Author Archives: Matt Goold

A Weekend Ten: Seaside Heights Colombus Day Parade

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Parades are kind of a funny thing. People walk or drive by, and you look at them. There’s lots of noise and lots of things that you look at and think “this parade would have been the same or better had I not just saw this.” However, marching bands are not one of those elements and that’s the reason I went to this. My sister’s band was marching in it, and I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to see that. The rest of the parade was kind of ridiculous. There was tons of Italian pride, both good and bad, and plenty of people representing what could only be described as “The Old Country.” There was also an unpredictable amount of old men going in circles.

The absurdity of the Christopher Colombus story only grows stronger year by year, and more and more people are realizing he’s not quite worthy of much, let alone a holiday. However, this day is thankfully transforming into a day to realize this and talk about the injustice done to the Native Americans. Hopefully one day the holiday will be completely turned over to a day of awareness. That’s a parade I’d be glad to attend.

A Weekend Twenty: Russo’s Orchard

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This past weekend was my Dad’s 50th birthday. Sort of. Technically his birthday is this Thursday but to make things work we surprised him by coming home for the weekend and got to spend some really nice time together. Saturday we went to Russo’s orchard to do some very important October things. I think of all the seasonal changes, Summer turning into Fall feels the best.

Anyway, this was a really great weekend with my family. Happy Birthday Dad.

Music Monday 10.11.10 The Avett Brothers

Posted on by under #musicmonday, Poster

It’s funny to me that in all these times of doing Music Mondays I’ve yet to make a poster for the band that I love more than any other; The Avett Brothers. These guys just released their third live album, Live, Vol. 3. and as far as their live albums go, this one is the one. For a band who’s become known for their live show, it does a really nice job of putting a bow on it. I’m going to refrain from saying something like “you can feel the energy” but let’s just if I had a cooler way to say it I would. And I pretty much already did. This band can really do no wrong, and this is just another example of how true that really is.

Cassanova Cassettes

Posted on by under Printed Work

I’ve been working with Biff on his tape label that he started with Russell and John. Tapes are oddly enough coming back in a unique way and who am I to slow that train? (Trains are actually pretty cool.)

Anyway, so far I’ve been lucky enough to work on the artwork for both of their current releases , those of course being Quiltary’s Boys With Bottle Rockets EP and Into It. Over It.’s Covers Cassette. The art for both is below, and if you’re trying to move into the future (and the past,) buy one from their online store.

Music Monday 10.4.10 Sufjan Stevens

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Sufjan Stevens released another album. Am I surprised? Well actually, surprisingly, no. By now I’m not surprised by anything he does, or how, or when he does it. He’s producing such a high quantity of quality. So much on both accounts that it’s left him fairly unparalleled. The Age Of Adz is his latest; a proper full length (his first since Illinois some could argue) and it’s on a different page from anything we’ve heard yet. It’s Enjoy Your Rabbit meets The BQE meets All Delighted People. But more importantly it’s just really good. I’m certain that we’ll be teaching Sufjan Stevens to our future music majors of the world, and I’m even more certain we’ll be hearing Chicago at high school football games half time shows in 2050. Probably sooner. I’m sure it’s already happened.

Anyway, I wanted to make something that touched on not only the very electronic side of Sufjan, but also the colorful and layered nature to all his music.

Music Monday 9.27.10 Secret Mountains

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When listening to Secret Mountains I often have to ask myself “Is this my favorite band”? The question itself is more indicative of how good they are then any answer could be. However, the answer could easily be “yes.” I’ve watched this group grow from one lonely guy, to a 2 piece, to a three piece, and so and so forth. They are certainly in their strongest stride to date working with a 6 piece line-up for a over a year now. One of the most interesting and charming bands to see live, now working with 2 of the best EPs from a band of their stature I can think of. Their newest, Rejoice, caught my ear this week, and it demanded multiple listens back to back to back to back. Despite how good their first EP, Kaddish, is, this yet again ups the game. Joe Michelini of River City Extension just recently said this band was “effortlessly cool.” I can’t think of a better way to describe them. Beautiful music from beautiful people, and aside from The Wire, the best thing Baltimore has to offer.

This is a band who you would literally be a fool to not check out. Live or recordings, there is so much being offered and all you have to do is rejoice, and take it in.

