All entries from July 2007

We regularly receive emails and packages from people looking for jobs. They find your site – perhaps on Newstoday, Digg, whatever – and get in touch. We hear from a lot of students, people overseas, etc.

Today we received two unusual packages. Eric Yevak of Richmond, VA sent both Matt and Jason the same package:

• Massive fold-out poster of a bearded guy wearing a Yankees hat
• Mix CD

The posters:

There was no letter. No explanation. Totally random.

So, we googled about and found Eric’s site: http://www.ercyvk.com/. Eric decided to drop the vowels in the domain name, with exception to the first ‘e’. Nice.

If you scroll down, you find this…

... which we enjoyed.

We don’t usually have paper this big around. It occurred to us that we could make the world’s largest paper hat:

Or a giant head:

Or cut holes for your head and arms and wear it around:

For those interested in sending us random things:

Athletics
190 N. 10th Street, Suite 305
Brooklyn, NY 11211

David Ahjua is finishing up work on VH1’s RockDoc:

NY77: The Coolest Year In Hell.

NY77 premiers August 11th at 9 PM on VH1. This two-part, two-hour documentary tells the story of one of the most astonishing pop culture years in American history. New York City had fallen in decay and chaos. There were not enough jobs, not enough money, not enough police, not enough schools, and not enough social services. There was a city wide black out with major looting, there was a serial killer on the loose, and the Bronx was burning.

Yet out of the chaos, emerged one of the most creative times any city has ever encountered. Hip Hop was emerging from the South Bronx, punk music was emerging from the lower eastside, and disco was emerging from Queens and midtown Manhattan. Elaborate, finely crafted graffiti art decorated the subway cars. Break-dancers danced in the streets. There was a huge sexual liberation with sex clubs and a burgeoning porn industry. In the beginning of the year, the world was not paying attention, and most of this activity existed in its own underground bubble. Yet by the end of 1977 all of this artistic expression was about to become part of mainstream America and would remain popular for generations to come.

The film will be graphically dizzying and groundbreaking, led by the team that produced the acclaimed documentary The Kid Stays in the Picture. Firehouse Films was created in 2004 by Academy Award nominated filmmaker, Nanette Burstein.

David worked with graphic hot shot Wyeth Hansen to design and animate the more than 60 minutes of graphics in the documentary.

You can read a review of the advance screening of NY77 HERE.

We have been working with Cartel, the Atlanta pop-rock band on Epic Records, for some time now. Projects include everything from music videos and album packaging to the band’s official website. Most recently we completed work on album packaging for the band’s upcoming self-titled release, the follow up to 2006’s Chroma. What made this project unusual was that Cartel was the featured artist for Dr. Pepper’s “Band In A Bubble”, a corporate-sponsored four-part MTV mini-series that aired over May and June.

The crackpot concept:

Construct a giant “bubble” structure on Pier 54 in Manhattan, put Cartel in the bubble for 22 days (they don’t get to leave), film their every move as they record their album, broadcast every moment 24-7 on the web, and cut the footage down for four episodes on MTV, including a finale concert episode.

Pre-bubble

While we knew we were doing the packaging, I don’t think we found out about the bubble until February. We like crackpot schemes, so we were happy to go along. Further, as individuals invested in pre-internet punk rock and hardcore, we are continually fascinated by the MySpace generation and the no-apologies, seventh-wave emo rock culture.

There was a lot of pre-bubble hype (see here and here), with plenty of haters. Things were really heating up—people around town were talking about the show, and there was a general bubble fever enjoyed by anyone that gets excited about the music business or teen culture.

And to up the ante, Cartel’s management informed us that they wanted us to make an appearance on the show and go inside the bubble. Apparently the design of the album’s packaging was important enough to warrant a “bit” in the show. We would go inside the bubble, present our designs, and chat about it all on camera. Ridiculous!

Visits to the bubble

We went to the bubble twice. First, we went in to go over photos with the band and discuss the design. Some photos from that one…

Heading down with Cartel’s manager

Pre-interview outside of bubble (interviewing Chris Black)

Then, a week later, Jason, Wes and I went back to present the initial design concepts. We presented the comps, made some jokes, and got out of there. And we had to do a little post-interview on the way out.

Inside the bubble

Final design

Despite the storm of insanity surrounding the record, the band had plans for a more mature and considered record. With the record being self-titled, the band wanted a simple, iconic graphic for the cover.

The band chose the “peachtree” direction, which we then expanded upon to create the final album artwork.

Of course, someone leaked the cover within days of final approval. We really enjoyed the discussion on Absolute Punk.

Best Quote:

i didint mind the atrwork on the last one it wasnt too special but i re4ally dont like this.
its cool to rep the home town and all but this just is awfull. i see this in a store and it makes me not want it. and the bad thing is i ususally just dont really care about the artwork very much but i see this and it makes me not want it.

Conclusion

After all the hubbub of visiting the bubble, putting on fancy wireless mics, being interviewed on camera, etc., we never made the cut for the show. I’m afraid design comps just aren’t exciting enough for reality TV. So, we got to experience the bubble first-hand, without any national embarrassment. Not so bad.

The finale concert went well…

The record

We recently got an advance copy of the album. Rather than go into an in-depth review, I’ll just say that the record goes beyond our expectations. We expected the rockers and air-tight singles, but we were surprised by many of the tracks that expand on Cartel’s usual repertoire of pop rock tunery. Terms like “blues hammer”, “Miami sound machine”, “Pearl Jam”, and “hot-doggin vocals” were used to describe various tracks. The record is set to be released August 21, 2007.

Some links

http://www.cartelrocks.com
http://www.drpepperbubble.com

I was watching TV the other night and caught an iPhone commercial. Something about it caught my eye, so I did some investigating on the Apple site and discovered that this ad uses the Matt Costa – Songs We Sing cover in the cover-flow demo.

Thanks Apple.

Mark and Matt Owens will be speaking at QBN Sessions on September 7th at the Getty Center in Los Angeles. QBN Sessions is a one day multidisciplinary creative lecture featuring Michael C. Place, Shepard Fairey, the Mill and More.

http://qbnsessions.com

TIGER IN A TROPICAL STORM
Featuring Richard Colman, Matt Leines, Taylor McKimens and more

Opening reception: Thursday July 12, 2007. 6-11PM
Exhibition dates: Thursday July 12 – Sunday August 5, 2007

Riviera Gallery, located in the thriving arts community of Williamsburg, Brooklyn, announces today the exhibition Tiger in a Tropical Storm which will open Thursday, July 12, 2007. The gallery is located at 103 Metropolitan Ave. The show will remain on view through Saturday, August 4, 2007. The gallery will host an opening reception on July 12 from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.

More info:
http://seeyouattheriviera.com