Justice Wears Cool Pants

Los Angeles 

In LA, there’s really no Caribbean culture. So, the Jerk Spot is one of those places that I go to and it makes me forget that I’m in LA kind of thing. The food’s incredible, the area is like this little small, almost hole-in-the-wall type spot. I’m a big foodie.

In my free time, I’ve been taking photos. I’m like a fake photographer, for me it’s significant because it’s when you create memories and don’t take photos of them, you almost forget about them. So, when I go to that photo lab to develop my photos and I receive them, it almost feels like me reliving these memories.

The taco truck experience feels cultural, it feels like a good place to coagulate, sit on the block. Get some tacos, vibe out. It’s very communal, in like the most street-possible way. LA culture is completely different and i feel like that taco truck adds like a little bit more street-ness to Los Angeles. You gotta do the Carnita tacos with the green sauce.

For me, it’s all about trying to find different flavours in this city because like I said, LA is so spread out that sometimes it’s kinda hard to find pockets of things. But this spot has a very strong Parisian feel. It’s kind of like a little Paris hangout, it feels like you’re in the middle of Paris even though you’re in the middle of LA. And you know the drinks are amazing and the thought process behind that experience, again, like I said, I’m a foodie, so it’s kind of just where I hang out. The crowd there is more creative.

The thing about this spot is that it gives me a clash of culture and creativity. Because everyone that’s selling stuff there or goes there is usually from a lack of funds, it’s not a lot of wealthy people or people that are affluent that really go there. You just get to see what everybody’s taste is and how everyone’s trying to relate what they’re putting forward. It gives me a sense of a melting pot.


Eating in LA with Justice Wears Cool Pants

TAKSU

Bali

Miller’s Records, located in the famous spot of umalas, a small shop taking on a vegas style look from the outside has a very wide variety of vinyl records. Being relatively new, this shop has already been a strong community because it does not only offer to buy but also possible to sell personal vinyl collection. Inside you'll see racks in different styles organized by its genres and year, making it easy to find and eye pleasing as some cool looking vinyl stacked up on frames. For most of its vinyl that isn't originally produced, they have a tag showing it’s been purchased there, price range starting even from 60k for some vinyl up to 2,7mill for collector items.

Ganesha Ubud is a very small distinguished library selling old vintage story books, comics, to postcard in Ubud making. Here you'll find the craziest old books you could have not thought of about Indonesia or anything relevant to Indonesia and its history, as they only sell old, rare, out-of-print books.

There will always be 2 very kind shopkeepers who you can ask for help, and they can tell you stories behind the books which are always fascinating. They also allow you to read some of the books (ones which are not sealed) daily as if it's a library. Their prices are relatively cheap for an amazing book you are yet to discover. Some as cheap as 10.000 rupiah for a small book with all the old 80’s indonesia postcard stamps.

Lab Rana is another small, cool shop located in Tamora gallery in the heart of Berawa. Labrana is the go to place to buy your films needs and develop them. It offers a lot of types of film and film cameras, without worrying which one is the best fit for your cause of photography, you could simply share and talk with them about what you want and need and they'll guide you through your best option for purchase.

Going there you'll meet the senior shopkeeper who has a tight film camera community trying to keep the trend alive.

Tinta Photo Solutions really lives up to its name. A small shop not far from Miller Records and the Bumbak area, Umalas. They give a lot of options with high standard quality prints and frames for your art or photo pieces. They have personally done me well with their offer of leasing their frames for an exhibition I'm doing, giving me ease on up-front payments. Very good hospitality. They have a complete catalogue of solutions when shopping for prints and frames, making it much easier to pick the right frame and print that fits your home's interior design. With with affordable prices, Tinta has helped the community so much building the art scene in out in Bali.

Bali Beach Glamping located in Tabanan close to the famous Pigstone Beach which is well known for surfing, a new getaway for camping with a pinch of luxury just opened. If you go there you’ll meet the Asela the manager who will show you around all the tents which have amazing beach views.

