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01.20.12

Subb-an What I Do Remixes

Posted in WORKTags: ,,,,

I like remix EPs.  Getting to rethink a project and a second chance to improve upon original artwork is a gratifying task.  I can always find something I’d do differently when I go back and look at past jobs.

For the remix EP of Subb-an’s “What I do” the program was to go even deeper into the realm of old Chicago house flyers.  The remixes have a really nicely balanced mix of classic house and tech-house sounds.  I tried to mirror that with a look that was equally old and new, handmade and modern.

The layout came together easily enough.  There are some sophisticated Photoshop techniques to achieve an aged, xeroxed, cut out paper look.  My technique, however, is to print the stuff on paper, xerox it a few times, and cut it out with scissors.  Novel!

The proof was straight forward but needed something to fill all that negative space behind Subb-an’s figure.  I put together a couple rows of what was meant to be wheat pasted posters of the original EP artwork.

Once everything was composited, all that was left was to apply color.  Done.

I’m excited for the release of this one – the Tom Trago remix is incredible!

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01.09.12

In Defense of Paper

Posted in NOT WORKTags: ,,

I’m not against e-readers.  I’ve read a handful of novels on my iPhone.  There are times and places where an e-book makes sense.  Given the choice, however, I will almost always opt for the Real Thing.  A living, breathing, musty book with yellowed pages and gnarled corners always makes me feel better.

My sister was aghast when I told her I was getting our mother a Kindle for Christmas (I was hoping to eradicate the presence of trashy paperbacks with trashier covers once and for all).  She, like me, has a sentimental love for a flesh and bones paper book.  So there might have been a tinge of vengeance in the Christmas gift she got me: a 1953 printing of Saul Bellow’s “The Adventures of Augie March”.  I had included the book on a shortlist thinking no one would be able to find an old, weather copy.  It’s currently the 10th anniversary selection of  “One Book, One Chicago”. a Chicago Public Library program wherein a Chicago-related book is featured and conceivably read by Chicagoans at the same time, supported by numerous discussions.  But an hour outside of the city my sister happened upon a secluded used bookstore with a one-armed proprietor, and a patinated copy for sale.

Handsome, don’t you think?

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Beth Somers - It is handsome, and a Kindle is still way better than what I got my mother for Christmas.

12.27.11

Crystallized: Shattered

Posted in WORKTags: ,,,

Here it is – the final Crystallized night at Darkroom.  I’m more than ashamed to admit I haven’t been to one of these nights, despite having made the poster for the last several months.  But having listened to Duke’s set from 11.11.11, I think I’d better get my self to the final-FINAL Crystallize on January 20th.  Of the other DJs that night, I’ve only seen Striz play, and only once.  But it was after a live Bonobo show, and before Bonobo’s live DJ set, which Striz more or less made irrelevant by blowing my mind with some incredibly original tunes.  Shattered looks a party not to be missed.

The image comes from a random snapshot I took on my street a couple years ago.  I often feel silly taking so many random shots, but there’s no question that some of the best images, tableau, and inspiration come from perfectly random instances.

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duke - well… you did make it to one night, you had a cousin(?) in from germany? or something? thanks for all the great work, BZA!

Beth Somers - Ha! Cousin! HAAAAAAAAAAAHHHAHA!

12.24.11

Endless Feeling Re-Loaded

Posted in WORKTags: ,,,,

Gavin McHerlihy’s “Endless Feeling” is having an auspicious start, as it was only completed a few weeks ago, and the remix release is coming hot on its heels.

The program for the artwork was to give a clever (or semi-clever) interpretation of the original release.  I knew it would be best not to get too clever, and simply streamlined the textures and switched around the colors within the same palette.  I think it probably looks a bit stronger than the original release, but I suppose that’s bound to be the case when you get a second crack at your own artwork with a month of hindsight.

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