A lot less esoteric than it sounds, the international Bicycle Film Festival is a much-anticipated event for hardcore fixie enthusiasts and occasional cruisers alike. Returning to Sydney and Melbourne this month, the festival encompasses not only a massive selection of two-wheeler inspired films; but art exhibitions, picnics and of course a few parties as well – the first of which is taking place tonight. Presented by those top blokes at Speak and Spell records, Bikesrock will kick off the BFF in aptly shred-happy fashion, with performances from My Disco, Mountains in the Sky, and Super Wild Horses. Tix are $15 dollars and are available at the door – the door that leads to Hi-Fi Bar and Ballroom, Basement, 125 Swanston St., Melbourne. Said Door opens at 8pm

Another cool thing about New Plymouth is that they have a rad library (i.e my current second home) thats toilets smell like grape Hubba Bubba. I've been drinking litres of water just so I can make return trips - seriously, I could spend all day hanging out in there. Does anyone know where one can purchase grape-scented air freshener? Would it be embarrasing to ask the kind library staff? I would spray that stuff in every room in my house and give it away as xmas presents.

People are always bitching about how Sydney “lacks culture”, hell, I do it all the time. But just as I was about to give away my Bettina Liano’s and GHD, throw out my NW mags and head for Melbourne, I heard about the SMAC Awards. Billed as “the city's first truly interesting awards” the SMACS (or Smaccies as I’m taking to calling them) are here to give kudos to the artists, musos, venues, promoters, creators & culture makers who keep Sydney from being shit. Presented by FBI and Timeout, the SMACS run over ten categories and feature such locally feted names and events as Dappled Cities Fly, The Sydney Festival, The Presets, Palmer Projects Gallery, Elke Kramer, Greedy Hen and more. Voting is open now so head here to support your favourite clever person – or perhaps discover a new one!

The previous post reminded my of this video. Songs are self-confessed massive fans of Dunedin band The Clean - as am I. The Clean were an early part of the iconic Flying Nun stable and, during their most prolific period in the late 70's/early 80's, made some of the most perfect music I have ever sung along too. As one You Tube commenter put it  "How do you do it? Be 21, from a backwater, know three chords, and be brilliant?". Who knows my friend but I struggle to find anything like it today! P.S does this video look like it's from 1982 much??

Everyone’s favourite little Indie label, Popfrenzy, is releasing a split 7” featuring two of it’s most exciting local acts – Sydney’s ever nostalgic Songs and Melbourne’s much cherished Love of Diagrams. This sexy vinyl number is super limited edition and features us-yet-unreleased singles from the bands.  Snap it up at Red Eye (Sydney), Repressed (Sydney), Missing Link (Melbourne), Polyester (Melbourne), Pure Pop (Melbourne), Big Star (Adelaide), Rocking Horse (Brisbane), 78 Records (Perth) and Abicus (Newcastle). And what would a new ep be without a launch show yeah? Head to Spectrum this Friday 21 and Northcote Social Club Saturday 22 to catch these stable-mates in all their live loveliness.

You know how I Iove me a pop-up sale - throw in a BBQ ( and did someone say beer?) and no shitty recession nor Tasman Sea can stop me getting my spend/ eat/ longneck on. Okay, so the not being in the country part might be a hinderance but if you are in Sydney then I see no excuse to not get over to this sweet sweet RVCA sale.

You may remeber me gushing a while ago about a little bear named Cooper. He was given to me as a Christmas present and lovingly made by my talented crafter friend, Jessica Sutton. Well, around the time I started bottle feeeding Cooper, Miss Sutton began receiving orders for his plush pals from far and wide. She now stocks locally in Incu and worldwide at boutiques from Edinborough to NYC. One such tastemaking store is Brooklyn's Fred Flare - the eclectic shop was recently profiled in The New York Times and guess what furry friends should be featured in the article???
" I tried to ignore them by pretending to study a display of handmade teddy bears ($85) . The bears resembled sock monkeys and had funny, simple faces. One had a red yarny lopsided mouth. I let out a small involuntary guffaw, and within minutes I felt my little blackened, coal-size heart grow and become warm and fuzzy. They were just sooo CUTE!"
Way to go Jess!!!!