The Material Review
Issue 098: Roots Music, Killing A Fish, Air Conditioning, Quitting the Paint Factory, Italian Tailoring in Chicago, Microgravity Tableware and Spotlight On: REI.
Stories worth reading. Stop indexing the internet.
In the Age of the Algorithm, Roots Music Is Rising
“Streaming services are helping revive America’s most old-fashioned, undigital genre.” [NYT]
The Ethical Assassin: One Man's Quest for the Perfect Way to Kill a Fish
“What if there were a perfect way to kill a fish? To make it suffer less, taste better, and extend its shelf life so significantly that more people might enjoy more kinds of fish all over the world? Andrew Tsui knows just such a way.” [GQ]
Quitting the Paint Factory
“On the virtues of idleness” [Harper’s]
How Air-Conditioning Built Our Reality
“The AC was not only a brilliant innovation; it changed the course of human life.” [The Atlantic]
Does the Future of Italian Tailoring Lie in ... Chicago?
“Naples-based luxury label Kiton thinks so, which is why it’s established a pioneering new course for Windy City high schoolers.” [Esquire]
Microgravity tableware brings gastronomic pleasure to space
[Dezeen]
A shortlist of things we’ve got our eye on.
Fantasy Explosion Keens Hat
Whim + Tarvas EZ Hiker
anOrdain Model 2
Comme Si Merino Tube Sock
Craighill Headphone Stand
Avant: An Anthology of Western Wear
REI
Keen Waterproof Hiking Shoes
Camp Craft Cocktails Basecamp Cocktail Kit
Toaks Titanium Spork
Nemo Chipper Reclaimed Closed-Cell Foam Seat Pad
Leatherman Skeletool CX
Nite Ize Travel Drink Holster
Classifieds
Welcome to our weekly “Classifieds” section of the newsletter. The idea is to find an easy way to promote things happening in our ecosystem. Think of this space to promote your eBay shop, event, newsletter, app, book, tool or your personal brand (if you must). Drop us a line at if you’re interested in buying an item in an upcoming issue. Price: $200 for four ads. Maximum 280 character per ad.
🛒 Gitman Vintage Summer Sale
Select seasonal styles are 25% off while supplies last
🍸 Negronis with WM Brown: Summer Issue Launch Party
Wed. June 18th. Harry’s Bar. Via Il Prato, 40/R, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy
Join us on June 18th at Harry’s Bar in the Sina Villa Medici for the official launch part of our Summer Issue.
🛒 Easy Mondays Pre Father’s Day Shopping Event
Sat. June 4th. 12-4pm. Easy Mondays HQ. 160 Tycos Drive, Ste 2220. Toronto, ON
Join us for a Pre Father’s Day Brunch at the Easy Mondays showroom — the perfect chance to find something great for dad from our summer collection, including t-shirts, polos, sweatshirts, shorts, and blazers.