a sneak preview of Volume 5!

Since this was the fifth Annual we’ve done, we wanted to take the best ideas from each one and put them together to make something new. So we’ve taken the initial idea from Volume 1, added the “clean” look and similar size of Volume 2, added monthly pages like Volume 3, retained the look of the daily grids from Volume 4, and mixed in a new weekly layout and completely hand-drawn elements (including over 18 different typefaces). Of course it has the personal and list pages you’re used to and plenty of room for notes on each weekly spread. Needless to say, we’re pretty excited with the results!

an example weekly spread (click on it for a larger image)

Every year with the Annual so far we’ve changed the look, size, theme and grid, trying out different ideas to see what people like and what works best. With Volume 5, we’ve landed on what we think is the size, format, and weekly & monthly grid that really works the best for the most folks and we’re going to stick with the basics of it for each Annual from now on, but always with new themes and art. That way you can rely on having the organization you like with new art to look at each year. We love feedback on our planners so always feel free to let us know what you think! And stay tuned for Volume 5 to be available at the beginning of next month!

front of calendar

poster side for after the year is over

close-up

You can even bring some of this window magic home–we have 5 different exclusive prints of the patterns that are used in the window display (but in a more convenient rectangle form) for only $15 each or you can get a set of all 5 for $50! This is one of our last window displays before we close so come on down and check it out!

photos by Amara Dan

She also has work in a new art show in Pawtucket, RI that’s up for another week…

Friends Making Things Happen, August 13-25
Machines With Magnets Gallery, Pawtucket, RI

A group show with: Jo Dery, Jen Corace, Mike Taylor, Jaie Devore, Tim Kerr, Mike Leslie, and Jacob Berendes.

We’d like to share the news with you that after eight (8!) great years in the Mission, our SF store will be closing its doors at the end of this year, but not to worry, there will still be lots of LO to be had online and even in-person!

As some of you may know, we have been fortunate to have subleased our store space on Valencia Street from McSweeney’s these past four years. During that time, they have expanded beyond capacity and their office is now jam-packed with busy folks working on all manner of neat things. One of the results is that their new non-profit, Scholar Match, needs our storefront space to open a drop-in center for students looking for help getting funding for college. While we would have loved to stay forever, we are glad to make way for a worthwhile cause.

This development also serves as a natural transition for us to focus full-time on our publishing efforts. While we will greatly miss seeing you at the SF store, we look forward to seeing you at new & different venues like craft fairs, conventions, and trunk shows (perhaps even a new storefront one day?). We are also still running our online shop and will work to incorporate more of your favorite goods from the store so you’ll be able to visit us anytime online.

In the meantime, we still have lots planned for our remaining months in SF. On July 31st, we’ll be debuting our brand new Lart C. Berliner “Alpine Songs Weekly Planner” at the store and at Renegade Craft Fair at Fort Mason. In August, East Bay artist Paul Morgan will be installing our most ambitious window display yet, with accompanying brand new prints. Not to mention we’ll still be bringing in the coolest paper goods, illustrated books, and crafts we can find.  So drop by and say hi—our shop wouldn’t be the same without you! Thanks for all your support!

all our best,
yvonne & jeremy

Elaborate origami sleeve

Did you know there was a noise scene in Milan? Neither did I, but it all seems to be based around this hub of Hundebiss, a label, distro, and venue that specializes in esoteric and experimental acts. Some of their beautifully printed and designed fold out packaging has been done in the service of American weirdos like Hair Police, Mudboy, and Aaron Dilloway. It’s also German for “dogbite” and has a German Shepherd logo. Simone was out of town Barbara and crew were a delight and amazing hosts.

I could only find a Gigposters site for Johann from Laser Poodle. He makes a lot of amazing posters for OCCII in Amsterdam, including this one from a show we played with Wolf Eyes:

Johann's OCCII poster

We ended up playing with Laser Poodle and Moemlien and Eva Rodbro‘s films at this amazing venue/bookstore/printing facility called Extrapool in Nijmegen. I still don’t understand Knust stencilprinting, but the colors pop out and never quite dry and I got to look at the machines in their amazing store filled with consignment records, zines, shirts, and DVDs. They also print their own wallpaper panels and each floor and bathroom has a crazy design, and there’s an elaborate color ribbon wrap going up the spiral staircase. Plus we had an amazing meal – home cooking from a professional chef!

Eva’s short films document teenage life in a way that is voyeuristic but contains poetic moments, foregoing any kind of narration. I don’t know if they are part of an ongoing series, but back-to-back they make for an interesting mix. I imagine how she ingratiated herself into these Texas kids’ lives and how they must’ve enjoyed being the subject of a film, but she includes a lot of cuts where the subject is suddenly aware that they’re on camera and become extremely self-conscious. There are some arresting moments in the photobook that accompanies her Greenland trip, Fuck You Kiss Me, some of which will freak out animal rights people.

Back to record nerding – the good people of Ghent are blessed with the events and art produced by Levi and Wouter’s Smeraldina-Rima record label. We met Wouter on the day he completed an intern program in arts education, so the chances of even crazier Belgian graphics in coming generations are pretty good with this guy warping young minds (apparently even Denis Tyfus lectured at the art school in town). 

Wouter’s drawing style totally blows me away, I think I’d seen his stuff in RUIS before and thought they were weird 1800s illustrations gone terribly awry and surreal. Check out this cover artwork from their pervious label audioMER for this Mauro Antonio Pawlowski record that Wouter drew and Levi designed and printed. The new releases are from Panicsville, Nate Wooley, and a collaboration with Talibam! and Peeesseye.

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Bill Kouligas’ Pan label. Based in Berlin, Kouligas records his own project Family Battle Snake and has a series of LPs that have screenprinted outer plastic sleeves, creating graphic combinations like this Joseph Hammer cover art:

Joseph Hammer - I Love You, Please Love Me Too LP

I’m also bringing a handful of these records back to the States to help distribute. Oh yes, there was other music as well, but one thing at a time. I’m going to try and include some of my findings in the next podcast I do, which you can find here.

I’m going to try and hit the Bongout gallery while I’m in Berlin and report back! Gregory and I were able to check out this Michael Snow video/sculpture with four screens of projected piano, and I’m going with Lart to see this Olafur Eliasson show.

Roots and Culture Gallery
1034 N. Milwaukee Ave
Chicago, IL

yes, this is creepy!