In pictures such as ‘Tangerine’ and ‘The Florida Project’ writer-director Sean Baker has chronicled in a non-judgemental and empathetic way characters trying every which way to live their lives in hardscrabble circumstances. ‘Anora’, his cheeky twist on C…

1927. With the coming of recorded sound, the United States is ushering in a new age of popular music. The Catchers are the men – and in Xan Brooks’ fine new novel, The Catchers are all men – tasked with travelling the country on behalf of their record com…

‘Cutouts’ is The Smile’s second album in just nine months, so they’d be perhaps forgiven if it didn’t quite hit the same mark as January’s ‘Wall Of Eyes’, which came out to much critical acclaim. On the contrary, I may even prefer this third release from …

The multi-award winning global phenomenon that is ‘Slava’s SnowShow’ is coming to Sunderland Empire in early December. It’s pretty hard to capture in words what ‘Slava’s SnowShow’ is all about – it’s something you really need to experience – but, in a nut…

In the market for some cashmere? Orwell + Austen have got the goods you need. As we inch ever closer to December, sweater weather is in full effect, which means it’s time to take stock of your current knitwear situation. If you’re in need of some addition…

Putting their best foot forward are Keen and High Snobiety who have teamed up for a match made in heaven. Heading into winter means the right shoes have never been more important. Because we’re all already sick of having soggy socks and cold toes after so…

Where other people see junk Elvis & Kresse see treasure. Any idea what this bag is made of… I bet the last time you saw a fire engine hose you didn’t think “that would make a great handbag” did you? Well, apparently Elvis & Kresse did, because back in 200…

The glorious Ouseburn Open Studios weekender takes place this November and, as ever, I’ll be making a beeline in particular for all the good stuff that is happening at Mushroom Works. For me, the Christmas countdown doesn’t begin when the high-street ligh…

There’s a peculiar rupture in the work of Deborah Grice, with her landscapes – which invoke the 19th century romantics – seemingly infected by modern, graphic forms. See them at Biscuit Factory from this November. I love a bit of incongruity and Deborah G…