Once again, the Sound Selection is here, and this time with more fantastic music for your playlists.
Alex Rushfirth ‘I Live It’
The first song to enter our Sound Selection is ‘I Live It’ by the terrific Alex Rushfirth who presents us with a wave of brilliant mellow vocals and chill yet striking production that will keep you listening for weeks to come.
ISLAND ‘Ride’
Another splendid song to enter our selection is ‘Ride’ by ISLAND, who gives a heap of energy with an upsurge of densely riveting vocals that makes this song a must for any playlist. Frankly, terrific work.
Gareth Inkster ‘Last Year’
Sustaining our selection of songs with great vocals is Gareth Inkster with ‘Last Year’, who drops us into his nostalgic and emotionally melancholic song that might be just our favourite on the list.
Welles ‘Seventeen’
We must be on some streak. Once again, we are presented with a vocally powerful song, this time by Welles who gives us an amazing performance in ‘Seventeen’. This song is a mountain of emotion, that will keep you wanting for more and more. Simply splendid.
WYOMI ‘Go Slow’
Now, to change up the mood a bit we brought in some electronic music. This time we have ‘Go Slow’ by the very promising WYOMI, who combines well-popularised low pitch vocals and warmly calming sounds of Future Bass in his magnificent single that will make you wonder why this song is not on your playlists.
Cub Sport ‘Good Guys Go’
In the latest single ‘Good Guys Go’ the delightful Cub Sport showcase mature and calming vocals in their rather reflecting and well-toned song. If you are looking for something a little different, but still very much commercial in its core, this will be perfect for you.
Micky James ‘Give It To Me Straight’
With a movement of enormous energy, we present you ‘Give It To Me Straight’ by the brilliant Micky James, who truly refreshes us with his straight-up energetic and upbeat song.
Gundelach ‘Duck Hunting’
Another stunning song to enter this Sound Selection is ‘Duck Hunting’ by the terrific Gundelach who gives us a genuinely lovely vocal with a mix of 80’s production that combines it into a true hit.
Damzky ‘The Water’
The final song to enter our Sound Selection is by none the other than Damzky who is back with us after being featured on our YouTube once before. Once again, Damzky gives a wonderful production with ‘The Water’, truly expanding the style with smooth dynamics and pleasing lead vocals.
Duque Yvan a French-based illustrator creates an explorative world filled with fun characters and beautiful sceneries.
His gouache illustrations take the viewer on a joyful adventure through a land filled with giant creatures and stunning scenery. A fantastic example of the kind of masterful work that can be created with gouache.
An exciting duo by the name of Solomon Grey has emerged on our radar.
Previously having collaborated with the wonderful Lane 8 the duo behind Solomon Grey certainly haven’t stayed quiet ever since they began their creative endeavour. With a new album coming soon, the duo joined us for an interview to talk about music and culture.
Hi, how are you?
Good thanks. Looking forward to the album getting released. Deep in rehearsals for the tour but going well. Come and see us if you can?
We will try! So, how did Solomon Grey form?
We have worked together for around 15 years. We did a few different projects together and then Solomon Grey started around 5 years ago. We disappeared from our lives for a while and wrote an album. It was a fresh start after all those years and that’s when Solomon Grey was born.
Your upcoming album ‘Human Music’ is coming out soon, how would you describe it?
Human music is a journey through the last few months of my (Joe) mother’s life. She got diagnosed with a brain tumour and was told she had three months to live. We ended up travelling to dignitas in Switzerland where she died by assisted suicide. It was an incredible goodbye. Human music explores that period of time and the huge spectrum of emotions and experiences that took place. There is a story behind all of it. We write soundtracks so I guess in a way it is a soundtrack. Hope that makes sense.
Certainly does! What are the challenges of making an album and what are the best bits of making one?
The challenges are infinite but sometimes that’s the point. It’s hard because there’s nothing there before you start but it’s great to have a finished record at the end of all the hard work. The hardest things are often everything around the music especially as a duo but the music is the lovely thing in the middle. When you start getting somewhere with the music together it all seems worth it and it’s an incredible rush when you find something interesting or moving together. We’ve been doing music together for a very long time. Doesn’t mean we are any more good at it but we wouldn’t still be doing it if we didn’t really enjoy the highs.
