Design Freaks

Bob Bert is a New Jersey based drummer, writer, and punk rock veteran whose resume includes Sonic Youth, Pussy Galore, Knoxville Girls and Lydia Lunch. His debut solo record Beach Bongo Bloodbath is due out June 12th via Bar None Records. Bob shares the process and inspiration behind the new record, which is largely made up of an eclectic collection of covers. We learn how a specific percussion se...

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 else is coming u...

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 focus on his work wit...

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 documentary, and what I wa...

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.bandcamp.com Intensivec...

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 youtube for companion visuals...

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, their other ban...

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 Project and the...

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 transformer, and also the blu...

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 Philadelphia, working for Dan Au...

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 sponsored by Distrokid. Ch...

I spoke with artist and designer Eloise Leigh of Dark Entries Records and all things New Age Rage!  Eloise speaks about her recent move to CDMX after a decade in Berlin. We talk about her creative origins, design process, passion for analogue print, xerox decay, the "Music archeology" of Dark Entries Records, and how fate brought her and Josh Cheon together….catching dreams / coincidences / MAGICK...

In episode 69, Clarita discusses the art and design behind Slayer’s iconic Reign in Blood album packaging. Larry Carroll’s mixed media process, making pop fans “ill”, hidden erections, and of course buckets of blood! Check it out under Design Freaks on youtube and wherever you get audio podcasts. Thanks for tuning in! Follow the show: linktr.ee/DesignFreaks @_designfreakspodcast_ Design Freaks on...

Seattle artist Travis Ritter returns to discuss the punk connections to Pee-wee's Playhouse and the endless creative impact of Paul Reubens. Paul's beginnings with the Groundlings, bringing outcasts together, building timeless worlds, defining generations of delightful weirdos 🖤 BONUS: Jump into a portal and land in December 2020 🌀 to hear all about the three album artists who worked on the Play...

Design Freaks Podcast, Episode 67 – Lydia Lunch came to Seattle for two nights to perform Murderous Again…with musicians Tim Dahl and Matt Nelson at the Rabbit Box Theatre. On night two, we sat down for a chat onstage! Lydia shares stories about touring, violence, her boobs, stealing records, the first record cover she remembers, her podcast the Lydian Spin…Thanks for tuning in! Follow Lydia: @lyd...

700 beds! This episode covers the story behind A Momentary Lapse of Reason by Pink Floyd. It’s not technically a Hipgnosis cover…or is it? I talk about the new documentary Squaring the Circle (The Story of Hipgnosis)   (Go see it!!) This record cover didn’t make an appearance in the film for good reason but I still wanted to explore this insane feat that could only have been pulled off by the amaz...

In this episode, I explore the artwork for Outkast's 3rd album, Aquemini! Illustrator Gregory Hawkins' artistic journey from Columbus Ohio to Atlanta, Midnight Star's Freak-a-Zoids, the phone call of destiny, cosmic portals and hieroglyphs inspired by Sun Ra, an unexpected prog rock sample and way more! Thank you for tuning in! Follow the show: @_designfreakspodcast_ Link Tree Design Freaks on You...

For my 64th episode, I talk with musician, artist, and my good pal Lars Finberg of The Intelligence (and many other bands). This is a reunion for us and we catch up on his co-working process with graphic designer Jun Ohnuki, art inspiration, favorite music, and tons of jokes.  This episode is dedicated, in loving memory, to my mother Alice who I speak about in the intro.  Thanks for everything, La...

I spoke with freelance Graphic Designer and Illustrator from the UK, Jordan Warren! Jordan has worked with Sony Music Nashville, Bandcamp, Sacred Bones Records, SFI Records and many others… We spoke about his creative origins, techniques, and focus on the record’s center label as a centerpiece instead of an afterthought. And about how design genius Barney Bubbles inspired him to branch out and exp...

It’s the 20th anniversary of the White Stripes' album Elephant –In my 3rd Covers a Cover episode, I WAY over-think the cover of this 2003 release. I talk circus and funeral symbols, theories, shadows, who designed and photographed the sleeve....  Thanks for listening and watching!  Head on over to the youtube channel to follow along.  This record cover was also mentioned in my interview with @ jor...

In this episode, I got to chat with Seattle designer, illustrator, and art director Sasha Barr! Sasha shares about his years designing and art directing at Sub Pop Records, skating and working with local skate shops, large scale work, creative beginnings, his fascinating family (and their connection to Big Star!), and of course his two Grammy nominations/win for Father John Misty. Inspiration City...

Did you know De La Soul's 3 Feet High and Rising was designed to have no right way up? The cover works at any angle! In this "Covers a Cover" episode, I share what I learned about this glorious De La debut – the punk historian/collector responsible for the neon D.A.I.S.Y Age aesthetic, design process, photography, inside sleeve comics, and  other random connections!  This record brought me so much...

In my newest episode, I talked to artist/designer Leesa Westwood about the wild and beautiful psychedelic worlds she creates for bands, her artistic origins, living in Toronto, design process, fonts, and the first record covers she remembers. Spoiler: hideous sexy robots!  Check out the youtube vid for more visuals – thanks for listening and watching, friends <3 @leesawestwood Follow the show:...

Introducing: Design Freaks Covers a Cover, mini episodes that focus on fun facts behind just one album cover at a time. Available on youtube and anywhere else you find podcasts.  This week, Clarita takes a peek into Grace Jones' iconic record Nightclubbing: Jean Paul Goude's painted photo, the songs Grace brilliantly covered, the album art parodies… Subscribe for more mini and full episodes, comin...

What a year!  All about 2022 and beyond...I go over some of my favorite album art from the year and then chat with Matt and Chris from Damaged Goods Radio about their awesome show. We talk about their favorite record covers of all time and they share the goofiest sleeves in their collections.... Thanks for listening! @damagedgoodsinc Follow the show: @_designfreakspodcast_ ~~ Designfreakspodcast.c...