For this year's Holiday Gift Guide, Exclaim! is helping out not just with what types of gifts you might be looking for, but taking that extra step and guessing who might be on your list. The magnificent millennial creation known as the "urban hipster" might be the most challenging, what with their ironic detachment and embrace of derided subcultures. We're here to help with these clever suggestions.
Holiday Gift Guide 2014: Gifts for the Urban Hipster
Fela Kuti Box Set #3
(Knitting Factory)
The back catalogue of Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti has been receiving the reissue treatment in the form of a series of vinyl box sets, curated by some of music's greatest minds. Instalment number three is curated by Brian Eno (pictured above), who chose seven of Kuti's records from 1971's London Scene to 1980's I.T.T., including Shakara (1972) Afrodisiac (1973) and Zombie (1976). Limited to 2000 pieces, the box set also includes a poster, and a 12-page booklet with album notes, photos, translated lyrics, and a forward from Eno.
Calum Slingerland
Hyperkin RetroN 5 Gaming System
It's sad to think of all those vintage video game cartridges collecting dust in garages and pawn shops because your 20-year-old system finally crapped out or someone lost the power cable. Well, that minor technological heartbreak is a thing of the past, thanks to the Hyperkin RetroN 5 Gaming System. This thing will not only play NES, Super NES, Genesis, Famicom, and Game Boy games, straight from the shelf, but it upgrades their video and sound for today's HDTV systems. It also allows you to save at any point, bypass regional locks, control the internal clock of any game, and, if you're so inclined, use a NES controller to play Genesis games. It's about time — waste not, want not.
Alan Ranta
Batman: The Complete TV Series
(Warner Bros.)
While nerdy-come-lately types debate the relatively merits of Batman Returns versus The Dark Knight Rises, it's time to Kapow! back to the Adam West era. Sure, it's not much to reclaim for true fans of the Detective, but nothing beats it for superhero comedy, however intentional. This Blu-Ray collection features remasters of all 120 episodes, plus heavy involvement from West (conversations, script notes), features on memorabilia, a Hot Wheels Batmobile and vintage trading cars. Also available on DVD with the same extras if seeing Catwoman (be that Julie Newmar or Eartha Kitt) in high def isn't a priority.
James Keast
Beard Products (alwaysbearded.ca)
Whether it's a neatly trimmed Van Dyke, a stylish Donegal (aka Alaskan whaler) or a full natural, that face fur needs as much care as you give to your steam punk accessories. That means some proper grooming techniques and especially grooming products, both available from new Canadian company Always Bearded. From your balms and oils to your "urban beard shampoo" and anti-static wooden comb, Always Bearded have you covered. They've also got some social media game, with #transformationtuesdays chronicling your growth progress. A portion of proceeds from clothing sales — like the sweet "We the Bearded" shirts — support the Colorectal Cancer Association of Canada.
James Keast
Need more holiday gift ideas? Then check out our other sections on music, books, music ephemera, videogames and movies, as well as gifts for the hip-hop fan and folk fan in your life.
Holiday Gift Guide 2014: Gifts for the Urban Hipster
Fela Kuti Box Set #3
(Knitting Factory)
The back catalogue of Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti has been receiving the reissue treatment in the form of a series of vinyl box sets, curated by some of music's greatest minds. Instalment number three is curated by Brian Eno (pictured above), who chose seven of Kuti's records from 1971's London Scene to 1980's I.T.T., including Shakara (1972) Afrodisiac (1973) and Zombie (1976). Limited to 2000 pieces, the box set also includes a poster, and a 12-page booklet with album notes, photos, translated lyrics, and a forward from Eno.
Calum Slingerland
Hyperkin RetroN 5 Gaming System
It's sad to think of all those vintage video game cartridges collecting dust in garages and pawn shops because your 20-year-old system finally crapped out or someone lost the power cable. Well, that minor technological heartbreak is a thing of the past, thanks to the Hyperkin RetroN 5 Gaming System. This thing will not only play NES, Super NES, Genesis, Famicom, and Game Boy games, straight from the shelf, but it upgrades their video and sound for today's HDTV systems. It also allows you to save at any point, bypass regional locks, control the internal clock of any game, and, if you're so inclined, use a NES controller to play Genesis games. It's about time — waste not, want not.
Alan Ranta
Batman: The Complete TV Series
(Warner Bros.)
While nerdy-come-lately types debate the relatively merits of Batman Returns versus The Dark Knight Rises, it's time to Kapow! back to the Adam West era. Sure, it's not much to reclaim for true fans of the Detective, but nothing beats it for superhero comedy, however intentional. This Blu-Ray collection features remasters of all 120 episodes, plus heavy involvement from West (conversations, script notes), features on memorabilia, a Hot Wheels Batmobile and vintage trading cars. Also available on DVD with the same extras if seeing Catwoman (be that Julie Newmar or Eartha Kitt) in high def isn't a priority.
James Keast
Beard Products (alwaysbearded.ca)
Whether it's a neatly trimmed Van Dyke, a stylish Donegal (aka Alaskan whaler) or a full natural, that face fur needs as much care as you give to your steam punk accessories. That means some proper grooming techniques and especially grooming products, both available from new Canadian company Always Bearded. From your balms and oils to your "urban beard shampoo" and anti-static wooden comb, Always Bearded have you covered. They've also got some social media game, with #transformationtuesdays chronicling your growth progress. A portion of proceeds from clothing sales — like the sweet "We the Bearded" shirts — support the Colorectal Cancer Association of Canada.
James Keast
Need more holiday gift ideas? Then check out our other sections on music, books, music ephemera, videogames and movies, as well as gifts for the hip-hop fan and folk fan in your life.