Elise Birnbaum’s OATMEAL Offers Nature-Inspired Sculptural Vessels

The studio practice began in Japan and has grown substantially in Pittsburgh

For OATMEAL owner Elise Birnbaum, crafting ceramics means replicating forms; perhaps the sculptural elements of a pruned cloud tree or the soft curves of a human body. When she first opened the shop, her bulbous and tiered vessels elicited questions about their function, but now Birnbaum faces rabid demand to keep her shop stocked—a testament to her work’s originality and appeal. “I was not traditionally trained …

Prismatics: Outside Looking

Missouri-based four-piece Prismatics returns with “Outside Looking,” a jangly post-punk track that’s turbo-charged by the otherworldly vocals of Brooke Austen. The single is the first from of their forthcoming sophomore release, Endlessly (out 15 January), which was recorded remotely in parts, due to COVID-19. A spooky black-and-white music video, which nods to horror classic Night of the Living Dead, aligns perfectly with the song’s energy.

Ólafur Arnalds feat. Bonobo: Loom

For “Loom,” Icelandic multi-instrumentalist and composer Ólafur Arnalds collaborated with British musician and producer Bonobo (aka Simon Green). An electronic orchestral soundscape, it will be the opening track of Arnalds’ forthcoming album, some kind of peace (out 6 November). It’s the fourth release from the LP and another preview of how personal the complete work will be. The accompanying video, directed by Neels Castillon, features …