From The Satanic Altar To The Senate Seat

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For those of you with your ears to the political ground, you’ve probably been hearing the stirs of Christine O’Donnell. Working in Delaware, I’m hearing quite an earful…

O’Donnell is the Republican party nominee in the 2010 election for U.S. Senate. She beat out former Governor and well-liked old dude Mike Castle, and will be facing off against Democrat Chris Coons for the seat. So why do I have her all dolled up with Wiccan imagery? Wellllll, apart from being an obnoxious teabagger offering little more then an already played out “I know what it’s like” attitude, she herself has stated that she “dabbled in witchcraft.”
Now let me say this now; I probably wouldn’t care if I didn’t have such a hatred for anyone associating themselves with the tea party. This woman is an idiot. I was going to say she’s asking for this, but I’m not sure if that’s true or not. More accurately, she has this coming.

Is she a witch? A satanist? Probably not. She’s just a woman so confused about her own identity, and addicted to attention that she’s willing to try anything until it works. Right now, this ultra-conservative, ultra-american, as-close-to-Sarah-Palin-as-possible persona is very in (among some circles at least) and she’s just riding the wave she needs to ride in order to get the shore. Do I blame her? I don’t know. But she’s a joke, and that’s a fact.

Music Monday 9.20.10 Coldplay

Posted on by under #musicmonday, Nom Now

Some may find it a bit corny, but the truth is, Coldplay is just plain good. They are one of the bands of our time who will not only be around for quite a while, but will also be looked  back on fondly. I hadn’t really listened to them in a few years and this weekend I was remembering how much I liked X & Y when that came out. Of all their albums, this is the one that seemed to slip by me the most, though ironically, it is also arguably their best. Talk has one of the greatest guitar lines of the past 10 years and that’s a fact. I guess for all their hype and popularity I still find them to live up to how great they are made to be. I can really respect that.

Speaking of albums I haven’t listened to in years Neutral Milk Hotel’s In The Aeroplane Over The Sea is something I overplayed to the point that I couldn’t dare try to listen to it, but in my nostalgic moments of recent, I had to give it a play. Boy, glad I did.

I met this guy Danami after he tweeted at me on twitter saying he had been following my work for a year. I was both flattered and surprised. I had a few more exchanges with him, and found out that along with being a super nice and positive guy, he was also a rapper. He’s from Detroit and he’s pretty much killing it on all fronts. I just sent him some Nom Now stickers…you know, gotta get that national reach. Check him out for sure. For fans of Lupe, Talib, or Ghostface…. Settin’ In s my JAM.

Beautify Wallpaper

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I made this originally as panel as part of wheatpaste installation I did for the Nom Now show at TrickGO. At the show, we raffled off each panel, and three lucky winners will get to take them home when the show comes down in a month.
But in the meantime, I wanted to resize this to wallpaper size so that everyone can have it! Click it to get the full size.

Speaking of the TrickGo show, and it being up for month, if you didn’t get to make it out to the opening last night, feel free to drop by in the next few weeks and check out all our shirts and posters, it’s at 1135 Pine St in Philly. What’s left of them will be on sale for the remainder of time there. Below is a nice price chart featuring some of the stuff that was there. And to those of you who were there, thank you so much! It was an absolute good time, and I couldn’t have been happier to see everyone.

Music Monday 9.13.10 Weezer

Posted on by under #musicmonday, Poster

I first heard Weezer in the summer before my freshman year of high school when I saw the video for Hash Pipe when it was fresh on MTV. I remember loving that they looked like nerds and thinking it was just the coolest thing ever. There was more to it than the pop punk I had been listening to, but still had an edge that made it cool. After that, I got my hands on the Blue album, and from there I was set. A year later Maladroit came out, and I remember buying that from a kid I went to school with who bought it but didn’t like it, and was willing to sell it to me for $5. I bought all the Weezer shirts Hot Topic was carrying at the time, one that looked like it was a shirt for a metal band, and the other which had a photo from the Keep Fishin’ video, which was the band posing with all the muppets. You really have no idea how cool I felt.

Anyway, the Blue album and Maladroit completely set the tone for my relationship with Weezer. Since then, I’ve gone both backwards and forwards in their catalogue making myself familiar with all their albums. I find that most people say they like Weezer and quickly follow that up with “Just Blue and Pinkerton,” and for whatever reason, that always bothers me a little. The more and more I listen to Weezer, I come to the realization that I actually do genuinely like them, not out of nostalgia, but because I like the songs. I’m accepting the fact that I’m not a casual listener, but instead a legitimate one.

Weezer has no doubt gotten worse over the recent years, and the albums have gotten cornier and cornier, but the truth of the matter is, if they have a new album, I will be listening to it, forming my opinion, and trying to come up with where I will place it in the inescapable album ranking list. (For those of you interested; Maladroit > Blue > Pinkerton > Green > Make Believe > Hurley > Red >>> Raditude.)

