Bad People Good Things

06/12/2018

Absolutely stunned by the passing of Anthony Bourdain, though very heartened by seeing how deep his reach had extended in exposing so many to different cultures. I was lucky enough to have worked on the initial marketing materials for No Reservations. Being able to view those first episodes long before they aired, I instantly knew that the infectious spirit that had captured me while reading Kitchen Confidential had made it's way on to the screen. I don't think anyone in the office had any idea who he was and the production for the show was super bare bones. I had two photos of Tony to work with and nothing else. I spent a day shopping at a little Vietnamese grocery store in Alexandria where I bought dishes and cutlery and piles of eel, snakes, snails and an octopus and just about anything I could find on the shelves and freezers that looked adventurous. In the alley at the office I made a crazy soup and photographed it, which made for the image that was the DVD in the middle of the packaging. (Quite possible that more time was spent trying to keep flies off the thawing eels than anything else on this project.) I got authentic carry out bags to wrap the kit in, taking care to get "take away" rubber stamps made for international audiences. (It's always a challenge figuring out which parts translate internationally - something Bourdain accomplished effortlessly.) The materials helped open up different territories for the show and I like to think that I was able to play a very tiny part in helping spread the gospel of Tony to viewers around the world.

I know that he inspired me to take chances and go well beyond expectations (and to have fun!) on this project and just in general, and his writing sent me down a delicious rabbit hole of crazy chef books (Heat and The Devil in the Kitchen being two of my favorite books of all-time) and he supported so many of my friends in their creative projects, whether it was food or beer or punk fu***ng rock. To say that he will be missed is obvious. To say that he will be missed is too small. To say that he will be missed is not enough. For someone who was never really satisfied and always searching for more in life, maybe, that says it all.

03/07/2018

Gah! It has been almost a year since I posted over here but I promise I will start back up (and stay with it - pinkie swear!!!) What better way to kick the dust off than remembering one of my favorite projects with Tommy Morgan Jr. on his birthday week? Surf's up kids!

05/12/2017

The new Wooden Wand album "Clipper Ships" is amazing and highly recommended. Reminds me how much I enjoyed working with JJT on his last record "Farmer's Corner". All Wooden Wand is good Wooden Wand. xoxo

05/11/2017

Way behind on posting things over here but this very special performance from Victoria Williams and the Loose Band finally arrived this past Record Store Day and I hope you had a chance to pick up a copy. It is absolutely lovely. Had a lot of fun doing all of this type by hand (glutton for typographic punishment - as always - haha!)

04/07/2017

It has been a massive joy to work with Howe Gelb on so many incredible projects, and I can not thank him enough for including me on his brilliant new collection of songs "Future Standards". Working with that man does my soul good.

02/16/2017

This just arrived in a FedEx from one of our clients. YEAR. MADE.

01/26/2017

I am so excited about all of you getting to hear this new Noveller record that I can barely stand it!!! At least you can get a little hint of things to come with the incredible new track "Deep Shelter" over at The A.V. Club right NOW!

http://www.avclub.com/article/noveller-builds-otherworldly-soundscapes-just-guit-249098

12/05/2016

The beautiful box set The Sun Set that I worked on with Howe Gelb and Giant Sand getting some end of the year love from the fine folks at The Vinyl District!

http://www.thevinyldistrict.com/storefront/2016/12/graded-curve-best-2016s-box-sets/

Amongst those I hold close, 2016 has no fans and I’m inclined to concur without hesitation. It wasn’t a complete torrent of crummy news and political ominousness, however; some nifty boxsets were released this year. These are our picks. 10. Carl Stone, Electronic Music of the Seventies and Eighties…

11/29/2016

Crazy excited to finally be able to share what might very well be one of the best album covers I have ever designed. It means so much more knowing that it is for one of my favorite records and one of my favorite artists. This upcoming Noveller album is simply breathtaking from end to end. Check out the first track "Trails and Trials" over at Pitchfork here: http://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/18621-noveller-trails-and-trials/

11/26/2016

Packing up the first tube of madness. Sooo many goodies!

11/25/2016

I have always been terrible at selling my prints and gigposters but I do need to make room in the office so in keeping with my terrible salesperson history this is extremely limited and a crazy bargain. 8 prints for $100 (plus shipping - US only) and only taking 5 orders. Message me or email me at [email protected]. First come first ship. Every tube will include a Mevins print and a Best Coast print and I will take special requests if I still have copies. Just let me know. xoxo

11/15/2016

I mentioned a wonderful logo project not long ago that could very well be one of the best things I have designed in quite a while. I will let you maniacs decide about that, but here it is for your viewing pleasure. Creative Hustle is a new social media company helmed by the brilliant Kimberly Cadena Pollard and it is an absolute honor to be involved with such a talented and amazing individual. Full identity system below. Go Cheetah Go!