Tag Archives: bcdq

Nom Now Wheat Pasting

Posted on by under Nom Now


This past weekend I took a trip into the city with my brother in graphic design, Mike Smith, along with a few helpful friends to continue the spread of Nom Now. I’m kind of a baby (at least for right now) when it comes to this stuff, but I wanted to help further this idea as much as I could, so I decided to film it and compile a video. It documents the work, and immortalizes the often short life of street art. Nom Now is all about making yourself a better person and the world a better place. These posters are largely inspirational. Those two facts are far from being new notions, but the approach to them is what sets them apart. These aren’t the inspirational posters hanging in your elementary school classroom. I hope this inspires all of you to become active and creative. No one is going to give you permission to make the world a better place, you just need to go ahead and do it.

Keep an open eye for this stuff, it’s popping up everywhere.

Rotten Pampers

Posted on by under wallpaper



There’s no shortage of bad smells in our apartment. This in most part is due to our downstairs neighbors, who always seem to be deep frying a diaper. At least that what it smells like. The term “rotten pampers” soon got coined and ever since it’s creation, it’s made me laugh. Whether someone else says it, I say it, or I just think it, I usually blow my cool. It’s thankfully been a good way to make light of the fact that at certain times it honestly smells like rotten pampers.

Anyway I don’t know who else would have an interest in this, but I wanted to make something cool involving this small piece of insanity within my life. Click for full size, and save as wallpaper from there!

Impeach Chris Christie

Posted on by under Nom Now, Poster



Since my “Chris Christie Sucks” poster has gotten so much traffic, I wanted to expand on it and create something a little more “school friendly”. Not that “sucks” is particularly a crude word, and there are far worse words he deserves, but I was trying to think of something that could be hung in an elementary grade classroom. Teachers, students, parents, and those who care about the future of any of those… feel free to print this out and show your defiance at your public school. Here’s to hoping for a better New Jersey.

Music Monday 4.19.10

Posted on by under #musicmonday


Broken Social Scene was laying it on thick this week in part of their new album Friendship Rock Record. Now I can’t say I’m the biggest listener of BSS, partially because I forget about them a lot. I feel like I’m hearing mixed reactions to this record, but I think it’s actually really strong and I’ve been giving it all the listens it deserves. If you liked them before, this is another little gift. If you haven’t listened….where have you been?

I was having such a Bob Dylan week. And I can tell you why! I’ve been blowing through Mad Men this past week, and at the end of one episode (which I wish I could remember more exactly) it ends with Don sitting on the stairs and “Don’t Think Twice It’s Alright” playing the show out. It was such a perfect scene that reminded me how much I love that song. I listened to The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan a few times in a row right after that.

I had my first experience (aside from a few Smog songs) with Bill Callahan. And now I’m a believer. His baritone voice can go toe to toe with Josh Dean anyday. A compliment to both. Too Many Birds is one of the best songs I’ve heard recently.

I was part of a time warp video for a little bit as I listened to Clap Your Hands Say Yeah this week. I loved their self titled in 2005, didn’t care for their follow up in 2007, and feel pretty much the same way about both in 2010. Their self titled also still reminds me of driving to Kirby’s house when I first started dating her. Apparently this band isn’t doing much these days, but if they do nothing else again, that first record will always be something I’ll go back to at some point or another.

Paul Simon is a king. And his self-titled debut album is one of the finest examples of a group of songs I can think of. Check that out if you don’t have it already.

Nick Drake can put me at ease on the tensest of days. Bryter Layter into Pink Moon is also one of the strongest succession of albums I can think of.

Townes Van Zandt popped up this week because I had a hankering for Flyin’ Shoes. Speaking of, that’s a great album to start on for those who know nothing of his and want to get into it. He’s probably the most underrated and under appreciated folk singer I can think of.

Let’s talk about She & Him for a minute. Right before Volume Two came out I started to realize that She & Him is bad music in a sheep’s costume. You may be in disagreement because we are told that Zooey Deschanel can do no wrong. But the truth of the matter is that she shouldn’t be doing what she’s doing. She’s kind of inserted herself into everyone’s heart with an image of herself that she created in order to do so. And I’m not buying it anymore. She’s not even that good looking. It’s all in how she’s styling herself. Ayway M. Ward is leagues better alone than he is with her on any account. I agree with my friend Jeff who said that I hope I never see a Volume Three.

