design within time

Bivouac Creative Logo

2010-04-15T07:44:00.000-07:00

MEDIA: Created in Adobe Illustrator.

GOAL: To hint at the meaning of Bivouac through a logo illustration while still creating a memorable mark.

Some initial sketches created for the logo exploring both ant imagery as well as typeface choice.

Tweed Time

2009-12-10T08:39:00.001-08:00

Milhouse Black Tweed $79.95 – Steve Madden

Olney Best Of British Sherlock Hat $61.19

MCQ BY ALEXANDER MCQUEEN - Tweed jacket with contrast pocket trim $ 695.00

Diesel Magnum Tweed Bow Tie $33.99

Aston Martin Mansory Cyrus

2009-10-30T08:54:00.001-07:00

Aston_Martin_Mansory_Cyrus_05-904x1024
Originally uploaded by c.a.g. tuning

An all carbon fiber body Aston Martin? Sounds light. Apparently there is one for sale in Dubai off of JamesList: http://www.jameslist.com/advert/55434/for-sale-aston-martin#%28F=%28B=|4|,T=|tab0|%29,S=|brand|%29
Price upon request.

A very slick Retrograde Bulova

2009-09-29T10:59:00.000-07:00

I like the styling of this Bulova Men's Marine Star Stainless Steel Bracelet Black Dial Watch 98B112. The orange bezel and hands really makes it.

This made me think, what if they did a retrograde Omega Planet Ocean? Here is my Frankenstein version of that thanks to photoshop:

Seeing red...

2009-09-29T10:48:00.000-07:00

Check out these amazing red watches....

Design Manifesto, Part 2

2009-09-17T09:59:00.000-07:00

2. Simplicity

Design does not equal flowers. It is not patterns or frilly borders or even abstract lines repeated over and over. Design is a message, not the paper the message is on. You keep design simple, you keep it disciplined with short bursts of color and edges of white space. Design is the foreground, background, color, space, time, letters, lines, and everything around those pieces. The clashing of seemingly unrelated materials can make a more profound and legible message than floral prints with curvy type advertising panties. Design does not occur is a void. It occurs where human beings are, or where they have been. Design HAS TO WORK in it's natural state, in the wind, in all possible scenarios. To be relevant and to work, it must be Universal and understood without hesitation.

Limited Editions 2

2009-09-16T19:36:00.001-07:00

Another search for limited or special edition watches on ebay.

Hublot Big Bang ASF Soccer Special Edition

Corum Admiral's Cup "Black Hull" 48mm Special Limited Edition Chronograph

Girard Perregaux Laureato BMW USA 98 Flyback Chronograph Limited Edition of 250

IWC Ingenieur Plastiki Limited Edition

Ownership in advertising

2009-09-16T19:20:00.000-07:00

I'm sure many have opened up the first few pages of GQ or Esquire and have been faced with an interesting one page ad full of both heritage and luxury. Patek Philippe, one of the oldest and most well respected (if not most expensive) swiss watch brands advertises quite less than Rolex and Omega. But their statements ring home with the slogan "you never actually own a Patek Philippe you merely look after it for the next generation."
This idea of ownership offends some and inspires others. Watches are some of the most precious of our possessions, and often passed down to your offspring. I've heard others dispute the slogan, believing they should be the sole owner of their Patek. In a way no one really owns their Patek, not even the next in line. The pieces of that $20,000 timepiece were wrought from the earth, I imagine the earth might claim it back one day...

Tudor Homeplate Chronograph # 7032

2009-08-24T12:21:00.000-07:00

Inspired by this listing, you can see my new banner color theme has changed. Phantom edition was last week.
This Tudor is mighty georgeous, It would look lovley on any risk, but especially mine. It is a 1970 Steel Tudor Homeplate Chronograph # 7032. It's listed on Jameslist.com going for 24,657 USD. I know it seems a little strange to spend over 20 grand on Rolex's lesser brother, but to me Tudor represents the edgier more forward thinking branch of Rolex's family. Tudor takes more risks, makes watches with more thematic elements that show their age and aren't necessarily timeless, which lets the owner be transported back to when the watch was originally crafted.
It's important to have classics, yes. You can have a Submariner or a Daytona for that part of your collection. But one shouldn't stray from the trendy, the obnoxious, or the odd. Every Rolex collector should have an ugly step child in their box.

