Retro Synth Ads has some great scans of various electronic music equipment from the 70’s and 80’s. It’s interesting to observe how the sophistication of advertising design in niche industries — like music technology — predictably lags behind that of the mainstream. These are pretty far along and represent output from some of the biggest names of the day, but examples like this and this are fascinating in their simplicity. I’m guessing the engineers who built the machines were moonlighting as their own designers in these cases. Loving the TL-12, makes me wish I had a MSQ-700.
I spent a good chunk of my youth destroying my knees in the name of skateboarding; first during the 80’s as a kid and later in college. The contrast between these two distinct stylistic periods was stark to say the least. Decks went from the curvy whale-tail style with garish neon graphics to the simplified, unidirectional kind you see more often today. The graphics changed a lot with the shape, but each era had a huge influence on my visual tastes. The stickers, the shirts, the decks; I was obsessed with the imagery. I guess it was one of the few instances where a suburban kid could be exposed to non-traditional art and design created by outsiders.
While digging around for some interesting graphics I came across this article at Unodos covering a few books that feature some classic skateboarding designs. There are some old favorites in there (the Powell branding is still about as good as it gets), but I missed Hook-Ups (which you’ll catch a brief glimpse of on the Skateboard Stickers cover) and Alien Workshop (two of my 90’s era favorites). Most of the images are from The Disposable Skateboard Bible which definitely looks worth picking up. The publishers have an online gallery featuring decks from various designers and artists featured in the book.
Awesome behind the scenes segment on the making of the 1980’s HBO intro. Every time I get frustrated with work I’ll think of this and remember how lucky we as creatives are to have modern tools. Although compare this to the digitally generated DVNO video. +1 for analog, again. I don’t know what amazes me more, that they achieved these effects with such limited technology, or that HBO was willing to go to such expense for an intro sequence.
I’m posting this partly because there was one parked outside my house on Monday and partly because you can’t have grown up during the 80’s without lusting after these things (but I’m guessing all designers, regardless of age, have at least a passing interest in the aesthetics of this car). Gizmodo reports that an Italian team has converted a DeLorean DMC-12 to run on lithium-ion batteries. Sounds like fun but I think I’d rather just buy a new one.
With all different kinds of 80’s revival sounds going on I can’t help but fall in love with most of them usually because of their easy going pace or lush melodies. Soft Powers not only has both but this memorable effect on the singers vocals, download their full LP here.
Washed Out, Animal Collective, Daft Punk and Memory Tapes have helped spawn an avalanche of similar artists, most people complain but hey I like those sounds so I just sit back and keep finding new music to pick thru and enjoy. Waskerley Way might wear their recently found influences on their sleeve but that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy the hell out of this song.
New Mux Mool, you know I love it, you know you’ll probably love it, it has a hint of a 2Pac West Coast vibe, channeling Dam Funk and just a sound that in my mind is a fusion of all things Mux.
I trust the Danish you know why? because they are the home of Delsin Records a label that puts out solid deep melodic/house/IDM compilations. They’re always a go to for nights when you think you’re the only one up at 430am and you just want to space out on something with abit of kick.
I haven’t been this excited about a Jose Gonzalez song since Heartbeats came out, its like he took a Kings Of Convenience song on a psychedelic drive.
One artist I keep searching for is Minks, its the perfect mixture of goth, lo-fi and 80’s revival. This song even sparks up memories of a late night good time on the shore and not just bedroom dance party.
If Peter Broderick keeps releasing then i’ll keep posting his material, one of my favorites of his genre. Has anyone seen him live? i’m sure it must be relaxing and heart wrenching at the same time. This song gets soo intense, he was made to make soundtracks I swear, i’d trust him with the task over many that are in that business.
An oldie for some, I sometimes love to put on this Colleen album, it brings me back to when this and Mum felt really fresh in my ears.
Minimal Wave has its own passionate community, one that has a forum with involved fans, pretty much the perfect label culture you’d like to see. I picked up this Das Ding vinyl over the weekend after passing by it too many times at the record stores. Its a great LP all the way thru with minimal synths with a hazy goth/punk attitude, makes me want to dive back into more of these records that I use to love so much.
One of the best minimal synths bands i’ve ever seen live was Xeno and Oaklander, a seriously cared for project put out by Wierd Records, what I love about them is that when you see them on stage you have a feeling that they live this music, its not an act, those two don’t step out of their dark mood much or I could be wrong but the dedication shows.
Automelodi is a bit more french dark pop compared to the last 2 songs in my opinion, almost touches on a 80’s hit, great youthful lead synth work.
Lets space it out with Klaus Schulze to add some diversity.
