Tag Archives: design

The King Stay The King

Posted on by under Nom Now, Poster, Printed Work

Most of you probably already know, I am huge fan of The Wire.  I started watching the show because I wanted to watch something that was going to be as good as The Sopranos was, and what I got was something that was even better. In fact, better than any TV show I’d ever seen, or have seen since. Arrested Development comes close, and they hard to compare because they are so different, but honestly, nothing touches The Wire.

There is one now famous scene where D’Angelo Barksdale is explaining the game of chess to Bodie and Wallace after he catches them trying to plass checkers with the game pieces. He goes though all the players, which each are paralleled to some player of “The Game”, the game of the street. When asked how you become the king, D’Angelo replies “It ain’t like that. See, the king stay the king, a’ight? Everything stay who he is.” Watch the scene here.

The design of the poster comes from the ubiquitous British WW2 poster “Keep Calm  And Carry On.” Mock-offs of that poster are pretty much every where, good, bad, and ugly. But because of my love for both this poster and that quote, they seemed like a perfect match for each other. Fans of either will hopefully agree.

I’ve got a whole ton of these posters, 18 x 24, and if anyone is interested, just hit me up!

It Can Be You

Posted on by under Nom Now, Poster, Printed Work

The idea behind this poster is that, so often do we feel inferior , happily submit, and sell ourselves short. But the truth is, is that you can be whatever you’d like to be, and you can take yourself to any place you’d like. The people you see doing the things you want to do? It can be you. I just want people to feel encouraged to step out of their norm and try for something spectacular. When you realize that you’re no different from anyone else, great things can happen.

I have a few of these posters if anyone is interest. Just let me know. And more importantly, I hope you all feel inspired to become something you didn’t think you could.

Good Times On The Reg

Posted on by under Nom Now, Poster, Printed Work

Inspired by some actual good times on the reg and of course the great Kenny Powers, from where the phrase was born (seriously, watch Eastbound And Down if you don’t already) this poster was created. Since I originally heard the phrase, it hasn’t left my mind and it will almost always make me laugh. Plus like I said, this summer has been filled with actual good times.

This is another poster that sold out at the show, and I’m going to make the same offer I did with my Shattered poster, if you think you’d like to see this 18 x 24 hanging on your wall, let me know, and I will keep you in mind when ordering new ones. Anybody own a boat? I’m looking to make “Yachts On The Reg”.

Music Monday 8.2.10 Arcade Fire

Posted on by under #musicmonday

So Arcade Fire did it again this week, and topped my charts. I have the tendency to sometimes over praise a band’s newest album and perhaps too quickly pronounce it their best, but despite that, I’m not going to NOT say that here. The Suburbs is a really really solid album that leaves me satisfied in ways their previous albums don’t. Whether you agree or disagree, this album is one to seek after. Arcade Fire are just one of the bands that will be talked about by our kids.

I took a ride with Wechter and Mike a few weekends back, and Wechter (amongst some interesting hip hop mix tapes) was playing The Black Keys latest album Brothers and I was really impressed. I’d not really ever listened to them before, but I knew they did the song that’s being used as the intro for the show Hung, and I liked that, and I liked everything I’d heard in the car, so I decided to give it a shot. These guys are playing some straight up rock and roll that I could easily get behind. I’d be interested in hearing some older albums for sure. Recommendations?

I was in a bit of a time warp circa 2004 with a few doses of Modest Mouse and Bright Eyes. I can’t say what called my interest to either of these this week, but it was alright. Sometimes you need to listen to something you haven’t in years.

Also got my fix of André Charles Thériault, who is one of the finest songwriters around. I’d put André’s album in my list of albums I can always listen to and enjoy. The songs are so relaxing, and instantly calming, it’s sort of unbelievable. Much like the Arrested Development movie, I don’t care when it comes out, I just need to know another André album will eventually be made, and I can rest easy.

