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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 ~~ Donate to help with recording costs Thank you! ~~ 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 ~~ Donate to help with recording costs Thank you! ~~ Theme music: "Jet in Jungle" by Damaged Bug, courtesy of John Dwyer ~~ 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 ~~ Donate to help with recording costs Thank you! ~~ 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 ~~ Donate to help with recording costs Thank you! ~~ 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 Support the show

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” Want to help support my podcast? Donate any amount here:) Thank you! Theme Music: "Jet in Jungle" by Damaged BugOutro: “Cold Blooded” by Hound Support the show

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 Support the show

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 Support the show

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 Support the show

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 Support the show

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 Support the show

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 Support the show