Think Again

Glens Falls, where I live and work, has a small downtown with restaurants, breweries, and art galleries. In the summertime, it buzzes with outdoor concerts and street festivals. Most of that buzz surrounds the Adirondack Theater Festival (ATF). The annual festival features three or four high-quality theater productions and off-shoot children's themed events at the Charles R Wood Theater.

The region's most active art gallery (other than the Hyde Collection), Lower Adirondack Regional Arts Council (LARAC), collaborates with ATF each summer for its "Tooning In" series — where local artists sketch, paint or otherwise interpret live performances and turn them into artwork that hangs in the Wood Theater lobby during the festival. 


I've been contributing as a local designer, dusting off my sketch book and having a blast while doing it. Here are a couple of selections:

Another fantastic poster artist, Ken Taylor, from Australia. It's all in the details, color, and the emotion captured in the artwork.

Website: http://kentaylor.com.au

David Mann

I just stumbled upon this artist, David Mann. He illustrated Easyriders Magazine in the '70s. The magazine celebrated motorcycles and biker culture. Mann's illustrations, for the 70s, are ahead of their time with rich detail and creative perspectives. His illustrations offer a really cool glimpse at what it was like in the freewheelin' times that he worked in.

Mad River Valley, VT

This video evokes so much feeling. I'm not from Vermont, although I do love it, but this is what a marketing/promotional video should do — show, don't tell, and let the personalities tell you all you need to know. Each person watching will connect to it in their own way and it becomes a very organic experience just by simply watching the video. So great.

Trip to Vermont, anyone?

Below The Boat

Every once and a while you see something so cool, you have to share.

Check out Below The Boat for more wood-cut maps. 

HAIM

Recently discovered Haim, and think it's safe to call them the Heart of our generation. So rad. Lovin it. 

In Search Of New Music?

Some good sources for new music to stream:

1. NPR First Listen: Long-running pre-release feature on NPR.org.

2. New York Times Press Play: New stream it first feature from NYT.

3. Spotify New Releases: New and exclusive pre-releases available to stream for free.

Still Evolving …

In the first post I wrote for Casual Evolution, way back in 2009, I explained why I started this blog. To sum it up, I had followed the advice of the owner of a web and graphic design firm in Saratoga Springs. In an informal sit down at the agency, he told me that if I wanted to reach my goal of becoming a professional designer, I needed to network and build my portfolio by doing pro bono work. A blog, he explained, could be my ever-evolving portfolio.

It was sound advice, for sure; and while I haven't been posting new work much of late, Cas:Ev was always there if I had something new to share: whether it was a concert review, a logo I whipped up, a new band I was excited about, or to call in an expert (Thanks Shanna!).

The truth is, with a degree in journalism and a minor in graphic design, I thought landing a job as a designer was a stretch. So I leaned on my writing experience after college, working as a newspaper reporter for three years, and, more recently, as a marketing coordinator at a paper manufacturer. I found creative outlets at both jobs, volunteering to do page layout at the newspaper and designing marketing flyers for Finch Paper. But the desire to become a full-time designer never waned. There were times I feared that I'd lose my creative side and end up doing something mundane and unfulfilling.

But fear not, friends. I'm excited to share that I accepted a job as Junior Designer at Trampoline, a creative and marketing agency in my hometown of Glens Falls (check out their website). I've known  the team (the tramps) through work with Finch, and got to know them on a personal level as well. But I was still  surprised when they reached out for an interview. They understood I hadn't been doing a lot of creative work, but thanks to this blog and through our collaborative work at Finch, they knew what I could bring to the team.

The new digs.

So, thus begins a new chapter in my life -- an exciting one at that. I'll keep Casual Evolution alive, and will post occasionally with updates on the new gig.

Thanks for checking in, and until next time,

Cheers.

- J

Weekend Couch Music

Arcade Fire kicked off their highly anticipated U.S. tour in support of Reflektor last night in Louisville, KY. Here's a review of the show. It sounds like it was a done in grand style, as you'd expect, including multiple stages, the bobble heads that we've grown to love, a man in a reflektive (sic) suit, and a cover of Rolling Stones' "The Last Time". Pretty sweet. Well, you can get a taste of it yourself on Saturday night from the comfort of your couch. It will be broadcast on The Current live.


Also, if you're a fan of Widespread Panic like I am -- even more so of their Wood Tour acoustic shows -- you can listen to free live streaming audio of their current Wood Tour here.


