The Facing Page

Design, Culture and Style from Vancouver

Month: May, 2012

31 May 2012

The Hill-Side and Co.

by Connor Keller

The oft-asked question – when will the Hill-Side take their extraordinary ability to source fabrics and use that ability to produce clothes? – was finally answered  today with the launch of the Hill-Side and Co. The Hill-Side have collaborated with a number of garment manufacturers including Gitman Bros Vintage, Owner/Operator, Truman Handcrafted, Choctaw Ridge, Tender Co and  Stanley & Sons. This would be a list of brands that would get me excited as the stock list for a store, let alone a collaboration with one of the more creative brands going right now. Most of the pieces take existing Hill-Side fabrics and fit them into designs from each company – though some pieces are entirely made from Hill-Side fabrics. A couple of my personal favorites include the Choctaw Ridge small rose print boxers and the Tender Co henley. They’re all available starting today at the Hickoree’s online store here, and of course in-store if you happen to be in New York. While you’re at the Hickoree’s online store, it’s always worth having a browse through the original Hill-Side collection, available here.

- CK

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30 May 2012

We Hear 30 May 2012

by Connor Keller

Having spent a great deal of the last week with my head firmly glued to either my laptop or a notebook trying to get a hideous amount of work done, I’ve had a lot of time to run through various different types of music. The first song, East Berlin at Night by Early Day Miners is a nice ‘shoegaze’ track that, along with the rest of Early Day Miner’s discography, has kept me grounded and relatively relaxed. Secondly comes Het is een Nacht by Guus Meeuwis, one of Holland’s relatively unknown, but enjoyable, exports. It’s a nice throwback for me to my first couple years of undergraduate when this song was introduced to me. Third is a new release from the Anacortes-based Mount Eerie. Much like Early Day Miner’s this is a nice, laid back song ideal for the quieter hours. This week features an extra bonus song, Proof by I Am Kloot – delving again into some of the my early undergraduate catalogue to dig up one of my favourite, but sadly somewhat unheralded, bands.

East Berlin at Night – Early Day Miners

Het is een Nacht – Guus Meeuwis

Through the Trees pt. 2. – Mount Eerie

Proof – I Am Kloot

- CK

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28 May 2012

Oranje Ads

by Connor Keller

As the first Euro 2012 warm-up friendlies are upon us this weekend (the direct lead-in to the World’s second biggest football competition, after the World Cup) I’ve been glued to my the online streams of the Dutch games having a look at my beloved Oranje’s preparations, as well as those of some of our competition (particularly the green kits of Ireland…sorry–Germany). The weekend’s game may not have gone so well, the Dutch looked a little sloppy in a 2-1 loss to non-qualified Bulgaria, but despite this I gained a ton of enjoyment from the ads during breaks in the game. Sadly I’m not living in the Netherlands so I don’t speak Dutch and I don’t have access to Dutch television, so each of these ads is a new experience for me. Most of the ads, including those I’ve included here for the bank ING and the grocer C1000, are very vocal in their support of the Oranje this coming summer. Ads like these, combined with the outgoing nature and passion of the Dutch for their national football team, create a brilliant atmosphere during international tournaments–decking much of the country, and some of it’s wildlife, in orange. The two I’ve included here are two of my favorites looking to this summer’s campaign.

ING – Oranje zijn we allemaal

C1000

Heineken also tends to make a good Dutch ad from time to time, particularly this little throwback to Euro 2000.

Welcome to Holland

And another featuring a little inter-continental rivalry, this time Holland – Germany from Euro 2004.

Finally, one that chronicles the rise in football I wish I could experience (but more accurately that which was experienced by Robin van Persie – one of the current Dutch stars).

Nike – Take it to the Next Level

Hup Oranje

- CK

(Note: AP wishes to point out that the Facing Page is an unbiased publication and that CK’s fervour for the Dutch represents his own (bizarre) opinions. England are, objectively, a far more worthy team to support. Any right-thinking human knows this. Just as they know that Andy Carroll has a better nose for the goal than Robin van Persie.)

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26 May 2012

We Hear 26 May 2012

by Addi Perkins

June is almost upon us and I was down in Portland last weekend so it feels right to feature the Decemberists in this week’s We Hear. Their most recent album, The King is Dead, is more folk-rock/country than their previous work and makes for a great road-trip record. Staying on the folk theme, I’ve been listening to a lot of John Martyn lately. If there was ever one musician’s voice, talent and musicality then I was able to have, John Martyn would be high on my list of names. And finally, some music for those quiet summer evenings: the joyous soul of Al Green. There is something so happy about the way he sings, it always makes me smile.

The Decemberists – June Hymn

John Martyn – May You Never

Al Green – Tired of Being Alone

- AP

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24 May 2012

People Watching

by Connor Keller

A couple days ago I stumbled onto the photographer Leslie Williamson’s work in the New York Times design section – specifically her feature ‘People Watching‘. The feature chronicles, through both text and images, Williamson’s visit into her subject’s home for a day. Think the Selby but with text. While a fascinating read, it was the images that were exceptional. I take a great deal of interest in seeing the inside of other people’s spaces, both for curiosity and for inspiration. Williamson has a good eye for interesting aspects of her subject’s spaces and has done a great job thus far in choosing her subjects. This comes as little surprise, as Williamson has previously published a full book of similar work – Handcrafted Modern: At Home with Mid-century Designers – where she looks into the homes of some eminent designers including Ray and Charles Eames. The People Watching feature is a nice entry point into her work, as is her blog – linked here.

