Unknown magazine

CONTENTS

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INTRODUCTION

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VINTAGE HIDEAWAY

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LEFT FOR DEAD

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PROVIDE BIRMINGHAM

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CITY OF COLOURS

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ST VINCENT @ INSTITUTE

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MONDAY MOTOR CYCLE Company

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UNKNOWN

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milque muhle

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custard facotry artist

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YOUR SAY...

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little haven of treasures, nostalgia and wonder. This is ‘vintage hideaway’ in a nutshell. If you have an interest in vintage pieces, ranging from the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s, this place is all you will need in the busy city of Birmingham. Upon entry, you are greeted with a selection of wonderfully charming hats, bags and other accessories that look as though they could have been worn in old time cinema. You then wander on to things such as vintage clocks, mirrors, coats, clothing and anything from old war time badges to musical instruments.

These all sound like regular items you’d see in a vintage store but there is a different feel to this store, as though you have wondered into a time capsule and are able to know every detail of history about each wooden carving in a chair, each stitch on a blouse and so on. The shop itself is small but you mustn’t let that fool you, you could easily spend hour upon hour in here, burrowing through the vast collection of knick nacks, beautiful vintage decorations and collector’s items.

The shop itself is owned by a single owner who has been likened on multiple occasions to a hoarder. The amount of things within this shop could indeed, give off that vibe. However, if you are an avid vintage collector or have a love and interest in the old fashioned style of life, this shop will be a second home to you. it will have every item you could ask for and more, the owner constantly

searching for more to add to the collection and each time you visit will be a completely new experience.

If you don’t quite understand the recent rise in vintage collectables, this store will most surely change your views. It is almost like entering a museum, each beautiful, hand-made piece having its own history and story and the owner’s knowledge of his items will leave you knowing exactly which era and who would have owned your purchased item, adding that extra special something to your vintage hideaway experience. As the name of the shop suggests, it is most definitely a hideaway and anyone looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the busy city to do some vintage browsing or looking to collect some hidden valuables, here is the place to be.

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f it’s a record store offering a varied variety of genres left for dead is the place to be.

Located within the custard factory, it is quite hidden from the main road. Once inside, you are instantly able to establish the wide variety of music the store has to offer. ranging from ‘ty segall’ to classic bands such as ‘led zeppelin’ and ‘the rolling stones.’ the owner, Andy, keeps the shop constantly up to date and any new records released are there for you to rush to go purchase.

The shop is bursting with things to look at, music to pick up and view in its tangible form. Although there has been a large rise in vinyl sales, the mp3 is still a huge enemy for music stores and places like left for dead are doing their absolute best to keep it alive and succeeding in doing so by creating such a versatile store, selling every record you could ask for. The shop has huge hopes of bringing back the social aspect of music purchasing and being a music fan in general and if you’re into your music and enjoy speaking to other like- minded people, left for dead should be the record store of your choice.

The shop itself is artistic, minimal and covered in beautifully designed gig posters for bands such as ‘queens of the stone age,’ ‘eagles of death metal’ and ‘white denim.’ if you’re an avid music fan or record collector, this place will be a must on your unknown Birmingham list. It has both a welcoming and truly artistic and musical atmosphere, with passionate staff and a unique record store vibe quite unlike any others in the area..

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nitial arrival into Provide, you instantly feel the vintage vibe throughout the use of setting and I enjoyed their choice of music genre played alongside when browsing the store. I have visited the store a numerous occasion now and realize that they try to keep the store interesting by rearranging their themes etc. Provide is a friendly store that includes exclusive fashion at affordable prices, so if you are aspiring to enhance unique style to your wardrobe, you should definitely make check out the store. Every purchase guarantees that it will speak its own unique individuality and I promise you will be back for more.

Provide can ‘provide’ you with this service. You realize during your visit, their combination retro and vintage setting is presented prominently throughout Provide. If you have a passion for these areas, look no longer..

Provide is the place to be! The shop is in the center of Custard Factory, which is surrounded by many other exciting events happening. Provide, does not only have a desire for clothing, their love for music plays a huge part of their personality within the store, relating their setting and music style. So when an artist Alexander Nut came to their store

for an interview, it wasn’t just another day... When interviewing Matt Nation (assistant in store) he mentioned Alexander Nut, the artist taking part of their interviewed.

He is a ‘renowned music selector‘ that combines his style in a variety of his music. Nut’s was part of the FM station for eight years, he has gained incredible experience throughout his journey, he now runs two records named ‘Elgo’ and ‘HoTep’. Alexander Nut went and played at the first Futurepast Zine nightclub PST on the 27th September 2014 in Digbeth and the turnout was incredible for the event, Matt stated that the evening involved “great music from a great selector”. There are many more oncoming events that can be discovered when you visit the store.