Last.fm friends dude.

Music Monday 3.29.10

Posted on by under #musicmonday



Real Estate is totally awesome. They’ve got such a great feel good vibe to all their songs, that after a few listens I was totally hooked. I kept going back to them all week long anytime I needed to get work done. If you’re looking for a jam to get down to Fake Blues is the right spot.

Dr. Dog’s Shame, Shame came into my realm this week, and I just couldn’t get enough of it. It’s a really solid effort and I think I’ll be listening to this for a long time to come. Much like Fate it has a classic sound that will always seem relevant.

I somehow just listened to the latest Coconut Records album this week. I have to say I love Jason Shwartzman, and thus I’ll give anything he’s a part of my time. It’s pretty cool that he’s as multifaceted as he is, and while Davy isn’t an awesome album, it has some great songs on it.

Millionyoung was my dose of chillwave for the week. I don’t really think there’s much that distinguishes this from anything else in the genre, but nonetheless it’s still pretty decent.

I also finally listened to the much hyped Neon Indian. I’m still kind of unsure on how I feel about it, and it definitely will require a few more listens to get a grasp on it. I will say though that I didn’t like the singles as much as I did some of the other tracks. Also, when did taking acid become such an in topic in music?

Washed Out, Local Natives obviously.

Memory Tapes, I only got a few listens in towards the end of the week, but I liked what I heard a lot, and I’ll be giving them some more time in the future for sure. It’s along the lines of Toro Y Moi so if you like that, you’d probably like this.

Last.fm friends dude.

Music Monday 3.22.10

Posted on by under 1


I was riding the chillwave wave so hard this week. Washed Out quickly became a new favorite, especially after hearing his new Life Of Leisure EP. For fans of Toro Y Moi, this guy is the next step up. He seems to be kind of leading the pack in this group of artists, and I am going to be following.

Nite Jewel is to me, the female counterpart of Washed Out. She’s really floaty and I hit this one heavy early last week, pumping her jams all day at work. She’s another player in the chillwave game, and if you have any interest in that, she’s worth checking out.

King Tuff was strong again this week. Sun Medallion is king.

I finally got a taste of Cotton Jones, and I was really feeling it. You can still hear traces back to Page France, but this seems to be a bit more evolved and solid. Blood Red Sentimental Blues is a standout track, though I think I’m a bit bias because I love the Secret Mountains version so much.

Surfer Blood is an absolute favorite of the past few months. I really need to catch these guys soon. Give these guys a few listens, the more you listen to it, the more you can’t help but love it.

Telefon Tel Aviv is another great electronic band, who I was hesitant to get into because I had heard a song I didn’t like a while back, but Mike passed me Immolate Yourself and I was happily getting work done to that for many hours.

Paul McCartney made his way back into my daily listening after months of being absent. I was more or less obsessed two summers ago and played almost everything of his to death. However, I can always revisit RAM, which this time led me into Venus And Mars which I think could be his second best.

And because any band with “surf” in their name seems to be grabbing my attention lately, I rounded this week out with Surf City who have a cool little EP out, and a really cool sound. They’re playing in Philly soon, and I think I may try to catch them.

You know how it is, last.fm.

#musicmonday 3.15.10

Posted on by under #musicmonday



I was kicking back to The Kinks this week. In particular Muswell Hillbillies, which I feel it’s a very under-appreciated album. I went through some of the other classics like Arthur and Lola versus Powerman, which are both just so so good.

King Tuff became a new obsession this week after finally downloading the album. I had first heard them in Ian’s car back in the summer, and thought they were a band from a time long ago. They are a great blend of old and new, where even though they sound like they could be straight out of 1969, they also sound like something completely new and fresh. I would absolutely love to see these guys live. Jeff said he’s looking for a tour with The Strange Boys, and I would have to say, I’m looking for the same.

