Huckberry

Huckberry's Guide to Austin: Part 2 of 2

2013-05-20T15:59:54-07:00

Ed. Note: Albert Einstein once said that play is the highest form of research. Taking that idea to heart, we recently spent a weekend in Austin dialing up the perfect weekend itinerary – think Huckberry's take on Anthony Bourdain's new show, The Layover. From BBQ-as-religious-experience to Chicken Sh*t Bingo, we saddled up with local Austinites Taylor Welden and Brian Takats, and hit all of the hot spots both on and off of Austin's weird, live music and Lone Star beer-beaten path. Missed Part 1? Read it here.

// SUNDAY //

OK, so we got you hungover again. Sorry. Not really. Let’s fix that. Just two blocks from your bed at the Hotel San Jose is one of the best brunches in town, at South Congress Cafe. Call when you wake up and put your name on the list. A wait for one or two (if you’re lucky) should be quick, especially if you sit at the bar.

Order the Migas. Migas are like a religion here. They’re perfect. Migas can fix all of the world’s problems. Give Kim Jong-un a plate of Migas and he’ll turn into a unicorn. If you need some hair of the dog, sip on a Mexican Martini or one of the best Bloody Marys in town (some argue that it is the best).

11:30am

Grab a bike from Hotel San Jose and cruise to Barton Springs pool via the hike and bike trail. Another necessary day to remember your RAEN sunglasses. You may need a refreshment on the way if the mercury is rising past 100, so hit up Daily Juice along the way, on Barton Springs road. Or a beer at Barton Springs Saloon if you're a maniac.

12:00pm

High noon. Lock up your bike and take a dip in the magical naturally spring fed pool, which remains at a constant 68 degrees year-round. Take a nap in the sun. Enjoy the scenery. Women are allowed to go topless here. But don't be a creepy weirdo guy, just be cool. Once you’re done soaking it all in, its time to change back at the hotel, making your way via Auditorium Shores. Stop and people watch, dog watch. There will be a bunch of both, especially on a Sunday.

3:00pm

Change clothes, into something casual and comfortable. Hit up Cafe Medici on 12th, the best coffee in town. Grab a cup or two, maybe flip through the Onion.

4:30pm

Now you’ve got a bit of energy, let’s go onto something super unique, and a bit odd. Chicken Sh*t Bingo at Ginny’s Little Longhorn Saloon on Burnet (pronounced “burn it”). This sh*t is amazing. Buy a ticket for $2, listen to some Honky Tonk performed by the legendary Dale Watson, eat a chili dog (made every Sunday by Ginny herself), do some two-stepping if you’re feeling up to it, and wait for the hen to pick the winner.

This is one Austin tradition that makes Austin so unique. All walks of life will be present, all will have their own story which you should try to learn. Make some friends over $2 Lonestars.

7:30pm

Once you’ve had your fill, depart and get down to the SoCo bridge by about 7:45, or at least 30 minutes before sunset, dependant on the time of year. From right there on the sidewalk of the bridge, you’ll watch North America’s largest urban bat colony (approximately 1.5 million of them) leave their daytime nesting spot under the bridge for their evening feeding of insects. A real spectacle. Most other large US cities have a pro sports team mascot to represent the city. Here, the bats are our mascot.

8:45pm

A relaxed dinner over at Curra’s Mexican Grill. I recommend the Pollo Mole, with a side of grilled plantains. And an avocado margarita. Yes, an avocado margarita. Stop asking questions, you’ll dig it. Or your next one is on us* (find Taylor and ask him).

10:30pm

Finally, over to Rainey Street for some easy Sunday evening cocktails and craft beers. This is an interesting little bar district. Just a few years ago, this street was a cluster of small quaint lower-value houses. A quiet little residential street with absolutely no traffic (foot, car, or bikes). Now, it is the fastest growing bar district in Austin.

The bars literally move into the houses, most of them keeping the same layout and vibe of the original structure. It feels like you're hanging out at a friend's house or something. Plenty of great back patios. Stop into Craft Pride and try one of the 50+ Texas beers they have on tap. More than likely, your bartender will be an award winning beard competitor.