So when I set out to make this poster it took me a while to figure out the approach I wanted to take, but I finally arrived on this idea. For a band who is so often defined and dissected by their albums (whether it be which ones are classic or which ones are just plain awful) what better way to represent them then by there iconic (for better; Blue, Green, Red, or for worse, Raditude, Hurley, Make Believe….leave your own list in the comments) album covers?

By the way, Hurley is actually decent.

A Weekend Seven: Trumbauersville, PA

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This weekend I got to spend some much needed time with some of my favorite people in the world, including my new favorite family, The Louxs. Jesse is a friend of mine from many many years ago, and now he and his girlfriend have a son. Pretty amazing.
They live in Pennsylvania, but one of the parts where you can go twenty minutes in one direction and you’re in what feels like West Virginia. Quite a different world. Anyway, these are just a few shots from the weekend, but Ian wound up taking a ton and sticking them on his facebook, so if you want to check those out…. here’s the link to do so.

Music Monday 9.6.10 Megafaun

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MEGAFAUN. That’s all I can say. They released a new EP called Heretofore that is just beyond most words. Such a fantastic follow up to Gather, Form & Fly. If you are a fan of these guys, then this should excite you, and if you’re not so familiar, then now is a better time then any. They are one of the kinds of bands who just work so well together, everything sounds perfect. Also, I read this album was written in like 6 days. Unbelievable.

I got the new Junip album Fields this week as well, and I am thus far very pleased with it. It’s more or less what I expected to after hearing their Rope and Summit EP which came out earlier this year. José González can do no wrong in my book, and I’m just thrilled he’s making music in any form. If you’re a listener of his, this is right up your alley.

River City Extension At The Stone Pony

Posted on by under Poster, Printed Work

A few weeks back Joe asked me if I would make the poster for his upcoming show at The Stone Pony. As always, I leaped at the chance. I just love doing stuff like this, and River City Extension are my boys and girls, so it’s extra fun to work on anything for them.

I thought about this one for a while, feeling sort of uninspired for what seemed like too long. I was  wanting it to be something to keep up with the last poster I did for them, but something completely it’s own. Finally, this idea came to me, and I ran with it.

So, here it is, mark your calendars, clear your schedules, this is going to be quite the event. If you know anything about me, you know RCE has my complete backing; they are a phenomenal band and group of people. Both their live show and recorded music are each impressive in their own and respective ways. Not to mention, this show is stacked an unreal cast of supporting bands. Brick + Mortar are another favorite of mine, check them out if you haven’t yet. I will be at this show singing and dancing along, so to anyone else who’d like to do the same… see you there!

Hunting Party Or A Band Of Braves

Posted on by under Printed Work

A while back my friend Josh Dean asked me if I would make something to accompany the upcoming record he was releasing titled Hunting Party Or A Band Of Braves, which is for his band Murder Boats. I believe he was working with a few other artists for other various things to do with the record, and well, I love both this band and the people who are in it so much, that I was so happy to be a part of it.

So today I got a text from my friend John Andrews saying he got his hands on the poster, and I asked him if he would send me a snap of it, as I hadn’t seen it since it was actually printed yet. So big thanks to John for hooking me up with the picture. Also big thanks to whoever it was who wound up doing the actual printing of this, everything turned out great!

Josh is one of the most incredible song writers and Murder Boats in its latest formation is a major force to be reckoned with. Check them out, see them play, buy this record, and grab this poster.

Music Monday 8.30.10 Hop Along

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I had the pleasure of seeing Hop Along this week when they played with my buddies Secret Mountains. All I can say is this band keeps getting better and better. Their latest EP, Wretches, a 3 song, nearly 23 minute motion, is in my opinion their best yet. Second Voice, is the better half of this record clocking in around 11 minutes,  is probably my favorite song, not only on the album, but in their full catalog of songs. ALSO, Frances is no doubt an alien… because there’s no way a human’s voice can do the things hers can. She pieced together a little band, dropped “Queen Ansleis” and is now a full on rock band. Best thing she could have done for herself.  Pretty amazing live show, the sound is just THICK.

Paul Simon gets me every once and while with one of his records, and this weekend Graceland was just doing it all for me. Such a really great record.

No Age. Get their new record. Just get it, and listen to it. Better than Nouns. I have to say, I was really really impressed with it. These guys success story is also pretty off the wall, but good for them.

Dungen was sounding perfect to me this week. Which honestly, I have a really hard time getting into their songs some times, so I was glad that it all seemed to be fitting into the grooves. I have a feeling if I saw these guys live, my opinion on them would change completely. But for now, they are sitting plain and fancy in my book.

Feel free to add me on last.fm.

