Simon Hjortek, a Swedish photographer and filmmaker, released another fantastic surreal photography series named Cura. Hjortek combined elements of everyday life with nature to create fine art-like photos that shout melancholy and dystopia.
Find more work by Simon Hjortek here.
Francesco Bongiorni, a Madrid-based illustrator and graphic designer, revealed a terrifically vibrant series named Conceptual Illustrations. In this intriguing series, Bongiorni utilised character movement, vivid colour palletes, and dream-like spaces to bring out various interesting concepts.
Find more work by Francesco Bongiorni here.
Elton John’s autobiography Me is one of the most intriguing, hilarious and merely superb autobiographies I’ve read in the past year. For the fans of the legendary singer-songwriter, Elton John does not disappoint with countless entertaining stories that will make one tip their hat to Sir Elton John.
The book covers Sir John’s drug addiction, the path to becoming clean, and his journey to finding love with the Canadian filmmaker David Furnish, who produced Cannes-nominated film and the subject of the book Rocketman.
So, if you’re a fan of Sir Elton John or you are simply looking for a great and entertaining read, then this book will have it all for you. A must-read for any Sir Elton John fan.
Keyji Yano, a Tokyo based illustrator, creates modern digital illustrations influenced by traditional Japanese art styles. This can be especially visible in his long format mural work reminiscent of traditional Japanese ink panel paintings.
Find more work by Keiji Yano here.
Coming in with a passionate production, touching lyrics and soft vocals is Nervous City Nervous Self with Stories of Our Name. This piece for Nervous City Nervous Self is a hymn for the wanderers of the world, and this is clearly defined through the flowing style of production. This one is for the playlists.
In the latest piece Copycats, the high-rising and interesting INVŌKER delivers a great mix which drives on glossy percussion, mysterious-like melody, and an overall spirit that keeps one captivated from beginning to the end. Having published Copycats, we are eager to keep our ears out for more music by INVŌKER.
Oliver Dene Jones or better known under his moniker Skream has presented a club-lifting track named Pussy Pop. Skream who first came on the radar for his raw Dubstep sound back in the 2000s became noted for his raw drums and heavy intense-like synths. Likewise, with Pussy Pop, Skream gives us some powerful percussion patterns and a dance-ready melody that fills your ears with a nightlife atmosphere.
In this segment, we showcase our top picks of what to catch at the cinema this weekend, what to stream and our short film of the week.
Our pick of the new releases out on November 8th 2019.
| Rating | Length |
| PG | 101 MIN |
Director: Tom Harper
Starring: Eddie Redmayne, Felicity Jones and Himesh Patel
After their explicit, natural chemistry and Oscar-winning success as Stephen and Jane Hawking in 2014’s The Theory of Everything, it’s no surprise that the Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones have reunited on-screen for this Victorian period drama that takes them into the clouds above on an expedition like no other and in a mode of transport – a hot air balloon – that’s rarely witnessed on the big screen.
Set in London 1862, Redmayne once again plays a real-life scientist, meteorologist James Glaisher, who’s looking to prove that it is possible to predict the weather, if scientific calculations are undertaken in the atmosphere. Having been repeatedly derided by his peers for his seemingly eccentric theories, James decides to take flight in a hot air balloon and on an expedition that he hopes will verify his theories. Realising he requires a pilot, James enlists the help of fictional aeronaut, Amelia Wren (Jones). But the weather, the one thing they are trying to prove is predictable, becomes unpredictable, dangerous and their biggest enemy. The majority of the ensuing narrative features the pain in the basket of the air balloon where they are encounter butterflies, the wonders of the clouds, treacherous pigeons and sheer danger in the form of a thunderous storm.
Premiering at the Telluride Film Festival, the film is bolstered by the chemistry of the leading pair, who skilfully deal with the fact that most of the action occurs in the enclosed, intimate space of the basket – where they are unable to separate from each other – they mange to successfully perform their characters’ frustration and initial awkwardness, which eventually dissolves into profound trust and loyalty. Many have also commended Tom Harper’s direction and stunning visuals – particularly his impressive use of that confined, small space that could easily have become mundane. He also crafts gorgeous cinematography that places audiences amongst the clouds and soaring above the earth in a manner that’s comparable to and as visually stunning as Gravity or Ad Astra. Though it may lack the emotional weight to achieve the same Oscar success that The Theory of Everything enjoyed, this film will send you floating into the skies but ensures you are still grounded in great visuals and performances.
| Rating | Length |
| 15 | 140 MIN |
Director: David Michôd
Starring: Timothée Chalamet, Joel Edgerton, Robert Pattinson and Lily-Rose Depp
Since his supporting role in the coming-of-age film Lady Bird and his lead role as Elio Perlman in Luca Guadagino’s Oscar-winning romantic drama Call Me by Your Name, Chalamet has firmly established himself, despite his age, as a dramatic force to be reckoned with. In this historical drama, Chalamet takes on the titular monarch, King Henry V (called “Hal” by his close friends).
