As the founding member of Gregory and the Hawk, Meredith Godreau is no stranger to self-promotion and the wonders of 21st century marketing.

It’s been a long time since a really cool band has come along that introduces a sound that opens up new possibilities. Fujiya & Miyagi is a wave of joy.

Leeds International Film Festival is the largest annual film festival outside of London and it brings the world of film out of the traditional setting of a cinema.

Gaston Kabore, one of Africa’s premier filmmakers, talks about African cinema, and the politics of representation.

Expanding the form of calligraphy and blending it with contemporary painting, Golnaz Fathi’s renowned style has led to international acclaim.

A new large–scale outdoor installation project at Attingham Park that looks at the fragile relationship between the environment and Man.

The latest art fair to hit the London circuit in 2008, calling in to question the nature of art fairs and redefining standard practice.

A man with several ideas, Roberto Cuoghi has many personalities. His opening show at ICA in Autumn 2008 pushes the boundaries of sound, art and installation.

David Shrigley, the man with all the ideas. His work excites, but also outrages, provokes and evokes. David Shrigley is something of an enigma.

At the age of 17, Faïza Guène wrote her first novel and sold over 360,000 copies. Now, with the release of her second novel, all eyes are on this creative prodigy.

Irvine Welsh tackles controversy to explore the darker side of humanity. In his latest novel, Crime, he exposes the human impact of child abuse.

Forced Entertainment is a dynamic ensemble of six artists based in Sheffield, who create original work that challenges and subverts notions of urban life.

We caught up with Port O’Brien’s lead singer, Van, enjoying his first summer away from commercial fishing in Alaska to chat about life in the burgeoning band.

Workout Holiday explores a wide variety of musical genres; crossing boundaries and creating what White Denim refer to simply as “sound collage.”

As their peers began to drift off to college, founding members, Raphael Mura, Marion Andrau and JB Ganivet collaborated, with ambitions for stardom.

Liejacker, Gilmore’s latest release, is a critique of the music industry, “that last bastion of misogyny”, and its various corruptions.

Multiple identities, nationality, home and boundaries — the interface between where we come from, who we are, and where we go.

A docu-fantasia, which serves to question the legitimacy of our memories, combines with an impressive retrospective on the world’s coldest city.

Catherine Yass’s latest exhibition amalgamates social ideals with the awe-inspiring precision of high-wire artist, Didier Pasquette.

‘A’ to ‘Z’ Project, at BALTIC, is the latest exhibition from Japanese artist, Yoshitomo Nara, and creative design team, graf.

Mashups features five of the UK’s most exciting artists, offering an intriguing insight into how a new generation is making sense of mass culture.

Games and Theory explores the radical potential of play as a form of resistance and expression of freedom, examining emotional interaction between people.

Illustrative hosts Illustrative 08 in Zurich, Switzerland, an event which plays a critical part in the debate surrounding contemporary visual culture.

In Person 30 Poets, gives readers the opportunity to not only experience words that inspire, but also to see the people behind the ideas.

Alex Wheatle’s work is not only an expose of violence and gun-crime, but also an account of how identity and personal history changes after immigration.

Al-Harah, in their recent production, Born in Bethlehem, explore the shocking reality of Palestinian life today sixty years after the formation of Israel.

The irreverent Born Ruffians have just completed several tours, culminating with the launch of their debut album, Red, Yellow and Blue.

It must be said that Gonzales is an interesting man; a bit of a mystery, but with the recent success of many of his collaborators, Gonzales is on the radar.

Try to squeeze the love out of something and you’ll find its essence vanishes. So it is with Free Kitten’s latest pirouette, Inherit, a decade apart from its closest sibling.

Malcolm Middleton has been a very busy man. With the release of 2007’s A Brighter Beat, Malcolm has developed a new era for “happy music for sad people.”

In summer 2008, Rushes Soho Shorts Festival brought the best in short film by celebrating the genre over ten days. 2008 marked their ten year anniversary.

The Escapist is the spectacular feature film debut from co-writer and director, Rupert Wyatt. The film examines prisons, harsh and unforgiving places.

When two strangers’ lives cross they ultimately changed forever. Take explores the complex feelings of forgiveness, chance and the death penalty.

Want to See More of Me? confronts current debates over diversity in the entertainment business and opportunities for ethnic minorities.

In 2008, Korean artist Gwon Osang made his UK debut with Deodorant Type, a thought-provoking exhibition at Manchester Art Gallery.

Housed in Brick Lane’s Old Truman Brewery in London, Free Range 2008 is a showcase dedicated to the best in UK student talent.

Shirazeh Houshiary’s current exhibition at the Lisson Gallery will be her sixth solo show with Lisson and her first project in their new exhibition space.

Art and fashion are intrinsically linked. This attraction and repulsion of the pursuit of commodity, glamour and icons envelops our daily existence.

The Room of Lost Things was inspired by Duffy’s surroundings. “Faisal, our local dry cleaner said, ‘You should write about a dry cleaner. We know people’s secrets’.”

Sean’s latest collection, The Drowned Book continues his critical success, winning both the prestigious Forward and T S Eliot Prizes in 2007.

Imagine if your latest performance could subject you to violence and oppression from the state? This is the reality for all involved with the Belarus Free Theatre.

Surrounded is back with a second album, Nautilus Years. The songs made by these talented musicians are simultaneously haunting and beautiful.

Aaron Mullan exudes equal parts maturity and enthusiasm for the creative environment that has culminated in Tall Firs’ second release Too Old to Die Young.

Jamie Lidell’s funk and soul are energetic and exhilarating. His classic influences are fused with songwriting, meticulous production and a powerful voice.

Running for five days, Glimmer: The Hull International Short Film Festival screens around 300 films, including an eclectic and energetic mix from all over the world.

XXY is the assured and stunning debut from Lucía Puenzo, tackling intersexuality, a topic not often explored in creative art forms, or even spoken about in society.

My Brother Is An Only Child is the spectacular new film from writer-director Daniele Luchetti, who was discovered at Cannes in 1991 with his film, The Yes Man.

The Jerwood Contemporary Painters Exhibition highlights 20 emerging artists in one vibrant collection. Each artist exhibits one work, which is concerned with the debate of what painting is.

Nigel Hall has redefined his work to articulate a sophisticated understanding of space, and how sculptural object and viewer may occupy it.

The Design Awards 2008 offers a means for understanding the contemporary world, and demonstrates a huge field of creativity and diversity.