A hand gives a thumbs-up over a scattered pile of books and magazines on a green surface. One cover reads “The Pitchfork Review”, while a yellow note asks “What does it take to come up with a really great idea?”.

The ten best things that have arrived in the It's Nice That studio this month!

Words: Liv Siddall
—
Date: 2 April 2015; Work

It’s been a very, very long time since I wrote a Things post, and what fun it is to delve into the box once again and pick out the best bits and bobs from the last month. This list is very publication-heavy and I apologise for that, but that’s kind of the majority of what we get sent anyway, so until people start sending us crates of cheese and wine or frisbees (anyone?) that’s just the way it is. So, without further ado here are the best gems the postman has delivered to the It’s Nice That studio this month. Enjoy!

A hand gives a thumbs-up next to a book with a pink and green cover. The cover reads “Kyle Pellet” and “Wonkyvision”, with “Valley Cruise Press” at the bottom. — Above
Kyle Pellet: Wonkyvision

A collage of six images and illustrations on a red and blue background. One panel features a large, colourful pile of objects, while another shows two people by a swimming pool. — Above
Kyle Pellet: Wonkyvision

An open book with yellow pages features a series of colourful, surreal illustrations. On the left, a large red figure stands among several smaller people in blue swimwear. — Above
Kyle Pellet: Wonkyvision

An open book laid against a green background. The left page is filled with a dense pattern of multicoloured dots, while the right page shows a black and white photo of a person on stairs with a white, smiling cartoon face covering their head. — Above
Kyle Pellet: Wonkyvision

Kyle Pellet – Wonkyvision

I love Kyle sooo much. He’s like, the only person I have not unfollowed on Facebook because he makes me laugh so much with his updates. Here’s one he posted recently: “If I were to remake the Good, the Bad and the Ugly, I’d have Tuco make Blondie eat a Doritos Loaded 4-pack in the desert torture/revenge scene. I’ve never tasted anything so salty. Jesus Christ.” Anyway, this new zine of his is spectacular. Innocence, toilet humour, colours, fun, all the stuff a good life is built from.
www.pelletfactory.com

A hand gives a thumbs-up next to a magazine titled “Romka 9”. The cover features a photo of a person with long, curly hair and a small dog, with a list of contributors printed below. — Above
Romka 9

An open book on a green surface shows a black and white photograph of a person asleep in a bed. Beside the image, a block of text begins with the words “This is my father.” — Above
Romka 9

An open book on a green surface. One page features a photograph of a shirtless person sitting on a bed, looking at the camera with a concerned expression. — Above
Romka 9

Romka 9

I didn’t know what this was actually, and the title suggests it’s on its ninth issue. If that is true, congratulations! The content inside is simplistic, no frills, un-soppy photographs taken by some truly impressive and up and coming photographers, with personal stories accompanying them. I love the image on the front of the girl with insanely good hair fighting with (or feeding?) a fox indoors. Anyone can ask a bunch of photographers to submit their favourite photos, but I don’t think many zines of that ilk are as good as this one.
www.romkamagazine.com

A hand gives a thumbs-up next to a pink illustration of a person in a swimsuit holding a banana. The figure is surrounded by a pattern of yellow bananas and green leaves on a white background. — Above
George Heaven print

An illustration of a curvy figure with pink hair and skin, wearing a pink bikini. They hold a banana while surrounded by a pattern of yellow bananas and green leaves. — Above
George Heaven print

An illustration of a pink figure in a bikini and high heels, holding a banana. They are surrounded by a pattern of yellow bananas and green leaves on a white background. — Above
George Heaven print

George Heaven

If that is his REAL name. Sorry if it is George, I’m just jealous. Are you gonna call your son Evan? I hope so. George sent in this cool print of a nice lady eating a banana. From the way she’s standing, I suppose perhaps she could have unfortunately dropped the unpeeled banana on the floor, and was just about to dust it off and bite it when someone called her name from out the back. It’s a mighty sexy cartoon, and one that I will ensure goes straight to the hands of the teenage cousin of someone in the It’s Nice That office.
www.georgeheavenillustration.blogspot.co.uk

A hand gives a thumbs-up gesture next to a small card on a green background. The card features a grid of four images of glasses and the words “SPECIFIC RIM”. — Above
Rebecca Storm and Scott Parsons: Specific Rim

A booklet lies on a green surface, featuring a grid of four close-up photos of glass rims. The text “SPECIFIC RIM” is printed in white across the top. — Above
Rebecca Storm and Scott Parsons: Specific Rim

An open pink booklet laid against a green background. On each page, a plastic glass holds green olives skewered by a bright orange cocktail pick. — Above
Rebecca Storm and Scott Parsons: Specific Rim

