Culture
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Friends eclectic
LA’s KCRW sounds like the future of radio. Small, perfectly formed and with an influence that travels far beyond its American HQ, it breaks bands and sets the soundtrack for Hollywood’s films.
Happy new world
As Monocle turns two, we reflect on our origins and unveil subtle brand tweaks. We continue to champion small businesses, local firms and far-flung regions in an ever-more homogeneous world.
Standard raiser
Israeli-born artist Oscar Bronner founded Der Standard to fill a gap for non-partisan journalism in Austria. It is now the country's second best-selling quality paper, with over 75,000 copies a day.
The next Shanghai
Kunming is an unpolluted, diverse city offering a high quality of life. New infrastructure projects, including train routes and an international airport, are providing links with south Asia and boosting trade.
Taiwan hit factory
Despite years of turbulence between Taiwan and China, this island's pop culture leaves the mainland standing. From idols to protest singers via television talent shows, Taipei pop is the country's new heavy industry.
Freedom writer
We profile Erick Thohir, founder of Jakarta's Mahaka Media group. After revitalising the failing paper ‘Republika’, he’s now on a mission to modernise media in a freer Indonesia.
Culture
Our pick of the latest cultural highlights. In film, a Palme d’Or winner. In books, a macabre thriller. In art, sculptures from mouse hair. And in music, Emmy the Great’s debut.
Going solo
Frida Hyvönen is a singer-songwriter with an intimate understanding of the grand piano and the great outdoors. Monocle went backstage with the Swedish chanteuse in Paris as she prepared for her new record.
So farsi, so good
The BBC World Service's Persian TV launches as the first dedicated, unbiased Farsi-speaking station for Iran, aiming to put a new spin on the country and break down cultural barriers.