Angular Momentum Èglomisé Deer Portrait Watch

2009-08-20T10:07:00.000-07:00

This reminded me of one of my favorite artists Peter Saville:

See the Angular Momentum Èglomisé The Animal Portrait and Exotic Birds Collection watches available on James List here.

Michael Bierut talks about the evolution of type

2009-08-17T09:05:00.001-07:00

Limited Editions

2009-08-14T12:19:00.000-07:00

So I had a little fun searching for limited or special edition watches on ebay. Here are some beauties:

Panerai PAM 309 Radiomir LIMITED EDITION 47mm Titanium

Hublot Big Bang Ayrton Senna Limited Edition

CORUM Admiral's Cup Black 50 LHS Limited Edition

Ulysse Nardin Marine Blue Surf

Vacheron Constantin Special Edition Overseas 49150 BN

Jan Tschichold inspired Poster for self-promotion

2009-08-10T15:14:00.000-07:00

I was reading Jan Tschichold: Master Typographer and came across a design I had to emulate. Enjoy!

The Ernst Benz by John Varvatos Limited Edition ChronoScope

2009-08-05T08:43:00.000-07:00

The Ernst Benz by John Varvatos Limited Edition ChronoScope looks like another beautiful piece designed by John Varvatos. Varvatos is most known for his conversion and special touch given to the converse all star. He invented the slip-on all star and even has his own line of converse clothing sold at urban outfitters and other stores. He has high-end fashion boutiques across the world, including one in the remodeled/reopened CBGBs punk club. These watches are limited to 250 pieces and retail for $6,800. I believe they are only available from John Varvatos stores exclusively.

My watch list

2009-07-30T09:13:00.000-07:00

So for the past six months, as many often do, I created a master list of all the watches I'm most interested in purchasing. I've always been a huge fan of lists, from top 10 lists, to shopping lists, and a variety of others. I like finding other peoples lists in particular, like in a grocery cart or their list of favorite bands on myspace. So check my watch list out. These timepieces are in alphabetical order, and by no means an affordable or practical list, just ones I really like.

Accutron Men's VX-200 Automatic Chronograph

BALL Engineer Master II Diver watch

Bell & Ross BR 02
Bell & Ross Hydro Challenger 11100 M Professional
Bell & Ross Vintage 126 Chronograph
Bell & Ross by Sinn Type Demineur aka Bomb Squad

Bernhardt Globemaster
Bernhardt Binnacle GMT

Boschett Cave Dweller
Boschett Reef Ranger dive watch

Burett Men's Neo Icon Swiss Automatic Diver

Bvlgari Diagono Titanium

Blancpain Fifty-Fathoms Concept 2000

Breitling Men's SuperOcean SteelFish XP 891 Watch
Breitling Navitimer World Steel Brown Strap Watch A2432212-G5-443X

Baume & Mercier Men's Riviera Chronograph Automatic Watch

Cartier Men's Must 21 Chronoscaph Stainless Steel and Black Rubber Chronograph

Citizen Eco-Drive INFUSION 300M Divers
Citizen Men's Eco-Drive Nighthawk Black Watch #BJ7005-59E

Christopher Ward C8 Pilot

Chopard Mille Miglia GT XL Chrono
Chopard Mille Miglia Mens Gran Turismo XL Automatic Ref. 16/8514

Chase-Durer Men's Limited Edition Missile Command Chronograph
Chase-Durer Men's Crossfire Chronograph Swiss Made Stainless Steel

DOXA SUB750T Professional Clive Cussler edition

Fortis Men's Watches Pilot Professional Chronograph 597.22.11
Fortis B-47 Calculator GMT

Girard-Perregaux Laureato EVO3

Gevril Men's Explorer Automatic
Gevril Men's GV2 Explorer Automatic

Golana Swiss Aqua Pro 100 Men's Watch

Glycine Airman 18 Pilot Watch 24 Hr Dial Ref 3866

Hamilton Khaki Aviation QNE Men's Watch
Hamilton Pulsar "Astronaut" P-2;
Hamilton 1968 Odyssee 2001
Hamilton X-01 Space Odyssey
Hamilton Wrist Watches-Hamilton Men's Anniversary Edition Rose Gold Tone Ventura
Hamilton Men's Khaki Action watch #H62455735
Hamilton Automatic Khaki King Scuba Black Dial with Rubber Strap
Hamilton H69619533 Field Mechanical Officer
Hamilton H77635333 Men's Khaki Navy Automatic

