Counter Culture

Think Zine - 05

Features

As the year draws to a close, we bring together our extended Goodhood family for another edition of our annual Think Zine, to find out the highs, the lows, the heroes/villains & where do we go from here…

The Man, The Myth, The Legend (@fabio_arciero)

What's been your album of the year?

Mostly listening to mixes, the Jon K one from The Trilogy Tapes just arrived in the post.


What’s been your favourite film of 2019?

I'd like to nominate a TV show because I just finished Watchmen and I really enjoyed it.

Instagram took away the ability to see people's likes, is that a good or bad thing?

Can only be good right? Less kids getting depressed about it and less wallies being enabled by it.


Who's been the villain of the year?

Feels like the baddies are winning at the moment.


Who's been the hero of the year?

Enzo. (And my wife for marrying me).

What have been the best and worst collabs of the year?

Best - Gasius Graphics on Carhartt WIP sweats.
Worst - Conservative Party x The British Public.


What word or phrase has been overused to death?

The list is soo long...


The UK has been up in the air with leadership recently… If you were PM for a day, what would you introduce?

Everyone gets an extra day off in the week but you have to do something positive with it.


What 2019 trend needs to go away?

Negative waves.


'2020' has a nice ring to it right… What are you looking forward to?

Terrahawkes was set in the year 2020.

She's Lost Control (@slc_london)

What's been your album of the year?

Fat white family - serfs up


What’s been your favourite film of 2019?

The Aretha Franklin film, Amazing Grace. It was incredible.

Instagram took away the ability to see people's likes, is that a good or bad thing?

It’s a good thing, comparison syndrome is such an unnecessary anxiety trigger in today’s digital world.


Who's been the villain of the year?

Putting obvious political candidates aside, whoever it was who stole my bank card last week and rinsed round Dalston gets my vote!


Who's been the hero of the year?

The mighty Greta.


What have been the best and worst collabs of the year?

Best is Jeremy Deller x Aries... ‘make archaeology sexy again’... being an archaeology geek and an Aries fan this was the dream combo!

Worst, erm I’m not sure. I’m not really into big brands jumping on previously niche trends and influencer endorsements, it lacks integrity.


What word or phrase has been overused to death?

Brexit.


The UK has been up in the air with leadership recently… If you were PM for a day, what would you introduce?

Lower the voting age to 16. We would’ve seen very different results if the youth of today had a voice.


What 2019 trend needs to go away?

Flat Earthers... surely it can’t stick for much longer!


'2020' has a nice ring to it right… What are you looking forward to?

It’s going to be a big year for many of us... in numerology 2020 is all about tuning into our intuition and inner truth, finding ways to expand and connect with our true north. So I guess I’ll be doing that!

NTS DJ & Artist (@babakganjei)

What's been your album of the year?

I have two, one was The Purple Mountains album. I was so happy to have David Berman back after a 10-year hiatus, but then we tragically lost him and I haven't yet been able to go back to what was such a brilliant record.

Jamie Branch's "Fly Or Die 2" is my current music to work to.


What’s been your favourite film of 2019?

I have so much catching up to do with films this year, I think Eighth Grade really hit home. I've got a kid who is now in Secondary school and so I've realised how much of those years influence your future life. I didn't grow up with social media though and it's pretty scary to go through growing up with the pressures of that to boot. Ultimately it deals with those issues in a very nice human way. It was not the film I was expecting comedian Bo Burnham to have made and it's nice when people can surprise you.

Instagram took away the ability to see people's likes, is that a good or bad thing?

Is this really happening? Instagram is the main outlet for my work and I have used it to almost readiest ideas and so the like count is quite handy, but also I can see it being detrimental to mental health. Again, it ties in with the film above. I can't tell if it's good or bad, it will just get replaced with a different structure and we will always find ways to bend those structures to work for us somehow.


Who's been the villain of the year?

So Dominic Cummings the mastermind Brexit Strategist weirdly seems lives near me and I've seen him from a distance and he seems to have Evil genius vibes sewn up, but I would have to say it's Boris Johnson and his harmless fumbling buffoon schtick. He's also set a pretty depressing example that it's easier to win things not by being held to account but hiding in a fridge.


Who's been the hero of the year?

Probably Greta Thunberg (I know it's obvious), for giving kids a voice but also inspiring a lot of adults who may have wiped their hands clean of the mess we are making of the planet. Also, it's very difficult for politicians to be critical of a child without looking awful. More children in politics. That might be the answer.


What have been the best and worst collabs of the year?

