Highsnobiety / Selectism | "Thanks For 2009" Drink Coasters

Letterpress Coasters from Quarter Productions on Vimeo.

David Fischer and Jeff Carvalho of Highsnobiety and Selectism posted this video giving a glimpse at the process behind their industry gifts sent out this holiday season. I was pretty stoked to see the use of an early printing press especially when it seems that everything is digital these days. The streets seemed to be lined with half thought out decaying posters on the worst card stocks. Even reflecting on the hundreds of mixtapes people tried to sell me this year and the hilarious artwork on them just makes me greater appreciate I small project like this. So all you emcees and rappers in Time Square, if you letterpress your cover art I'll buy.

"The coasters were run off on Michael’s early 1966 Vandercook SP20 Press using coaster stock. Each sheet housed four coasters which were then cut on a vintage Challenge Advance Guillotine Cutter and corners were rounded using a new old stock 60’s Lassco Corner Cutter. The finished coasters were then hand banded and glue to form. Not surprisingly, we ran out of the initial run but plan on pressing more in the New Year. Many thanks to Michael for an amazing job."

What I appreciate even more is the numerous creative individuals that made this post even possible. You have Michael Dacey at Repeat Press in Somerville, MA who produced the custom double sided coasters. You have Steve Schinnerer/Iloveqp who shot, edited and produced the promo clip and if you really want to go into detail the re-branded logo was designed by Benny Gold. And let's not forget the music.

(via. EugeneKan / Highsnobiety)

Acapulco Gold | 2009 Holiday Flannel

Acapulco Gold adds four new custom printed flannel button downs to their collection to wrap up the holiday season. The Laborers Button Downs and Workers Flannel come in two colors respectively. The two mid-weight cotton flannels come in a navy and natural print while the two slightly heavier weighted flannels come in red and blue constructed of 100% brushed cotton.

The Laborers Button Downs and Worker Flannels are available online in limited numbers over at Run My Game and run between $80 for the mid-weight and $85 for the heavier brushed cotton.

All four look like a great addition to the Fall/Winter/Spring wardrobe.

(via. MashKulture)

Supra Footwear | Spring 2010 Preview

A recent visit to the Supra 2010 Press Room by Japan's Shoe Master unearthed a sneak preview of what to expect from Supra this coming Spring. Though many have speculated that Supra will slowly digress in the coming year one will argue after seeing some of the up coming kicks. Among the signature collection and at the centre of it all is The Skytop (purple) and Skytop II which appears to be complimented by a rose/gold metallic TK Society. For its non-signature line looks like we will see some more suede, distressed leathers balanced with an array of brights. It also appears that Supra, in an uncharacteristic move, will tone down some of their popular silhouettes with a few neutral monotone color-ways.

(via. ShoeMaster/FreshnessMag)

Today's Useless But Impressive Lesson | 3 Year Old Dance

(via. BBC/IceCream)

Supreme NYC x WTAPS | Reversible Varsity Jacket Capsule Collection

Supreme has teamed up with Japanese brand WTAPS to create a unique collection to round out another successful year. The collection consists of three graphic t-shirts and a pillow with the highlight being focused on a reversible melton wool/cotton varsity jacket that comes in a navy and red. The capsule collection will release on December 29th in the United States and January 2nd in Japan. Everything is an in-store exclusive with the exception of the three days that will be made available online.

(via. Hypebeast)

The Hundreds | The Latest RSWD POST New Eras and T-shirts

If you have some of that Christmas change burning a hole in your pocket the limited release of POST and RSWD products drop tomorrow at THLA and THSF. The run is limited to 100 pieces per shop with the POST get-up limited to THSF and RSWD to THLA.

(via. TheHundreds)

Maestro Knows - Season 3 - Episode 3

(via. MaestroKnows)

Today's Useless But Impressive Lesson | Sound Effects

Minus the dumb-ass subtitles that pop up all over the screen dude has the sound effects of an import, V6, moped, dirt bike and weed whacker on look.

(via. TheHundredsVideoDaze)

Premiere | "Forever Young" Jay-z feat. Mr. Hudson

(via. BBC)

Tuesday Chill Track | "Comme des enfants" Coeur de Pirate

The Tuesday Chill track feature has ranged from Johnny Cash to Corey Heart and just about everything in between. Everything except a good solid Francophone talent.

I came across French-Canadian artist Coeur de Pirate last week and had it consist rotation throughout. The Quebec based artist has kind of flown under the radar for the last couple years unless you have been listening to CBC Radio 3 which I am not sure too many people have even heard of. In March the 20 year old singer-songwriter started an English side project entitled Pearls. So maybe we will hear a bit more about Béatrice Martin in the very near future. Until then creep her myspace and twitter.

(via. coeurdepirate)

NBA All-Star 2010 Ballot | Vote Earl Boykins

27 days remain for you to select your choices for the 2010 All-Star weekend in Denver on February 14. I would hope that I can count on the loyal Life After Midnight readers to vote in the undrafted and underrated Eastern Michigan graduate and current Washington Wizard guard Earl Boykins to join the festivities. Cast your vote.