Haffstreuner HA007

IWC Ingenieur AMG Titanium Black Dial Men's Watch
IWC For Prada Ref. 3708 Limited Edition
IWC Portofino Chronograph Automatic Mens Watch IW378303

JorgGray JG6500 Men Commemorative Edition

Junkers G-38 Orange Titanium GMT

Kobold Phantom Tactical Chronograph

Laco Pilot's chronograph watch, serie 0, valjoux 7750

L&B Schuamberg Aquadiver II COSC

Lum-Tec Men's M Series
Lum-Tec Men's M Series Blasted PVD Case C3 Lume Black Dial M5
Lum-Tec 38mm C-Series

Longines HydroConquest Dive Automatic SS

Movado Museum Automatic Horwitt Mens Watch 0605117

MK II Blackwater MMT MOD1A

Maurice Lacroix Pontos Chronographe

Marina Militare Blue Dial Automatic Watch 44mm

NAUTICFISH THE DIVER ADVANCE No.02 !

OLLECH & WAJS M4 Divers

Orient Men's Power Reserve Semi-Skeleton White Automatic Watch #CFT00001W
Orient Men's Power Reserve Semi-Skeleton Orange Automatic Watch #CFT00002M

Oris Men's Diver's Titan Swiss Automatic Chronograph Titanium Watch
Oris TT1 Divers Date
Oris Divers GMT Mens Wristwatch
Oris Flight Timer R4118
Oris Men's TT3 Automatic Titanium

Omega Speedmaster Black Chronograph 3539.50
Omega Speedmaster X-33 Men Titanium on Titanium 3291.50.00
Omega Flightmaster Chronograph
Omega Men's Aqua Terra Railmaster 2803.52.37
1991 Omega Constellation
1974 Omega Seamaster Automatic
1970s Omega Chrono Quartz
1960s Omega Geneve Dynamic Automatic
Omega Seamaster Apnea Diver 2595.30.00
1971 Omega "Darth Vader" Seamaster 145.0023
Omega Seamaster 300M GMT 2234.50.00
Omega Seamaster James Bond Mens Watch 2221.80
Omega Seamaster 2541.80 Quartz
Omega Seamaster 2531.80
Omega Seamaster 2220.80
Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Big Size 2900.50.91 / 2907.50.91
Omega Seamaster James Bond model 2531.80 Automatic
Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 42mm 600m Co-Axial Chronometer 2201.50.00

Panerai Mens Luminor Marina PAM 177
Panerai Mens Luminor GMT PAM 88

Pzero Tempo Men's Swiss Automatic Chronograph Titanium

Perigaum Monte Carlo w/ Real Automatic Chronograph

Philip Men's Anniversary Swiss Automatic Chronograph
Philip Men's Stainless Steel Admirale Automatic Chronograph Limited Edition
Philip Men's Blaze Automatic Chronograph Stainless Steel

Rado Men's Ovation Collection Ceramic Bracelet Watch

Retrowerk Submarine Mod. R001

REACTOR Men's Melt Down Black IP
REACTOR Men's Fall Out Orange Dial Bracelet Watch #63008

Revue Thommen Superoversize Beobachter Automatic 55mm

Renato Men's T-Rex Chronograph Gunmetal
Renato Men's Wilde-Beast Valjoux 7750 Chronograph
Renato Men's Collezioni T-Rex Chronograph Black Stainless Steel Gun Metal Finish

Rolex 6536 Submariner '59
Rolex 5510 Submariner '60
Rolex 5508 Submariner '62
Rolex 6538 Submariner 54–'59
Rolex 5513 Submariner '62–'89
Rolex 16800 Submariner '85
Rolex 16610V Submariner Date 'Anniversary'
Rolex Sea Dweller 16600
Rolex Chronograph 6238
Rolex Cellini Danos
Rolex Milgauss 116400
Rolex Explorer I 1016