There is several nearby festivals around Provide, creating an atmosphere, surrounding the store from a range of record markets, exhibitions, events and many more. There is always a ‘real buzz’ around the area.

Visit independent retailer Provide store for exclusive clothing, independent magazine and find out about oncoming events, also an opportunity meet the most welcoming and approachable workers within the Custard Factory.

I would certainly recommend Provide Birmingham for a visit if you haven’t already!

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robotic sound buzzing over the speakers kindly asking “fellow analouge creatures” to enjpy the performance and refrain from capturing the event digitally. This is how ST. VINCENT’s live show begins.

Annie Clark certainly knows how to get the audience’s attention, floating onto the stage like an some alien goddess, throwing out robotic gestures and moves that make you question exactly what it is you are witnessing. All is quiet as she stands before the microphone before the electrifying guitar noise shreds through the speakers as she starts her set off with an adrenaline-filled “Rattlesnake,” the first song of her latest studio album ‘St Vincent.’ Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Annie began playing guitar from the age of 12. She dropped out of music and art school, feeling the only way she could grow as an artist would be to forget everything she was taught. And quite rightly so, she has formed a unique guitar style, her show resembling more of an art performance than a concert. The set is almost ritualistic, each song having it’s own routine and you become mesmirised, unable to look away as she tiptoes back and forth across the stage. The highlight of the show of course was the encore, a wild, animalistic live version of “Your Lips Are Red” in which halfway through she jumped onto a member of security’s shoulders, being carried towards the crowd when if you were near the front you were

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able to strum her guitar, a loud buzz of distorted guitar fuzz echoing through the speakers before she ditched the guitar completely and dived head-first into the sea of fans. A few fans then pushed her up by her heels to the balcony at the side of the venue. Amazing yet so nerve-wracking to watch, as she slid herslef across the balcony and pulled herself up, grabbing fans phones and taking photos of them.

Shortly after climbing over to the second part of the balcony, you were able to just about see a group of large security guards tackle her to the ground and forcing her out the door. Fans left slightly lost for a moment, the energy and stregth of Annie Clark, having left us all in a state of shock. The band continues to play until she emerges once more from the side of the stage, greeted by roars of applause. Annie is undoubtably fearless, both musically and generally and she succeeded to grab the attention of every human being, robot, analogue or alien creature in the room right from the start, leaving not one person without a grin on their face as she bowed and waved goodbye. A dreamily, fierce and genius show, showcasing every inch of immense talent from Annie Clark and more.

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here has always been a market for motorcycle memorabilia such as branded t-shirts, caps, belts, boots and even the helmets used for the genuine bikers around Birmingham; This ‘bastard child’ brought to life by the geniuses behind Boneshaker Choppers, ilovedust, The Black Douglas and superrb is situated in the very heart of Birmingham. A cool little bike shed of a store tucked away in what’s commonly known as the creative hub of Birmingham that is ‘The Custard Factory’; Easily pull your motorcycle up right outside the doors of Monday Mo.co and browse the large amount of branded products such as Red Wing Boots, Deus Ex Machina, Pike Brothers, Biltwell Helmets, Tsovet Watches, Eat

Dust and Raen to just name a selection of the well-knownand commonly purchased items supplied by Monday Mo.co. This store generally appeals to bikers but if you’re keen on dark toned shirts, leather boots and high quality jeans this store is definitely worth checking out as you could find a number of new clothing pieces that suit you quite well, or if you know someone that does, it’s definitely worth recommending to them as they might thank you; and even if you’re not into this type of clothing and don’t know anyone that does, I’d definitely say it’s worth looking around, you never know it might just change your mind and introduce you to an entirely different way of thinking.

Unlike the majority of the shops in

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The Custard Factory, Monday Mo.co is quite... dark if you will, mainly based on a central colour theme of black shown by the block black colour of the outside walls, the black stencilled on images to add an interesting aspect to the windows.

Using a motorcycle sculpture in the centre of the store to keep it from being so empty whilst showing the general theme of the store in a simple yet elegant piece whilst using such a block selection of colours makes this store quite different compared to a majority of the shops

In this location are generally quite colourful and covered in graffiti created by artists from all around Birmingham to provide a sense of variety and add examples of creative genius to ‘the city of colour’; although the Milque and Muhle records store uses a similar stencilling effect on the outer Atheir company logo similar to Monday Mo.co’s use of the stencil work.

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MUS Milque

Custard Fact

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SIC Muhle

tory

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Milque Muhle UMUNSIDERGROUND C SCEN E

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ilque & Muhle is a record shop based in Custard Factory, Birmingham.

