Episodes
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For episode 80 I spoke with SFI Recordings label owner, musician, art director, printer, and designer Andrew Crawshaw!
Andrew and I talk about his creative origins, Broken Press printing, screen printing ALL their amazing record sleeves and cassette packaging, designers for SFI, his passion for tactile pieces, a harrowing health ordeal, the new SOMAFREE INSTITUTE release, and what else is coming up next!
Thanks for tuning in!
Design Freaks on YouTube and wherever you get podcasts.
This episode is sponsored by @distrokid 🎵
➡️ distrokid.com/vip/designfreaks for a 30% discount!
Follow SFI and Broken Press:
https://sfirecordings.bandcamp.com/
https://www.instagram.com/brokenpressdesign/
https://www.discogs.com/label/1646380-SFI-Records
https://brokenpressdesignandprint.com/
Follow the show: @_designfreakspodcast_
Design Freaks on YouTube
linktr.ee/DesignFreaks
designfreakspodcast.com
Ruinousmedia.com
Donate to help with recording costs Thank you!
Videos:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCj4kCD4rTGd6k3TcrLRWWWA -
Design Freaks 79 is a remix of episode 30 (published March 2021) on British graphic designer and musician, Julian House. I’m revisiting this and remixing with visuals because 1. JH is one of my favorite designers of all time 2. Warp Records has announced a pair of Broadcast demo collections, saying they will be the final releases from the duo (May and September, 2024).
I also focus on his work with INTRO (London-based design studio) for CAN, Ghost Box Records, and independent work for Broadcast and Stereolab. PLUS the origin story of "Cliff", Stereolab's cartoon mascot!
This episode is sponsored by @distrokid 🎵
➡️ distrokid.com/vip/designfreaks for a 30% discount!
Follow the show: @_designfreakspodcast_
Design Freaks on YouTube
linktr.ee/DesignFreaks
designfreakspodcast.com
Ruinousmedia.com
Donate to help with recording costs Thank you!
Theme music: "Jet in Jungle" by Damaged Bug, courtesy of John Dwyer
Sources:
https://broadcast.warp.net/
https://rateyourmusic.com/list/Arits/the_cover_art_of_julian_house/
https://www.fiveriserecords.co.uk/product/stereolab-margerine-eclipse/
https://dangerousminds.net/comments/the_intriguing_origins_of_cliff_the_cartoon_character
intro-uk.com/category/creative/julian-house/
https://youtu.be/2qHfoj6xTng?si=toaps-i-__WIRrec
https://youtu.be/SKOPh5ZEciQ
https://pitchfork.com/news/broadcast-demos-collected-on-two-new-albums-listen-to-follow-the-light/
https://www.instagram.com/reel/C5GIk9buiQu/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== -
Episodes manquant?
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CAN = "LIFE". In this mini DFCAC episode, I investigated the cover for CAN's 1972 release, Ege Bamyasi. Designed by the dynamic duo, Ingo Trauer and Richard J. Rudow, this is one of my favorite CAN records – it features Damo Suzuki and some of their most memorable songs. I go over two separate stories about the name Ege Bamyasi (Turkish for Aegean Okra), the recent Damo documentary, and what I was able to find out about Ingo.
Check out the youtube for companion visuals or listen wherever you get podcasts. Thank you for tuning in!
Follow the show: @_designfreakspodcast_
Design Freaks on YouTube
Subscribe wherever you get podcasts! linktr.ee/DesignFreaks
This episode is sponsored by @distrokid 🎵
➡️ distrokid.com/vip/designfreaks for a 30% discount!
~~
Donate to help with recording costs Thank you!