Raymond Weil Men's RW Sport Chrono Watch

Rotary Men's Mecanique Limited Edition Swiss Made Watch

Sector 600 Titanium-SS Chronograph
Sector - Eagle - Morse Code - Blk/Stl
SECTOR MEN'S OCEAN MASTER BLACK/ORANGE WATCH - R3253966125

Seiko bull head chronograph
Seiko G757 Sports 100
Seiko H357 Duo Display
Seiko M354 Memory-Bank Calendar
Seiko 0674 LC
Seiko Men's "Orange Monster" Automatic Dive Watch #SKX781
Seiko SKZ255

Sinn Divers U1 Black Stealth Limited

Scubapro Titanium Diver ETA 2824

Tag Heuer Men's Aquaracer Calibre S Regatta Chronograph Watch
Tag Heuer Link Calibre S Mens Watch
Tag Heuer Aquaracer Automatic 500M Calibre 5
Tag Heuer Men's Formula 1 Chronotimer Digital-Analog Watch
Tag Heuer Microtimer

TX 800 Linear Chronograph

Traser H3 BLUE Classic Chrono Big Date Pro

TigerShark Classic Sport Watch

Tauchmeister XL Black Military

Tissot Tissot Quadrato Mens Watch T005.517.11.057.00
Tissot T-Race Valjoux Limited Editon Moto GP
Tissot T-Race Chrono Valjoux Moto GP LE
Tissot Seastar 660 Men's Pro Diver Chronograph
Tissot Tissot Seastar 1000
Tissot Men's PRS200 Chronograph

Ticino 47mm Automatic Big Pilot Watch Aviator

Tudor 73193 Prince Date Submariner Mini-Sub Automatic Diver 200M
Tudor Prince Date Submariner
Tudor Prince Oysterdate Ranger II Marine Version Submariner Style
Tudor Hydro 1,200 Meters
Tudor Sport Mens Collection Iconaut Chronograph Ref. 20400
Rolex Tudor Sport Mens Collection Iconaut Chronograph Ref. 20400

Ulysse Nardin Men's Maxi Marine Divers

Ventura Men's V-Matic COSC Chronograph

Volna VTS-SDI-0004

Vostok Europe Energia 2441

Welder 3000 Watch

Xoskeleton Barracuda

Zinex Nitrox ABYSS 45mm Divers Watch

ZENITH DEFY XTREME RESERVE DE MARCHE MENS WATCH

Zodiac Deep Reef
Zodiac Mens Astrographic Automatic Limited Edition
Zodiac Oceanaire Automatic 200,
Zodiac Calame Sport Chronograph

Dictator watches?

2009-07-29T12:33:00.001-07:00

Strange pieces of history, but still interesting. I guess the original appeal if these products were first manufactured and sold during their depicted leaders reign would be to pay homage to their likeness and standing. In a way that accounts for all the Obama watches on ebay right now, though his image does instill a feeling of joy and progress while others remind us of their dismal past.

Typomania with Erik Spiekermann

2009-07-27T14:41:00.000-07:00

I've always liked Erik Spiekermann's way of saying things. Or maybe I'm just a huge fan of his masterpice, Meta.

The Kansas City Museum

2009-07-22T21:57:00.001-07:00

The Kansas City Museum
Originally uploaded by ***Karen

Does your mind ever wonder where your old belongings are? Or what things have passed from this world into nothingness? I tend to think about the random props used in old television and movies and where they are now. Where is that couch from family matters, or who owns that lamp next to so and so's bed table. It makes me think of our species, how we seek immortality through our ownership of objects, until they leave our custody and become orphans. So I tend to have a great interest in old buildings, especially ones that were residents at one point.
The KC museum was one such place. I have a great and recent fascination with places and things from the period between the Civil War and the Great War (1865–1914). It was such an odd time, when technology was shifting so much yet it was still sharing it's space with old world technologies. The clash of industry with the rural. I like to think, what was it like to come home to this mansion. filled with tapestries and taxidermy of the time. This particular building was built in 1909. Before the great war that consumed much of a generation, before any of them could conceive the world becoming so small as it is today. It interests me yet saddens when I think of places like this, because it was built as a home, a place where you kick off your shoes and retreat, and now we can't ever get past the fact it is a museum, we can't live there, can't understand what their daily lives were like. It reminds me that just as this building has changed hands, meanings, and uses, so will everything we touch in our lifetimes.