A folded card shows two photographs of a red, wavy straw in a clear glass. The image on the right is a close-up, showing the straw curving over the rim. — Above
Rebecca Storm and Scott Parsons: Specific Rim

Specific Rim

Now when I first saw this little photography zine I did have a little teeny weeny hunch that perhaps it might be something a little bit rude, but it turns out the rims they are talking about are actually just the rims on a bunch of glasses and cups! PHEW! And what lovely glasses and cups feature in this zine. Nicely shot photographs studying something that could very easily be otherwise overlooked.
www.rebecca-storm.com

A hand gives a thumbs-up next to a yellow magazine titled “So Young”. The cover features a black and white photo of a person and reads “Issue Six”. — Above
So Young Issue 6

An open magazine spread on a green background. The left page features a large quote that reads “we just want to put a good record out. It’s always a bonus if someone out there likes it”. The right page shows a colourful, abstract illustration of a face and foliage. — Above
So Young Issue 6

An illustration of a pink, creature-like figure wearing a denim jacket and black trousers. The jacket is covered in patches, including “Palma Violets”, “Neon Waltz” and “Rough Trade”. — Above
So Young Issue 6

An illustration in an open book shows four people standing together against a purple and orange background. The figures are rendered in a flat, graphic style with bold colours. — Above
So Young Issue 6

So Young Issue Six

I wish I had started So Young. It’s like a super cheap and cool music zine that bands actually want to be a part of, and people (like me) genuinely look forward to seeing. This issue is full of great bands and artists like Palma Violets, Slaves and Peace and also features an interview with Rough Trade Records. It’s also got some mega good illustration from people like Adam Higton and Sac Magique. SO YOUNG, SO GOOD.
www.soyoungmagazine.com

A hand gives a thumbs-up gesture next to a small white booklet. The cover features blue textured patterns and the handwritten title “Journeys through the mundane and ordinary”. — Above
Raj Dhunna: Journeys Through the Mundane and Ordinary

A blue ink sketch in a notebook shows a street scene with a building labelled “FLORIST CHICKEN SHOP”. Two figures stand in the foreground, while other sketches of a “BARBERS” and a face appear on the opposite page. — Above
Raj Dhunna: Journeys Through the Mundane and Ordinary

An open sketchbook on a green surface. One page features a blue ink drawing of a person partially obscured by tall, blade-like grass. — Above
Raj Dhunna: Journeys Through the Mundane and Ordinary

An open booklet featuring blue ink prints on white paper. The top page shows a textured, abstract composition with the word “MUNDANE” written in capitals. — Above
Raj Dhunna: Journeys Through the Mundane and Ordinary

Raj Dhunna: Journeys Through the Mundane and Ordinary

We get a lot of zines full of Riso-printed cacti through the door at It’s Nice That, sure. This zine is one of them, but totally stood out to me for some reason. I really like the title Journeys Through the Mundane and Ordinary as I can totally imagine that being the title to my autobiography. Also I really like how Raj has clearly spent a lot of time on this, and has, most importantly, really enjoyed it! I like the idea of him crouched in a shopping centre or a public park just sketching away like a weirdo.
www.rajdhunna.co.uk

A person gives a thumbs-up next to a blue hardcover book on a mint green background. The book cover reads “TECTONIC”, “Johan Rosenmunthe” and “Margaret Atwood”. — Above
Johan Rosenmunthe: Tectonic

A person holds a blue hardcover book titled “Tectonic”. The cover lists “photographs by Johan Rosenmunthe” and text from “A Suggestive Inquiry Into the Hermetic Mystery and Alchemy” by Mary Anne Atwood. — Above
Johan Rosenmunthe: Tectonic

An open book displays a wide landscape photograph of a rugged, mountainous terrain in deep blue tones. A winding path cuts through the rocky ground towards a distant peak under a pale sky. — Above
Johan Rosenmunthe: Tectonic

An open book shows a photograph of a white smartphone resting on a textured rock surface. The phone screen displays a small 3D cube on a green background. — Above
Johan Rosenmunthe: Tectonic

An open book shows a photograph of a glass goblet containing layers of blue, red and yellow liquid. The glass sits on a reflective black surface against a backdrop of corrugated metal. — Above
Johan Rosenmunthe: Tectonic

An open book shows two photographs on a white spread. On the left, a microscope sits against a purple background; on the right, a black and white image shows a textured stone fragment. — Above
Johan Rosenmunthe: Tectonic

