Articles from July, 2009

Australia: Leeches, A Night at Dharmananda

Bowman Leigh journeys deep into the jungles to visit the Buddhist retreat at Dharmananda. The hundreds of tiger leeches make the stay less peaceful than she expected.

“GOOD” Design

Kevin Nguyen speaks to the folks responsible for GOOD Magazine‘s infographics.

“A Better Kind of Scum”: An Interview with Nathan Rabin

Tim Lehman speaks to A.V. Club writer Nathan Rabin about his new memoir, The Big Rewind. Topics discussed include Rabin’s short-lived TV career, Orthodox Jewish summer camp, and the Family Guy effect.

The Rambling American: Reinheitsgebot

The 400-year-old German Purity Laws are a proud brewery tradition, but Locke McKenzie questions their legitimacy today.

Playing Together Alone

Nick Martens doesn’t like online videogames because he’s not the center of attention. But with DICE’s new multiplayer WWII shooter Battlefield 1943, he still feels like a virtual VIP.

That One Time I Accidentally Ordered a Prostitute

Jordan Barber interviews his friend Jenn, who learned what a “traditional Balinese massage” really meant when she visited Jakarta.

Keywords: Flyover State

Hoosier Darryl Campbell defends the Midwest.

Guilty Ear

The new Phoenix album is Kevin Nguyen’s guilty pleasure, but why does he feel guilty at all?

I Saw the Sign: Tacoma’s Historic Signage

In this photo essay, Daniel Adler captures his favorite neon and Beaux Arts signs in Tacoma, WA.

The Rambling American: Fusion and Exclusion

Only in Germany would you find the Fusion Festival, a giant electronic music concert that’s motivated by political awareness. But Locke McKenzie discovers that festival-goers are less driven by ideals and more by an urge to party.

A Teabag Too Far: Federer and Cohen as Shills

Nick Martens sees a connection between Roger Federer’s 15th Grand Slam title and Sacha Baron Cohen’s Bruno.

“It’s a Good Feeling”: An Interview with Here We Go Magic

Greg Merrell chats up Luke Temple and Michael Bloch of ambient indie quintet Here We Go Magic. Topics discussed include finding a bassist, Krautrock, and touring with Grizzly Bear.