The worst will have to be that Cummings/Johnson one mentioned before, and I'll be totally uncool and say that I'm so happy to see Steve Martin and Martin Short back on stage. They are my Two Ronnies


What word or phrase has been overused to death?

By me ..."I don't feel well"


The UK has been up in the air with leadership recently… If you were PM for a day, what would you introduce?

Socialism


What 2019 trend needs to go away?

For me possibly IBS but I appreciate that might be niche.


'2020' has a nice ring to it right… What are you looking forward to?

We've been stuck in two decades which for me blurred into one another. I look forward to the 20's as I feel like they will have a more defined air to them. If I imagine the 1920's I can picture some sort of ballroom dance and I imagine in the future people will imagine the 2020's as a giant ballroom dance except everybody has a USB stick in their pockets. I guess I'm looking forward to those expanding microwave pizzas Back To The Future 2 promised. Technically they are now five years overdue.

Founder - Fuct (@erik.brunetti / @fuct)

What's been your album of the year?

Brian Jonestown Massacre self-titled album. (the blue and silver cover).


What’s been your favourite film of 2019?

Uncut Gems.

Instagram took away the ability to see people's likes, is that a good or bad thing?

I wasn't aware of that, but I believe it's a good thing. Social media is eroding our minds.


Who's been the villain of the year?

No one has truly earned that title yet.


Who's been the hero of the year?

I don't really see anyone as heroic these days.


What have been the best and worst collabs of the year?

I like the projects Kim Jones has been putting together. Specifically, Shawn Stussy and Raymond Pettibon for Dior.


What word or phrase has been overused to death?

The use of "quotations" on "words" has become predictable and boring. FUCT did it quite a bit during the mid 90's era.

The UK has been up in the air with leadership recently… If you were PM for a day, what would you introduce?

One day would not be enough time to handle the issues I would address.


What 2019 trend needs to go away?

Political correctness.


'2020' has a nice ring to it right… What are you looking forward to?

Spending more time with my family and finishing up the 2nd FUCT book.

Professional Pisstaker (@poundlandbandit)

What's been your album of the year?

Gotta be CzarFace - Double Dose Of Danger, by far the best instrumental album I've heard for yonks.


What’s been your favourite film of 2019?

The Irishman, no contest. I'm a huge Costa Nostra movie fan and anything to do with organized crime, but I loved the more political lean this film went with and the long conversation scenes. And also you're never going to go wrong with Scorsese at the helm and DeNiro, Pesci and Pacino at his side.

Instagram took away the ability to see people's likes, is that a good or bad thing?

Yeah for sure, I think it's given a lot of people the chance to step back from it for a bit it and just get on with shit, I know I have.


Who's been the villain of the year?

There are too many pieces of shit to name who have insane amounts of power and sway when it comes to how the cogs turn. If I named one, I'd have to name a hundred...


Who's been the hero of the year?

Anyone who's felt brave enough to come forward and address their mental health and how it's affecting them daily. Whether it's with friends and family or via a huge social platform, and the steps they've taken to combat it. Takes some real fuckin cojones, man or woman.


What have been the best and worst collabs of the year?

The Wu-Tang x Clarks Wallabees were tough, managed got the yellow pair on release but they're not the easiest colour to wear out the house. The Cure x Noah stuff was nice too, and the recently released Braindead x TNF jackets are great. As for bad ones, not many have come my attention, I've been slacking! But I'm sure there's definitely some out there.


What word or phrase has been overused to death?

If you use the word 'Lit' as a serious and genuine part of your daily vocabulary you should be fuckin lit on fire honestly.


The UK has been up in the air with leadership recently… If you were PM for a day, what would you introduce?

Every day no matter what you're doing, you get 15 minutes to call anyone you want in the world and ask how they're doing and how it's going. Some people need that and it can really help knowing someone, somewhere cares.

I'd also ban vaping anywhere near a fucking pub. Also, any pint is £2 - but if you ask for craft ale you're barred for life.


What 2019 trend needs to go away?

People who only listen to dog shit Soundcloud trap dressing in metal t-shirts and calling themselves goths. You've never been chased out of a W.H.Smith in Croydon for stealing a copy of Terrorizer magazine.


'2020' has a nice ring to it right… What are you looking forward to?

Going on holiday with the missus, seeing friends businesses and projects grow into something bigger and seeing them flourish. Hopefully I figure out how to move whatever it is I apparently do into other avenues, video content, writing maybe, stand up comedy if I get pissed enough beforehand.

Good Morning Tapes (@goodmorningtapes)

What's been your album of the year?