Ask the owner about the decor (the bar is made from a 2,800 lbs live oak tree limb and one of the chandeliers is custom welded to represent the molecular structure of an element present in beer, just for two examples). Those who want to extend their gastronomic journey even further, try the food truck in the back, called Bacon. Anything from this spot is delicious, obviously.

Finish it up at Clive, one of my weeknight hideouts. Here’s a little secret… they have Pappy Van Winkle behind the counter. 12, 15, and 20. A warm Sunday evening on a outdoor wood deck with some Pappy in a glass. Have your ice and water on the side. No better way to finish up a weekend in Austin.

// MONDAY //

Check out of Hotel San Jose. Before you head out of Austin, you’ll fill your stomach with the best breakfast tacos in town, Porfirio’s on Holly street. An unassuming little shop next to a gas station, a local secret. They’re the best because they’re simple, no frills, nothing fancy. I recommend the bacon, egg, and cheese variant, with “hot sauce” (the secret recipe: Jalapenos, water, a dash of salt, blended).

Once you’re full of breakfast taco divinity, drive just a few blocks north to Rio Rita on East 6th street, you should know this area by now. Bring your stuff inside and enjoy the best Bloody Mary there is. Ask for the infused jalapeno or habanero vodka. Call up a taxi while you enjoy the back patio.

If you’re not done with Austin just yet, you can ask your taxi driver to make a quick pitstop at Callahan’s, directly on your way to the airport, less than 5 minutes away. This can be one last chance to grab a gift you forgot to grab for whomever you promised one to. This is a legit Texas general store with anything from Western wear, farm supplies, kitchen wares, souvenirs, and baby pigs and baby ducks. Not 100% necessary, but its always a trip. I try to go whenever possible.

1:00pm

Off to the airport, where you’ll leave Austin, hopefully with a story or two to tell your cousin. See y'all next time.

Missed Part 1 of our Guide to Austin? Read it here. Written by Taylor Welden. Photography by Brian Takats. Going to San Francisco anytime soon? See our guide to a Proper Weekend in San Francisco.

Churchtanks

2013-05-17T16:25:44-07:00

Fred Durst, Guillermo del Toro, Chris Weitz and Robin Williams are part of a special club (not that club). They’re all keen to Kris Kuksi, a thirty-year-old sculptor from Wichita, Kansas. What’s the hype? del Toro explains: Kuksi manages to evoke, at once, a sanctum and a mausoleum for our suffocated spirit. Um, yes. It was right at the tip of our tongues.

Kuksi was raised by his mother, an alcoholic stepfather and two older brothers. He spent a lot of time alone, playing with Star Wars action figures. He did a lot of thinking. He got into unusual things. And now, he builds crazy sculptures as grotesque as they are beautiful, displays them worldwide and sells them to Hollywood’s elite. Sounds pretty good for a guy building toy tanks.

If you listen to Kuksi talk, you’ll know he takes art seriously. He describes his macabre constructions of pop culture effluvia as a grotesque tableaux inspired by the likes of Hieronymus Bosch. Yup. Did we mention he was featured in the Smithsonian? Like we said, serious. We were thankful when he explained, in plain English, his hope for the Churchtank series: May it remind us that religious fanaticism is harmful to [mankind]. Got it.

Kuksi’s articulates his artistic ambition with equal simplicity: “I want everyone who has seen my work to walk away realizing a greater perspective of the world and what we are dealing with as humans, and the consequences of what could happen if we don’t.” Sir, yes sir. We’re all in for the Kuksi army now.

In 2012, Kuksi gave a speech at FSU (18:22 starts the tank stuff) and he mused about the Churchtank series’ progression (he’s made a handful): “The idea is that each one gets more developed, a little bit bigger, a little more sophisticated…an improvement from the one before. And so, like religion, you always have some adaptation to the new times.” Makes sense to us, and we’re anxious to see what he’ll do next (can he fit Wall Street on a tank?).

The Propaganda Am-Bush Machine:

See all of his work at kuksi.com, or buy his book on Amazon.

