Classic Album Of The Week: The White Stripes - Elephant

I got this album as a present my friend Gert-Johannes, way back when I was in Matric. I still remember listening to it on my Grundig portable CD player, and listening to Seven Nation Army on repeat a couple of thousand times before actually listening to the rest of the album.

During a period in my life where my musical taste was solidly confined to either heartbreaking ballads (usually serving as milestones for heartbreak) or the angsty fervour of nu-metal to counterbalance the ballads, this album was something of a watershed moment.

The fact that it was recorded on analogue and had a different atmosphere and air to the other albums in my then collection. I learned that messy guitar playing could be cool, you don't really have to be able to pound drums like a demon to be regarded a drummer, and the essence of lyrics would always be essential to songwriting as an art.

Key Track: Indulge yourself in the garage/surf/post-grunge freakout that is Hypnotize. Still my favourite song after all these years.

Coco Avant Chanel

Arriving at home at about 22h00 last night, I finished up my day by watching Coco Avant Chanel, directed by Anne Fontaine. It stars Audrey Tautou (Amelie) as the prolific fashion designer who was the first woman to establish a brand.

If you like beautiful cinematography, costumes and soundtracks, this is definitely worth your while. It examines Chanel's rise to fame, whilst engaging in tumultuous love affairs.

Check it out!

Song Of The Day: The Big Pink - Velvet

This is currently my favourite song. I love the filthy synthesizers and lekker crusty tone on the guitars. Also, the melody is beautiful. This was definitely one of the better albums I listened to in 2009.

Check the video below.

THE BIG PINK - VELVET

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OA3twi3iSNQ

A Few Designs. And Then Some.

I've been nocticeably absent since August 2009, and it's due to a very simple fact. The fact that I'm lazy. After the rush that happened last year and the start of a new year (and the presence of a kidney stone), I've decided to make my illustrious return to the cybersphere in 2010.

I'll be bombarding you with designs I've done in the last year, and I'll also be keeping you up to date with cool things that I see and read on the web, music I've listened to and movies I've seen.

Below are my latest designs for an upcoming show with my band. I decided to do a series of flyers, because I've always liked the appeal of collecting a series of promotional items.

I referenced the graphic designer Mark Weaver quite heavily in these pieces, but I love the aesthetical hybrid of kitsch Fifties design and ultra modern lines and typography.