~~
Theme music: "Jet in Jungle" by Damaged Bug, courtesy of John Dwyer
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SOURCES
https://www.discogs.com/release/12469110-Can-Ege-Bamyasi
https://www.discogs.com/style/krautrock
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ege_Bamyasi
https://www.weser-kurier.de/bremen/wie-ein-bremer-das-woodstock-festival-erlebte-doc7e4cstuxe2u4xjpm5bq
https://www.weser-kurier.de/ratgeber/ein-pures-vergnuegen-doc7e40b22xh8510jctg5ni
https://monolithcocktail.com/a-z/archive/can-ege-bamyasi/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beat-Club
https://youtu.be/tKL_jZkJopA?si=Kpw0PIh_3rayeue5
LEARN MORE ABOUT CAN AND DAMO SUZUKI
https://youtu.be/B30OnElAv5o?si=MsZttXzxH3gR0gaX
ENERGY: DAMO SUZUKI DOCUMENTARY BY Michelle Heighway
Now available to watch on Vimeo – https://vimeo.com/ondemand/energythefilm
•Energy: A Documentary About Damo Suzuki - is now available as a limited DVD run of 500.•
Energy is a testament to an eternally inspiring and empathic artistic spirit.
https://linktr.ee/energythefilm
LIGHT A CANDLE FOR INGO TRAUER
https://trauer.weser-kurier.de/traueranzeige/ingo-trauer/gedenkkerzen -
For episode 77 I spoke with poster artist and designer Federico “Fez” Moreno!
Fez and I talk about his creative origins, visual inspiration beyond the 60s, design process, passion for analogue pen and ink, his days in the Electric Church, light shows, Austin woes, and of course psychedelia.
Thanks for tuning in!
Follow Fez @fezmoreno
fogwoodsounds.bandcamp.com
Spacemachine.bandcamp.com
Intensivecareunit.bandcamp.com
chromaticcurrents.bandcamp.com
This episode is sponsored by @distrokid 🎵
➡️ distrokid.com/vip/designfreaks for a 30% discount!
Follow the show: @_designfreakspodcast_
Design Freaks on YouTube
linktr.ee/DesignFreaks
~~
Designfreakspodcast.com
Ruinousmedia.com
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Donate to help with recording costs Thank you!
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Theme music: "Jet in Jungle" by Damaged Bug, courtesy of John Dwyer
“Cosmic Mystery” by Space Machine, courtesy of Fez Moreno -
In this mini DFCAC episode, I dive into the cover for Janelle Monae’s ambitious 2010 concept album, The ArchAndroid. I discuss the story of her alter ego–time traveling android Cindi Mayweather, the art deco glory of her crown, references to Metropolis, the Matrix, Sun Ra, Afrofuturism, magick, creative talents Nate “Rocket” Wonder and Chuck Lightning!
Check out the youtube for companion visuals or listen wherever you get podcasts. Thank you for tuning in!
Follow the show: @_designfreakspodcast_
Design Freaks on YouTube
Subscribe wherever you get podcasts! linktr.ee/DesignFreaks
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Donate to help with recording costs Thank you!
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Theme music: "Jet in Jungle" by Damaged Bug, courtesy of John Dwyer
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SOURCES
https://nymag.com/arts/popmusic/features/66012/
https://www.thenation.com/article/society/metropolis-workers-class-uprising/
https://www.eruditorumpress.com/blog/a-short-guide-to-janelle-mone-and-the-metropolis-saga
https://www.grammy.com/news/2023-in-review-5-rb-trends-sza-summer-walker
https://www.mixonline.com/recording/wonder-lightning-meet-duo-behind-janelle-monae-and-deep-cotton-366458 -
It's my first show of 2024! For episode 75 I chatted with Jeff Kleinsmith, Adem Tepedelen, James Halada, and Shane Bastian – members of 90's Seattle band Stymie.
Jeff is VP of Creative at Sub Pop Records and he was also my guest for episode 46. This time we talk Toil & Folly, Stymie's new release on their label New Rage Records.
Hear about Jeff’s design process for this record, their other bands, New Rage, epic shows, and days at the Rocket Magazine–four of the six members of Stymie worked at the Rocket at one point!
From the band:
We raided the New Rage Records vaults to bring you Stymie’s first full-length effort, Toil & Folly. This is an unearthed Seattle gem from the early 90s, a perfect document of a band equally influenced by grunge, noisy indie rock and other heavy sounds of the era. Toil & Folly is a collection of (mostly) previously unreleased material recorded in Seattle between 1992-1995. The majority of the songs were recorded and mixed by noted indie rock producer/engineer Phil Ek (Built to Spill, Earth, Truly, Big Business) and all tracks were freshly remastered in 2021 by Adam Gonsalves at Telegraph Mastering.
