Originally published on Work:Ethic. All photos property of the author.

Anyone who followed Ex Libras‘ exploits making “The Shed” on their [sadly, now defunct] blog, Guerilla Movements, must have been impressed by their determination. Using their 3 meagre salaries they’ve assembled a creative space they can use whenever they want at no extra cost. It’s there that I had agreed to meet them.

Making the long journey across London, I have another chance to listen to their debut album, Suite(s) and it strikes me just how well suited it is to commuting. As I walk through the hectic crowds then sit among the faceless passengers on the tube it reminds me of how lonely life in London can be surrounded by thousands of people. Ex Libras‘ blend of guitar/synth electronica somehow captures this perfectly. After listening, you’re left with a feeling of emptiness, but that’s no criticism. It’s like looking out over a desert plain as it disappears into the horizon. The album can be hard to dip into, but when taken in one sitting the experience can be quite euphoric, albeit tinged with a heavy dose of melancholy.

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Originally published on Work:Ethic. All photos courtesy of Matt Piper.

As first novels go, Max Schaefer‘s Children of the Sun is refreshingly controversial. Most writers would shudder at the prospect of making their central character a committed fascist, especially considering today’s political climate and the rise in popularity of Nick Griffin and the BNP.

To make that same character a closeted homosexual reveals a depth of literary ambition that is lacking in a lot of contemporary authors. While he doesn’t share their penchant for stylistic punctuation (or lack thereof), Max’s style is reminiscent of Brett Easton Ellis and Irvine Welsh, sharing their ability to capture the idiosyncratic language of his characters while tackling subject matter that would leave a foul taste in even the most liberal reader’s mouth. I can’t wait to read his next novel.

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