lewis, some road footage from Frank, and a feature-length, meditative stunner of a Nico Jaar remix, delivered specially for his Brian Eno/Grizzly Bear-assisted Record Store Day release. Oh and shout out to young Benny for putting me up on the latest from Davinci. Between that and the Mondre, it's looking like [...]
Photography By Maren Ellingboe Guacamole is one of those perfect dishes. Simple, fast, and it makes everything better. This recipe is a culmination of perfecting my avocado-mashing technique over many years, and experimenting with different spices - sometimes I add a few chopped tomatoes, sometimes mix in some pre-made salsa, maybe even throw in a little roasted corn if you are feeling crazy. In my opinion, however, the best guacamole only has a few ingredients and is a balanced mixture of acidity, salt, kick and really lets the [...]
With the digital age already in full swing, the realm of photography has, in many ways been turned upside down. The ubiquity of camera phones and the rise of Instagram have made taking a photo easier than ever. Yet with the rise in convenience comes a greater appreciation for time honored approaches to the art form. Enter film. Shunning the the "vintage filters" in exchange for the gritty imperfections of a film photo, our friend Daghe has amassed a collection of photographs that paint a vivid picture of his experiences and interactions. Shooting everything from [...]
Security is tight. Snipers are setting up on the roof of the adjacent library. Pilar Otalora, the presidential press agent who is also my ticket past the checkpoint, leaves me sweating outside for half an hour. I write for Colombia Reports : it’s a small website and we don’t usually attend press events. Comuna 13 is arguably Medellin’s most dangerous barrio: a cramped, favela-like neighborhood of severe poverty climbing the steep valley wall, tumbling over on top of itself. Inside the checkpoint, cameramen from the Colombian media loiter around colorful bales of confiscated marijuana. Green berets grimace [...]
Sex shops are funny. Neon cliches hang above heavily cloaked windows, hailing a “Couples Welcome!” policy, or supposedly enticing DVD rental deals, inviting all-too-obvious questions like, Who the fuck goes there? or, perhaps, Do people not know porn is free on the internet? Inside you can usually find a predictable cast of characters, like the 20-something couple or middle aged man, all awkwardly dodging eye contact and trying not to judge themselves. More than likely, you’ll find some cheap fluorescent pink boa lingerie hanging in the corner, dildos sealed in plastic packaging across the walls, and [...]
Today we're back with another episode of our 200 part series, W.G.W.T.O. (What's Good With The Ocean?) The thing I often marvel at is the perpetual nature of the ocean. Through every war and every conflict on land, throughout the history of mankind, the ocean has been here, quietly evolving under the surface. It's like we're on one earth with two worlds, with one vastly more mysterious than the other. I'd like to direct your attention towards the kelp forests off the coast of California today. Tall as a three story house, with the potential to grow [...]
If I'm really being honest with myself, I might be a little too laid back for my own good. Somewhere deep down, possibly somewhere in the spirally centers of my DNA structure, is an unwavering pull toward all things settled. The unshakeable tendency to lounge. To lay back, and drift and daydream and let all the bullshit blow away in the breeze. In making the transition to adulthood though, some things have had to change. I comb my hair on most days. I drink coffee from time to time, and occasionally I'm even on time to stuff. Shit, I don't [...]
It's a bit difficult to neatly sum up the significance of The Source Family's legacy. Established in the early '70s with loads of contemporary relevance, The Source Family remains one of America's most extraordinarily peculiar social experiments. Their story is one of love, sacrifice, sex and religion: in many ways, an archetypal 1970s spiritual commune. Founded by the worldly and charismatic Jim Baker (later known as Yehowa or Father Yod), The Family grew out of teachings inspired by his own spiritual evolution-from mere human to what came to be known as "God Consciousness". In the years to come, [...]
It was only until I started meeting graphic designers, (mainly Russ an Hass) that I began to acknowledge the essential nature of design. Before working alongside them, I grossly disregarded the importance of thoughtful design when it comes to representing an idea, concept or business. The advent of the Adobe Suite has revolutionized the field for our generation, yet with so many tools at our disposable it seems there are still those that are able to use the tools better than others. Billed as "a playground for creative people," Berlin-based graphic design house HORT has garnered [...]
Wine & Bowties
Weekly Mix Vol. I
[new]: Kanye West – New Slaves
Watch Queens of the Stone Age on Jools Holland again