Fictional Maps

2009-07-13T10:19:00.000-07:00

If you are familiar with Harry Potter, then the Marauder's Map is quite an interesting graphical piece. Used to get about Hogwarts while also following anyone inside, this piece is essential to the plot. And wonderfully illustrated.

In the lord of the rings the maps are always being refereed to, which is why they are printed in each publication at the back or front of the novel. It is easy to follow the trail of frodo, or the fellowship through a map of middle earth.

Narnia, an interesting map, but it isn't too relevant to the stories or movies. You never wonder, where am I in the story, mainly because other locations don't seem to be mentioned after they have arrived.

anyone else tired of this fad?

2009-06-30T07:20:00.000-07:00

Design Manifesto, Part 1

2009-06-18T10:16:00.000-07:00

1. Clients and You

Design is not about you. If it was, it would be art. Art is selfish. It is an exploration of you and your thoughts, driven to satisfy you, your wallet, and your art dealer. It isn't about the betterment of the world through your skills, though the message might be. It is all about your time, your work, your schedule, no matter what when it comes down to the time-line of art, it is you that drives it. Design on the other hand, is about the client, the medium, the message. All that your design is made for is about others. You do not design a can of Pepsi so you can see it in the store and pick it up. You design a can of Pepsi so others might be encourages to try the choice of a generation. Design is driven by clients, by the outside need. No matter if it be your boss at the agency you work at, the small business you freelance for, or the government agency you draft tables and charts for, design cannot and will not be decided upon by your work alone. So embrace your clients.

BUY A ROLEX

2009-06-17T09:07:00.000-07:00

Today we look at vintage Rolex advertising, primarily PRINT ads, my favorite media. My favorites come from the mid-century designs. We all are influenced by swiss design, especially in the design world, but what about when swiss graphic design works for swiss horology. It is no doubt the two are some of the most influential in their fields. Check it out:

what is graphic design?

2009-05-14T17:15:00.000-07:00

Take a bite out of design

2009-05-01T06:47:00.000-07:00

So I was flipping through the Spring 2009 Restaurant Guide for KC when it occurred to me how much the ads with professional, mostly local design stood out from the self-made, somethings horrific layouts of the cheaper restaurants. Most restaurants that had sloppy ads where locales I had never visited, for example: 810 Zone. So check out my favorite identities for local KC Restaurants for 2009:

North: modern italian cuisine

extra virgin

Bo Lings

BiCE Bistro

The songs of the 2000's

2009-04-27T07:01:00.001-07:00

What ten songs defined your decade? Was it pop? Hip-Hop? What bands are always going to stay with you when the first decade of this century fades into memory this new years? Here is my somewhat completed list. I'm not positive about 2009 since it isn't over yet.

2000-Storm-Godspeed You! Black Emperor
2001-Furniture-Fugazi
2002-Commerce, TX-Ben Kweller
2003-The Boys Of Summer-The Ataris
2004-Rebellion (Lies)-Arcade Fire
2005-Your Heart Is An Empty Room-Death Cab for Cutie
2006-Scattered Pearls-Casiotone for the painfully alone
2007-Time To Pretend-MGMT
2008-DLZ-TV on the Radio
2009-Prophets-A.C. Newman

What does it all mean?

2009-04-20T16:22:00.000-07:00

The Machine is Us/ing Us (Final Version)

2009-04-20T16:14:00.000-07:00

Hyperlocal news sites

2009-04-13T07:18:00.000-07:00

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/13/technology/start-ups/13hyperlocal.html?8dpc

And interesting article from the new york times about news sites free of actual print newspapers that offer more to local areas than their typical broadstream paper. Something I see as the future of news, being personable and local, while also chop-full of customization to each users needs.

grant hart review

2009-02-20T11:15:00.001-08:00

Who is Grant Hart? Behind a drum set he might of touched your lives more than most will ever know. His band, Hüsker Dü, influenced not only The Pixies to pick up their guitars and howl, but also Nirvana's Kurt Cobain, who was an avid Pixies fan. Though Hart's band may of never had a dozen gold records or been on TRL, the bands that most influence what we listen to aren't the ones who play for us, but the bands who play for themselves and influenced the kids who formed their own bands. Their goal: to be just like Hüsker Dü, just like Grant Hart.