Diversions: May 17, 2013

2013-05-17T11:07:25-07:00

BBQ SUNDAES: You read that right. Here we show you how to make BBQ's ultimate statement piece. / Made Man

HERE IS TODAY: Having a bad day? Here's a reminder of how insignificant today is. / Here Is Today

SOUTHERN SUMMER ESCAPES: Twenty-five getaways, small towns, hidden beaches, and back road adventures. / Garden & Gun

THIS IS WATER: David Foster Wallace's commencement speech was made into a video. It's incredible. / YouTube

HILARIOUS CRAIGSLIST AD: "Ryan, is that a toilet in the background? Yes. Why? Because this bike is the sh*t". / Craigslist

MCDONALD'S THEORY: All creative endeavors share one thing: the second step is easier than the first. / Medium

Tunes: May 17, 2013

2013-05-17T10:51:22-07:00

Song For Zula by Phosphorescent: Lead singer Matthew Houck reminds us of a young Bruce Springsteen. Listen

Random Access Memories by Daft Punk: You can now stream the album on iTunes (and, cough, elsewhere).

This Must Be The Place by Talking Heads: Although now a classic, David Byrne's signature love song never cracked the top 50. Listen

Lovely Day by Bill Withers: Towards the end of the song, Withers holds a note for 18 secs – the longest note in any Top 40 hit in the U.S. Listen

Huckberry's Guide to Austin: Part 1 of 2

2013-05-15T16:50:04-07:00

So you’re heading to Austin, Texas. Your friends have told you about it, your cousin went last Spring for a wedding, you read about a Austin festival on some blog, even your sister’s boyfriend told you it is a fun city when he “did SXSW back in 09".

(Protip: don't come during ACL or SXSW if you want the real Austin experience. Sure, they're fun, but it's not necessarily "Austin". If you want to come for a music festival, book your stay around Fun Fun Fun Fest.)

// FRIDAY //

Arrive into the Austin airport. Throw away your jacket, chances are its blazing hot. It’s a great thing you’re already stocked with a pair or two of ExOfficio boxers to help you through the heat. These genius garments are super light, cool, breathable and comfortable. Oh, and they’ll dry out super quick when you need them to.

We’ve tested them in at least 10 different countries on several different trips, and they always outperform expectations. These are a perfect way to beat the Austin heat… we warned you. Don't eat the airport food, even though it is tempting and actually pretty damn good (this is not the “real” Salt Lick BBQ).

12:30pm

Catch a taxi at have them take you over to the East Side. Get dropped off at the HELM boots retail shop on East 6th for a proper boot fitting. You'll be doing plenty of walking this weekend. Don't worry, the folks will hook you up with a beer and/or a coffee to take the edge off while you try on the different styles of handcrafted boots, each of them 100% made in the USA.

Yes, those denim panels on the Reid boot are made from the same Cone Mille White Oak selvedge denim that Tellason jeans are made from. Once you’re fitted up, wear them out, and start breaking in that rich Chicago-sourced Horween leather by putting it down on the Austin pavement.

1:30pm

Grab a taxi with your handsome Monolith-equipped iPhone, and head over to South Congress Ave (“SoCo”) to the Hotel San Jose (or couchsurfing somewhere on SoCo), drop off your bags.

2:00pm

Walk out the exit and turn left. Grab a quick coffee at Jo’s for your walk. I recommend a Belgian Bomber, which is iced, has plenty of caffeine and isn’t overly sweet. Mosey a block down to Heritage Boot to drool over some legit custom made cowboy boots. These are the real deal. Yes, folks in Texas will spend $800 on a pair of cowboy boots… sometimes even $2,000… sometimes even much, much more. Crazy, right?

2:30pm

Smelling all that genuine leather has probably made you a little hungry. Time for a light bite. If cattle is on your mind, pop into Hopdoddy for one of the best burgers in the city (local house ground beef, homemade fresh buns, pickles, sauces, and more). Or if you just require a slice, try Homeslice Pizza, Austin’s take on NYC pizza. Simple, good pizza. Great vibe. Either way, don’t overeat, the day is young.

