Craig Richardson’s weblog, guestbook, database of music and collections of writings

The closing track on FOX Japan's recent disc, "Hell," recounts tales of pre-pubescent revelry in early-nineties West Virginia. A spot-on portrait—complete with references to Capri Sun and and Boyz II Men—"'91" is also an apt staging ground for the West Virginia-based group's guitar-driven pop rock, which has clear references to the golden age of mid-nineties alt rock. A classically-trained composer, guitarist and vocalist Charlie...

Josh Rubin: Coolhunting

Winter break means the kids are home and most likely trapped indoors with little to do. Double the fun by giving them gifts you can both enjoy, they'll be happy to spend time with you and you'll be happy to act like a kid again. Here's a list of our top items from the 2008 Holiday Gift Guide that allow you to hang with anyone,...

Josh Rubin: Coolhunting

by Russ Lowe Is good design recession-proof? We think so but regardless it can't hurt to hedge your bets on items like those from this latest crop from BY:AMT that are beautiful, functional, fresh and sensible. And, just in time for stocking stuffing, the Brooklyn design sweethearts, headed by Dutch designer Alissia Melka-Teichroew, recently launched a nifty new web store aptly named BUY:AMT. No more...

Josh Rubin: Coolhunting

We've been keeping tabs on brothers Mike and Patrick McCarney at Akomplice Clothing since the early days and it's been a pleasure to watch their line expand from their humble origins in the Colorado Rockies to ferrying their fans around in limousines during the last Presidential Election. The McCarney Brothers have unveiled their Ninth Seasonwith a line of streetwear and accessories that's worth checking...

Josh Rubin: Coolhunting

by Laura NeilsonWhen you're a seven-table sushi restaurant—in San Francisco, a city overflowing with sushi joints—how do you stand apart from the others? San Francisco's Tataki Sushi and Sake Bar took this obvious challenge to task by being the country's first and only sustainable sushi restaurant. Co-owners Raymond Ho and Kin Lui, who opened Tataki earlier this year in San Francisco's Pacific Heights neighborhood,...

Josh Rubin: Coolhunting

Adrenaline nuts searching for the latest extreme sport have a new toy, the 360. A recent recipient of a the Red Dot luminary design award, the 360 simulates the mechanics of snowboarding, surfing or skating, using a pair of wheels connected by a flexible, highly adjustable crossbar. The innovative design places the rider's feet inside the hole at the center of each orbital wheel....

Josh Rubin: Coolhunting

Prospect.1 is New Orlean's first biennial and the largest-ever international contemporary art show in the United States. Similar in style and scope to Venice, the exhibit consists of site-specific art installations, as well as several galleries in museums and elsewhere in the city devoted to it. As the front page of the event's website proclaims, it's designed to bring media attention and tourist dollars...

Josh Rubin: Coolhunting

Food's temporal nature eliminates the burden of gifting an object of questionable desirability. When in doubt, look to consumables. Rather than the usual box of chocolates, we've gathered some items that will express your gift-giving personality and bring joy to tummies worldwide, like milk chocolate-covered bacon, an array of English cheeses or macaroons handmade in New Orleans. Check the Cool Hunting Holiday 2008 Gift Guide...

Josh Rubin: Coolhunting

This past weekend at a Los Angeles High School, Kobe Bryant unveiled his fourth signature sneaker in the Nike Zoom collection. What sets this shoe apart from the rest is the fact that it's a newly designed low-top for use in a sport traditionally played in high-tops. Although high-tops help prevent ankle sprains, the fact is most ankle support comes from a sturdy base...

Josh Rubin: Coolhunting

While there was a plethora of talent on view at this year's Art Asia fair in Miami, I was particularly drawn to the sculptures of Lou Zhenhong at the Contemporary by Angela Li booth. Made from painted resin or aluminum, Zhenhong's Dwarf Series borrows from the ubiquitous vinyl toy vernacular, though there remains nothing cute or cool about these sculptures. Their faces distorted, twisted...

Josh Rubin: Coolhunting