Grant Hart was one part of the singer-songwriter duo responsible for the best band of the 1980's, Hüsker Dü. In his recent career Hart has gone solo, still writing catchy ditties while playing his heart out. You wont find him at mega-arenas or grand theaters, he plays more noble venues, like Kansas City's Record Bar, or the 8th street Taproom in Lawrence, KS. His songs are chop-full of melody, and that's why he wrote the most memorable tracks on several of Hüsker Dü albums. His style is most evident in their final album, Warehouse: Songs and Stories, which features Hart and Bob Mould, the bands other song-writer, jumping back in forth trying to out-write the other.

One of the gems of seeing a solo artist is hoping, even praying he will trickle out a few recognizable chords leading to a song he used to play in his old band. Hart doesn't disappoint. He played some fan favorites, like The Girl who lives on heaven Hill, Books About UFOs, Never Talking To You Again, all written during his time with Hüsker Dü. My favorite solo track Hart played was 2541, a single he put out in

1989. His hair, though covered by a newsboy cap half the time, when revealed, was still his trademark 80's hair that he sports the same since his heyday. The most evident difference in his performance, though I wasn't around to see Hüsker Dü perform live, was his dylan-esque delivery of lyrics. His pacing is different, perhaps because he played alone, no drummer, no bassist, but his newer, more mature spin on his old and new songs, show the audience though he may of rocked in the 80's, he really shines today.

of montreal review

2009-02-20T11:14:00.001-08:00

The red lights held heavy in the smoke of a bar atmosphere a thin frame of a man walked out into the spotlight dressed head to toe in a white wedding dress. This sight wouldn't be out of place in the crossroads art district or the jerry springer show, but this was lawrence, and I was seeing Of Montreal for the first time. He walked to the mike, as the band behind him readied their instruments. He spoke gently, "We love you!" to the audience, but interjected, "but we're old fashioned so we have to get married first." Thus began my first experience with the band that defines the realm of indie pop in the 21st century.
It's a troublesome to define the sound of Of Montreal, let alone indie pop itself. So I can only prepare you with this analogy: Imagine The Beatles, on tour with the village people, driving through a stormy night, and a quick swerve leaves their tour bus crashed into a high school gymnasium during an '80s prom night. This sound dominates their records, from their first album ,1997's The Cherry Peel, to their masterpiece of danceability, 2007's Hissing Fauna, Are you the destroyer?. Hissing Fauna was to many considered the best record of 2007, it does everything an album should, tell a story, totally captivate you into the bands world, and ultimately, become so perfectly synched and laid out song-wise, that even as one track plays, the next is on the unexpected horizon, and you thirst for as well as dread it's eventually end. I conceive that Hissing Fauna very well be our generations Thriller, not in record sales, but perhaps because it was viewed to many as an album, not as a vehicle for singles. It was this album, along with their latest recording, Skeletal Lamping, that made up most of their set on November 15th, my third Of Montreal show.
Of Montreal is a band that breaks expectations. They can give you something you might never consider needing, but above all, they know their audience. There first bravo came when it was about an hour after the show was scheduled to begin, that the band took their places, disregarding the time-honored tradition of having at-least one, if not two opening bands. How can a band even expect to tide over the audiences appetite for their beloved of montreal? Any such act of opening up the show for such a unique band would be futile. The band played an amazing set, blending their hits with newer material which didn't always sit right with me or the audience. It's hard to follow up such an amazing album as Hissing Fauna, even with a genius like Kevin Barnes, Of Montreal's bandleader and lyricist.
One dilemma many devout fans of any pop band struggle with is the changes you wish them to make, while still be loyal to their sound and style. You have to expect a band to change, six individuals cannot all remain constant in the whirlwind that is the indie rock scene. So yes they did change is up for their newest album, becoming less Michael Jackson and a little more ELO. If i had to pick a direction for the band to go, it would be more towards their 2007 EP Icons, Abstract Thee, which came after Hissing Fauna. It was more raw, more pop, but also dirty, gritty. I do feel their newest tendency towards profanity in their latest releases lends an edge that helps them to be separated from more popular mainstream pop bands of the day. The don't care if they offend you, they've grown up from their twenties, just as their audience which began in their teens now spans towards their late 20's and beyond, though there is little sign of it at their shows, which seem to have a mass appeal to the youth under 20. Perhaps this is because the youth want to be taken seriously, they don't need to be babied by the record industry, who parade around models, not musicians, with perfect skinned silken

