IM // UR | Artist // OLIVER FRAPE

We swear this isn't an ironic listening. We love Beyoncé and 4. OK, we might unironically skip straight to track 5, 'Party', produced by Kanye West and with rap by Andre3000, because we ain't no stay-home-mums that need all those ballads about being broken hearted and finding the right person. But, after that, the album turns into a beautiful compilation of classic r'n'b, soul and a bit of sweat-inducing booty tracks - not too many though - that sound surprisingly courageous considering the actual state of pop music. And for that, we bow down and hail Queen B. P.S. Get the deluxe version, for those extra couple of amazing tracks.

WE // R \\ WEARING

The name of this label has been interpreted in many ways; from 'bass-seekey' to 'base-ike', but the correct way describes exactly what this label is about: BASIC. Bassike delivers easily breezily cut staples with an interesting little twist that keeps them from being your run of the mill. For those that live in climates like that of Australia (where Bassike hails from) or Brazil, you'll know how easy it is to make fashion faux pas when the weather gets hot and the prospect of wearing anything but a bathing suit becomes slightly unappealing; Bassike is all and everything you need.

WE // R \\ WATCHING

Before watching HBO's Game of Thrones, I assumed the series would tend a bit more towards the blood-dripping Danish movie Valhalla Rising rather than fairy-tale stories a lá 'Lord of the Rings'; and for that I didn't really like the series at the beginning. But slowly, I found myself submitting to tales of bad kings, midget juggernauts, savage warriors and... dragons. And that happened probably because there aren't exactly good guys and bad guys here, like there are in Tolkien stories - and that is, of course, a simplification of his work. Another reason I relented to this series is because of the intriguing political backstage element that leads to the ever-happening dance of thrones. Oh, and did I mention the gratuitous nekkid-ness?

WE // R \\ GOING

Of the slew of new spots having opened up in Sydney in the last six months, The Norfolk on Cleveland St in Surry Hills has been one fated with success. Owned by some of the same kids that have brought The Flinders back to life (and currently, it's incredibly quick onset of 'The Norms'), you'll undoubtedly find The Norfolk rammed with all kinds, vying for a bite, a beer and a spot in the garden out back. The aim of the game is to cultivate Aussie pub culture at it's best; and it's doing a pretty decent job so far - if only you could get a table!

WE // R \\ READING

Super Sad True Love Story is the third book from the writer of the best selling Absurdistan, Gary Shteyngart. Incidentally, I read him name dropped in Flavorpill's Ultimate Hipster Reading list and in the same sentence as James Franco (they're buds, apaprently) just before I finished his latest offering. Don't let any of that put you off, or take away any of the sad scary brilliance of Super Sad True Love Story; written from the perspective of one 39 year old Lenny Abramov, son of Russian immigrants and in love with the impossibly cute and cruel Eunice Park. A satire that cuts to the bone, Super Sad True Love Story is exactly it's title. And it's good.

Artist // OLIVER FRAPE

Monday // January 31, 2011 at 13:18 // filed under Art

HIYA // Oli Frape

Say hello to the artist kicking off our 2011 with our first new background of the year: Oliver Frape! A London based illustrator, situated in my old hood of Hackney - right next door to the Hackney Empire where Oli once spied Pete Doherty out his window into Pete's own dressing room. Oli and I met as a result of shared haunts, which we then haunted together on many an occasion; contemplating life through the bottom of a drink, getting lost in forests of ideas with only chicken bones to guide us back.

Graphic and colourful, Oli loves hand drawn typography and enjoys saying something verbally whilst communicating it visually at the same time. He drifts between ideas that are more observational and narrative than they first seem, and others which are frivolous and purely for the pleasure of creating something aesthetically pleasing for himself.

Between editorial for UK magazines and small advertising, Oli spends his time whipping up work for various bands and club nights in London, as well as having produced a flier for our very own Blogwars in São Paulo! Somewhat shy and simultaneously frustrated about his own ambition but ever hopeful for the potential of creating in the world, I managed to get him to answer our usual five questions...

How and when did you know you were going to be an artist/graphic designer?

Honestly, I really felt like I 'knew' about two years ago. I've always drawn and
made images. I spent days as a child sitting in my room drawing and always
intended to continue into a career but I guess I got diverted somewhere and stopped drawing altogether. Then two years ago, at a very dead-end job I just
picked up a pen and started doodling. I kept on doing it and suddenly remembered how it felt. Felt pretty good!! So here I am....

What have been/are your biggest influences?

I normally skirt this question but I've recently started to notice more and more
where these little seeds have been sewn. So in no particular order: Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Hanna Barbera Cartoons, Salvador Dali, Andy Warhol, 90s rave flyers, Phillip Larkin, Wes Anderson. There are also loads of great illustrators working out there at the moment, too many to mention...

Who would love to work for or collaborate with?

It's not really about who, as opposed to what im working on. Getting paid to draw is a dream whatever but when you get some clear parameters to push on slightly as well as an open minded art director, it's amazing. And seeing a piece of my work on a massive billboard would be pretty cool!