Take a trip into Seattle's underground past and learn about how this record came to be. Design Freaks on Youtube and wherever you get podcasts.
Thanks for tuning in!
This episode is sponsored by Distrokid.
Check out distrokid.com/vip/designfreaks for a 30% discount!
Follow Stymie:
https://stymie-band.bandcamp.com/album/toil-folly
@stymie_band
Follow the show: @_designfreakspodcast_
Design Freaks on YouTube
~~
Designfreakspodcast.com
Ruinousmedia.com
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Donate to help with recording costs Thank you!
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Theme music: "Jet in Jungle" by Damaged Bug
All other music by Stymie -
I spoke with Seattle record shop owner Brad Tilbe of Nellis Records! He shared some stories from his time running the Light in the Attic record shop in Seattle Center, and transitioning into a record shop owner.
We talk about his store moving into the building that formerly housed the Lo-Fi Performance Gallery (and the other new tenants in the space), aligning goals with the Vera Project and the Black Lodge, his ethos and commitment to community building, his beloved Nick Drake box set design, Ian and Baxter Dury covers, and lots more….thanks for tuning in!
“He’s got a very cool and weird taste in music that doesn’t necessarily fit in a conventional space…and so do we. So it made perfect sense.”
– Ricky Graboski, Executive Director at The Vera Project
The Vera Project is an all-ages nonprofit space dedicated to fostering personal and community transformation through collaborative, youth-driven engagement in music and art. A music venue, screen print shop, recording studio, art gallery, and safe space for radical self-expression, VERA is a home to Seattle’s creative community.
Thanks for tuning in!
This episode is sponsored by Distrokid.
Check out distrokid.com/vip/designfreaks for a 30% discount!
Follow Brad @nellisrecords
Nellis Records on Facebook
https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/music/diy-music-venue-black-lodge-reopens-in-seattles-south-lake-union/
Follow the show: @_designfreakspodcast_
Design Freaks on YouTube
Subscribe wherever you get podcasts! linktr.ee/DesignFreaks
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Donate to help with recording costs Thank you!
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Theme music: "Jet in Jungle" by Damaged Bug, courtesy of John Dwyer -
In this mini DFCAC episode, I dive into the lore and people behind Lou Reed's second solo studio album, Transformer. The photography of Mick Rock and Karl Stoecker, graphic designer and model Ernie Thormahlen, glam and drag: the people who inspired Lou’s lyrics, reasoning behind the font choice Electus as: ‘Transformer’ – high voltage – the electrical connotation of a transformer, and also the blurred lines concerning Lou’s career and even his sexuality….and as usual, I explore connections to so many other great covers.I could have gone on for hours about each one of those subjects so consider this episode a loving introduction to this cover and its many fascinating components.
Check out the youtube for companion visuals or listen wherever you get podcasts. Thank you for tuning in!
Follow the show: @_designfreakspodcast_
Design Freaks on YouTube
Subscribe wherever you get podcasts! linktr.ee/DesignFreaksCheck out episode 53 WITH MASAKI KOIKE, DESIGNER OF LOU REED WORDS & MUSIC 1965 to learn more about the design and packaging nominated for Best Boxed Or Special Limited Edition Package, Grammy Awards 2024. ~~Donate to help with recording costs Thank you!~~Theme music: "Jet in Jungle" by Damaged Bug, courtesy of John Dwyer~~
SOURCES:
https://classicalbumsundays.com/album-of-the-month-lou-reed-transformer/https://madelinex.com/2018/05/16/lou-reed-transformed/https://fontsinuse.com/uses/5054/lou-reed-transformer-album-arthttps://www.moma.org/collection/works/156019https://fontsinuse.com/uses/6663/the-electric-circus-posters-flyers-ads
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CONGRATS TO PERRY SHALL AND EL OMS FOR THEIR 2024 GRAMMY NOMINATION (BEST RECORDING PACKAGING)!!