A local entrepreneur who is the boss lady of 2 thrift stores located in Tabanan. She started selling thrift tees in the traditional thrift market of Tabanan, and she gained her knowledge through technology/internet/social media and used them well. She is now known across Bali, even throughout Indonesia. Both of her stores are located in the village of Kerambitan, Tabanan. In the traditional market, you could see her store in the first traditional building(more like a big shack) around 150m in the back. With her joyful voice you could spot and know that it’s Bu Dolir. Price range starting from Rp.30.000 up to some collectable items for 2mill rupiah. There are more thrift stores available to explore in the rest of ‘Pasar kodok’ thrift market in Tabanan.

Segelas Kopi Ubud located in the heart of the village of Mas, Ubud. A small coffee shop across Ari Canti hospital offers not only great coffee but also a comfortable silent space to work with a touch of art and balinese culture. I've personally spent my time gathering inspirations and ideas in this spot. Owned and run by a young teen (GUSTRA I.B) the age of 19 has successfully built a solid coffee shop concept supporting not only local workers that has been WFH, but also educating about the value of art to its customers. My favorite menu is the Nasi Goreng Babi Kecap with the piccolo beverage, with the price for both totalling only $4.

The best item on the menu is the Chasumen with an added ajitama (half boiled egg, japanese style). With free flowing mineral water, expenses on beverage are not needed.

Thrifting & Shopping Local with TAKSU

35s & 45s

New York City 

Owned and operated by local DJ Fatik, I go mainly for the new house/techno/re-issue etc stuff and to kick it. He has an ill plant collection too!

Owned and curated by the DJ's DJ Tom Noble - they carry everything but for me - solid funk, soul, world, disco and house + massive 45 collection. They throw fun in store parties a lot - I walked in on Antal & Tom playing once.

Big, big collection and neighbourhood staple of Williamsburg. Big and super well priced collection of jazz, soul, funk, rock, house, world, etc.

Really dope record store and cafe (great coffee) with rare and well curated collection of used and new disco, house, techno, jazz, brazil, world/brazil and soul.

A solid buy, sell, trade record store with mostly rock, reggae, funk etc - but also a pretty good selection of house joints.

A neighbourhood staple in East Village with the best, consistent rotation of affordable and absolute heat on wax - everything from RnB, soul, disco, hip-hop, techno, house and more house.

A very important space, shout out to owners Vanessa & Bowen. This is one of the most inclusive clubbing spaces in NYC right now with some of the best up & coming, forward thinking DJs as well as staple locals and parties. Good priced drinks, with a totally fun and loose atmosphere - one of my favorite places to be. Also astrology themed cocktails!

Best large club in New York right now, no phones on the dance floor!!! Amazing outside day parties in Spring/Summer with consistent local and international talent I always love to see - Honey Dijon, Theo Parrish, DJ Marcelle, Soul Summit, Marcellus Pittman, Galcher Lustwerk, Stud1nt, Analog Soul etc.

Large club in south Brooklyn with 2 rooms, 1 with a large wooden dance floor and custom hi-fi sound system the other shared with a cafe and more for listening and hanging - although, dancing occurs fo sho - another great place to see the likes of Theo Parrish, Francois K, Ron Trent etc.

Hi-fidelity sound system with high quality vegan tacos, the club is in a cool basement built out with wooden sound treatment and Klipsch system + home rotary mixer - vinyl sounds fantastic here.

The consistent home of techno in Brooklyn for some time now - this is a medium/small size space with heavy hitting lineups on a regular basis, well priced and fun. This is one of my favorite places to hang.

Cocktail bar and fusion sushi restaurant with local disco, funk, rnb and soul DJs. Also home to the birth of 35s & 45s.

Manhattan staple true Discotheque style club with views of New Jersey & New York on the top floor of the Standard Hotel - always good DJs - great place to catch Eli Escobar, Sadar Bahar or local parties from Brooklyn that make their way to Manhattan.

A very small futuristic Star Wars outpost kind of space-themed bar with a custom built hi fidelity sound system and rotary mixer.

Best place for development, hi-res printing, framing, etc - all around full service shop in Soho.

DIY film development in Bushwick, a great space to meet others in the neighbourhood and a good place to learn about new spaces or local exhibitions.

Super fast and fairly cheap place for solid development in LES / Chinatown.

Cheap place in Greenpoint to buy film and develop, best for fast turn around on developing - but the quality is not always the top notch. You get what you pay for, its bottom dollar and fast!

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