Shattered

Posted on by under Nom Now

So for those of you who made it out to our show this past Friday at Vesuvio, you probably saw this. It was the first poster I made for the show, and I was sort of an idea I had for a while, but always forgot to execute. I was excited because it got some really awesome reception and I wound up selling out of this print. SO, I wanted to throw this up and make a formal announcement saying that if you were someone who wanted this poster after it sold out, or you are checking it out now and thinking you might like it, let me know on here or on facebook, because I will be ordering more of this print, and I don’t want to miss anyone.

Thanks for all your support and interest, I’m truly touched that anyone cares about this.

The picture below is the long-awaited group picture we’ve always wanted. It’s also one of the best pictures ever.  It’s very hard to get us all in the same place at the same time and we needed to take advantage of it. I love you guys, this wouldn’t be possible without all of you doing what you’re doing and I’m so glad to be doing it with you.

Music Monday 7.26.10 Arcade Fire

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Although I haven’t gotten to listen to it more than two times through, Arcade Fire’s new record The Suburbs has got me going. I have to admit, I’ve always liked but never loved Arcade Fire, but this record has me really impressed. I will certainly be listening to this throughout this week, and I wouldn’t be surprised if it tops next week’s chart as well. I read today that they describe the record as Neil Young meets Depeche Mode, and I’d say yes to that. This poster is some experimenting with patterns.

I also revisited a record that made up a good amount of my time in high school in Modest Mouse’s The Moon And Antarctica. I hadn’t listened to it in such a long time and had a longing for it. In my opinion, this is by far their best record.

I got the pleasure of creating some album art for my friend Josh Dean’s new album, which he gave me some live recordings of the songs as inspiration and that accounts for Murder Boats. If they are any indication of what’s to come on the record, and I think they are, we are all in for a very big treat. Josh Dean goes electric!

NOM NOW Moon Cycle Stickers

Posted on by under Printed Work

After our first run of Nom Now stickers, we quickly realized how fast 1000 stickers can slip through your fingers. So we decided we need to move into the next design, which I had the pleasure of doing. So here they are folks, you voted on them, and this one won. Be sure to pester me or one of the other guys for these, and we’ll gladly hook you. We’ll be giving these out at our art show on the 30th, which if you’re in the dark about that, Facebook has all the details, just look for Nom Now Art Show.

So get these while they are hot, and believe me, this batch is piping!

Music Monday 7.19.10 Best Coast

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When I first heard Best Coast I hated them. But then one day I heard the song Something In The Way in a new way, and I was changed forever. Now, I’m at the point where I can’t get enough, and thankfully this past week I got their new album, Crazy For You, and I’m crazy for it. It’s warm and fuzzy and she’s got that perfect voice. All the songs are about falling in love, or already being there, and it’s to me, the perfect sound of summer 2010. I give this a strong approval and recommendation.

Other things to take note of is that for the first time in the 4 years I was aware of them and on and off listening, I finally understood Woods and really enjoyed listening to them. I don’t know what clicked, but something did. I was cleaning my old bookshelves while listening to this, and it was really late at night, and the music added something to that.

I also realized that Pedro The Lion’s Achilles Heel is my favorite thing David Bazan has done.

I also listened to The Books new album, which classic Books, but I like that. If you like there other stuff, this won’t disappoint.

The Wrestla’

Posted on by under Poster, Video


As a young man mourns the death of his grandfather, another tries to get on the topic of professional wrestling.

It’s sort of been a while since the last Moopay Film and Ian and I had been talking about making this one for a few years actually, so it was finally time. I also wanted to create a movie poster to accompany it, which I think ties the whole thing together. Thanks to Jeff Silverstein for having such a unique voice, you were 100% the inspiration for this character.

1 Year Anniversary! 100th Post!

Posted on by under General, Nom Now, Poster



I can’t believe it’s lined up so perfectly, but today, and this post, marks both my 1 year anniversary of this blog, and my 100th post. It feels like I’ve been doing this forever, and at the same time, it feels like this past year just flew by. Much has happened in this time, I got hired full time (my initial reason for starting this), Nom Now has emerged as a tower of power (to add to the list of stuff going on today, we’re in our first real deal art show Power In Numbers tonight in Philly), and I’ve gotten a few awesome clients. It’s been awesome, and here’s to hoping this next year is as bonkers as the past one.