In episode 72, I let you in on this eye-popping, black light inspired design for The Arcs’ “Electrophonic Cronic” album and all the extras. Then I take a look back at my chat with Perry from May, 2020:
Album designer for Easy Eye Sound and T Shirt King Perry Shall talks Philadelphia, working for Dan Auerbach (The Black Keys), his Covid cartoon series, his t-shirt show, Questlove, Harry Nillson, 90's bar mitzvah holodeck, and becoming friends with Gilbert Gottfried!
Thanks for tuning in!
FOLLOW PERRY:@perryshall@t_time_shirtshowwww.perryshall.comhttps://wildflowersofamerica.bandcamp.com/
VIDEOS!
EL OMS:@el_oms_art
FOLLOW DESIGN FREAKS:@_designfreakspodcast_ @ruinousmedia
Ruinousmedia.comdesignfreakspodcast.com
DESIGN FREAKS EPISODE #37: “BLACKLIGHT POSTER POWER”
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Theme Music: "Jet in Jungle" by Damaged BugOutro: “Cold Blooded” by Hound
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You can’t have good without the bad…or the Louvins without the Ira. Learn all about this kooky gospel cover and the Loudermilk brothers who made it out of the Appalachian mountains and gave us something spooky….blood harmonies, crappy record deals, demonic portraits, gunshots, scumbaggery, a 16ft. Satan, explosions, “fits of faith”!
Thanks for tuning in!
This episode is sponsored by Distrokid. Check out distrokid.com/vip/designfreaks for a 30% discount!
Follow the show: @_designfreakspodcast_
Design Freaks on YouTube
patreon.com/DesignFreaksPodcast
Subscribe wherever you get podcasts! linktr.ee/DesignFreaks
~~Donate to help with recording costs Thank you!
~~Theme music: "Jet in Jungle" by Damaged Bug, courtesy of John Dwyer
SOURCES:
https://www.newyorker.com/books/page-turner/satan-is-real-the-gospel-darkness-of-the-louvin-brothers
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satan_Is_Real
https://youtu.be/bffPVFZDhrQ?si=6Zj7ZT4VCO3QgyzG
https://cocaineandrhinestones.com/louvin-brothers-running-wild
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I spoke with artist and designer Eloise Leigh of Dark Entries Records and all things New Age Rage!
Eloise speaks about her recent move to CDMX after a decade in Berlin. We talk about her creative origins, design process, passion for analogue print, xerox decay, the "Music archeology" of Dark Entries Records, and how fate brought her and Josh Cheon together….catching dreams / coincidences / MAGICK.
Thanks for tuning in!
Follow Eloise @new_age_rageNewageraaage.bigcartel.com
Check out the archives of Eloise’s glorious show NEW AGE RAGE on Berlin Community Radio
Follow the show: @_designfreakspodcast_
Design Freaks on YouTube~~Designfreakspodcast.comRuinousmedia.com~~Donate to help with recording costs Thank you!~~Theme music: "Jet in Jungle" by Damaged Bug, courtesy of John Dwyer
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In episode 69, Clarita discusses the art and design behind Slayer’s iconic Reign in Blood album packaging. Larry Carroll’s mixed media process, making pop fans “ill”, hidden erections, and of course buckets of blood!
Check it out under Design Freaks on youtube and wherever you get audio podcasts. Thanks for tuning in!
Follow the show: linktr.ee/DesignFreaks@_designfreakspodcast_Design Freaks on YouTube~~
Donate to help with recording costs Thank you!~~
Theme music: "Jet in Jungle" by Damaged Bug, courtesy of John Dwyer~~
designfreakspodcast.comRuinousmedia.com~~
If you like this episode, check out KILL THE LIGHTENING OF PUPPETS: The Metallica episode. the stories behind the artwork for their first three records plus metal up your ass. Episode 23
SOURCEShttps://www.loudersound.com/features/slayer-reign-in-blood-album-artwork-interview
https://www.revolvermag.com/music/slayer-reign-blood-jeff-hannemans-widow-shares-original-cover-art-prototype
https://hyperallergic.com/502959/remembering-lawrence-carroll-an-american-artist-in-europe/
https://www.discogs.com/master/7728-Slayer-Reign-In-Blood
https://www.discogs.com/artist/1831145-Stephen-Byram
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Seattle artist Travis Ritter returns to discuss the punk connections to Pee-wee's Playhouse and the endless creative impact of Paul Reubens.Paul's beginnings with the Groundlings, bringing outcasts together, building timeless worlds, defining generations of delightful weirdos 🖤BONUS: Jump into a portal and land in December 2020 🌀 to hear all about the three album artists who worked on the Playhouse: Gary Panter, Wayne White, and Phil Hartman. Punk/puppets and yes, Kap'n Karl designed a Steely Dan record!Thanks for tuning in! Please share with other vinyl and design freaks. Travis is @compassruler
Follow the show: linktr.ee/DesignFreaks @_designfreakspodcast_Design Freaks on YouTube
Donate to help with recording costs Thank you!