Johan Rosenmunthe: Tectonic

Anyone who has seen this book will understand what I say when I tell you that it is the exact same colour as the large majority of nail varnishes on offer in Claire’s Accessories during the early parts of the noughties, right? This sturdy, embossed beauty is a collection of photographs by rock-lover Johan Rosenmunthe and is a must-see for anyone who is into science and/or jaw-droppingly crisp photography. The change in paper stocks halfway through is nothing short of orgasmic. So glossy Johan, so glossy!
www.rosenmunthe.com

A person gives a thumbs-up next to a light blue book on a green background. The cover reads “The Tale of Peter Rabbit” by “Beatrix Potter”. — Above
Beatrix Potter: The Tale of Peter Rabbit

An open copy of The Tale of Peter Rabbit, held by a hand against a green background. An illustration shows a rabbit running away from a figure waving a rake, beside text that begins “Mr. McGregor was on his hands and knees”. — Above
Beatrix Potter: The Tale of Peter Rabbit

An open children's book on a green background. The left page reads “Now run along, and don’t get into mischief. I am going out.” and the right page features an illustration of two rabbits. — Above
Beatrix Potter: The Tale of Peter Rabbit

Beatrix Potter: The Tale of Peter Rabbit

In amongst the lo-fi zines full of cartoons of people puking and swearing, this cute little book was just sitting in the Things box hoping to get picked. Well congratulations Peter, you made the cut. The reason is that this is a new edition of the Beatrix Potter shelf-staple that I hope, I pray encourages people to keep reading these books to their kids. “Once upon a time there were four little rabbits, and their names were Flopsy, Mopsy, Cotton-Tail and Peter. They lived with their mother in a sand-bank, underneath the root of a very big fig tree.” How nice is that?

A hand gives a thumbs-up next to a copy of “The Pitchfork Review” magazine. The cover features a surreal landscape of pink and red tones, with a list of artists including “Björk”, “N.W.A” and “Aphex Twin”. — Above
The Pitchfork Review No.5

An open comic book showing colourful, surreal illustrations across several panels. A character with a round red face speaks in a speech bubble: “May I have the undivided attention of the class!”. — Above
The Pitchfork Review No.5

An open magazine page features a series of circular illustrations for a quiz titled “What’s your Arcade Fire star sign?”. Each circle contains a stylised figure and a corresponding zodiac sign with a short descriptive paragraph. — Above
The Pitchfork Review No.5

An open book displays a series of photographs. One image shows a person wearing headphones in a room, while another depicts a campsite with a US flag flying over a tent. — Above
The Pitchfork Review No.5

An open magazine shows a bright yellow page opposite a white page with the headline “Control P”. Below the text, a black and white photograph shows a dog peering through a collage of torn newspaper clippings. — Above
The Pitchfork Review No.5

The Pitchfork Review No.5

Have you ever read this magazine? If not, why? It’s one of the only publications out there on the racks that is genuinely funny, and I’d go as far as saying that it’s the best music magazine in the world. Rather than dwelling on news like a lot of other mags, The Pitchfork Review delves into the past, present and future to tell the most fascinating stories about music-makers and cultural history. The illustrators they commission to bring these articles to life, and the time they spend on getting the cover just right is phenomenal. Also there’s a whole section of their online articles printed towards the back called “Control P," and they’ve printed a loading wheel on the spine. Basically the visual equivalent of a dark nod to the internet as they canter off on a horse into the desert.
www.thepitchforkreview.com

A hand gives a thumbs-up next to a cartoon illustration on a green background. The drawing shows a figure pointing to a pie chart titled “What does it take to come up with a really great idea?”. The largest slice is “87% effort”, followed by “7.5% luck”, “5% staying off internet for consecutive 90 minutes!” and “0.5% talent + divine inspiration”. — Above
Christoph Niemann

Christoph Niemann postcard

This didn’t really get sent in as such, but Christoph gave it to me last week and I thought other people might enjoy it too. Christoph is always deliberating over the creative process and the more philosophical side of cartoon-making and illustration. When he found himself being bombarded with emails from people asking him to explain what he does, and give some sage advice, he decided to draw his response. This is it.
www.christophniemann.com

Further Info

About the Author

Liv Siddall

—

Liv joined It’s Nice That as an intern in 2011 and worked across online, print and events, and was latterly Features Editor before leaving in May 2015.

The ten best things that have arrived in the It's Nice That studio this month!

Kyle Pellet – Wonkyvision

Romka 9

George Heaven

Specific Rim

So Young Issue Six

Raj Dhunna: Journeys Through the Mundane and Ordinary

Johan Rosenmunthe: Tectonic

Beatrix Potter: The Tale of Peter Rabbit

The Pitchfork Review No.5

Christoph Niemann postcard

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Further Info

About the Author

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