Cian Traynor
How Shepard Fairey survives as a subversive street artist
Heroes of Independence — To celebrate a decade of self-rule, we caught up with icons who personify the spirit of independence. Since first appearing in Huck back in 2006, the skate punk-turned-entrepreneur Shepard Fairey shot to fame for his Obama HOPE poster. Here he shares the key to balancing commerical pressures with DIY values.
Written by: Cian Traynor
The countercultural manifesto of rasta punk Don Letts
'The minute you want what the Man is offering, you’re fucked.' — To celebrate 10 years of Huck, we're digging through the archives to unearth our favourite stories. For Huck 22: The Counterculture Issue, the 'visual terrorist' who introduced reggae to punk revealed why great things happen when worlds collide.
Written by: Cian Traynor
Could a lip-syncing app revive the dying music industry?
Chasing 15 seconds of fame — Touted as the biggest change to music since the video, a fast-growing app is resonating with millions of teenagers... in the form of disposable karaoke videos. Will it prop up sagging sales? Or is it just a vehicle for narcissism?
Written by: Cian Traynor
Shot: the 1850s-style photos taking aim at gun culture
Portraits that trigger questions — Kari Wehrs confronted her fear of firearms by going into the Arizona desert and questioning strangers' need to arm themselves, uncovering stories of cherished tradition and self-protection in the process.
Written by: Cian Traynor
Making sense of conspiracies in a climate of fear
The 'false flag' phenomenon — In the search for reason in an age of terror, some believe that governments plot hoax tragedies to control us through fear. But is this just a way of imposing order on chaos, or do conspiracy theorists represent the enlightened few?
Written by: Cian Traynor
NYC legend Gouch on chasing immortality through graffiti
Leaving your mark on a city — GOUCH is a beautifully shot documentary about New York graffiti culture and one's man drive to leave a legacy within it. Huck spoke with filmmaker Raul Buitrago and graffiti writer Gouch about the challenges of writing graff history.
Written by: Cian Traynor
DJ Shadow: Five creative principles to live by
Things I Learned Along the Way — DJ Shadow believes in following your instincts at all costs, steering clear of crowd-pleasing even if it makes life more difficult. Twenty years on from his seminal album Endtroducing…, the production pioneer talks us through the mentality that's shaped a singular career.
Written by: Cian Traynor
Hand Jobs: Inside the weird world of hand modelling
Model behaviour — They know 200 different ways to pick up a LEGO brick. They can method act with a Ferrero Rocher for hours. Their fingers are insured for seven-figure sums. Meet the unseen stars of the world’s biggest advertising campaigns.
Written by: Cian Traynor
Unrelenting ambition: An interview with Yeasayer
A career of audacious left turns — After 11 years together, surviving hardship and high expectations, pop eccentrics Yeasayer have learned how to navigate the fears and insecurities inherent in making art.
Written by: Cian Traynor
Metal band Baroness on the art of not freaking out
Touring as therapy — An accident halted the rise of Savannah’s most ambitious metal band, splitting them apart. But, as frontman John Dyer Baizley explains, the catharsis of getting back on the road keeps them sane.
Written by: Cian Traynor