Author Archive

One of the best things that I have ever received were two stickers from Allister. One was a fancy hot dog in a fur coat and another was a floating dink called Ghost Dick. Three years later are tacked up in front of my desk, lending endless chuckles still. Anyways, both characters were amazing and both were drawn with simple black marker – a medium that seems to be made for Allister.

For the last few years, Allister has put together a project called Black is Beautiful, a varied series of work that celebrates the theme of black markers and black ink culture. And, guess what? If you’re in the Bay area, you can check out Black is Beautiful in person! I won’t lie, I’m jealous.

Stussy Presents: Black is Beautiful with Allister Lee
Stussy San Francisco
1409 Haight Street
Artist Reception: March 13, 2010
8PM to 11PM

One of my all time favorite people is showing at the new Guerrero Gallery this Saturday, March 6, 2010 – along side a whole slew of equally amazing artists.

Guerrero Gallery
Inaugural Group Show
Saturday, March 6, 2010
7:00pm-11:00pm
2700 19th Street
San Francisco, CA 94110

The following 21 artists will be featured:
Brian Willmont – Christopher Russell – Richard Colman – Aaron Noble – Ryan Scott Schaffer
Tim Diet – Ryan Wallace – Rogelio Martinez – Adam 5100 – Hilary Pecis – Mark Mulroney
Ala Ebtekar – Eric Yahnker – AJ Fosik – Mike LeSage – Allister Lee – Cleon Peterson
Ryan Travis Christian – Marissa Textor – Shepard Fairey – Bill McRight

If you’re one of the lucky ones that live in SF, make sure you pop on by. Please and thank you!

Okay, I’m a bit late on this one. But, it’s still really worth watching if you haven’t already (and, then you can get sucked into the other commentaries that are featured).

Anyways, point your mouse here to spend some time with Slap, Strubs and Dan Peterka.

Paul Labonte recently published a lil’ gem called “Ice-T shot me in the face & eleven other stories about rap music.”  This pocket book features a decade of previously un-publishable stories from music journalist Luke Fox.

Here’s a little snippet about the book:

Forget reading that four line blog post about Lil Wayne for a minute, and direct your attention to the first book from Toronto based freelance music journalist Luke Fox. This is perhaps the furthest thing from the inane, regurgitated micro-posting that music writing has become, with 12 feature length stories centered on some of raps finest, complete with subtle illustrations by Jeremy Wirth. Fox narrates up close and personal encounters with Kool G Rap, Ghostface Killah, Nas, Kanye West, Common and more, capturing their personalities with a well informed wit and style.

After spending 10 years as a staff writer and editor for Pound Magazine, Fox stockpiled a wealth of interviews with emcees, producers, and DJs, experience that shows in his fluid and confident writing. Ice-T Shot me in the Face & Eleven Other Stories About Rap Music is first and foremost written by a fan, offering a refreshingly hearty helping of edutainment, and a welcome departure from the new world of fast food music journalism.

Available at www.desfois.com.

Cordy Binney. It’s hard to say without chuckling a bit. And, if you knew the two friends who are behind this show that bears their name, then that chuckle would quickly slip into a hearty laugh. You know, maybe a knee slap or two would even ensue.

With that said, come see the photographic works of Cody James Finney and Gordon Ball at Champion Print Studio on December 24th, 2009. Seriously, if you live in Oakville, what else are you going to do that night (besides watch Rita McNeil’s special which I promise will be on re-runs the next day)?

More info here.

You might want to check this out, or maybe you’ve heard of it already? Kickstarter is a new way to fund awesome things and ideas (books, art shows, films, records, or maybe even a sabbatical from your 9to5 so you can try doing what you really want to do, etc…)

Think of it of VC funding without the weirdness of unlike-minded people. Anyways, the possibilities are endless…some one needs to do this up here, and also start that freelancers’ union while they’re at.

I would file this under “Things I Miss About Toronto.”

If you’re there before December 19, 2009, make sure you drop by the Clint Roenisch Gallery to check this out.

Read about it here and treat your eyeballs to some opening reception goodness here. High fives all around and congrats Niall & Jer!

I came across this zine when I was in Brooklyn.  Chair Dad is one of those things that I would file under “you’re going to have to pry it from my cold, dead hands.”

Check out the blog here and prepare to have an awesome time.

Oh, and after you’re feeling great, go over to Push.ca and sign yourself up for First Photos (that is if you’re an up and coming photographer and want to win epic prizes).

And, lastly… the auction for Contributor will be ending on October 25, so for anyone who has been holding off, now is the time to lay your claim before some else does! Thanks to everyone who has supported this project from the get-go.

The only thing better than doing something awesome yourself is seeing your friends being able to do the same. Come to think about it, that’s probably what makes Club Mumble pretty damn enjoyable – reading up on awesome people, doing equally awesome things.

Without lamenting too much here, a few months ago, one of my favorite humans on earth opened a coffee shop.  Ever since I have known Sam, he’s only been into two things: skateboarding first, and over the past few years, coffee, so needless to say it’s been mega exciting to see both come together.  There’s something to be said about people who just go for it, and bring a level of true craftsmanship to whatever they do.  It’s pretty rare these days (outside of this site of course.

If you’re ever around Toronto, make sure you pop by Sam James Coffee Bar.  Grab yourself an espresso, maybe even pick up a finely made Alena skateboard, and hang out.  Warning though: it’s a wi-fi dead zone, so if you get weirded out by talking to people, you might wanna polish up on them social skills right now.

Oh yah, you can read up about Sam’s joint right here, here and here.

Thanks to everyone who came out for the opening last night for Smile On Your Brother in Toronto! Good times, and the coldest beer ever courtesy of Coors Light. Has anyone seen the labels that they have with the mountains change color to let you know when beer is ripe for the drinking? Beer science, who knew? But, I definitely approve.

Anyways, a big thank you to Gardenia Flores, Michelle Williams, Niall McClelland, Jeremy R. Jansen and the kind folks at Livestock who helped set up. Niall and Jer even posted some photos from the morning session on their Seer Editions blog (clickity click here).

More photos from the actual night coming up real soon.

Oh, and finally this…Push.ca put up a real nice interview of us and the project which you can read right here. If you’re also a photographer on the come up, make sure you check out their First Photos contest.