Theme music: "Jet in Jungle" by Damaged Bug, courtesy of John Dwyer
“Deacon Blues” performed by Simon Fransman @simonfransmanhttps://youtu.be/1-6UbukwaF0
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Design Freaks Podcast, Episode 67 – Lydia Lunch came to Seattle for two nights to perform Murderous Again…with musicians Tim Dahl and Matt Nelson at the Rabbit Box Theatre. On night two, we sat down for a chat onstage!
Lydia shares stories about touring, violence, her boobs, stealing records, the first record cover she remembers, her podcast the Lydian Spin…Thanks for tuning in!
Follow Lydia: @lydia.lunch.officialThe Lydian Spin Podcastlinktr.ee/LydiaLunch
Follow the show: @_designfreakspodcast_
linktr.ee/DesignFreaks
Design Freaks on YouTube
~~Designfreakspodcast.comRuinousmedia.com~~Donate to help with recording costs Thank you!
~~Theme music: "Jet in Jungle" by Damaged Bug, courtesy of John Dwyer
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700 beds! This episode covers the story behind A Momentary Lapse of Reason by Pink Floyd.
It’s not technically a Hipgnosis cover…or is it?
I talk about the new documentary Squaring the Circle (The Story of Hipgnosis) (Go see it!!)
This record cover didn’t make an appearance in the film for good reason but I still wanted to explore this insane feat that could only have been pulled off by the amazing Storm Thorgerson. Fast forward to 2021 and the band gets back together for a remix of the original art…kind of.
BONUS: watch til the end for my ai experiments in attempting to create this thing the lazy way. What could go wrong?
Check it out on youtube under Design Freaks Podcast and everywhere else you get podcasts!
***I also recommend you check out my Hipgnosis episode from 2020 (it’s #12! Not 13 like I say in the episode lol) with the one and only Kurt Bloch!***~~
Follow the show: @_designfreakspodcast_
Design Freaks on YouTube~~ Design Freaks Link Treedesignfreakspodcast.com Ruinousmedia.com
~~Donate to help with recording costs Thank you!
~~Theme music: "Jet in Jungle" by Damaged Bug, courtesy of John Dwyer
SOURCES:
https://ultimateclassicrock.com/pink-floyd-momentary-lapse-of-reason-remixed-cover-interview/
https://www.devonlive.com/news/devon-news/day-pink-floyd-hauled-700-1675009
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Hxn1Jy_v0I
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Momentary_Lapse_of_Reason#:~:text=The%20cover%20shows%20hundreds%20of,references%20%22Learning%20to%20Fly%22.
https://youtu.be/6Hxn1Jy_v0I
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In this episode, I explore the artwork for Outkast's 3rd album, Aquemini! Illustrator Gregory Hawkins' artistic journey from Columbus Ohio to Atlanta, Midnight Star's Freak-a-Zoids, the phone call of destiny, cosmic portals and hieroglyphs inspired by Sun Ra, an unexpected prog rock sample and way more! Thank you for tuning in! Follow the show: @_designfreakspodcast_Link Tree
Design Freaks on YouTube~~Designfreakspodcast.comRuinousmedia.com~~Donate to help with recording costs Thank you!~~Theme music: "Jet in Jungle" by Damaged Bug, courtesy of John Dwyer
SOURCES:
https://www.columbusmonthly.com/story/entertainment/arts/2022/03/02/how-columbus-native-created-album-cover-outkasts-aquemini/9347427002/
https://www.theroot.com/28-days-of-album-cover-blackness-with-vsb-day-16-outk-1846278367
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aquemini
https://www.juxtapoz.com/news/design/sound-and-vision-outkast-s-aquemini-and-an-interview-with-creative-director-dl-warfield/
https://www.discogs.com/release/363625-OutKast-Aquemini
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For my 64th episode, I talk with musician, artist, and my good pal Lars Finberg of The Intelligence (and many other bands). This is a reunion for us and we catch up on his co-working process with graphic designer Jun Ohnuki, art inspiration, favorite music, and tons of jokes.
