A Ph.D. in Hipster Studies?

The rise of the contemporary hipster - think of the typical American Apparel-bedecked, large eyeglasses-wearing, unknown electro band-listening man or woman who either lives in Williamsburg or pretends to - has officially entered the realm of the academic.

After a successful symposium held in collaboration with The New School in NYC, n+1 magazine is releasing an essay collection in which intellectuals write hipster cultural criticism; there's a transcript of the actual symposium itself, plus a great article about a recent clash between hipsters and Hasidic Jews in Brooklyn. Mark Greif, founder of n+1 magazine, also has a great essay in a recent New York magazine. Worth checking out if you're of the mind that hipsterdom goes deeper than ironic sweaters and Animal Collective albums.

Text Molly O'Brien

Neighborhood Love

I’ve been a Brooklyn resident for more than three years now and I must say I love representing my city, but more specifically, my neighborhood.


The other day I was walking around the Brooklyn Indie Market in Carroll Gardens when I ran across this genuine borough novelty. The image is of the Kentile Floors billboard that stands proudly in the middle of my neighborhood. The carpentry company has long been shutdown, but their mammoth sign can still be seen from anywhere in the Gowanus area of Brooklyn, making it a true landmark, and one of my first memories from when I moved to New York.


I bought the shirt right away, and even though it set me back 26 dollars, at least I knew my money was going towards supporting a local artist.


Live Poultry, the Brooklyn based company that made this shirt, specializes in silkscreen printing that embodies a more industrial side of the city. “Iron, not irony.” being their online mission statement.


So maybe you don’t live in Brooklyn, but no matter if you call your neighborhood a borough, a quarter, a ward, or a burb, you should seek out and support the local artists that make your spot unique.


And if there aren’t any artists living in your city just grab a silkscreen and start printing clothes with your own town monuments on them. Even your local Wal-Mart could look cool on a t-shirt ... okay not really.

Photo: Garret Hurley
Text Carly Roye

Coney Island's Siren Music Festival

Coney Island is famous for many things such as its hot dogs, beach, and amusement park. However, Coney Island is also famous for holding one of the biggest summer music festivals: Siren Music Festival.

Siren Fest is celebrating its 10th Anniversary this year with a line-up that is sure to please. Bands such as: Matt and Kim, Harlem and Ponytail along with eleven others will perform. There is also a after party held at the Music Hall of Williamsburg which We Are Scientists is headlining.

Bands as: The Killers, Morningwood, and Death Cab For Cutie have all played Siren Fest in the past. There is food, as well as local bars right near the stages.

The festival is taking place on July 17th in Coney Island, Brooklyn. It starts at noon and ends around 9:00 p.m. It usually attracts about 100,000 fans a year, so get there early to hold a sweet spot by the two stages, oh and don't forget to bring water!

For more information visit: this website.

By: Michelle Manetti