The shop started its life back in May 2013 and launched official by mid-September 2013. It was co founded by Nathan Warner and Ellena Donlon. The shop comes from a combination of music and art backgrounds, it complements both the artistic and vibrant atmosphere of the Custard Factory.

Milque & Muhle truly lives up to the quintessential vibe of the Custard factory whilst investing such vibrancy in the form of music. As a shop it provides retro, adventurous, underground vinyls and cassettes. You will also find music magazines, comics, presses and occasional art prints; in the future Milque & Muhle intend to assist local gigs and music/art based events targeted towards adventurous and curious audiences within Birmingham.

It is a place which keeps on giving.

Although main emphasis is obviously put towards music, Milque & Muhle also means business when dealing with art. For a music shop, it doesn’t mess around with vinyl cover designs, combining lovely pieces of art with vibrant colours, shrewd layouts and sophisticated use of type to create amazing vinyl covers.

Birmingham, believe it or not, has had its share of classic records over the years, which keen residents of the custard

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factory will talk fondly of. John, who occasionally visits the custard factory, spoke of his delight regarding Milque Muhle and custard factory in general; stating ”There’s no place like it in Birmingham, I would describe the custard factory as the heart of Birmingham, shops like the Milque Muhle just emphasises why we all love the custard factory”. It’s clearly a place for nostalgia, like taking a time machine back into the 70s! Even though classic indie music in Birmingham isn’t much of a big deal anymore it’s quite cool to know that there’s another store ready to give back what was missing, and fittingly it’s going to be located in the unique hotspot, The Custard Factory.

Owners Nathan Warner and Ellena Donlon describe the store to “be a place where people can find rare material and discover the new,” stocking a mass of genres from metal to variations of rock, you know they mean business. They will still be selling cassettes and vinyl, and will also be stocking a handful amount of merchandise in the form of prints, t-shirts and comics.

Overall the Milque Muhle is a prime example of the Custard Factory, it’s not well known but it has everything. In a nutshell the Milque Muhle is everything it’s supposed to be, an underground record shop that has everything you need.

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Facit

Custard Factory

The Custard Factory is the heart of Birmingham when it comes to Art. The area is beutifully decorated with vibrant pieces of work, especially graffiti. The graffiti at Custard Factory speaks for itself, literally, each piece of work has their own unique style and story. The next pages will explore the vibrance and quintenessential designs of the Custard Facort and shows why its known as the “heart of Birmingham�

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LAST TEN YEARS OF CUSTARD FACTORY T

he Custard Factory also known as the City of Colours is probably one of the most well-known places in Birmingham but contains some of the most powerful collective of businesses, independent stores and event venues outside of London; these are some of the least appreciated shops in and around Birmingham.

Around a 5 minute walk from the Bullring and definitely the heart of the city’s creative quarter, housing 500+ businesses and catering to fairs and festivals along with much more serious matters such as corporate events and weddings.

The Custard Factory as a whole has been through so much, from Alfred Bird inventing instant eggfree Custard powder and then going on to employ thousands of people to help make it in 1837, to Bennie Gray acquires the

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site by accident having visited Birmingham to view a property in the Jewellery Quarter, now the Big Peg which the vendor would only sell if Bennie bought ‘a pile of factories’ in Digbeth as well; to now…

The Custard Factory’s 21st birthday which should bring together thousands of people from the city’s creative community to celebrate the site and help bring about a larger variety of street art, from graffiti to sculptures.

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“Birmingham life is crap, but living and working in the Custard Factory is great, the graffiti here is amazing compared to the mainstream nature of the rest of Birmingham.”

“Birmingham life is awesome, nice place to be; I suppose other places aren’t quite like here, it’s quite unique compared to the rest of Birmingham/Digbeth.” ‘“The Custard Factory is a very unique place, very colourful but quiet. Other places in Birmingham are quite dull in comparison to here, seeing as the Custard Factory is quite vibrant, different to the norm if you will.”

Only creative place in Birmingham eastside, in fact the only creative place in Birmingham in general, everything else in Birmingham is just… dull.”

“It’s the centre of the art scene, but in terms of everything else… it’s kind of lacking, so it’s limited in terms of style it definitely excels in creative genius being displayed in some of the pieces exhibited here.”

“The graffiti and art in general here is way more visible/accessible here, no other place is like it, and I’d definitely say it’s the art hub of Birmingham, the general centre of the art scene.”

“This place is Brilliant! Don’t want to sound too negative about Birmingham, but the Custard Factory is like a complete place of its own, like an entirely different style to the rest of Birmingham.”

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