Hi Merchies,

Sometimes merch is SO good… you swipe it.

We’re not ones to judge, so we’re highlighting the odds and ends we’ve “acquired” as two people who appreciate good merch. Some regular merch items that are just 🤌chef’s kiss elevated to the point of being irresistable.

Don’t forget you can always submit pictures of merch to us by replying to any of these newsletters.

Gaz & Kayla

There’s undoubtedly more than this floating around my apartment, but let me give you some favourites.

It’s at this point where a lot of people say “that explains so much” when I reveal I was raised in Western Sydney.

If you’re the person in charge of the merch it’s quite normal for you to feel like you’re making good selections. But ask yourself: If it wasn’t me who was buying this merch, and I saw it lying around, is it so good I’d steal it?

If yes, proceed with the order.

Incredibly awesome merch drop this week by the unfuckwithable Nine Inch Nails, who dropped an incredibly effective merch range to celebrate the 30th anniversary of their seminal soundtrack contribution to Quake, back in 1996.

The collab with id Software was a very novel venture at the time, being Trent Reznor’s first foray into the world of video game scores, and as an ambient piece, ended up being a bit of a precursor to his future work with Atticus Ross scoring multiple films, which we’re all quite used to by now.

At the time, people hadn’t heard anything like it in video games, and this became a bit of a benchmark for future video game scores from then on also. The score was released on vinyl in 2020, and this new merch drop to celebrate the 30th anniversary is pretty great!

Relatively understated, not overextended in scope or range, you can access ammo boxes and keyrings that make sounds from the game (though not anymore, its sold out. One does not wait to purchase merch when NIИ release a drop. That would be insane.) You can check out that drop HERE

Well, first of all, listen to Nine Inch Nails, especially their collab with Boys Noize (Nine Inch Noize) at Coachella, it’s incredible. Next, gotta say I love the keyrings and the subtlety of that design using relics from the video game. I love a fantastic keyring, and it has been years since I have been gifted one, so… big fan. Also a big fan of the overall photoshoot aesthetic going on here, as they know their audience very well here, but they’ve leant into very simple things here for you to keep in mind: this provokes a “I would wear this/I want this on my desk” from a niche audience who would.

My contribution! I wouldn’t say I’m quite as devious as some when it comes to knocking off merch as keepsakes, but I have been known to get a glint in my eye at the various pubs whenever there is a beer coaster that uses something a little bit more imaginative than big alcohol’s lazy branding efforts (it’s an amazing billboard, but we can worry about how to market things another time).

I’ve been known to end up at the Glengarry Castle Hotel in Redfern after an extremely hard day of conference-ing at Carriageworks in Sydney, mostly because it’s close, and homely, and non-pretentious, but also, it’s because it has the nickname ‘The Gaz’ and I’m Gaz, so there ya go.

Anyhoo, it’s the most recent pub I have appropriated a coaster from to add to my big ‘ol pinboard of random inspo in the home office. Doesn’t matter if it’s beaten up as hell, it has a story to tell, and that’s why I take ‘em.

Super stoked that Alissa Booker emailed us with merch spotted at Garma, Australia’s leading Indigenous cultural gathering. “Celebrating culture, connection and Country, the Australian Government – Australian Institute of Health and Welfare collaborated with Jay Hobbs from Smyth Studio. Jay has worked with AIHW to create bespoke artwork that can be used across their promotional items and beyond.”

The pencils include basil seeds that can be planted!

Check out the DRIP DROP Sublime for more merch inspo