This episode is dedicated, in loving memory, to my mother Alice who I speak about in the intro.
Thanks for everything, Lars, and thanks for tuning in, folks!
@lars_finberg https://linktr.ee/theintelligence
Follow the show: @_designfreakspodcast_
Design Freaks on YouTube~~
Morning People by Mason Lowe! ~~ Design Freaks Link Treedesignfreakspodcast.com Ruinousmedia.com
~~ Donate to help with recording costs Thank you!
~~Thememusic: "Jet in Jungle" by Damaged Bug, courtesy of John Dwyer
All other music by Lars Finberg
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I spoke with freelance Graphic Designer and Illustrator from the UK, Jordan Warren! Jordan has worked with Sony Music Nashville, Bandcamp, Sacred Bones Records, SFI Records and many others…We spoke about his creative origins, techniques, and focus on the record’s center label as a centerpiece instead of an afterthought. And about how design genius Barney Bubbles inspired him to branch out and experiment with different styles. Check out the Jordan Warren digital products on Gumroad@jordanwarrenvisualsThanks for tuning in!linktr.ee/DesignFreaksDesignfreakspodcast.comRuinousmedia.com
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Theme music: "Jet in Jungle" by Damaged Bug, courtesy of John Dwyer
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It’s the 20th anniversary of the White Stripes' album Elephant –In my 3rd Covers a Cover episode, I WAY over-think the cover of this 2003 release. I talk circus and funeral symbols, theories, shadows, who designed and photographed the sleeve....
Thanks for listening and watching! Head on over to the youtube channel to follow along.
This record cover was also mentioned in my interview with @jordanwarrenvisuals - out soon! Thanks, Jordan
Thanks for tuning in!
Follow the show
@_designfreakspodcast_Design Freaks on YouTube~~Designfreakspodcast.comRuinousmedia.com~~Donate to help with recording costs Thank you!~~Theme music: "Jet in Jungle" by Damaged Bug, courtesy of John DwyerSOURCES:
https://diffuser.fm/cover-stories-the-white-stripes-elephant/
https://www.discogs.com/master/10341-The-White-Stripes-Elephant
https://norselandsrock.com/elephant-the-white-stripes/#:~:text=The%20title%20was%20chosen%20because,in%20a%20head%2Don%20elephant.
https://www.juxtapoz.com/news/music/sound-and-vision-the-white-stripes-elephant/Third Man Records ULTRA LP with floating hologram of an angel: https://youtu.be/i-8B-_Jq2ro
Help the elephants!https://impactful.ninja/best-charities-for-protecting-elephants/
https://myfahlo.com/products/elephant-tracking-bracelet?variant=31823858335855
https://worldelephantday.org/friends-of-world-elephant-day
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In this episode, I got to chat with Seattle designer, illustrator, and art director Sasha Barr!
Sasha shares about his years designing and art directing at Sub Pop Records, skating and working with local skate shops, large scale work, creative beginnings, his fascinating family (and their connection to Big Star!), and of course his two Grammy nominations/win for Father John Misty. Inspiration City!
Thanks for listening!
Follow the show: @_designfreakspodcast_
Design Freaks on YouTube~~Designfreakspodcast.comRuinousmedia.com~~Donate to help with recording costs Thank you!~~Theme music: "Jet in Jungle" by Damaged Bug, courtesy of John Dwyer
SOURCES:
https://www.itsnicethat.com/news/the-grammys-2018-winners-package-design-and-music-video-290118
https://youtu.be/Dd0ugVJghDc
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