Music Monday 6.28.10

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I’ve been waiting a long time to finally hear The Drums new self titled full length pretty much since I first heard their EP, and it was certainly what I was hoping it would be. As almost defined by their EP’s title, these guys are summer time. I’m loving this.

I also gave listens to a few bands I’ve been hearing so so so much about. Those being Flying Lotus, Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti, and Janelle Monáe none of which sounded like I had imagined them to, but I enjoyed all, & Flying Lotus the most . Janelle Monáe’s song Tightrope is bonkers, but the rest of the album is kind of a let down like most pop artist’s albums are.

Check out The Drums new album, and slide over to my last.fm if that’s what you’re into.

Toy Story

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In honor and anticipation of the new Toy Story movie, which comes out this Friday. I haven’t been this excited for a movie in a long time. In the words of my friend Dan, the biggest Pixar freak I know, “At the end of the day, whatever happens, there’s still going to be another Toy Story.”

Realize. Create. Beautify.

Posted on by under Nom Now, Poster



Last weekend I went to a park in Pitman to take a few photos for some projects I’m working on. I was sorting through them a little last night and came across a few that I had no use for as far as what I originally needed. So I used a couple of them and made this. I had been looking to make something involving our mantra of sorts, “Realize. Create. Beautfiy.” and this finally felt right.

NOM NOW Wallpaper

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Here’s a new wallpaper for anyone looking to update that musty old one you’ve had for too long. I haven’t been updating as much as I’ve liked to, but there will be some more things coming your way in the near future. I’ve working on some ideas for Nom Now pins, which I’ll be sure to post most likely on the NOM NOW facebook page, and let you decide. Anyway, enjoy.

Contribute

Posted on by under Nom Now, Poster



I hadn’t made a strictly Nom Now poster in a bit, but with the Facebook page in full gear, I’m more excited about this than ever. Go on over and “like” it if you haven’t already, there will be many updates through there, and plenty of ways for you to get involved. Speaking of, that’s sort of where the inspiration for this came out. We’ve had quite a few people looking to get involved with Nom Now, and while I’m not in the business of turning people away, especially those looking to help, the idea is that you go out and do your own thing and contribute something of your own to the world. Because you can, and because you should. I’ve asked myself many times “How are you going to contribute?” It’s a question worth asking often. It keeps me in the mind set of never becoming stagnant. It’s also a reminder that our world is only comprised of what we put into it, that being said, we have quite the duty. I hope this all sparks something in you, and you “contribute” this week. Let us know what you’ve done, we’re looking for inspiration all day every day.

Music Monday 5.24.10

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So this is going to be the new style for Music Mondays. I’ve decided I’m going to make a poster for the top artist rather just a general accompanying image. I’ll also continue to post screen grabs from my last.fm, but I don’t think I’ll be talking about much besides the week’s top artist. I’m doing this in part because I was feeling slightly stressed out trying to talk about new things week it started to impede how I might normally listen to music. I also wanted to turn this into an opportunity for me to make more posters. So we’ll try it like this for a while. If things don’t work out, we’ll move on.

So this week I was getting into Fruit Bats who’s album The Ruminant Band was hitting the spot in all the right ways. It’s a lot of acoustic songs with an occasional supporting backing band with tons of great harmonies/melodies. I had this on Saturday morning, and it just seem to be the perfect music for the day. I’d really recommend checking them out and The Ruminant Band is a great place to start. Below is how the rest of the week rounded out…if you’re interested in anything else, just leave a comment.

We Were Once Children / Foxes & Lions Split

Posted on by under Printed Work


Had the pleasure of working with these two fresh bands from the Toms River area on a DIY project they were undertaking. I’m actually really pumped with how this turned out, and it’s a good example of how you can make something look good on a budget. This has started being sold at shows a few weeks ago, so if you can catch either of them live, check this thing out.

In fact, there’s a big show in 2 weeks with these guys, and River City Extension in Baville. It’s on all their myspaces if you need more information. It’s also for my birthday, so I’d like nothing more than to see all of my friends.