3:00pm

Dudes, you’re going to have to check out STAG for some cool men’s apparel, accessories and the like. STAG is like Huckberry’s cousin, in brick and mortar format. For a total mind warp of awesomeness, take a gander at all of the uncommon objects at Uncommon Objects. Quirky vintage items that you’ll want to own. It’s basically the coolest curated antique shop on the planet. Anything from rusty iron Dutch ship anchors to human skeleton models from a 1940’s medical school. A bit pricey, but still amazing. A visual treat.

Now, onto more Western wear. You’re probably in Texas for the first time, so why not? Check out Allen's Boots for a wide variety of cowboy boots, hats, belts, and clothes. If cowboy hats aren’t your thing, you can also say hey to the folks at Goorin Brothers. Little secret, if you ask for a whiskey, they’ll happily pour you one on the free. If you’ve still got some steam, there are a variety of other shops on SoCo like Big Top Candy Shop, Avenue Barbershop for an old fashioned cut and shave, Friends of Sound record shop, and plenty of other vintage clothing shops.

5:00pm

Though it isn’t first on the list where Austinites would pick for a margarita, you’re within one block and there aren’t too many other options nearby in the SoCo district. Plus, they honestly make a mean margarita. So you’re walking over to Guero’s to kick up your feet for a spell. Grab a spot outside, sip down a frosty tequila cocktail and relax.

6:30pm

Casually make your way back to your room at HSJ, open up your water-resistant Joshu + Vela waxed / Topo Designs dopp kit, bust of your Ursa Major face balm or Triumph & Disaster's Rock & Roll Suicide Face Scrub for a quick eye-opening refresher.

Splash some soap and water on your face to get your senses back, we’re just getting started. Get dressed up for the nicest restaurant in Austin (meaning put on a pair of Tellason denim jeans and a black t-shirt… Austin is relaxed), and nab a taxi. You’re heading to Uchi.

(Protip: don’t order any sushi rolls. Seriously. They only leave those on the menu for the squares/tourists.) Some suggestions; Hamachi nabe, Maguro goat cheese, Hama chili, Saba shio (a chef favorite), and whatever daily sushi special they have from the Tsukiji Market.

Once you've made your way through the menu and back, go to your hotel room and meditate on what just happened to you. There you can rebuild your brain, piece by piece. Upon completion of this task, it’s time to dig into the evening.

9:30pm

Cross the street, and into the Continental Club to catch a show. This place is full of history like a tick is full on a bloodhound, it’s where Stevie Ray Vaughan and Janis Joplin used to jam. Willie Nelson too, now he draws too big of a crowd.

Whoever is playing the bill that night should be entertaining, more than likely some authentic rock or blues. Make sure you’ve acquired a koozie already, this minor accessory will make you blend in, rather than standing out as an out-of-towner (which is also fine here too). Drink ten million Lonestar beers, the National beer of Texas, as per their slogan informs you.

12:00pm

The show should be winding down, the last chords of the set humming in your ears. If you've still got a wild hare, go upstairs to the bar above the the club for a nightcap until 2am, aptly named the Continental Club Gallery. More than likely, they’ll have a local band ripping up there too. A bit divey, which is how we like it.

// SATURDAY //

9:00am

Rub your eyes, and cover them with your RAEN sunglasses so you and your hangover can hide behind their dark lenses. That Texas sun is going to be bright out there, so these polarized lenses will be lifesavers. Rent a bike from HSJ. Swing your leg up over the steed and point it in the direction of downtown.

9:15am

Arrive to the Downtown Farmers Market. Straight to the Texas Coffee Traders coffee booth for some locally-roasted coffee, obviously.

In Austin, we eat breakfast tacos. These a nothing like that gas station freezer breakfast burrito garbage that is everywhere else in the US. Here is your chance. Pick up one from Dai Due. These aren’t traditional breakfast tacos, but they’re amazing. Only eat one, though you’ll want more. We’ve got you covered, this is just a snack. Walk around, pet a dog.

