Studio Notes #52

Hello, Superb Folks. Here's issue #52 of Studio Notes™—quick bits delivered to you each Friday. A whole year of weekly dispatches! Thanks so much for reading and sticking with me here.

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Yet another reason everyone needs a 3D printer: A sponge holder that creates the legendary "Homer Simpson disappearing into a hedge" scene for your kitchen sink. It needs to be the green, grassy-like Scotch Brite sponge for maximum effect. I'll bet someone out there is selling these as well, but I love that recipes for things like this exist in the 3D printing world.

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It sure has a lot of hype surrounding it, but after seeing it on the big screen, I think it's warranted. What I like about One Battle After Another is that it's a new, original story. And a great one at that. In a world of reboots and sequels and prequels, it's refreshing to get a fresh new story. Apparently Paul Thomas Anderson has been working on this film for 20 years, yet the subject matter is so prescient to what's happening in this country right now. Other things I like about the movie: The score. There's a long, intense, chase-like scene in the middle of the movie that's brilliantly accompanied by this insane, angular jazz that feels like a part of the action rather than accompaniment. Also, perhaps the most obvious, was DiCaprio's comedic performance. He doesn't do comedy often, but this character was so frustratingly funny—like a hyper version of The Dude Lebowski in the best way possible. ★★★★★

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Are dedicated MP3 players making a comeback? Either way, this little retro music player that looks like a cassette Walkman is interesting. The screen animates as if a tape is playing, but it also has analog buttons, headphone jacks, etc. Lo/hi-fi in full effect here.

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I mentioned New Zealand band, The Beths, in an early issue, and this week I've been digging the two newly-released songs from Australia's, The Belair Lip Bombs. Start with Hey You if you need a pick-me-up today. Reminds me Don't Change by INXS mixed with The National and Kate Bush. Or something. Catchy, guitar-centric indie rock is still alive with the young people of the planet—particularly in Oceania of late—and that gives me hope and makes me happy.

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What are you working on?

Putting the test to more letters in our WIP typeface, Clauthbound, with this famous quote from John F. Kennedy. I still believe kindness, when combined and multiplied by the masses has the ability to make positive change. I'll be chasing that feeling for the next 52 weeks of this little newsletter.

A reminder! We still have a big sale at the shop going on: 30% OFF all fonts and goods in the shop (use code NOTES). I'm going to extend the sale another week because that's why savvy marketers do to make it seem like they're doing you a big favor when all along they planned on the sale lasting longer. Ahem.

Stay safe and salty,