Looking forward to spring releases from Ray LaMontage (May 6), The Hold Steady (March 25), and moe. (May 27). Got any I don't know about?

Darren Booth

Hand-lettering and illustration exploded in popularity in 2013 and it appears the trend will continue in 2014. Darren Booth is an artist on the forefront of the movement. You can see why he's sought after by magazines and top clothing brands. He employs organic colors, shapes and patterns to create a hand-crafted feel. Great stuff.

Check out Darren Booth's website here.

New Arcade Fire Songs Debuted Saturday Night

Liking what I've heard so far from Arcade Fire's new album, Reflektor, due out Oct. 29. This concert special aired after Saturday Night Live this weekend, and features a few new songs and cameo's from Bono and celeb/comedians. Here Comes the Night is awesome!

Lay Flat

A logo I just completed for Finch Paper. It will go on packaging and sell sheets.

Sage Cattabriga-Alosa: Skier, Artist, All-Around Gnarly Dude

If there's any way to spark your desire to create some art, this would be it. One of the world's sickest free-ride skiers, Alta, Wyoming, native Sage Cattabriga-Alosa, is also a graphic designer who designs the graphics for his line of Atomic skis. I've always liked his work, along with fellow free-ride skier Eric Pollard, who designs the graphics for his series of Line skis.

Sage lays down some of the gnarliest woods lines and can drop a headwall like no other. His designs might be just as stylish as his riding. I love his integration of nature into his work. Check out this video of an art show he put in Seattle featuring his print work, light sculptures, and projections. Oh right, check out some of his skiing too.

What a life. A boy can dream ...

Hence The Trumpet Keep It Real On Debut, "Unique Boutique"

What do you get when you mix a small town, childhood friends, an electric guitar, drums, and a 30-pack of beer? Hence the Trumpet.

 

Hence the Trumpet's raw sound was refined in the dimly lit bars of Fort Edward, NY, a mill town in upstate New York where singer/guitarist Bud Traver and drummer/vocals Cory Burton grew up. The high school buddies amassed a loyal following playing the local bar circuit as The Dust Patriots, and many of the songs on their debut album Unique Boutique were crowd-tested and approved long before the two ventured into the studio. 

 

Traver's unapologetic lyrics and powerful vocals often draw comparisons to Eddie Vedder, while the band's in-your face style is reminiscent of punk/rock troubadours Green Day. The band pulls their inspirations from the aforementioned bands as well as folk/rock acts like Deer Tick and My Morning Jacket, some of which can be heard in their live performances. But, above all else, HTT has a sound all their own. 

Opening track, "Up Here,"  pays homage to struggling mill towns like their hometown, while the catchy tune, "I Got Interest," tells the all-too-familiar story of big dreams hampered by small-town fate and seemingly insurmountable odds. Born as acoustic songs, Traver gives them new life with reverb-soaked electric guitar, while the band's driving rhythm section brings them to soaring peaks. 

While there is room for growth, Unique Boutique’s strong songwriting and impassioned playing in their debut efforet leaves me anxiously awaiting a follow-up. 

Hence the Trumpet is a small-town band with big-time ability, and one watch for sure.

Unique Boutique can be purchased on iTunes and Amazon.

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/#!/HenceTheTrumpet

Justin Vernon's Natural Voice Rings True on 'Grownass Man'

Based on the reviews, Justin Vernon, of Bon-Iver fame, disappointed the indie establishment with Grownass Man, the debut from his side project; blues/rock trio, The Shouting Matches.

It has almost none of the Bon-Iver signatures that made him famous. Instead, Grownass Manfeatures 10 songs ranging from soul, to fuzzed-out blues guitar solos, to Taj Majal-esque clawhammer southern flavor, and, yes, even a few falsettos, like on the love ballad "I Need A Change" that Vernon delivers with passion and truth.

It's a cohesive blend of ear-pleasing songs on an album that marks a turning point in Vernon's career; an axis that sees Vernon having fun and letting his natural voice ring.

To write this off as an "insincere effort" and "goofing off" is not only unfair to the artists who, obvious in the musicianship, took great pride in the songs; it makes you look biased towards commercial indie music, and thus removes your credibility as a journalist.

We saw Vernon's true character come out during his Grammy speech, and we hear his true voice again with "Grownass Man." No, the album is not a "statement" like the speech was, but it does say one thing: Justin Vernon doesn't have to bend a knee to any label to find fame and happiness.

