Latest Entries
Holy Mary Mother Of Zion.
The Best Band You’ve Never Heard.
WARNING: BEFORE YOU GO ANYWHERE, AND IF YOU HAVE SPOTIFY, START HERE: Fat Freddy’s Drop
Right so it’s probably about time to write another long article about one of the bands which has been ever-present in the music I have been listening to for the past year, Fat Freddy’s Drop. They come and go in phases of transition, but still literally get better every time I listen to them. Why? Probably because they’re all very talented musicians, each bringing an interpretation of their respective instrument that is not only as fresh as the dew on your front lawn in the morning, but bordering on pioneering when combined. But it’s more likely that it’s because their interpretation of Jazz, Soul, Rythm & Blues, Dub and Reggae (not to mention Funk, a cheeky bit of Disco and some infectiously cool Charleston-esque breakdowns) makes for one deep ocean of sound to drown yourself in.
Its All In The Family
The Original Mr RAS
This Christmas, we were looking through old photos that my dad had scanned in to the computer. I came across some great old photos of my grandpa (the original Mr RAS) that I just had to share. I always knew that he had great style, but it wasn’t until recently that I really appreciated it. Below is the photo that motivated me to write this post.
Pink blazer with tortoise shell glasses, the guy is rocking it.
New Years Cuff
To begin this decade, I would like to wish you all a Happy New Year. I was inspired to write this post sitting on the train on the way to watch the London fireworks.
It begins with one site I like to follow pretty regularly, The Sartorialist. Scott Schuman (The Photographer) concentrates on the small details in what people are wearing and set up his website to show what he believed “was a disconnect between what I was selling in the showroom and what I was seeing real people (really cool people) wearing in real life“. Visiting this website has made me spend more time really looking at what people are wearing, and try to imagine what Scott would say if he was writing about it. With that in mind I was pleasantly surprised to look down at my cuff on the way up to London and notice that it was perfectly layered – shirt, jacket then coat.
Desperate Breaths
Desperate Breaths Into The Mouth Of A Dead Movement And A Rather Sterile Tribute to Jack
It’s been over fifty years since the publishing of Kerouac’s seminal On The Road, having played as much a part of the Beat Movement as it’s legacy forms a piece of legend for anyone who idolises the past and present of what’s hip and cool today. About three weeks ago I set about myself to undertake a spontaneous and poorly planned road trip to the most foreign regions of the great and often barren nation that is Australia, my peers likening it to the journeys travelled by Kerouac in the post war era across America. The plan was to hitch hike to the Northern city of Darwin, over 3000km by road from my home in Brisbane, I brought with me just over $150, an overnight bag and a satchel filled with journals. Whilst I did not seriously consider myself a modern day Jack Kerouac, the parallels between his adventure and mine were becoming very clear, oh but how the roads had changed in half a century- and they were soon to bare their glaring differences.
Elizabeth Hepworth….ART SLAVE!!!
Bright red mohawk, neon or black eyeliner swept across her eyelids, vintage quirky grunge rock and roll en samble sums up Hammersmith born Elizabeth Hepworth in a couple of words. An exemplification of her artistic creativity…picture David Bowie, Ziggy Stardust, Grace Jones…oldern day Maddonna…level of originality.
© Ian Morrison
Miss Khalaeliah…WHY IS SHE STILL UNSIGNED!!
She sat there on the bench opposite the McDonalds in Mitcham, Surrey on a hot August summer afternoon playing her guitar preparing for her perfomance at the Youth Event in Mitcham Green and I just thought, “She’s soo cool”. It wasn’t until I heard Margaret Khalaeliah Bakosi sing for the first time and her voice actually gave me goosebumps. A voice so soulfull, so delicate yet so powerful and extremely well controlled. On giving her a compliment I was suprised at how humble and down to earth she is.She doesn’t need to blow her own trumphet as her wonderful voice pretty much does all of that for her. On Friday the 27th of November, I heard her sing again at an event for unsigned artists and just had to do a feature about her as I’m still wondering WHY IS SHE STILL UNSIGNED???.
Bucharest And Beyond
To open the first of UJU’s travel articles I will start with a joke and a image. The reason for this joke is to try and explain how they drive in Bucharest, and I think it does a pretty good job. The image is just pretty cool, and is explained more later.
Annapolis at Night
We love long exposure photography, no doubt about it. Here are a few shots from my trip to Annapolis this summer, look out for the travel article coming soon.
Thunderstorm off of the balcony of our hotel, The Maryland Inn
Java Knees
My next featured artist is my friend Jake Evans. Going by the pseudonym and anagram, Java Knees, he is an incredibly talented illustrator currently attending the University of Brighton. I thought it was a good time to do a little showcase on him because he recently won a competition on dontpaniconline.com to be the poster that is supplied in the next pack. If you don’t know about Don’t Panic, they are a free publication, ususally found in quirky galleries, or small cafes that they feel echoes their way of thinking. I always find it amazing how much they manage to fit into these packs, and it is a great opportunity for up and coming designers such as Jake. If you want more information have a look at their website. Below is the winning entry.