I was waiting and waiting to hear the new Jónsi album, and this week, I finally got the chance. While the album is no doubt awesome, it’s still a little closer to Sigur Rós then I imagined it would be. I never understand why artists who make a solo album, wind up making an album that sounds like their band. I mean, that being the case, is not a bad thing in this situation, and I recommend listening to this…now.

The Morning Bends have a new album called Big Echo and it’s awesome. I was anticipating this album for a bit now, and I’m very pleased with it. Certainly their best to date. The lead-off track Excuses is a song too good for it’s own good. This band is pretty young, and I’m interested to see where they’ll go.

Megafaun had a Daytrotter session come out this past week, and that put me into a whirlwind of beards, harmonies, and awesomeness. In an effort to make your week easier, I’m all but begging you to go download it now.

The Nerves are a band that James suggested I listen to, they only ever recorded one 4 song EP, which is all songs just under or just over 2 minutes, which added up to me breezing through it multiple times. If your trying to hear a song Hanging On The Telephone is so good.

I heard about Suckers in an interview I read with Local Natives, and they were a band that one of them was listening to. So, I figured I’d check them out. They also only have a 4 song EP at the moment, but I am seriously digging it, and can’t wait for a full length. Their song Easy Chairs is easily the one, so get busy and check that out.

I heard about The Bitters because they were featured on Gorilla Vs Bear as something that the staff was listening to, so I figured I’d give it a try. Unfortunately I more or less hated it. It is too noisy, too sloppy, and too blehhhh. There’s not much redeeming this group….even their album cover for East General is just gross. I didn’t care for it, but who knows, you might.

Add me on last.fm!

#musicmonday 3.8.10

Posted on by under #musicmonday



The Avett Brothers have finally made a significant dent in my music listening again. It has been a while, but it finally felt right again, and I went through most of their albums and I was loving it. I guess however, the most significant part of this (at least for me) is that they have surpassed The Beatles as my number one listened to artist of all time, one last.fm. I’m sure the two will teeter back and forth for a while, but The Avetts are on top! I think you all know I love this band, and they are probably my favorite of all time, so this one is a strong recommend.

Next is Sigur Rós. They probably aren’t new to any of you, but I just got so excited thinking about Jónsi’s new album, that I needed to listen to this to wet my whistle for when that comes out. I mean, just watch this.

Gorillaz new album Plastic Beach is certainly the source of these plays…and in fact any plays regarding Gorillaz. I never really listened to them aside from anything that was on TV or the radio, and I was interested enough to give this a shot. To be honest, I really didn’t mind it, and some stuff was particularly good. I have to say, I enjoy the songs that aren’t featuring anyone better than the ones that are, but there are some stand out parts, Mos Def’s songs for sure, that I’d say make this album at least worth a few listens. Also, the more chances I gave it the more I got into it.

Local Natives are still dominating me. Such a good band, and I’m so pissed they canceled their show at Kung Fu Necktie. My wait to see them live continues…

Fool’s Gold I stumbled onto by using the last.fm radio player, and I was glad to see the thing actually played me something I’d never heard, and liked. These guys are in the style of an afro-beat band similar to something like Rubblebucket, but with a zest…the zest being the singing is done in Hebrew. It makes me want to put on my Jim Duncan jersey and daaaaaaance. To start, check out this video.

River City Extension. Obviously.

Nurses is another band that came onto the last.fm radio and I remembered I had seen a video of them playing a song I really liked. So I got a hold of the album, and I still really really love the song I had originally heard, which is called Technicolor, but I don’t really like much else of the album. There’s one or two other decent songs, but the rest is just really not that good. However, I will say that Technicolor is worth your ears.

And finally, Discovery. I had heard a Ra Ra Riot song that I knew I knew, but didn’t know where from. Well, it turns out that it was Discovery who was doing more a less a cover of on their LP. That makes sense since Discovery is one part Ra Ra Riot, and one part Vampire Weekend, two bands I don’t really care for that somehow equals one band I’m moderately interested in.

So that’s how this week panned out, as always, check me out and last.fm.

