The Culture Beat: Built for belonging

There’s a sense of intention running through this month’s projects. Spaces come to life, from studios and social clubs to cozy kitchens. Alongside them, art, music, and books carry stories forward. Together, these projects offer new ways to gather, create, and feel at home.

PROJECTS WE LOVE

As The Sheep Intended

BY ANTON BELMONTE

Fourteen timeless knitting patterns in a book celebrating natural colors, just as the sheep intended.

World Countdown Vol. 2

BY LANSDOWNE BOOKS

A massive deluxe hardback featuring every issue of this legendary West Coast music newspaper from July '67 to May ’68.

Dressy: Salad Dressing, Reimagined

BY LAUREN McDUFFIE

A modern pantry staple that makes salads feel exciting again, with superfood ingredients and flavor that shows up.

EVERYWHERE Social Club in Chicago

BY ZACH WALZ

A queer-led, alcohol-free rooftop club bringing music, community, and expansive city views to Chicago’s Uptown.

The Official Sasha Wren Bestiary

BY SASHA GREENDYK

An illustrated field guide to mythical creatures, exploring the fantastical beings behind Sasha Wren’s tattoo work.

Good Seed Craft Co. Studio Build in NC

BY ANNA ROSE

Help transform a 1920s shed into a printmaking studio, creating space for art, workshops, and community to grow.

Building a Honeycake Bakeshop in NYC

BY MONIQUE FAN

More than a bakery, this is a cozy, welcoming space for seasonal honeycakes and moments that feel like home.

Somewhere I Called Home

BY GRÁINNE HUNT

A new album shaped by love, touring, and the search for home from a queer Irish singer-songwriter.

the boys & More

BY SOFIA CAMILLE

Eight indie-pop songs tracing love, chaos, and the in-between moments of learning, unlearning, and growing up.

Revenant

BY MURPHY CAMPBELL

An album of Appalachian ballads, reviving family songs and stories rooted in North Carolina’s musical past.

CREATIVE INSPIRATION

A folk musician became a target for AI fakes and a copyright troll

After AI fakes of her music surfaced online, Murphy Campbell faced copyright claims on songs that belong to the public. YouTube accepted the claims, setting off a fight she never expected.

On leaning into specificity

The band MUNA discusses vulnerability after success, the importance of revision, and why weightlifting fits into their creative practice.

On the possibility of endless failure

Visual artist Daniel Arsham discusses the power of perseverance, being willing to fail, and understanding the role of luck.

On cultivating your intuition

Artist, filmmaker, and writer Tourmaline discusses what comes before you start a creative project, taking a break when your intuition doesn’t feel as strong, and trusting the calling to go in a certain direction.