Design Freaks

Apr 15 2024 80 ep. 10

Design Freaks Podcast artwork

Stories behind music industry art & design:
RECORD COVERS • GRAPHIC DESIGN • MUSIC HISTORY

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Andrew Crawshaw - SFI Recordings / Broken Press

Apr 15 2024 62 mins

For episode 80 I spoke with SFI Recordings label owner, musician, art director, printer, and designer Andrew Crawshaw! Andrew and I talk about his creative origins, Broken Press printing, screen printing ALL their amazing record sleeves and cassette packaging, designers for SFI, his passion for tactile pieces, a harrowing health ordeal, the new SOMAFREE INSTITUTE release, and what

JULIAN HOUSE [2024 REMIX]

Mar 30 2024 32 mins

Design Freaks 79 is a remix of episode 30 (published March 2021) on British graphic designer and musician, Julian House. I’m revisiting this and remixing with visuals because 1. JH is one of my favorite designers of all time 2. Warp Records has announced a pair of Broadcast demo collections, saying they will be the final releases from the duo (May and September, 2024). I also foc

CAN - Ege Bamyasi

Mar 04 2024 22 mins

CAN = "LIFE". In this mini DFCAC episode, I investigated the cover for CAN's 1972 release, Ege Bamyasi. Designed by the dynamic duo, Ingo Trauer and Richard J. Rudow, this is one of my favorite CAN records – it features Damo Suzuki and some of their most memorable songs. I go over two separate stories about the name Ege Bamyasi (Turkish for Aegean Okra), the recent Damo documenta

FEZ MORENO

Feb 13 2024 68 mins

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.ban

The ArchAndroid

Jan 23 2024 27 mins

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 youtub

Jeff Kleinsmith Returns - with Stymie!

Jan 03 2024 63 mins

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

Brad Tilbe / Nellis Records

Dec 15 2023 48 mins

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

LOU REED - TRANSFORMER

Nov 26 2023 21 mins

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 tra

PERRY SHALL / EASY EYE SOUND [REISSUE]

Nov 12 2023 52 mins

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 Philadelph

SATAN IS REAL

Oct 14 2023 24 mins

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