9:45am

Hop on your bike and pilot your way to the East side. Stop at El Milagro tortilla factory on East 6th street, ask for a free sample of a fresh warm tortilla. Grab a Mexican Coke or a Topo Chico in a glass bottle to toss into your BEXAR bag, you'll see why. Head exactly 7 blocks North to the promised land.

10:15am

You’re here. Franklin BBQ. The best barbeque in the United States, probably the world. The holy grail of BBQ. Personally, I hear all the hype and didn’t believe it. I went, as a skeptic, and my mind was blown.

Enough talk, you need to get in line. This place has never not sold out in it’s history. People have been waiting since 9am, hop in behind them. As long as you’re here by 10:15am at the very latest (9:30am is safe and ideal), you’ll be alright. Talk with your neighbors in line.

Crack your Mexican Coke or Topo Chico with your Bottle Opener, it gets hot on that pavement. Hopefully you’ll meet a friend or two here. And hopefully they’ll be bringing their own YETI Cooler (based out of Austin, their HQ is just about a half mile from Franklin). These are the coolers of kings. They’ll hold ice for up to 7 days, no joking. They also make a great seat (or if you can swing by Yeti headquarters and grab a 7,000 liter cooler, a coffin) to relax on while you wait in line.

Once you’ve made it in, I recommend (in order, starting with the best); the fatty brisket, the ribs, the lean brisket, and the sausage.

If you did it right, now you should be stuffed and be experiencing proper barbeque sweats. Time to burn off some calories and keep the blood flowing to avoid a nap.

12:30pm

Bike around the lazy streets of the East Side on your way back to drop the bike off. Meander through the neighborhoods. If you're like us, another coffee might be necessary.

Stop at Progress Coffee for an Iced Turbo to fully say goodbye to that hangover (we're experts at that here in Austin). Do some people watching from the deck. Read the Chronicle. Check music listings. Scratch your head because there are too many shows for you to actually comprehend.

2:00pm

Slowly cruise back to Hotel San Jose. Take off your sweaty, BBQ-sauce stained shirt, and hop into a fresh one. Resist that nap. Enough biking, enjoy some AC in a cab.

3:00pm

Drive over to Whole Foods (downtown Lamar location), the flagship store. Austin is where Whole Foods was founded, and this particular store really shows off. You’re probably not hungry, so this is just for your eyes. And this way, you’ll save a bunch of money too.

4:00pm

Punch in Mount Bonnell into Google Maps and wind your way up to the top. Park and take the long slow way up, not the way with the stairs (between 99-105, depending on who you ask). Your HELM boots should be breaking in nicely by now. Enjoy the best view of the Austin city skyline. Take a photo. Pick up a date. Fun movie fact: this is where the final scene of Slacker was filmed.

5:00pm

Make your way down and pilot yourself towards that metropolis you were just admiring. On your way, roll past the Capitol building (which is larger than the US Capitol building, as Texans love to remind you). Notice that odd color? Back in 1882-1888, it was constructed out of pink granite from nearby Marble Falls, TX. A decent structure to gander at for a spell.

6:00pm

At this point, you’re pretty close to Sixth Street. You've heard everyone tell you about it. Us Austinites don't go there, except for the Jackalope or Casino el Camino on occasion. We call it “Dirty Sixth”, as it’s reserved for frat boys and tourists.

We're avoiding all that and heading to East 6th street, which is part of the “East Side” district. Specifically, we’re going to Shangri-La for a few beers and the East Side King food truck (owned by Paul Qui, James Beard award winner and Top Chef winner) for some chicken skin buns and/or pork belly buns. If you’ve timed it right, you’ve downed one Lonestar and finished your buns, just as the sun is setting.

8:00pm

On foot, hustle down to The Mohawk for a show, only a few blocks away. Whoever is playing there will be amazing, guaranteed. This is the best venue in Austin, don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Say “sup” to Moody and Houshang, they’re bad asses. Put down a shot of Republic Tequila and a Modelo. Rock.

