Cian Traynor
The Russia you'll never see on postcards...
Street life, St. Petersburg-style — Award-winning photographer Alexander Petrosyan has spent decades discovering what makes his home town tick: the everyday comedy and drama of a city built on contradictions.
Written by: Cian Traynor
How Dirty Projectors found salvation with a beautiful break-up album
Kaleidoscopic heartbreak — An in-band split left indie maestro Dave Longstreth lost and depressed. But after collaborating with the likes of Kanye and Solange, he's pulled off a remarkable U-turn to up the stakes of an unpredictable career.
Written by: Cian Traynor
Inside the unlikely hip hop scene taking root in Italy
Brothers in the barrios — On the outskirts of Milan, a divided city rife with tension, photographer Roberto Ramirez has uncovered a stigmatised community bonding over the power of rap.
Written by: Cian Traynor
A photographer's epic road trip from Scotland to Mongolia
Boys, bikes and bucket hats — It took 10,000 miles, 19 countries, 40 rolls of film, three deserts, two seas and a vintage car – but James Parker has pulled together a nuanced photo project around ideas of masculinity.
Written by: Cian Traynor
This long-awaited debut album is already one of 2017's best
Defeating self-doubt in style — Sir Was never took himself seriously as a musician, refusing to share his work. But just as opportunity threatened to pass him by, he's dropping a gem of a record that's been 10 years in the making.
Written by: Cian Traynor
A photographer returns from war to make sense of home
America's frontlines — Magnum photographer Peter van Agtmael was just 24 when he headed off to cover conflict, opening his eyes to the world. Now he's turning his gaze on life in the USA's little-seen margins.
Written by: Cian Traynor
Bad Religion's Greg Graffin on navigating life under Trump
A punk with perspective — At a time when freedom of thought is under attack, and science is on the back foot, this punk-icon-turned-professor shares some much-needed words of wisdom on why we shouldn't sweat it.
Written by: Cian Traynor
How a creative reboot saved Jens Lekman's songwriting
A conquest over self-doubt — After a crisis of confidence, the Swedish pop musician – celebrated for dispensing nuggets of advice to fans – has learned some new life lessons of his own. Here Jens reveals the benefits of being a wedding singer and tackling your fears in a dark political climate.
Written by: Cian Traynor
A photographer's ode to Baltimore's beautiful street scenes
Not a moment, but a movement — From misty nightscapes to civil unrest, Josh Sinn has spent years capturing the heart of a complex, often misunderstood city.
Written by: Cian Traynor
Meet Deep Throat Choir: an uplifting rush of vocal power
A force to be reckoned with — This 25-strong collective showcases the strength of badass female voices: musically, personally and in the wider world. Now, ahead of their debut album, they face a different kind of challenge: bringing the legendary sounds of DJs Horse Meat Disco to life.
Written by: Cian Traynor