KEXP

This was one of those projects that started as one thing and ended up as something completely different. Through that process I felt that I had failed somehow and was rather unhappy with the work. It's out in the world now and getting compliments so I will shut the fudge up.

Deal with it.

Another something I made.

Something I made

Califone

The purpose of this post is two-fold. Firstly, I am excited to see Califone next week. My cousin is running the projector for the West Coast leg of their "All My Friends Are Funeral Singers" tour so I imagine I will sit up in the projection booth with him and a beer and just enjoy how rad everything in the world is.

Secondly, I am going to try and post more random design work here, starting now. I hate when people announce crap on their blogs and never follow through (and I know I am already guilty of this very thing) but it seemed like it needed an introduction. I am going to try and keep things to 400 pixels by 400 pixels when possible. This is important for reasons you will NEVER UNDERSTAND.

I hope you are well.

So this is a neat thing...

At work today, I was searching for some words. I needed some interesting weird words that haven't been used too much before. I knew the vibe I was going for but couldn't find the words to match so I turned to the internet for inspiration. I was reading through Shins lyrics to get the juices flowing and I found this interesting line from their song "Phantom Limb."

"And we're off to Nemarca's porch again,
Another afternoon of the goat head tunes,
And pilfered booze."

I don't know why, but I kind of figured there was some mythology in that name, Nemarca. I figured it was a reference to some dark figure in history but I did some sleuthing and guess what I found out? It's some little girl who walked up to James at an autograph signing and asked if he would put her name in a song!

Look! Here's the proof!


Meeting The Shins.

Nemarca J | MySpace Video

Nice move, James! You never cease to impress...

And just so there is an image attached to this post, here is the hilarious cover of The Willamette Week from several months ago that features some of my polaroids in the background. If you squint hard enough, you can see James cutting his hair in a bathroom mirror.

Spiral Stairs 7"

For this bonus 7" that comes for free with the Spiral Stairs 12", I wanted to keep the design in the same family but move away from that poor raccoon. I think I did a fine job of finding complimentary, and still controversial, polaroids. No doctoring of the photos was done. These two billboards appeared in real life, a half mile or so apart, in one of my favorite places in the world, The San Joaquin Valley.

Speaking of controversy, the A side features a nice Bright Eyes dig.

The Real Feel on vinyl

Man, designing a gatefold is fun! Here's a couple of photos of the real thing. I'll post photos of the free 7" that is included soon. Anybody who wants me to concept and design albums for them are free to contact me at ashod@ashodsimonian.com





Also, I just bought the new Yo La Tengo on vinyl and boy howdy is it good.

Them's fightin' words!

I saw Spiral over the weekend and finaly got my hands on the final vinyl. It's super pretty and I'm really happy with the way the whole package turned out. I hope to take pictures soon and post here so that those of you who've only seen .jpgs of the cover can get a feel for the rest of the art. It also comes with a free 7" that I designed as well. Those of you who are offended by happy raccoons will likely also find the "boob" reference on that sleeve something to get all worked up about.

I'm looking at you Album Art Exchange!

For the record, and this may be hard to believe, but I had no intention of creating this cover for shock value. Sure, I figured that it might grab attention in a way that some album covers don't, but there is more of a story behind the photograph than just wanting to freak people out. I'll have to share that someday.

To add some balance to this post, I just received this ridiculously sweet email in my box so (thankfully) not everybody hates me.

"i found real fun in some random bookstore in austin, and i have to say it was the best book i've ever bought. your photography is incredible and everytime i look at these amazing photos, i find something new to appreciate. its absolutely incredible, and if theres anykind of follow up, please let me know as id buy it in a heartbeat. thank you, erika

ps. the cd was also awesome. it introduced me to some amazing music. you (and those bands) rock"

Perfect timing, Erika! Glad you liked it!

The rest of you, stuff of mine can still be nabbed at www.pantylions.com!

The Big Pink

I am a little embarrassed by how much I like this song.

The Real Feel

Since this stuff has officially been unleashed on the internet I figured it safe to post here as well. Friends, it's the new Spiral Stairs record:



I played on it and designed the packaging. Before the backlash begins, I should state that I love raccoons and I hate death. Death freaks me out. I also don't condone pills though I have had the occasional recreational pill and have found them to be terribly awesome. I am a big fan of art and art as personal expression and I am also way into humor. I suppose you could add honesty and creativity and innovation to the list of things that I'll stand behind as well. So step off.