11:30pm

Take a pedicab (just for fun) back to East 6th after the show, ears ringing. Have them drop you at the White Horse. Parked out front you’ll see bicycles, scooters, motorcycles, hot rods, and occasionally a horse or two. 99% of the time there is no cover. 100% of the time there is live music. Put down a Lonestar tallboy can and a shot of Fireball. Welcome to Fireball Island.

Back on foot, stroll into the Liberty bar. Slug a Jameson and a Shiner. Finally, stumble down to the Grackle for your last stand. Take one shot of Rittenhouse Rye Whiskey and a sip on a frothy Lefthand Milk Stout.

1:30am-2:30am

If you’re starving from the alcohol, you’ve got a couple options…

Bomb Ass Tacos from over at the White Horse. Last call is around 1:30am, so plan accordingly.

If you missed that window and still need that taco fix, you’re in luck. Hail a taxi over to El Taquito on East Riverside, which is more or less on your way back to your hotel. Order the Al Pastor tacos "con pina" (with pineapple). They're used to drunks here, as they're open until 4am. Either option, these are the first authentic Mexican tacos you're having in Austin (El Taquito much more so).

Continued in Part 2 of our Guide to Austin. Written by Taylor Welden. Photography by Brian Takats.

Going to San Francisco anytime soon? See our guide to a Proper Weekend in San Francisco.

The Man Who Rode the Thunder

2013-05-14T17:55:19-07:00

I was convinced I would not survive; no human could. On July 26, 1959, William Rankin ejected through the glass canopy of his F-8 Crusader, fell 47,000 feet into “one of the most violent storms ever recorded on the East Coast,” parachuted over 65 miles in 40 minutes, and came to a stop by colliding with a tree.

He remembered: I was terrified, but not petrified. It’s a brave distinction of terms.

Rankin suffered frostbite, decompression, vomiting, extreme abdominal swelling (as though I were in well advanced pregnancy), a severed finger, and bruises. Once grounded, he walked to a dirt road and hitchhiked to the hospital. I was not panicky, he understated.

Rankin was flying his F-8 Crusader (the same jet with which John Glenn set a transcontinental speed record) over Norfolk, VA, when a fire warning flashed on the instrument panel. Fearing explosion, he ejected—nine miles above the earth. The next forty minutes were hell. After free-falling in the -50°F air, Rankin deployed his chute in the middle of a thunderstorm.

Hail the size of baseballs beat him to near unconsciousness. I thought I had died. And he nearly did.

An untimely gust of wind forced his chute to entangle his body and he reentered a free-fall. He remembered, I had the distinct feeling that I was being sliced in two, as fate rallied against him.

Then, suddenly, the winds shifted. His chute reopened. Soon, he found himself gliding out of the storm toward a forest. After entangling in a tree, he cut away and arrived on the ground, lying on my left side. I simply could not believe that I was on the earth—that I had survived.

Rankin’s bout with the thunderstorm brought him national attention, especially when he returned, a few weeks later, to active duty. He enjoyed fifty more years of life, dying at 89.

Now, his legend lives on—he’s the only guy to fight and beat a thunderstorm, and he’s earned the right to say (without irony): “I didn’t hear the thunder, I felt it.”

You can read an except from Rankin’s book here, or buy it on Amazon. A video recap of his flight is on YouTube and Time’s archive publishes the original 1959 news article. Photo credits: #1 Flickr Kemon01, #3 U.S. Navy, #4 Tumblr Charlavail, #5 Wikipedia Commons, #6 F-16.Net.

Tippi Degré, A Real Life Mowgli

2013-05-13T15:38:29-07:00

Tippi was born in Africa. The desert of Namibia, to be exact. Her parents, Alain Degré and Sylvie Robert, were French wildlife photographers and didn’t think twice about their decision to raise her among the biota they were documenting on a daily basis. By the time Tippi Degré was six, she’d begun to resemble a real life Mowgli.

The young girl had taken to wearing a loincloth and befriending the – sometimes huge, sometimes small – animals she’d encounter in her day-to-day. When speaking of her friends, Tippi was frank:

I don’t have friends here. Because I never see children. So, the animals are my friends.

