happenings at the Electik Sheep gallery tonight as FIST presents a new body of work for the Newcastle Gallery. Doors open at 6pm.

Last year I wrote a post that revolved around the return of the Warehouse Project for 2009. My buzz was pretty apparent back then and I didn’t want to simply write about wetting my knickers again upon looking at this year’s line-up (even if I did – view it here). WHP Manchester kind of writes the book for me. From the moment you enter the venue everything seems thought-out and planned to perfection in order to elevate your experience. This ethic is also applied to the design and the teaser activity that precedes the first date. The imagery used is iconic and they have really taken ownership of the colour scheme used. I wanted to take a look back to the beginning of the WHP artwork. The images hit my inbox this afternoon. Take a peak.

This years poster hit me clean in the face. It almost feels 3D without the kenk glasses.

Visting the Warehouse in 09 was a new experience for me. The Dove and the colour grasped my imagination. Instant infatuation with this brand.

Looking back the use of colour and iconic imagery was there from the start. This little number was available as a fold out keepsake. The poster incorporated all the event dates until eventually folding out to present the dove. Steven still has his. There are not many handouts that you would take home and keep safe.

Where it all began. See below the teaser for the 2010 activity. This represents where the WHP is today. I still think there is more great things to come.

WHP 10 CASTLEFIELD from Chris Cairns on Vimeo.

WHP 10 STEPS from Chris Cairns on Vimeo.

My man Dale at Sole Heaven just got in touch to say that these had just dropped, and they’re looking damn nice! They only hit Sole Heaven today, so you saw them here first. Buy them here and check out more pictures after the jump.

My friend Scott recently retuned from a 7 week trip, taking in most of South American and just under two weeks in Orlando and New York city. He took some photos on his old SLR in New York, and I love them, and they’re also making me insanely jealous that I wasn’t there, and haven’t yet been there. Take a look.

This particular capsule collection of shoe may resonate quite well with our readers in the North East, as it resembles many of the boozer’s round this way. New Balance and Crooked Tongues have come together to put out this three shoe collection, and no minor detail is left untouched. They boast pub sofa style leather uppers, swirly curtain linings and carpet inserts complete with beer mug stains. They even come free with a beer mat and with pub livery on the tongue. This is quite the collectable piece, and to celebrate New Balance and Crooked Tongues threw a launch party in a proper British pub, the Red Lion in East London, complete with folk singer and real pub food, and of course, pints and pork scratchings. Check out more photos after the jump.

Photo credit: Lee Goldup

Sheffield’s finest, Drop Dead clothing, have been going from strength to strength since their inception. Often pigeonholed as a brand aimed only at a small niche culture, this collection proves otherwise, and the wide range of artists they support is further testament to that. Last week I shot a small percentage of their new range, which goes a little way to demonstrate the variance across the line. I urge you to check out their site however and browse all they have to offer, plus if you’re in London, check out their store on Brick Lane!

Check out Drop Dead on their site

Quick mix post for Sunday night, this one curtosy of Brooklyn heavy bass merchant AC Slater. I had the pleasure of meeting AC last year when he spun at my housemates club night, and the dude is awesome, super nice and amazing behind the decks. Hit the link to grab the mix and the tracklisting. Enjoy.

AC Slater – Take You Higher DJ Mix by acslater

Tracklisting:
1. AC Slater – “Play the Record Again”
2. Kill the Noise – “Jokes On You”
3. Foamo – “Centavo”
4. Wafa – “Man Down”
5. Sam Tiba – “Barbie Weed”
6. Drop the Lime – “Devils Eyes” (Tomb Crew Remix)
7. Flinch – “Midnight Hustle” (AC & Dell Remix)
8. AC Slater – “Calm Down” (Club Mix feat DJ Craze)
9. Drop the Lime – “Doomsday Device”
10. Blatta & Inesha ft. Rqm – “Bite Your Lip” (Congorock Remix)
11. Tinashé – “Zambezi” (MJ Cole Remix)
12. Hostage – “Dubtch”
13. Lil Silva – “Pulse vs Flex”
14. Chase & Status – “Heavy” feat Dizzee Rascal
15. Heist – “I Need Killers” (140 Edit)
16. Joell Ortiz – “Nissan Honda Chevy”
17. Benga – “Mini Moto Cross”
18. HeavyFeet ft. Jon Rice – “Saving Me” (Club Dub)
19. Costello – “Get Crazy” (Will Bailey Remix)
20. Sydney Sampson – “Riverside” (Will Bailey Remix)
21. Sydney Sampson – “Riverside” (TC Remix)
22. Subfocus – “Timewarp VIP”
23. Breakage – “OST” + Little Jinder acapella
24. Ludacris – “How Low”
25. Doctor P – “Vampire Dub”
26. Florence and the Machine – “Dog Days Are Over” (Breakage Remix

I once said I would like to post more about some of my favourite movies. Well after a rollercoaster few weeks it just felt right to spend my Saturday with a true gem. I was introduced to the Hurricane via a high school teacher when studying Black Civil Rights in US history. This was a subject I would eventually research for my degree. The film, released in 1999, stars Denzel Washington, and depicts the trials and tribulations of Rubin “Hurricane” Carter. I’ll ramble on after the jump if you’re game for some insight.

A movie, for me, gains real strength when based on real events, or represents truths that most would rather forget. The story is that of strength, honour, courage, knowledge, and truth. Denzel’s performance is second only to his own performance in MalcolmX.  John Hannah and Live Schreiber are a real nice touch in this movie. It’s a big recommend from me. Directed by Norman Jewison the movie effortlessly glides between the two sides of Rubin’s life. The clean cut black & white of the boxing ring contrasted with the full colour of his personal life as he constantly fights the ghosts of his past, racism, and oppression.

Rebel 8 just dropped their fall 2010 line and it’s looking stronger than ever! They’ve also just re-done the site and added new bloggers, and it’s a good look. Check it all out on Rebel8.com!

I’ve been asked by the nice guys at 55DSL to blog on a Tumblr they’ve set up for myself and a few others they’ve selected as their’favourite bloggers in the world’, which is funny because my favourite blogger in the world is Kev Lynn. Anyhow, I’m going to blogging all sorts of stuff on there, maybe even link it to my Blackberry and post photos of drunk girls at Zoo? I searched through some of the other blogs they have asked to take part in the collective and I stumbled across this class blog run by a girl in London who take photos of herself wearing wicked trainers. Not bad eh?

Check it out here