Spring mini-tour posters and shirts for Tartufi.

These were made a couple of days ago for Tartufi's impending (as in, an hour from now) recording session/mini-tour of several western states.  Multi-color print registration still proves a fickle mistress, but this time, it wasn't entirely my fault.  It seems that the paper I bought wasn't uniformly cut, which is awesome when you rely on that to make sure everything is aligned properly.  But enough whining.  Here are the posters.

One of the benefits of printing at home is being able to add new elements to the ink as you please.  The purple has bits of white and silver throughout, so each pull has different hues and details.  I added yellow and white to the green, as well as a darker green when the entirety began to get too light.  It made for a cool gradient effect, which can be (sort of) seen in both of the posted pictures.

We'll have these on this trip, and they'll be coupled with a download of our new teaser EP, which should whet appetites for the upcoming album.  Come and get 'em.

We used the same design to have these shirts printed by Ape Do Good.  They did a great job, and we really appreciate their help.

Back in action.

What better reason to pull out the screens and squeegees than a show featuring Kowloon Walled City?  How about a show that also features Monuments Collapse, The Body, and Thou?  I figured I'd be a fool to not do something for this, considering KWC, The Body, and Thou are three of the best bands on the nebulous loud-music scene these days.  (I'd never heard of Monuments Collapse, who are apparently new to shows, but I thought their set was great.)  Thou (mostly) hails from Baton Rouge, so I based the illustration on the city's seal, taking steps to make it look appropriately metal and grim.  Knowing how I work, I even went so far as to tell Scott from KWC that I'd make something for the show, establishing a system of accountability to ensure I'd actually make something.  That still didn't prevent me from doing all of the prep and printing in the hours before the show (the ink was still tacky on a couple of them as I headed out for the show), but considering the tight timetable I thrust upon myself, I think they turned out pretty well.  I printed 30 in white ink on black stock, with some copies going to members of the various bands and the rest going to KWC to do as they wished.

As captured by my phone's awful camera.

As designed.

SNAILFACE COMETH.

This is the poster I worked on for the upcoming (and only, ever?) SNAILFACE show at the Hemlock. Scott approached me with the Tarot card concept, as well as ideas for what should be featured on each card. I drew them up, sent them over, and he handled the layout. His wife, Bradee, took care of the coloring. They really nailed it with the look of the cards. I think it looks awesome. There's a small chance I'll print some of these, but they would only be one-color prints, as time doesn't permit anything more. Rather than take away from the beauty of the full piece, I may keep the Snailface card aside for a limited run of shirts. It remains to be seen.

The show is on Saturday, November 20th at the Hemlock here in SF. Joining Snailface will be The Atomic Bomb Audition and Cartographer. It's going to be great. Inspired by the RPM Challenge, Snailface is Kowloon Walled City doing classic 70's-riff-rock-inspired damage, and it's awesome. They'll be celebrating the double-tape (!) box set release of their albums, I and II. Do not miss this.

Tartufi/Silian Rail/Honeycomb at the Rickshaw Stop.

Fresh off of what passes for the presses around here, the poster for tonight*'s show at the Rickshaw Stop. I was happy to work on this poster, since 2 of the 3 bands performing have been near and dear to me for most of the time I've lived in San Francisco. Tartufi, who recently released the excellent one-song epic, The Goodwill of the Scar, are headlining a show that also features Silian Rail, just home from tour and celebrating the release of their new album, Parhelion, and Honeycomb.

The poster plays off of the artwork for Parhelion, which I also created. In silver ink, on white printmaking stock, is a literal depiction of a sun dog, stylistically similar to the ones found on the album artwork. Overlaid in red is the text for the show. It's a pretty straightforward design, but I think it turned out well. I also made a few copies on black stock, with the text printed in mixed, reflective, "sunburst" ink. The white versions will be available at the show, while the black versions went straight to Tartufi and Silian Rail.

If you're local, come on out to the show, because it will be great; if you're reading from afar, check out the bands, because they will continue to be great.

*Soon to be misleading.

Kowloon Walled City/Rosetta/City of Ships/Litany for the Whale at the Knockout.

Once again, I was asked to do a poster for a KWC show, and I was more than happy to oblige. All around, it was a great show; I was excited for the chance to see Rosetta and Litany for the Whale for the first time, and the opportunity to see City of Ships again (a great band, and great guys). For a little while now, I've wanted to do a series depicting classic horror movie and sci-fi monsters, and I figured this was a good time to start. I wanted the poster to be show-appropriate, while not being over-the-top or too serious. I drew the classic Robot Monster, and threw in references to the Misfits Fiend and Evil Dead II. Of all of the posters I've ever done, I'm happiest with this one. There were some printing issues, mainly involving an old, slightly-blocked screen that should have been retired long ago, but whatever. I think it looks pretty good. Four colors on white printmaking paper. A lot of these went home with the bands/show attendees, but there are a few left. (Every band that played was great, and all deserve your attention and support, so check them out.)

Birds & Batteries at Cafe Du Nord.

I had been meaning to do a poster for Birds & Batteries for a very long time. We have a long, wonderful history with those kids, especially Mike. I wasn't planning on doing a poster for this particular show, but I got some new screen emulsion, and I wanted to try it out. Due to numerous schedule conflicts, I hadn't seen them play in months, and I was quite excited for the opportunity. There's a marked disparity between the mood of the poster and the mood of this particular show (Mike said it looked like a Low Red Land poster with Birds & Batteries' name on it), which is too bad. The drawing turned out way darker, and sad, than I initially envisioned it; if there had been more planning involved in this poster, I would have made something that fit B&B better. As it is, I am happy that I was able to reference an old t-shirt of theirs with the background splatter, and I mixed various amounts of blue and white together to give each poster a unique swirl/drop pattern. Everything lined up nicely, and I think they all sold at the show. All in all, not too bad for something that took about three days between conception and execution. The show was great, too. Pick up a copy of their newest, the Up To No Good EP, and be on the lookout for the upcoming full-length, Panorama.

Ludicra/Kowloon Walled City/Fell Voices at Cafe Du Nord.

Scott, of Kowloon Walled City (who completely slay), asked me to do this poster for their show with fellow slayers Ludicra and Fell Voices. Ludicra was celebrating the release of their excellent new album, The Tenant, and I was happy to be asked to contribute to the show, even in such a small way (I couldn't even go, because I had to work). Based on a drawing I did of some crow bones and feathers, I made a three-color print on white printmaking paper. There was a slight registration issue with the lightest red color, which really bummed me out, but all in all, they turned out okay. Another good lesson was learned. I think all of these were sold at the show or went to the bands. Pretty cool.