And now for a www.ashodsimonian.com exclusive. The inside panels!



More importantly, you can hear a song off the record here. The whole shebang will be available in October.

Nuevo Mexico!

and a rare polaroid from my archives...

Little Furries

Man, I suck at the internet. Here's a special animals-only series of photos from my Iphone.

NOT ME. 02.

Another pretty picture to start your week. Zen out.



(Originally posted to flickr by linus_lohoff)

NOT ME. 01.

Another new "feature." Just pictures I like but didn't take. Calling it "NOT ME" so there is no confusion. This one is by a flickr user named Alexanyan.



It's been a rough week for me. Lost my Mom on Monday. We were talking about trying to take a trip to Armenia this year. The above photo was from my online exploration of that country. If you haven't noticed, I'm also obsessed with water (especially the hot aqua-colored variety).

A COW. 01.

In an effort to update this muv more often, I've decided to try and implement a few regular "features." This one I'm calling "A COW" which stands for Album Cover of the Week. I am not promising to update each week but I will try to update often (and never more than once a week).

I am fascinated by album art (and equally fascinated by the lack of it sometimes) and often talk about design with a similar passion used when discussing the sounds within. Sometimes the two don't totally match up as with this example. Between this simple, beautiful cover and the band name I thought I may've found my new favorite band but sadly this was not the case.



Maybe you'll appreciate them more than I: www.vulturewhale.com

I couldn't track down any info on the designer but this dude's flickr picture looks like it might be the original. It places the picture in Alabama which is the band's home state. I am a big fan of locale playing into a band's mythology so cheers to that.

Also, I don't know what kind of band has a billboard budget or what country this is from but the image holds up when blown way out of proportion.



Thumbs up boys, thumbs up.

The Microphones

Sheesh. This year is getting away from me. As promised forever ago, here is a little story plus a super special polaroid.

If you've read my book, Real Fun, you may recall this bit:

"Here is one of the few photos that I still have from this exciting evening..."



"It was a sort of free-for-all show in our living room where several folks ended up performing. One of the downsides to shooting with a Polaroid is that once a picture comes whirring out of the machine, everyone seems to think it's up for grabs. Furthermore, many folks feel that a Polaroid camera left unattended is an open invitation for drunken shenanigans. I've lost so much money in film this way. What's worse, I've lost some really great memories.

I don't remember exactly what happened or how it came to be, but I can recall Phil, or maybe it was Kyle of Little Wings, wearing a sloppy, wet pumpkin helmet while the other stabbed at it with a large kitchen knife. By the following morning, all the evidence had disappeared.

Several strangers slept over that night, and I never found out which of them was jerky enough to steal from someone who had welcomed them into his home. So, somewhere out there, that photo still exists. And I still want it back."

Then...towards the end of last year I received a series of emails which began with this one:

"I am in a social practice art class at psu. My class would like to meet with you to discuss your pictures between 2-5 on Monday or Wednesday, between now and December. Would this be possible? Thank u for ur consideration."

To which I replied:

"Possibly! Can you be more specific?"

Normal enough, right? But then this was the reply!

"Ok, let me put it this way, but please don't say I told u. U may find something in the class u were looking for...."

I put it together quite quickly and was soon reunited with an old friend (not the missive's author) who, in her innocent adolescence, swiped that polaroid! We had biscuits at Pine State and then I was reunited with that fabled pic. She felt awful but I assured her I held no harsh feelings. Frankly, I was just happy to've seen the thing come full circle, some ten years later. Oh, the perks of being published.

The picture doesn't look at all as I remember it but it is pretty fantastic regardless. Now I have to find the companion photo of Kyle holding the steak knife. I'm pretty sure that's buried in a suitcase somewhere. Look how young this pre-Mt.Erie Phil looks! What a little dude!!!



By the way, I should publicly apologize to Phil, who years ago I accused of being the perpetrator.

I should also point out that the only existing print of that first photo sold this past week at a rad art show hosted by Revival Drums, a new spot in my neighborhood owned by Jose from The Breeders and Scotty McFear of every other band in the world. The show is up for a couple more weeks if you'd like to stop by and peep some rad art.

Holiday break

Some random photos from the Iphone. One of these days I'll need to get a real camera.













I also got the best Christmas present ever which I plan to scan and share soon! In the meantime, I wish only the best for you in 09.