music collum

2009-02-20T11:08:00.000-08:00

so since i have a bl0g i might as well publish some of my writings. here is my band review of The Tommy Andrews Band from last month.

Eric Clapton once said that the blues was “…a very powerful drug to be introduced to us and I absorbed it totally, and it changed my complete outlook on music.” I imagine Tommy Andrews would agree. Clapton’s 1994 album From the Cradle was what Andrews picked up when he suffered from memory loss in 2003 due to a fractured skull and brain injury. He had to relearn every note, every chord through Clapton’s first blues album. Before his injury, Andrews was influenced by the ‘70s legends Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath. Andrews music is fast, driven, it takes time to absorb the other themes and rhythms usually masked by the overwhelming blues riffs. The Tommy Andrews Band is the kind of tunes you hear in bars and clubs throughout the Midwest, the kind of beats you can’t help tapping your heels to, and once and awhile shake your head at while enjoying a drink. There’s hooting, hollering, and a little dancing when I see Andrew’s Band rock Aftershock on Merriam Drive. Andrews isn’t afraid to through in a guitar solo, notably in the song Mary had a lil lamb, in fact rock and blues fans expect it. The highlight of Tommy Andrews set is a almost 10 minute version of Very Superstitious by Stevie Wonder, in which Tommy crouches and struts across a banister to the back of the bar where he lays his guitar flat and plucks and slides his guitar while the crowd cheers on. But his feats are not the only amazing showmanship in the band. Both the Bassist, who hits his strings like a true master, and the Drummer, with his high symbols well above his head, hypnotizes your senses. His music isn’t meant to break genres, or break expectations about what blues, country, and rock is, it’s meant to be expected. Lets face it; you’ve heard when love comes to town on the jukebox. So why waste your time on one when you can hear genuine bands like Tommy Andrews belt out his own ditties, the songs inspired by B.B King and Jimmy Page create an homage to the blues of yesteryear. Sure he wants you to listen, but Andrews also wants you to remember what blues was.

wow what a design nerd accessory

2009-02-05T16:49:00.000-08:00

o man i want these veer cufflinks. but i hardly get a chance to wear my other novelty cufflinks, the 45 adapters.

Top 10 Singing Voices

2009-02-04T06:00:00.000-08:00

I was discussing this with my girlfriend and decided to post.

10. Mark Lanegan (Isobel Campbell and Mark Lanegan)
9. Kori Gardner (Mates of State)
8. David Bazan (Pedro the Lion)
7. Claudia Gonson (Magnetic Fields)
6. Tim Kasher (Cursive)
5. Bob Mould (Hüsker Dü)
4. Blake Schwarzenbach
3. Davey von Bohlen (The Promise Ring)
2. Morrissey (The Smiths)
1. Robert Pollard (Guided by Voices)

I hope she does her own list.

2009-01-14T07:22:00.000-08:00

Click on the image to check out Monsters, Inc. By Paul Scott, an interesting article on how corporations use marketing on our kids.

probably my favorite business card ever

2009-01-13T12:46:00.000-08:00

The background image is Peter Saville's Waste Painting #11 En Suite

another business card

2009-01-12T13:09:00.000-08:00

Inspired by another one on Flickr. Who doesn't love Lorem Ipsum?