Building Week

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I just got in contact with my friend Joe Shure who told me he had been reading this blog. Joe is a very talented guy who I used to play a lot music with. Now he’s somewhat of an entrepreneur, he’s started his own company, and even more recently, and more poignant to this, he’s started his own blog. It’s called Building Week and it’s dedicated to interesting buildings. I told him I would link him up on here, and I used this as a chance to make something interesting. So go and check it out, he’s a great writer. It’s a tumblr, so if you’re on there, be sure to follow him.

Music Monday 5.10.10

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I was feeling Blitzen Trapper a bit this week. I had got my hands on Furr a while back which is a pretty good album, and a very good song. This week though, I was more about Wild Mountain Nation, which was a recommend of Jeff, and that’s another instance of a great title track song. I don’t know how to categorize these guys really, some of it sounds like it’s from 1969, and some of it is more modern, but just very weird. However, weird isn’t bad, and these guys are certainly worth a check out. Also, I love the song Saturday Nite.

Best Coast. Can I take a minute to say this band just grew on me in the biggest way possible? I’m seriously loving her stuff, coming from thinking it was just okay. The song Something In The Way is one of the catchiest songs I’ve heard this year and it’s usually in my head at least once a day. She’s writing some great melodies and mixing them with a fuzzy guitar sound, but deep down most of the songs are just awesome pop songs.

I had a need for Luke Brandfon this week. Luke has this strangely enormous canon of songs that range from really minimal acoustic diddies to really complex multi-instumental 6 minute songs. He’s one of the most honest and in love song writers I know and also one of the nastiest musicians I’ve heard. While all his recorded songs fair closer to the traditional song in one way or another, his live sets are something very different and maybe even more incredible. He does looping better than anyone I’ve seen or heard. A lot of guys with a loop pedal are boring me after their first press, but with Luke you somehow forget he’s looping anything. I love seeing him play because you can see his mind work, and it’s incredible how precise he is with what he does. Most of you probably don’t know him, and might have trouble getting access to his music, so if anyone wants anything, I’d be glad to hook you up.

Death Vessel is one of my favorite bands who can never steer me wrong. I happened to catch them with The Books in 2006 and I remember not being able to tell if the singer was a woman or a man. I was far enough away, and his hair was long enough to fool my eyes, but his voice is in such a high register that it sounds so much like a woman, it’s hard to believe it isn’t. This unique quality certainly sets them apart from any other band I know. He’s also a great lyricist and the music is really good folk based rock. I always recommend this band to anyone who hasn’t heard them, and I’m doing the same right now. Stay Close is one of my favorite albums ever.

I somehow got a hold of Tame Impala’s upcoming album Innerspeaker and for those who are anticipating this, you’ve got a gem coming your way. Their little 5 song EP was only a slight indication of what they’re capable of. They are supposedly touring with MGMT soon, so along with their record release, it won’t be long before these guys blow up.

The Soft Pack is another relatively new band I’m feeling. It’s kind of west coast punky but still poppy and not at all corny. I saw a video of these guys playing ten shows in one day to promote their new record and I loved it. The self titled record pretty much draws you in right away. This is a major summer album. Get it while it’s hot!

Harlem is still doing me right. I’m still surprised by how much I like this band, considering I went into them thinking I wouldn’t care for them too much. A definite must hear.

I finally had the chance to see GIVERS again this past Tuesday. I caught them in November opening for Dirty Projectors and was blown away. Since then I’ve been waiting and waiting for them to come around and after a few canceled shows because of the February snow storm, the wait was getting unbearable, but my hopes and dreams finally came true at Kung Fu Necktie, which by the way is an awesome bar/venue. I can’t stress how much I love these guys and girl. They by far have one of the best live shows I’ve seen, ever. Too much energy, too many priceless faces, and too much dancing. It was also great seeing them knowing their songs this time, and it was even more fun seeing how they riffed and jammed on the regular. This is going to be one of the strongest recommends I’ll ever give, so please see them live, get their EP, and GIVERS, if you’re reading this, I’m looking for the full length ASAP!

I may be changing the format of how I do music monday soon, but I will talk a little more about it next week, which will most likely be the final week of this current state. It’s not going anywhere, but it is changing. Add me on last.fm if you’re on there.