So, do you have a favourite song from the album?
Probably Wonderful World. It’s simple and it’s moving, well to us anyway. You might hate it
If you collaborate with any artist dead or alive who would it be and why?
Vangelis, We would just like to watch him in his chair moving from keyboard to keyboard. Working the cs80 while the film plays above him on a huge screen. Speaking enthusiastically about music and playing effortlessly. I love watching his interviews in the studio. I revisit them over and over again. Hope we wouldn’t creep him out too much and laugh a little too loudly at his jokes. Have to be cool like, but not too cool!!
After the release of the album, what are your plans for the rest of the year?
Tour the beast. We’re off around the UK and heading to Germany, Netherlands, Denmark and hopefully other countries. We might be doing some more soundtrack work in between but really we just want to play this record to people. Make it something to remember.
The last question we ask everyone, what is your definition of culture?
Culture is the soul of a society.
To find out more about Solomon Grey you can follow them here.
The United Kingdom has been treated to an “invisible” photography exhibition this week.
With the world of art and photography expanding in its range of interesting movement and ideas, a new type of exhibition has come Birmingham, UK. This innovative and unique exhibition consists of photos that are each the width of a single human hair. The images presented have been each printed with state-of-the-art nanotechnology and to many audiences might be seen as empty photos frames upon attendance.
The microscopic photographs relate to science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM).
The gallery will be open from the 24th of January for four days straight in Birmingham. The exhibition is free to attend and is located in the city centre of Birmingham.
Once again Sony’s Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle has topped the weekend box office.
It was a busy weekend for the newcomers, as three new films entered the top ten at the weekend Box Office with many like ‘Paddington 2’ and ‘The Greatest Showman’ sustaining their top ten spot.
In the first place to once again came ‘Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle’, which grossed a rather impressive estimated amount of $20 million (£14.4m). While in second place a newcomer emerged by the name of ‘12 Strong’, which managed gross $16.5 million (£11.9m) in its debut.
In third place came ‘Den of Thieves’ which grossed a decent amount of $15.3 million (£11m). However, while the debut seemed to go well its reviews did not as the film managed to receive only 41% percent on Rotten Tomatoes from the critics as of today.
The last film to enter the top ten this weekend was ‘Forever My Girl’ with Alex Roe and Jessica Rother, which managed to gross a rather mighty $4.7 million (£3.3m) with an estimated production budget of $3.5 million (£2.5m).
Once again Sound Selection is here, and this time we are back once again with a splendid selection of music to fill your playlists.
James Chatburn ‘Fire’
First to enter our Sound Selection is the terrific James Chatburn with his smooth and emotionally vibrant single ‘Fire’. This single is a stunning showcase of the talent that James possesses as an artist, proving to us that he has great composure and heart-touching vocals that emerge his listeners into his music straight away.
Swan Pool ‘Breathe In’
Another stunning song to enter our Sound Selection is ‘Breathe In’ by Swan Pool. With this single Swan Pool bring us a wave of fresh air with a truly magnificent song that draws you in with its great structure and powerful dynamics. Terrific work.
obylx ‘lift’
Shifting our waves to the electronic music of this world, we have obylx with ‘lift’. This single is perfect for those that are looking for something with raw and lively feel. Tremendous work by a very well rounded and solid artist.
CLANN ‘Dark Angel’
Furthermore, we have another stunning electronic single that works well with its deep elements and strong structure. ‘Dark Angel’ by the exciting and mysterious CLANN is a single that evolves the sounds of downtempo and low-pitch vocals into a sensational and enigmatic journey. Excellent work.
Car Seat Headrest ‘Nervous Young Inhumans’
Next song to enter our Sound Selection is by the phenomenal Car Seat Headrest. With many of you familiar with this band’s sound there is not much to say about this single except that it is simply majestic with its The Killers like energy.
Takykardia ‘Navigate’
Another fantastic song to enter our selection is ‘Navigate’ by the wonderful and simply magical Takykardia, who presents us with an upsurge of smooth and delicate vocals that will keep you attached with its secretive and romantic like vibe for weeks and months to come.