The first was a 28-year old African elephant named Abu. “She had no fear,” her mother remembers, “She did not realize she was not the same size as Abu the elephant. She would look into its eyes and speak to him.” Tippi went on to develop relationships with a leopard nicknamed J&B, a cheetah, giant bullfrogs, lion cubs, a baby zebra, a mongoose, crocodiles, a snake, giant bullfrogs – she even rode on her friend, Linda, every now and again.

Linda was an Ostrich.

Sylvie goes on, “She was in the mindset of these animals. She believed the animals were her size and her friends. She was using her imagination to live in these different conditions.”

Tippi also developed strong ties with the bushmen and Himba tribespeople of the Kalahari. They took her under their wing, teaching her their language, hunting skills, and how to feed herself on roots and berries.

After ten years, Tippi’s parents returned to France; she was already a celebrity there, partly because her parents had released Tippi of Africa. It was a tough transition from the expanse of the African desert to the Parisian streets. She did wind up returning to Africa to make a few documentaries for the Discovery Channel.

But, now she’s 23, out of college,and is enjoying her anonymity. Maybe she’s sticking to what she said back in 2002:

The reason I did the films and will do more is to show that we have to do something about saving the animals and the planet before it's too late … I don't want to be famous. I just want to be normal.

For more information, check out Tippi's website tippi.org or pickup a copy of her book Tippi of Africa. Photo credit: Sylvie Robert / Barcraft Media – Tippi My Book of Africa.

Photo Wanderlust

2013-05-13T16:12:51-07:00

When Julien Mauve was a child, he had a Fischer Price camera round his neck. He’s since moved up the hierarchy of lenses, and two viral photo-books later (Back to Childhood and Hopeless Romantic), he’s brandishing the camera to international acclaim.

Lately, his focus has turned global, and his photo collection “Around the World” takes dead aim at scenaristic [his word] landscapes. We’re all eyes.

At only 28, Mauve’s compositions have the maturity of his inspirational fore-bearers (he credits Jeff Wall and Ellen Kooi). He centers the vanishing point, which gives a three-dimensional quality to the prints, and they feature a precise, infinite focus. The Parisian says he’s interested in “trying to understand and apprehend natural lights,” and so far, he’s got a decent grasp. From the flat light of a coastal morning to a long exposure on an urban night, his images lay rich colors on expansive frames.

What we love most is that Mauve’s photographs don’t simply capture the scene, they soak up the surroundings. We’re pretty sure that’s the point of travel—to absorb, like Mauve’s sensor, the character and anatomy of a place. So, when we see him frame wispy clouds over the Yanmountains we’re quickly scrapping through our desks for the passport. It’s time to travel; bon voyage, Monsieur Mauve.

You can follow Julien Mauve on Tumblr, and his work is available for purchase at PhotoBay.

Diversions: May 11, 2013

2013-05-11T11:25:04-07:00

1. Hawaiian Swimming Holes: Taking us to our happy place. / Unreal Hawaii

2. Daft Punk Interview: Well, more of a profile, but it still got us so excited we can't feel our toes. / GQ

3. On The Border: Snapshots of life on both sides of the 1,969 mile U.S./Mexico border. / The Atlantic

4. Sailing on Ice: A mesmerizing time lapse of an icebreaker in the Antarctic. / YouTube

5. Holy Blackbirds: The SR-71 took 5 states to make a u-turn. A homage… / Gizmodo

6. A Climber Fact Checks Game of Thrones: The punch line – John Snow would have been donezo. / Wired

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instragram to see the Diversions that didn't make the cut and other awesomeness.

Tunes: May 11, 2013

2013-05-11T11:36:42-07:00

John Maus – Hey Moon: A rich, synthy, fog-enveloped tune. Listen

Mountain Men – Erik the Red: The name of the song and the artist is all you should need to give this one a whirl. Listen

Roy Orbison – You Got It: Released in 1989, this song returned Orbison to the Top 40 for the first time in 24 years. Listen

Charles Bradley – Why Is It So Hard: The man oozes '60s funk and soul. Listen