Welcome to #WeWant, a weekly selection of the stuff OnMilwaukee.com editors and staffers love.
Write with it: The Hemingwrite
As a lover of both typewriters and computers, this might strike the perfect balance. It looks like a typer, is as portable as one and yet won't burden one with sticky keys or dry ribbon. Also, it syncs with cloud apps. The best part, perhaps, is that it does not offer the distraction of email or social media so writers have absolutely no distractions from the craft of writing. Wait, that actually sounds kinda scary. Maybe I'm not ready for this after all. -- Molly Snyder
Wear it: Gustin waxed brown trucker jacket
We’ve told you about Gustin before. When the crowdsourced San Francisco denim company first launched on Kickstarter, we shared their story, and since then, have become big fans of both their business model and their products. And indeed, their waxed brown trucker jacket is a thing of beauty. Made with 13.5-ounce waxed cotton duck, it will age uniquely to your body, stiff but not too stiff and looking somehow both modern and vintage. It’s a bit short than a Levi’s trucker jacket and has longer sleeves (so they don’t ride up) but it’s the coolest, most durable fall jacket I’ve ever owned. In retail stores, this is easily a $250 jacket, but through their crowdsourcing direct sales, Gustin sold it for $139. Of course, it’s not currently available – Gustin introduces one product at a time, sells it until it’s "funded," then it goes away. But keep your eye out for the next run of this jacket. A premium, American-made garment like this – at this price – doesn’t come along every day. -- Andy Tarnoff
Listen to it: "This Is Not A Game" by The Chemical Brothers featuring Miguel from the soundtrack to "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part I"
"Mockingjay Part 1," the third and half-final installment of "The Hunger Games" franchise, is all primed to be the biggest movie of the year when it comes out next month. And you know what? I’m okay with that. I wasn’t completely sold after the first film, but "Catching Fire" was a strong leap forward, and as the series goes further away from its sanitized titular battle royale and deeper into the dark, cutting, hard-edged political warfare, the better it gets. So yes, color me on board. And in case I needed more convincing, the soundtrack sounds absolutely fantastic. Its quality soundtrack is no surprise (you get laughed out of the YA adaptation lunchroom if your soundtrack doesn’t have at least five young superstars). Even considering the precedent though, it’s a kind of batty, totally killer list of musicians – from CHVRCHES to Tove Lo to Charli XCX to Lorde, who curated the entire album. I’m excited to hear the whole thing – this song and Lorde’s "Yellow Flicker Beat" are the only two available now – but for now, I’m totally happy with "This Is Not A Game" from The Chemical Brothers and Miguel. The electronic duo brings the same energetic smash-up of grungy electronic chaos and surprising hypnotic beauty they brought to the score of "Hanna" (bonus recommendation! It’s really good!). It’s a fascinating mix of sounds – smooth Miguel mixed with abrasive and gnarling techno drones, mixed with Lorde ominously chiming in, "There it is" – that’s completely addictive. If "Mockingjay: Part 1" manages to be as unpredictable, edgy, energetic and cleverly assembled as "This Is Not A Game," we’re in for quite a movie. -- Matt Mueller
Read it: "Blue Note: Uncompromising Expression," by Richard Havers (Chronicle Books)
I don't even know where to start on this five-pound beauty of a book about the best sounding, best looking and most influential of all jazz record labels. As Blue Note celebrates its 75th anniversary, Havers – who also chronicled the history of Verve two years ago – tells the story of how Alfred Lion came to America and created this iconic and influential label and, of course, includes the stories of fellow travelers, like designer Reid Miles, photographer Francis Wolff, engineer Rudy Van Gelder, A&R man (and musician) Ike Quebec and the array of musicians who really made Blue Note what it was. As you'd expect, the design is incredible and the book is loaded with stellar album covers and great Wolff photography, including cool mosaics of outtakes from sessions that produced those inimitable sleeve designs. It's a book that's – yes, expensive but also – worthy of the Blue Note logo. -- Bobby Tanzilo
Wear it: Skinny Tie
Fall is easily my favorite season. Food, weather and especially clothes. This is my wardrobe's wheelhouse: earthy colors and lots of texture. The biggest addition this year is knit ties. I was tentative about them at first, but after giving them a shot I have to say I was wrong. They're incredibly versatile. Snazz up your open-collar oxford button down with a loose four-in-hand or use it to bring a suit down to everyday (our designer Jason nailed this look on our recent Formal Friday). Ties.com has them in a variety of styles and colors – at only $19, grab a couple! -- Nick Barth