So go ahead and write this album off, but I wouldn't rush to judgement. Grownass Man has all the makings of a classic and will earn him huge props from music fans.

New Illustration Completed (Finally!)

I wanted to create a something original that I liked enough that I would actually hang it on my wall. I had a vision for a colorful illustration of an outdoor scene. Here's the finished result. 

I can't wait to print it on nice matte uncoated stock and frame it with a nice white finish. 

Contact me if you want one on your wall too! coleman18@gmail.com. 

Logo Crazy

Thought I'd share a cool article on logo trends that seems to be pretty accurate ...

http://www.paperspecs.com/26426/20-logo-design-trends/

These examples will likely be passe by noon. You learn in Graphic Design 1 that the enduring quality in a logo is it's ability to be bold and telling, easily conveying a feel or message intended, while also being pleasing to the eye. Truth is, only the finest designers can achieve this.

Going forward, I predict that the trend will continue to lean toward hand-made, script fonts, and designs with more and more intricate detail so as to set them apart from other brands and services. "Branding" is only getting more and more common, as companies often have a logo for each service they offer. So one thing is for sure: Logos will be everywhere. Let's see what the future holds ...

Gritty Logo

I saw these logos by designer Ben Geier the other day; giving popular record label logos gritty, retro facelifts. I played around with Illustrator and Photo shop to mimic the look. Still some work to do, but I'm getting there .. 

Self Identity

Trying to settle on a masthead/self identity logo. Any favorites??

2012: An Eventful Year

It's been a while since I checked in with the world. How the hell are ya?

I thought I'd give a rundown of what's new in my life, beginning with the most significant event:

1. I'm engaged

... Thank you. She's a great girl, and I'm honored that someone so kind and beautiful would take me in and give me her heart. We'll live a long, healthy, happy life together. I proposed to her on Christmas Eve, at our favorite cafe, and at the table where we had our first date.

So it's been an exciting few days and, having crossed this major bridge with Casey, I feel renewed focus and creative energy. Which brings me to my next endeavor:

2. Geet-ar Playin. 

After delving deep into the singer-songwriter world, I'm beginning to pen some new songs. I'll be updating my Soundcloud stream often, so please check it out every so often. After a busy year in 2012 with solo gigs, I'll once again take my blend of originals and covers" on the "road" (more like on the town) with solo gigs in 2013. I'm always looking to play with other musicians, and a band is certainly not out of the question; it's just a matter of timing for me and some friends.

Here's my new business card I designed and printed through Vistaprint ... not very exciting, but feel free to pass the info along to anyone you know looking for live acoustic music.

3. In Heavy Rotation: 

Mumford and Sons
Arcade Fire
Deer Tick
The stalwarts: Phish, Grateful Dead, Umphrey's McGee
Newgrass/jamgrass: Infamous Stringdusters, Trampled By Turtles, Old Crow Medicine Show, Hot Day At The Zoo
John Prine
Black Keys
Gary Clark Jr.
Robert Johnson
Lightin' Hopkins
Assembly of Dust
Dawes
Cool bands I'm getting into: Dead Feather Moon, Gary Clark Jr., the xx
And many more. Send me some of your favs!

4. Top Concerts of 2012:

It was a year of many weddings, but when I found time and money, I caught some great music. No arena rock for me, mainly small venues:

1. Deer Tick @ Putnam Den in Saratoga Springs, NY
2. Dr. Dog @Upstate Concert Hall in Clifton Park, NY

3. The Felice Brothers @ Gillian's in Albany, NY

4. Yonder Mountain w/ The Infamous Stringdusters @Upstate Concert Hall in Clifton Park, NY

5. Ryan Montbleau @ Putnam Den
6. moe. @Palace Theater

7. Wild Adriatic and Formula 5 @Shepard's Park in Lake George, NY (Free Show/Local Acts)

So that's about it. My New Year's resolutions are to get healthier and enjoy the outdoors with my fiancee and our awesome pooch. Let's face it, 2012 was a sad year for many reasons: natural disasters, mass shootings, etc. If there's one thing I learned in 2012, it's that life is too short and we need to make our own opportunities to be happy, and make the most of them. 

Let's spread positivity and end the madness. Let's talk with our leaders and push for positive change. Let's work across the aisle to pass meaningful legislation. Let's share the wealth and create jobs. Let's help small business owners, and still make the wealthiest pay more taxes, lol! 

Here's to health and happiness in 2013. 

Cheers,

John