A Weekend Ten, 8.29.10

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This weekend I found myself back in Beachwood. The caterpillars were plentiful and preparing to make their cocoons in the parsley, and as you can see, they’re quite remarkable looking little guys.
My Dad and I went fishing on Saturday, and while the actual fishing stunk, it was good to be outside in the nice weather. I’m starting to feel convinced that Winding River Park only has one very large fish in it who could care less about eating anything. Nonetheless, I still love being in that park. Another great weekend.

Music Monday 8.23.10 Sufjan Stevens

Posted on by under #musicmonday, Poster

This week I got one of the greatest surprises one can get: news that Sufjan Stevens is recording a new album. But instead of “recording” it was “recorded” and “snuck one up on us”. He released an EP on Friday called All Delighted People which definitely delighted all people. Maybe those in the serious know had heard about this, but to me it came as a complete surprise, which is of course something he would do, all of the sudden just drop something on everyone that no one knew about. It’s 8 songs and around 60 minutes, which is a completely legitimate new release. Something we’ve been waiting for for quite some time, and let me say, this delivers. Sufjan has elevated to new grounds and is truly on maestro status. He is by far one of the most insane songwriters of our time, and will be held close to the heart by many for years and years and years to come.

I saw the video for the song Drugs by Ratatat and thought it was absolutely genius, (and I liked the song too) so I got this album. If you’ve EVER looked for any kind of stock photography, please watch this video, I promise you will get a kick out of it. I’ve never listened to these guys before, so I have nothing to compare it to, but it’s very fun to me.

Belle And Sebastian have been doing me quite right recently. I hadn’t listened to them in so long and I forgot how good they are. I mean, seriously, some of their songs are unbelievable. They have a new album coming out this fall and I have to say, I’m feeling pretty excited for it for whatever reason.

I also listened to Peter Bjorn & John this week for the first time in a few years, and Writer’s Block is still a good album. I really over listened to it when it came out, and need some serious time away from it, but some things you just cannot deny, and this album is one of them.

The World’s A Gray Balloon But I Am Red

Posted on by under Nom Now, Poster

This is one of the great lines that you hear once and it never leaves you. My friend Brian McLendon is a really talented musician and designer and just overall creative person, and this comes from a song he wrote a few years ago called “The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes”. Recently this line has been popping up in my head and I thought that it could make a really great poster.

I think this speaks directly to us as a little bit of motivation along with a reminder that we are all genuinely unique and special. As our summer winds down and we all go back to our more “normal” lives, don’t forget to be a red balloon.

Also, you may have noticed, this is now officially http://www.mattgoold.com and i could not be more thrilled about that. Thanks for coming back time and time again and for giving me a reason to make this very official switch!

August 14th & 15th, Beachwood NJ

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This past weekend I went to my parents house to grab a few things I needed to bring to the new apartment, most importantly: another set of bookshelves. Anyway, I wanted to take a few shots of the cats, the house, the backyard, my trip there and back, just basically anything that made up the little trip. Hope this serves as a peek into what I was up to and gives you a little representation of what it’s like there.

Music Monday 8.16.10 Sonic Youth

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I think bought Daydream Nation 5 or 6 years ago on a bit of a whim. I’d not listened to Sonic Youth before that, and knew very little of what to expect. And while I thought it was an okay sounding record, it was really dissonant for my taste at the time and I was never really able to get into it. However, through the next few years, I would occasionally revisit the record hoping enough time had passed and perhaps something would have clicked and I would finally get it. This unfortunately never really happened for me. Not until this weekend that is. For whatever reason, I put on Daydream Nation and got reallly into it. I’m pretty excited that actually happened. Like I said, I’d been waiting years for this day. I also downloaded Goo and Dirty, both of which I enjoyed. I can definitely say I am a fan now, and whatever triggered me to purchase that record 6 years ago, I’m glad that happened.

I also listened to a bit of Weezer, which definitely happened after I heard about their new record. Hurley. That should be interesting. But Maladroit does me right every. single. time.

Listened to Ty Segall after seeing my boy Mike Walsh hyping him a bit, and he’s killing it. Caeser is such a great song. Check him out.

Beach Fossils are decent.

Post Post are amazing. One of the best young bands I’ve seen. Philly locals, 3/4 girl band, impossibly catchy. Just doing everything right to every degree. Catch this band as soon as you can.

Otis Redding kept me sane one night as I was sorting with some old stuff and cleaning some bookshelves. Impossibly smooth.

Belle And Sebastian’s Push Bar Man To Open Old Wounds is my favorite thing they’ve done. It’s a collection of their EPs and singles, which in this case, are some of their best songs. I hadn’t listened to this in a few years, and it was great to listen to again.

Flying Lotus is decent.