Based on Shakespeare’s “Henriad” plays (Henry V, Henry IV Part I, and Henry IV Part II), Hal is a defiant prince who has fled responsibilities and disavowed his royal heritage in favour of spending his days revelling, drinking and living amongst the common people. But, when his tyrannical father dies shortly after his brother’s death, Hal is forced to return to the realm that he had previously fled and become King of England. He must now face the complexities of being a young king, whereby problems are even further exaggerated by the many who believe him to be incompetent. He must come to terms with the politics, chaos and war that his father left behind as well as maintaining the bonds of his pre-throne life – namely his friendship with the alcoholic knight, John Falstaff (Joel Edgerton).
While The King will not hit the award-winning heights that its impressive parts promised, the film does contain gripping performances (particularly by Chalamet and Pattinson) as well as careful handling of themes of corruption, institutional power and male hegemony. It’s an excellent and epic rendition of a Shakespearian play and a relatively mundane history that may not leave you completely bowing at the knees, but instead giving simply a polite curtsy for its compelling performances and astounding battle scenes.
Veteran animator Carlos Baena (whose extensive feature credits include Finding Nemo, The Incredibles, Cars, Ratatouille, and Toy Story 3) constructs a beautiful story of a grieving young boy who is intimidated by monsters who rip apart his toys, steal his photos and chase him through his home.
Featured at more than 150 festivals and collecting 80 prizes from major events, Baena’s animation is a stunning masterpiece that’s clearly inspired by the work of Guillermo Del Toro. He manages to carefully construct a gorgeous, personal story that doesn’t lose its thrills, political backdrop or emotional ballast.
Speaking about the short film, Baena comments that: “Creatively, we wanted to make a horror film that creates tension through horror rather than making people jump. “We have all had that moment in our lives when everything went wrong. It’s in those moments when all you see are broken pieces around you, your courage has the ability to turn something dark into something unexpectedly beautiful. That is the essence of La Noria.”
In this segment, we showcase the most notable albums out each week. Here are the albums out on November 8th, 2019:
FKA Twigs, MAGDALENE: Forward-pushing R&B artist Tahliah Barnett aka FKA Twigs is back after 5 years of studio silence with her new record, Magdalene, out now via Young Turks. Originally scheduled for relase on October 25, the album follows her 2015 EP M3LL155X, and is co-produced by an impressive list of producers including Jack Antonoff, Metro Boomin, Nicolas Jaar, Kenny Beats, Oneohtrix Point Never, Jeff Kleinman, Skrillex, Sounwave, and Michael Uzowuru. “I never thought heartbreak could be so all-encompassing,” she explained in a statement. “But the process of making this album has allowed me for the first time, and in the most real way, to find compassion when I have been at my most ungraceful, confused and fractured. I stopped judging myself and at that moment found hope in Magdalene. To her I am forever grateful.”
Mount Eerie and Julie Doiron, Lost Wisdom pt. 2: Phil Elverum aka Mount Eerie and Canadian singer-songwriter Julie Doiron return with a sequel to their 2008 collaborative album Lost Wisdom. The album deals with the tragic loss of Elverum’s wife, the artist Geneviève Castrée, which he delved into on 2017’s emotionally harrowing A Crow Looked at Me and 2018’s Only Now, as well as his marriage to actress Michelle Williams and their subsequent separation. “Finding myself staring into another fire, disoriented by the changes, these songs came out,” he explains. “I tried to make songs that did not rely at all on who I am or who I am singing about… My fingers are crossed that when I push them out to sea they will be met with calm humane understanding. That’s what they’re about after all.”
Kai Whiston, No World As Good as Mine [Released November 6th]: Electronic producer Kai Whiston has released his new album, No World As Good as Mine. It is a follow up to his 2018’s studio album Kai Whiston Bitch, as well as his excellent collaborative project with BABii and Iglooghost, XYZ, released earlier this year. The album is 60 minutes and is accompanied by a 60-page book that includes lyrics, credits, illustrations, journal entries, an interview, and photographs.
Emotional Oranges, The Juice Vol. II: Rising R&B outfit Emotional Oranges have come out with their follow up to The Juice Vol. I, which was released back in May. Comprised of male singer/audio engineer “A” and vocalist “V”, the mysterious duo had disclosed very little information about the album prior to the release, apart from releasing the lead single, ‘Sundays’, a song about lost love that was “inspired by one of our close friend’s (and collaborator) divorce.”
Other albums out today: The Script, Sunsets and Full Moons; Westlife, Spectrum; Girl Ray, Girl; Taylor Hawkins & The Coattail Riders, Get The Money; SebastiAn, Thirst.
Balázs Csizik, a Hungarian visual artist, released an experimental series named Urban Relations in which Csizik explores the relationship between rough urban elements and nature. Csizik dives into the weight and form of materials and explores new definitions for the elements on which he focuses on.
Find more work by Balázs Csizik here.
What happens when you bring the work of two geniuses together in a Californian concert hall? This past weekend, the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall was graced with a titillating Stephen Sondheim/Andrew Lloyd Webber concert.