$1 bill design sketch

2009-01-06T13:05:00.000-08:00

So I decided to do a little project for fun that would pit myself against my girlfriend in designing our own interpretations of a one dollar bill. This is my initial sketch.

music: a year in review

2009-01-03T12:41:00.000-08:00

Top 5 albums of 2008

1. She & Him-Vol. 1
2. The Magnetic Fields-Distortion
3. Jenny Lewis-Acid Tounge
4. Conor Oberst-Conor Oberst
5. Sigur Ros-Med Sud I Eyrum Vid Spilum Endalaust

Best EP of 2008
Jealous Sound-Got Friends

Top 5 tracks of 2008

1. Sausalito-Conor Oberst
2. The Geeks were right-The Faint
3. DLZ-TV on the Radio
4. Constructive Summer-The Hold Steady
5. Another Way to Die-Alicia Keys featuring Jack White

Top 5 Album Covers of 2008

Everything That Happens Will Happen Today by David Byrne & Brian Eno

Electric Arguments by The Fireman

Conor Oberst by Conor Oberst

The Best of Joy Division by Joy Division

808s & Heartbreak by Kanye West

messing around with digital blackletter

2008-12-29T17:07:00.000-08:00

My business card

2008-12-29T07:03:00.000-08:00

So check out Fraktur Mon Amour, the type specimen book of blackletter fonts. It came with a cd of 150 fonts. Now all i have to do is create some design projects utilizing them.

Christmas was a good time, lots of food, a successful roasting of the turkey, and a good time braving the mall the day after Christmas. New Years is going to be a goosechase. I'm going to dinner in OP, going to the guided by voices cover band show in Lawrence, then to Wyandotte to hang at Tylers party for the ball drop. Here's to 2009, and hope for more incredible music relaeses.

got the time?

2008-12-20T16:06:00.001-08:00

So Christmas came early this year. I'm the proud owner of a Michael Kors automatic wristwatch. Thanks to my girlfriend of almost 2 years, Krystal. It weights a ton and is currently at home on my left wrist. I love it very much, it reminds me of how loved I am by such a wonderful woman. Merry Christmas

2008-12-16T05:46:00.000-08:00

So its snowing lightly and I'm up early to work on an enormously large Holiday issue of our newspaper. I'm thinking some hot coffee is in order. I've been watching the 3rd season on Seinfield every night before bed, and it's nice to go go to bed laughing.

suprise!

2008-12-12T06:48:00.000-08:00

Oh direct-deposit, it's like waking up on Christmas day and finding that official Red Ryder carbine-action 200-shot range model air rifle (BB Gun) under the tree.

cracked the case

2008-12-10T07:01:00.000-08:00

So my windshield finally cracked yesterday. I had a small impact on the passenger side from about 4 months ago, I figured it would just wait until It got worse then replace it. Well the crazy change in weather, from cold to snowing and the highway speeds of 75 miles and hour probably didn't help my case. So Merry Christmas to me, I've got a long crack across the bottom, just at chin level, which isn't distracting from driving, just kinda annoying. What I love is all the bids I've got have either been around $250, but one was even $370, wtf? I'm thinking of waiting past the 15 maybe to the 30th or just sometime in January to get it replaced, why spoil Christmas by dropping 200 on something that can wait when I'd rather spend it on someone I love?

Anywho, the book publishers have once again made a mockery of me by putting out this handsome coffee table book, The Godfather Family Album, MSRP $700! What? Is it signed by the late Marlon Brando? Does it tell you where exactly Luca Brasi sleeps with the fishes? So if it ever ended up at half-priced books, i'd only have to pay around $350. So lets see, buy a plane ticket to Portland, or read this 200 page book about a movie i've seen seven times.

nice package

2008-12-08T16:03:00.000-08:00

So this arrived at my doorstep today. I haven't got a whole lot of mail from Europe but I do love this packaging. What's inside you ask? The new Casiotone for the Painfully Alone EP. It took over a month to get here, but it was worth it.

best beatles song

2008-12-07T19:54:00.000-08:00

I'm looking through you, where did you go
I thought I knew you, what did I know
You don't look different, but you have changed
I'm looking through you, you're not the same

Rubber Soul is so underrated.

First post

2008-12-07T17:52:00.000-08:00

So my girlfriend said i should start a blog like her, so i am.

i've come upon these awesome shoes on ebay recently. i have a thing for the fashion design of john varvatos. there very red, they remind me of the Papal slippers (the traditional footwear of the Pope) I think there going to be my xmas gift to myself.