- CK

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Gallery | 23 May 2012

Brian W. Ferry

by Connor Keller

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19 May 2012

We Hear 19 May 2012

by Connor Keller

With the consistent run of good weather in the last couple weeks, the Buena Vista Social Club has been a staple listen for me. Chan Chan is a classic number from this collection of musicians from Havana, Cuba. Secondly is a song from one of our favorites here at The Facing Page, Frank Ocean. I was lucky to be introduced to him by my colleague here, and have been enamoured ever since. Finally, with the new Beach House album dropping on Tuesday, I’ve included one of the highlights, Lazuli. The whole album is well worth seeking out, particularly if you enjoy this.

Chan Chan – The Buena Vista Social Club

Swim Good – Frank Ocean

Lazuli – Beach House

- CK

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18 May 2012

EPL 2011/2012 Wrap Up

by Connor Keller

For those not glued to their television sets or poor online streams last Sunday morning, the 2011/2012 English Premier League season came to a dramatic end. By the end of the day, what mattered most to me was that my beloved Arsenal had secured third place, automatic champions league qualification, pipped North London rivals Spurs despite early season setbacks and hopefully persuaded Robin van Persie to stay on. Sadly though, this wasn’t the game most people will be remembering, with the possible exception of Martin Fulop, who will try his hardest to forhet it but likely never will be able to for the reasons seen here here. No – the game(s) most people will be remembering will be those involving the top two teams, Manchester United and Manchester City. The two Manchester clubs came into the final day level on points with City holding the advantage of a 8 goal difference in goal differential. Manchester United did all they could, going away to Sunderland and coming away with a 1-0 win. When the final whistle blew for United, City were level at 2-2 with relegation threatened QPR in injury time and it seemed the title was going to United. City, it appeared, having gone 1-0 ahead, been pegged back to 2-1, while being granted a numerical advantage when Joey Barton of QPR was theatrically sent off before finally scoring in the 90th minute to bring the scores level, hadn’t done enough to squeak by United. Then, in the 94th minute, City forwards Mario Balotelli and Sergio Aguero combined and the Argentine Aguero beat Paddy Kenny at his near post to give City the 3-2 win and the title at the absolute last second. Sadly this left my colleague here in a bit of a state of shock as a United fan himself, but gave the EPL one of the most exciting finishes in memory (though some would argue the 89th minute goal that secured Arsenal the title in 1989 was better, not that I’m biased). The City highlights can be seen here, with the United highlights here.

- CK

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16 May 2012

Mast Brothers Chocolate

by Connor Keller

There are not many desserts I prefer more–with the possible exception of an almond croissant–than a good bit of chocolate. Within the realm of chocolate, one of my favourite kinds is New York’s Mast Brothers. Mast Brothers is a Brooklyn-based chocolaterie that produces chocolate and nothing else. No hard candies, no toffee, no bullshit just chocolate and a goal to make the world’s best chocolate. Mast Brothers was started by Rick and Michael Mast who learnt to cook chocolate in their apartment, fell in love with the process and dropped everything to start a handmade chocolate factory in an abandoned spice warehouse. Since the factory opened they’ve been honing their craft, making world-class chocolates with single origin, single estate and mixed blend cocoa beans as well as a number of supplementary ingredients including Stumptown Coffee, Maine Sea Salt and Crown Maple Syrup. It isn’t just the ingredients and the process that are top class either, the packaging is also a huge part of the charm, particularly the nautically themed Almond and Sea Salt wrapper. Each bar is individually hand wrapped in simple, thoughtful, thematically decorated butcher paper, a nice touch on top of a great chocolate. Mast Brothers is available in Vancouver at Mr. Lee’s General Store and Old Faithful Shop.

This short documentary shot by The Source will give you an appreciation of the care that goes into crafting the chocolate.

 

 

- CK

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14 May 2012

We Drink: The Syrup Trade

by Addi Perkins

At last month’s Beggar’s Banquet I bought a bottle of handmade, rosemary infused simple syrup from a local company called The Syrup Trade. This nectar transformed my drinking habits overnight; I’ve been on rosemary gin fizzes (gin, rosemary simple syrup, lemon and sparkling water) ever since. I have regrettably little information about the company – an infrequently checked email address and a name are the sum total of my knowledge – but it appears that the syrup is produced locally. At Beggar’s Banquet they were offering three flavours: Rosemary, Lavender and Lemon Ginger. The syrup comes in 250 mL bottles and sells for $12 each or $20 for two. My colleague here at the Facing Page has a bottle of the Lavender syrup and loves it. I burned through my bottle of Rosemary all too quickly and have my eye set on a bottle of the Lemon Ginger next. Speaking of the bottles, the Syrup Trade has done a great job with the design and packaging of their product. The labels are simple and elegant, like the contents, and the bottles are made of a heavy brown glass which allows them to be be reused. The only problem is the apparent elusiveness of the maker. I’ve emailed the address provided on the label to enquire about buying more syrup but I haven’t yet heard back. I suppose I’ll have to keep my fingers crossed that the Syrup Trade will be selling at another pop-up market. As far as I know, the Syrup Trade attends Beggar’s Banquet and Blim’s monthly market. I’ll be at both this month with my eyes peeled, hoping that they’ll be making an appearance – I need to stock up for a summer of wonderfully flavoured drinks.

- AP

Images: Connor Keller, Beggar’s Banquet, the Hach

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