Too many to name, but my fave cassette for the road was "Cumbias y Comida" released on Bunny Jr. Tapes.


What’s been your favourite film of 2019?

"Loving Awareness & Our True Nature" by Ram Dass at the Healing with the Masters Summit.


Instagram took away the ability to see people's likes, is that a good or bad thing?

Definitely good.


Who's been the villain of the year?

Jair Bolsonaro.


Who's been the hero of the year?

Kaypacha with his Weekly Astrological Pele reports.


What 2019 trend needs to go away?

Call-out Culture.


'2020' has a nice ring to it right… What are you looking forward to?

Saturn conjunct Pluto & North Node in Gemini!

Illustrator (@pollynor)

What's been your album of the year?

It’s hard to pick one. I’ve had Solange’s, When I Get Home, on replay a lot. I know a lot of people didn’t rate it as much as her last one. I think because A Seat At The Table had such overtly political lyrics, you immediately understood the message of each track and it had so many singles on it, I think people expected more of the same but When I Get Home is much more abstract. I think it takes a bit more thought than most chart music and I like that about it.

Another favourite is Silver linings by Catching flies, He’s one of my good mates, everyone’s been bugging him about dropping his second album for ages and he finally did a few months ago and It’s so good!


What’s been your favourite film of 2019?

I haven’t seen many films this year but I really loved Us by Jordan Peele.

Instagram took away the ability to see people's likes, is that a good or bad thing?

I can still see everyone’s likes, so I can’t really speak from experience. I think Instagram prioritizing their user's mental health has got to be a good thing. Although I’m slightly sceptical that that isn't the real motive behind the decision. I think that if they really wanted to depressurise Instagram, they should’ve also removed the ability to see your own likes.

Personally, I think the unhealthy thing about Instagram is how you can easily get sucked into feeling validated or inadequate by you in your own likes.

I suspect that Instagram removing the ability to see other peoples likes probably also has a lot to do with sponsored content. I reckon a lot of brands are put off paying for sponsored ads because they don’t rack up many likes and that doesn’t look good for their brand image. Removing the ability to see likes removes that risk and so probably means more people will pay for sponsored content.


Who's been the villain of the year?

Boris Johnson. I can’t believe we’re stuck with him for another 5 years.


Who's been the hero of the year?

Stormzy. For using his platform to encourage young people to engage with politics and calling out Boris Johnson for his racism and lies.


What have been the best and worst collabs of the year?

I love Yaeji’s remix of Robyn ‘Beach 2k20’ does that count as a collab? I’m going to go with that anyway.

Maybe the worst collab was Forever 21 X USPS. As someone who unfortunately has to use USPS (United States Postal Service) regularly, it's one of the most annoying postal services out there. I don’t know why anyone would want to wear their merch.


What word or phrase has been overused to death?

Vibesing.


The UK has been up in the air with leadership recently… If you were PM for a day, what would you introduce?

I’d introduce a rent cap and a three day weekend. But Jeremy Corbyn already tried to introduce that and nobody was up for it. Clearly, our country loves being miserable.


What 2019 trend needs to go away?

The dad trainer.


'2020' has a nice ring to it right… What are you looking forward to?

I want to try and spend more time drawing, reading, travelling ... just vibesing I guess.

Bone Soda Clan Member (@ddddiogo)

What's been your album of the year?

Too many...Freckled Lips by One-Four, Early Bird by Larry June, Anne, EP by Joseph Shabason, Information by Galcher Lustwerk, Black Moses by Channel Tres, Holodec by Holodec, DANCE SEASON VOLUME 1 by Damar Davis.


What’s been your favourite film of 2019?

The Farewell

Instagram took away the ability to see people's likes, is that a good or bad thing?

¯\_('')_/¯


Who's been the villain of the year?

Climate Change.


Who's been the hero of the year?

Hope.


What have been the best and worst collabs of the year?

CPFM x The Rolling Stones


What word or phrase has been overused to death?

MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD


The UK has been up in the air with leadership recently… If you were PM for a day, what would you introduce?

I’d put more responsible youngers in power.


What 2019 trend needs to go away?

Doing shit for Instagram.


'2020' has a nice ring to it right… What are you looking forward to?

More travelling, for longer periods of time.

IN CLOSING...

2019. C- YA. What an absolute shit show. I can barely fathom what happened but whether it be the broader cultural moments, the politics, the rage, the uncertainty, believe us, dear customers, we are there with you. We look forward with 2020 vision. Here’s to next year...

Peace, Kyle x