Darja ‘How To Love’
The final song to enter this Sound Selection is by truly pop-star level Darja, who gifts us her strikingly sharp and commercially loved and relevant vocals in her latest single ‘How To Love’. This single is picture-perfect for those that love a great commercial song with a strong sense of liveliness.
On the 15th January ZEITGUISED and X-Magazine launched their BAGASHI bags, “A bag with a hole”.
In their fourth collaboration on ‘phygital’ objects, ZEITGUISED (D/Berlin) teamed up with bag designer Toshiki Yagisawa and his label X-Magazine (JP/Tokyo). The BAGASHI bag remix project combines the aspects of cutting edge digital manufacturing methods and Japanese craft in a tantalizing crossover between the design languages of ZEITGUISED and Toshiki.
Upon looking at the bags they all have unique shaped holes in them. The hole is covered up by a transparent foil so that it still works as a conventional bag. The bag is made out of a woven material and the handles are made out of leather. It is available in five ZEITGUISED colour schemes.
X-Magazines’ popular stylish woven bags, durable and transmissive at the same time, were treated with a bespoke ZEITGUISED design algorithm. They made a bag around a hole: each cut-out is derived from a unique 3d shape. With the algorithm defining an open-ended design process, rather than making conventional finite decisions, every shape the algorithm produces is unique and unpredicted. These shapes are used to virtually cut through the bags, shown by a transparent foil. The result is a surprising window into the bags contents, upending the notion that the bag serves to hold your belongings securely and hide them from plain sight.
Each bag is handmade in Japan and has a numbered design in a limited edition of 100. All have a both a unique cut-out and an individual shamanistic charm dangling from the coloured leather handles.
The idea of a global nuclear conflict is one that has, sadly, been at the forefront of the public’s mind over the last few months. That it could happen is horrifying; a concept that many of us can scarcely begin to comprehend.
Ever since the atomic door was opened in 1945, cinema has embraced our societal fears and interpreted them in ever-changing ways. From the radioactive monsters that dominated science fiction in the 1950s, to the brutal realism of nuclear annihilation in the 1980s, cinema has articulated our understanding of a potential apocalypse.
The following three films address such a horror, but tend to be overlooked in discussions of nuclear cinema. Whilst Mick Jackson’s Threads (1984) is a landmark film in this field, it will not feature here. Instead, Our Culture Mag wishes to take a look at three films whose expression of the nuclear nightmare is unique, outlandish, poignant, and tragic.
The Last War (1961)
Mankind’s last war. Hell on earth.
Reviewed here on Our Culture Mag, The Last War delivers a powerful drama of a family pressing forward in a world doomed to conflict. Frankie Sakai plays Mokichi Tamura, a proud family man, who works as a chauffeur for a press centre. Through Tamura’s interactions with the journalists he escorts, we learn of the growing tensions between the Federation and the Alliance – stand-ins for NATO and the USSR. Tamura’s optimism that mankind will not blindly walk into warfare is juxtaposed to the reality of a world setting itself for oblivion. Sakai’s performance is gripping, especially when his beautiful hope begins to crack.
With thoughtful cinematography that interprets the narrative’s horror with grace, The Last War has some remarkable – and chilling – visuals. For its performances, tone, and visual impact, The Last War is worth tracking down, watching, and thinking on.
Fail Safe (1964)
Larry Hagman and Henry Fonda give powerful performances.
Sidney Lumet (director of 1957’s 12 Angry Men) crafts a tense narrative that challenges our belief in the evil of the ‘other’ and what it takes to trust. The US Air Force’s early-warning radar system signals an unknown craft entering American territory. It is soon found that the unknown craft was simply a commercial airliner blown off course, but a malfunction sends a group of vindicator bombers out to Moscow to drop two 20 Megaton nuclear warheads in retaliation. Russian countermeasures jam the bombers’ signals, stopping the US from recalling them. The President (Henry Fonda) is alerted as every effort is made in a race against life and death to call back the bombers before they can drop their grave payload.
