Ahoy! We have a special treat this month in the Nation space. Mommy Still Likes Me: The art of Pete & Jo features wood. Art on wood, that is! If you’re in the Calgary area this month, make sure to stop by anytime. Even better yet, if you’re in the Calgary area tonight then we’re having a little shin-dig from 6pm to 9pm. Did I mention these are the two responsible for many fantastic projects such as custom artwork for Beatroute, illustration and branding for the Market Collective and album artwork for local band Günther’s Nuclear Stallions … to name a few.

Here’s a drop from the artists:

Peter and Joyelle Komierowski are illustrators living in Calgary, Canada. They are NOT brother and sister as some would believe. They draw things that are funny, weird, cute, scary, but mostly moronic. Their work is wrapped up in nostalgic memories of childhood and it is a sort of grown-up fairy-tale.

Also, make sure to check out more of Pete & Jo’s work on lovefrompeteandjo.com

AmazingPhotography by Lindsey Baker.

You may have noticed my last post about the creative community mapping project Imaginary Ordinary. Now I neglected to touch on the original reason for my visiting the space. I thought it was worthy of its own post.

The event on Saturday evening included music by some incredibly talented individuals. One such individual (well group of individuals) was Samantha Savage Smith. Words can’t adequately describe the blown-away-ness. The songs are beautifully polished and yes you will fall in love with Samantha’s voice. Even in between songs they seemed to be in their element (element being defined here as a state of engaging wit and comfort). I don’t want to fawn too much as I think it’s best you experience it with your own ears. So on with the music!

Samantha Savage Smith – The Score - { Upcoming EP }

Samantha Savage Smith – The Fight - { Upcoming EP }

Kitschykoo has a new and improved format…who knew newsprint could look so stylish! More importantly, it is FREE!

The June edition is hot off the press and warming at a window sill in various cool venues around town.

If you are in Calgary and want to celebrate some indie, fashion, lowbrow, designy goodness definitely hit up the Broken City patio this Saturday June 13th (6pm – close) for said launch party.

We love you Kitschykoo Mag… keep ‘em coming!

Photo Credit: LADYLUX

James and I ventured to the Warehouse last week to see Crystal Castles. The opening act was Calgary based band Azeda Booth who turn piercing vocals, glitch effects and dissonant instrumentation into something quite melodic… they were a good fit for the show.  We talked with Jordan (lead singer) after they wrapped up and they mentioned that they had never listened to Crystal Castles but the sound check was 3 hours and the lighting check was 6 hours long… I knew we were in for a big freaking treat.

There was no easing into the show, it started with a virtual attack on the senses from a sporadic white strobe combined with Atari-esque beats and the intensity of front-woman Alice Glass … we were stuck, not because we couldn’t move if we wanted to but because the show was hypnotic.  Traditionally, this 2 person band native to Toronto consists of Alice Glass (vocals) and Ethan Kath (instruments/production), and for the past few years they’ve been busy remixing for the likes of The Bloc Party, Uffie and the Klaxons while hitting every major European music festival (along with being openers for Nine Inch Nails latest tour). This go ’round they had a drummer which certainly did not detract from their sound, but I’m amazed at how he kept up.  I loved that from the get go there was no traditional separation between stage and audience, as Alice spent the better part of the show over the barricade and perched above the crowd, her energy was infectious!

FYI: Crystal Castles is a play on the 80’s cartoon She-Ra’s fortress (to the 80’s illiterate: She-Ra was a spin off of He-Man, and also his twin sister)

I might not be a show for everybody, but as you can fathom from my perspective, it was magic.

Flickr Set

MeatbagsArt & Accessories by Jennifer McCaw

We are lucky enough to be surrounded and inspired by so many people on a regular basis.  One of our most favourite people has just released a line of hand tooled leather clutches with a deliciously carnivorous twist.  Jennifer McCaw, once our fabulous neighbor and still a fabulous friend is a talented jewelry designer / metalsmith, fashion connoisseur and expert in all that is  kitsch and lowbrow (pertaining to art and fashion).

See &/or shop for more of her brilliant creations @ lookscouldkillartboutique.com (aka LCKAB)

Who doesn’t love to mix a bit of vintage apparel in with their wardrobe to add a little yester-year flair? Now, what if you had the opportunity to dodge wading-through the mass of retrowear and be given a selection of hand picked gold? Fox Sparrow to the rescue! Fox Sparrow Vintage offers an online boutique that selects stylish vintage combo’s to save you a little time (and money).

This project is the brainchild of dynamic duo Lindsay Sutton and Heather Saitz. You may have been fortunate to enjoy Heather’s recreated, found and vintage photography exhibit in the early days of our Nation gallery. That was a few years back, and as you can tell ambition continues to be one of her signature maneuvers.

For the time being you can find out Fox Sparrow on:

• Their Facebook Group.
• Their eBay Online Store.

You may also happen to catch them live in Calgary at various local events this summer.  I’ve even heard rumours that they may hook-up with local retailers in the near future.

Now you can back to struttin your new threads on the streets and perhaps be shot (photographically that is) by one of the many the fashion savvy bloggers out there.