Ransom | Holiday 2009

As 2009 comes to a close Ransom gives up a snippet of their Holiday 2009 Collection. The collection features a varsity jacket, Pendleton collaboration flannel, toque and a Japanese fleece drop crotch sweatpant. Holiday 2009 in available at the Toronto Flagship. RANSOM HOLDING CO 431 Richmond St. West Toronto, Ontario M5V 1X9 416-703-8055 (via. RansomHoldingCo.)

Monday Morning Playlist: Eugene Kan

It has been a few weeks without a Monday Morning Playlist and for that I apologize. Although I have had one sitting in my inbox for a few months now. With the launch of EugeneKan.com last week it seemed only fitting. This will probably be the last instalment of the Monday Morning Playlist before the new year but I assure you I have a few others in the works that will appear in the early New Year with some truly inspiring and creative individuals.

So last week Eugene launched a little side project that has been in the works for sometime - EugeneKan.com. The site is a more personal outlet for Eugene to discuss an array of subjects and issues through his unique writing style and photographic outlook. The site is sure to conjure up and inspire a higher level of dialog that often gets overlooked in the blogosphere.

"It's amazing how your whole perspective can change so quickly. Well I knew launching my own platform would provide a creative outlet unlike most of the stuff I had done in the past, especially with Hypebeast. Everything is 100% me and having said that, you can't imagine what it's going to be like until it's really in your hands. The support has been good thus far and I appreciate all the words from everybody. Going forward, I know that I probably might be totally different and perhaps unappealing to those that know me for a role with Hypebeast. Or maybe this is what they're looking for is something beyond the superficial world of fashion and streetwear? Hopefully it's the latter but as it stands, I think I'll be a little selfish for now and just create stuff that I really appreciate and respect. This all comes irrespective of creating angles in which have to keep in mind the thoughts of your viewers. I'm interested in numbers and metrics, but only for goal purposes and the fact that I didn't start this shit to make money (and lets hope I can make it BIG some other way haha) keeps my collar loose and myself very interested in this project. I think that's about it... and once again, I really do appreciate every opportunity people like you and others have given me." - Eugene Kan

Eugene not only provided us with a sampling but almost two hours of some of his favourites. So sit back, toss on your Nike 6.0 Snuggie, grab a plate of dim sum and enjoy Eugene's Monday Morning picks.

1. Jay-Z – Heart of the City
2. Gang Starr - The Militia feat. Big Shug and Freddie the Foxx
3. Kanye West - Spaceship feat. GLC & Consequence
4. Immortal Technique – Dance with the Devil
5. Ludacris – Growing Pains
6. Talib Kweli – Black Girl Pain
7. The Diplomats – Dipset Anthem
8. N.E.R.D. – Bobby James
9. Wyclef Jean – Grateful
10. Rhymefest – Bullet feat. Citizen Cope
11. Brother Ali – Forest Whitaker
12. Motorhead – Ace of Spades
13. Foreigner – Juke Box Hero
14. Led Zeppelin – Kashmir
15. Heart – Crazy On You
16. Journey – Don't Stop Believin'
17. Oasis – Wonderwall
18. The Misfits – We Are 138
19. The Distillers – We Are A Revenant
20. Drake – Little Bit feat. Lykke Li
21. R. Kelly – Showdown feat. Robert Isley
22. Judas Priest – Judas Rising
23. Deep Purple – Smoke on the Water
24. Jimi Hendrix – All Along the Watchtower
25. Cinematic Orchestra – Burnout
26. Johnny Cash – Get Rhythm

Download this weeks playlist here. And while you wait for the download feel free to check out our recent "5 Minutes With" feature with Eugene from a few weeks back.

Congrats on the site and thanks for the time.

Benny Gold | Office Space

Congratulations go out to Benny Gold. The one man design team, skateboarder and brand owner recently signed a lease to relocate his design office and warehouse beginning January 1st. What began as guerrilla sticker hobby has evolved into a highly sought after freelance design business and full fledge clothing company. The brand has been tucked inside his residence for the past 7+ years and upon a brief visit back in November it was clear to see that Benny had out grown his single office space.

I have a great deal of respect for the brand and Benny's integrity. Having the opportunity to discuss design and the brands growth back in November of last year, Benny mentioned his desire to expand with his heart set on one day having an external office and showroom/small retail space. What may be even more impressive is this dream has now come to fruition and has done so all on his own with no outside investment.

By the looks of it the new space is a 2 story free standing building in the Mission District of San Francisco. And if memory serves me correctly I think the space is on 21st Street not to far from Self Edge San Francisco. Not sure as to whether there are immediate plans for a retail space but we would imagine it isn't to far off in the distance.

Best of luck.

(via. BennyGold)

Tuesday Chill Track | "Pursuit of Happiness" Kid Cudi