As with 12 Angry Men, Sidney Lumet displays a striking ability to weave what is admittedly a self-contained narrative into a tableau of humanity. With mankind’s very survival thrown into question, the barriers between our hate and anguish fall away. Fail Safe is arguably a story about trust; and tragically, its awful cost. It might be easy to assume that the film’s immense scope is down to its dealing with apocalypse, but the real power within Fail Safe that gives it such depth is its performances. For extended sequences, we are alone with just Fonda’s President and Buck (Larry Hagman), his interpreter. In his brilliant vocal delivery, Fonda projects a man struggling to maintain his composure under immeasurable pressure. Cinematographer Gerald Hirschfield frames these characters in tight close-ups, heightening tension that is beautifully complemented by such powerful performances. So much is communicated in Fonda’s eyes.
Fail Safe is a moving, tragic, and sobering watch – one of Lumet’s finest.
Day the World Ended (1955)
The atomic mutant of the film’s poster – as created and played by Paul Blaisdell.
Many might be surprised to see Roger Corman’s Day the World Ended included in this discussion. With its poster bearing an intimidating blood-red mutant, one might expect an unintelligent monster movie. On the contrary, whilst the writing is questionable, the camera work is stagnant, and the performances are relatively wooden, it is the fascinating concept of Day the World Ended that warrants a closer inspection.
A nuclear conflict has wiped out nearly all of mankind. One man, Jim Maddison (Paul Birch), foresaw such a conflict and with his daughter, Louise (Lori Nelson), readied his home and stockpiled supplies. His home is located in a lead-lined valley, the cliffs of which shield those within from the toxic fallout that has contaminated the outside world. More and more survivors stumble upon the valley and Maddison’s home in varying states of injury – some with horrific burns and scars. Tensions rise as these disparate individuals struggle to survive in the house with one another. Outside, the radiation has created atomic mutants, stalking the valley looking for food.
If the writing and performances were better, and the plot more carefully paced, then Day the World Ended could have been one of the most interesting nuclear war dramas of the decade. Even the mutant could remain in the story. After all, its fantastic presence already allows for metaphorical or symbolic significance.
Speaking about hypotheticals such as these might seem redundant, but it does arguably point out that at its core, Day the World Ended has a fascinating concept of survivorship in the face of mankind’s demise. While some nuclear war dramas depict the lead up to such conflicts (The Last War, Threads, The Day After) and others show its extended aftermath (Five, The World, The Flesh, and the Devil), Day the World Ended begins immediately in the wake of such calamity. Its dissection of human relationships and their changing dynamics in the aftermath of destruction is admirable, if made slightly ham-fisted with lacklustre writing.
Aside from its premise, Day the World Ended is worth watching for Paul Blaisdell’s brilliant atomic mutant. Affectionately named ‘Marty the mutant’ by Blaisdell, the film’s monster lends a fantasy element to a film which – in the same way that it could have been profound – could have become dull in its depiction of survival.
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The above three films illustrate the bold and brilliant ways that 20th century filmmakers from diverse backgrounds articulated something almost unspeakable. From mutant monsters, to deadly malfunctions, to the complexities of family life, these films express the depth of our anxieties. That we are in the midst of retreading those fears is just as frightening, but perhaps in revisiting these classic tales, we can begin to understand our collective nuclear trauma and go forward.
Our Culture Mag is officially expanding into Spotify.
With our initiative to share new and exciting music, we have expanded our arms and from now on will be curating playlists on Spotify as well as on our website. This initiative is extra to that of what we are doing with Sound Selection, which has been already a great success.
With hundreds of submissions of coming through each week, we have decided that this is the best option for us and the artists that are featured, as this will give the artists more listeners and reach, while also making it easier for people to listen to music.
You can follow our latest Spotify playlist ‘The Weekend’ here. More playlists will come soon and will feature a range of music styles and tastes, for those, love things a little different.
These aren’t just your normal typical women’s suit, it’s called the ” Languid Trouser Suit”.
The suit would be trending around Autumn Winter 18/19. This type of suit exaggerates the proportions of the body from the length of the suit to the length of the sleeves. The whole look is quite relaxed and looks like it could be for comfort wear too. This is a more fashionable kind of suit to wear rather than for professional wear. The style comes with jackets that are either single breasted or double breasted.
As you can see the trousers are wide-leg which is why they look big and go over the shoes. You can easily play around with the looks, from the images above you can see you’ve got a relaxed look on the left and a semi-casual look in the middle. You can also style it completely formal like the image on the right.