Whether you are a musical veteran or a novice looking for “A Little Night Music”, Pacific Symphony once again provides a delightful program. With the help of versatile veterans Scarlett Strallen, Debbie Gravitte and Hugh Panaro, “An Evening of Stephen Sondheim & Andrew Lloyd Webber” brings great show tunes to a coastal audience.
Vocalists Strallen, Gravitte, and Panaro are dynamic, charming hosts. Having been informed by the Tony Award winning Gravitte that Sondheim and Webber share a birthday, the threesome performs contrasting classics from both composers. Act One, dedicated to Stephen Sondheim, is its own variety show. Panaro, a debonair tenor with the most appearances as the Phantom, sings with equal skill the part of the little orphan boy in Sweeney Todd and of the cold yet passionate George Seurat. (These immediately following one another.) Strallen and Gravitte, both stunning and talented prima donnas, possess the same chameleon-like power. Whether it’s an operatic ballad or a high-speed piece of folly, their years of experience are plainly seen and heard.
The second act, quite obviously intended as the grand finale, is promised to Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber. Our vocalists, once again, show their passion for songs that they and fellow musical fans know like the backs of their hands. However, the unquestionable star of both acts is the small but mighty Pacific Symphony. Strallen, having worked with countless orchestras across the world, declared Pacific Symphony one of the best. And rightly so! Every instrument was played with passionate insistence.
The air is filled with rapture; there is the distinct impression that the arches that domed the concert hall are, themselves, smiling. Conducted by the widely and famously employed Richard Kaufman, Pacific Symphony lifts its vocalists and sets hearts to pounding with its own supplementary medleys.
Among an audience young and old, whose appreciation could be gleaned from an immediate applause, there can be no cause for unhappiness. The only complaint this reviewer can make was that she longed for more! More Sondheim songs, more Webber whimsy – but that would stipulate a three hour show. Perhaps, instead, the West Coast may favor similar celebrations in future.
We must support the local arts at every opportunity, especially those that highlight the wit and majesty of the greats. Pacific Symphony has instituted a tradition of introductory entertainment, capable of inspiring the next generation. They have expertly planted Sondheim and Webber in their community; I hope they, and more local symphonies, continue to do so.
Montreal-based artist Michael Hansford has been making music under the moniker Molly Drag for a while now. While his work can be broadly described as dreamy, evocative bedroom-folk, each release has seen him molding his sound with a slightly different sonic palette and songwriting approach. What has remained a constant in his music, though, is its melancholic atmosphere and emotional vulnerability that immediately connects and can be deeply cathartic for the listener. On his latest album, Touchstone, however, it feels like there’s finally some light coming through the cracks. “Broken homes, that brought us up/ Can we go back now and set them on fire?” he intones on the beautiful ‘Charlotte’, capturing the central theme of moving on and leaving things behind. On the Low-esque ‘Walking Out’, he sings about leaving town, evoking the oxymoronic image of glass shattering peacefully, “its shimmering grin/ my Siamese twin”. Even when the lyrics seem to be pessimistic, as in the stunning highlight ‘Out Like a Light’, there’s a sense of comfort coming through the instrumentals, often circling around clean guitars, simple drum patterns, and serene synths. Whatever irony there might be in the idea, he suggests, perhaps peace can be found even when it feels like everything’s falling apart.
We caught up with Michael Hansford of Molly Drag for this installment of our Artist Spotlight series, where we showcase up-and-coming artists and give them a chance to talk a bit about their music.
Spending a lot of time alone as an only child had me get obsessed with mimicking noises, animals and peoples voices in movies. But later on in life I got really into skateboarding and my true love for music came from the music i heard in skate videos: my bloody valentine, the cure, dinosaur jr.. .etc
usually a melody comes into my head and i match it with poems or short stories i have written in my phone.
spiritually and emotionally lighter. i am in a such a better mental space in my life than ever before, also more reflective of growing up in a small ontario cottage town.
while recording this album back last winter, i had some memories of my high school art teacher Ila Kellermann who always supported my obscure approaches to creating so I decided to email her, we reconnected. talked more, and I asked if i could use a specific painting of hers for the cover for my next record (which was untitled at the time). In replying yes she added “you were always one of my touchstone students.” – I knew then what the title would and should be.
At the moment I am obsessed with the new Caroline Polachek album ‘Pang’ so I would definitely want to collab with her. I cannot recommend her art enough. Also, collaborating with Grimes or Arca would be dreams coming true.
this tour was probably favourite tour i’ve been on, and also the third with Past Life as my support and backing band.
we are family at this point, i love them dearly. it was also my first with a booking agent which made things a lot less stressful.
highlights? probably being on top of mountains in virginia.
releasing a new album, perhaps and EP as well, and also finish this book I recently started writing.
maybe another tour if i am mentally and physically prepared for it. tour takes alot out of me.
Quick Access
Our Culture
Helpful
© 2025 Our Culture Mag Limited. All rights reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement (updated 2/1/2025) and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement (updated 2/1/2025). The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Our Culture Mag Limited.