Little Things

Posted on by under Poster



So I made this with my friend Russell in mind. He just set up this awesome tumblr of these collages he’s been doing. It’s really worth checking out!
Anyway, I told him that I was into this stuff, and he responded with the phrase on the poster above, and I just really loved it. It’s a little child-like rhyme that at the same time really holds a lot weight. As an artist or creative person we need to continually strive to keep on making things, let this be an inspiration. I worked in a color scheme I almost never work in, but it kind of reminds me of Russell which is cool.
I’m thinking of trying to print these out and give them to you if you want?

River City Extension And The Unmistakable Man

Posted on by under Clothing, Printed Work



Wow. It’s been a long few months since taking on the project of designing the new River City Extension album The Unmistakable Man. Let me tell you, that nothing has made me happier than to be given the opportunity to work on this album. Aside from it being a designer’s dream to be able to take on such a healthy sized project, the band is by far one of the greatest bands going right now, and to be affiliated with them in any way is so awesome. This record is going to send them into a stratosphere beyond belief and I’m so glad to be a part of it.
The Unmistakable Man comes out courtesy of XOXO Records on May 11th. If you’re familiar with RCE, or if you’ve heard nauticalsabbatical you know what this band is capable of. Sort of. This new one blows the roof of the whatever house you tried to put them in. This is the album to be excited for. Right now, they are selling advance copies at out of state shows, so if you can catch them out of NJ, pick up an album!
I went to see them last night in Philly where as usual, they wowed me. I also finally got to see the record in person as well as the “skull with mutton-chops” shirt I got to design for them. It’s so great to see something you created come to life, and I couldn’t be happier with the whole record.

Snowy Days

Posted on by under Poster, Video


Here’s a video I put together of Nicky G getting out into the snow in during the blizzard. Everyone thought it would be funny for someone to do it wearing almost no clothes, and of course Nick was up for such a thing. Enjoy.

#musicmonday 2.15.10

Posted on by under #musicmonday

Local Natives took over the past few days with force! I checked these guys out after hearing a few more things about them, and they have quickly become one of my new favorites. I haven’t been this into a new band in years. I highly recommend listening to these guys, and I anticipate them gaining a lot of attention in the next while.

I have to say, I sometimes forget about Dr. Dog, but I was just reading about their new album due in April (I think?) and it got me excited, so I went back and listened to Fate, which is such a great record, and then went back and listened to some older stuff which I hadn’t had. They’ve got that unique psych-rock sound without it being annoying or contrived.

I was turned onto the The Morning Benders after watching this video. They’ve got a new LP coming out, so I stocked up on past releases to hold me until them. I’m definitely anticipating what that’s got to offer.

Owen Pallett ditched the Final Fantasy moniker (for legal reasons I assume) and put out his new batch of cuts Heartland. The cover for this album is another great one, and I obviously wouldn’t be talking about it if the music wasn’t just as good. He’s got the violin act down pat.

Toro y Moi is more new music to me. I had heard the name, and finally just checked it out. It’s in the style of bands like Four Tet and Tycho, but I feel like this is just a bit edgier than acts like those. And the guy went to school for design, so you know I’m interested.

Volcano Choir hit the right note with me this week, and I was loving it. Put this on while driving through some snowy scapes, and enjoy the ride.

CAKE is such a bizarre band. I only started listening to them this summer once I knew I was going to be playing with them at Art Scape, and it opened a world of unknown. CAKE garnered some success on a few songs, but they are so much more than what I think the general public recognizes them as. If you don’t already, try to give them a listen, I think you’ll be surprised with the songs you’ve never heard.

And of course I’ve talked about Beach House before, but they caught a few more listens this week because of their new record Teen Dream which I think is their strongest yet.

Get on over to last.fm and check out what I’m listening to at any point, or if you’ve got an account, we can be friends.

Sitting Bull

Posted on by under Portrait Series, Poster, Printed Work


I made this for a show I did last year of all portraits. This was pre-Nom Now days, so in the spaces where I could have repped that, I gave it to BCDQ and Sons Of Longley. That ain’t bad though!

In some odd turn of events, this never made it onto the internet until now, so I wanted to show it to whoever is looking.
Anyway, Native Americans are so cool, and I want to do more stuff involving them.