May 2013
1 post
Diggin the Blogosphere Volume 2
Diggin the Blogosphere is an original compilation of the best in new music from artists now working in the digital realm. Produced by young Parisian record label Heavenly Sweetness, The compilation presents a selection of discoveries from all corners of the worldwide web including Shigeto, Chet Faker and AbJo. The cover artwork is illustrated by French visual artist Jean-Louis Duralek. Diggin...
March 2013
2 posts
4 tags
David Bowie The Next Day and Heroes - Side by...
‘The Next Day’ is David Bowie’s 24th studio album to be released after a surprise announcement at the start of this year on David Bowies’s 66th Birthday. This month sees the special edition release on vinyl.
The original cover for ‘Heroes’ is used as the background for the cover with a white square obscuring the front. Jonathan Barnbrook designer for the ‘The Next Day’ explains the...
In the Spotlight: Paul X Johnson
Paul X Johnson illustrations feature on the recent release of ‘Anna’ The third studio album by The Courteeners. “It’s just got such a cinematic feel; it’s elegant and dark, kind of stoney, but also quite beautiful in parts. This embodies the whole record for me.” Liam Fray describing their choice of image for the album. Paul also illustrated the Single ‘Lose Control’ released in...
February 2013
2 posts
Spiritualized Album Covers, Sleeve by Sleeve →
Jason Pierce, the creative force and only constant member of Spiritualized describes his work, sleeve by sleeve. ‘Ladies and Gentlemen, We Are Floating In Space’ is available on artvinyl.com
January 2013
1 post
2012: A Year in Vinyl
Despite the naysayers, it seems that 2012 was another great year for the vinyl record. According to the stats released by Nielsen Soundscan, sales of vinyl records hit another, modern-era record in 2012 with 4.6 million units.
For U.K. Vinyl fans, it was The xx’s second album, Co-Exist which topped sales, whilst Jack White’s solo effort, Blunderbuss headed up the U.S. charts.
...
December 2012
2 posts
In the Spotlight: Ryan McCardle
As an annual celebration of the best in record cover art, the Best Art Vinyl award has featured some of the biggest names working in the visual arts today. Alongside established artistic heavyweights, the lists of nominees and winners since the inception of the award in 2005 has also proudly championed designers who are only just embarking on their visual career. As a double 2012 nominee for...
November 2012
13 posts
“Inspiration for the sleeve initially started with a lighting set-up that Steve,...”
– Band Manager Ian Johnsen on Enter Shikari’s stunning sleeve. See it and many more at www.bestartvinyl.com
Henrik Walse on Sleeve Design
Self-taught, self-employed art director and designer Henrik Walse has been focusing on design for the music industry since he started in 1998. Henrik has created multiple logos, album covers, and posters for some of Sweden’s hottest exports, including Sahara Hotnights, Danko Jones, The Hellacopters, and most recently, The Hives ‘Lex Hives’ which has been nominated for the Best Art...
“I’d worked with Echo Lake on two music videos before I did the album...”
– Natalia Stuyk on her gorgeous cover for Echo Lake, ‘Wild Peace.’ See Natalia’s handiwork and many more at www.bestartvinyl.com
"The Map reads like the record collection we wish...
Want to know the story behind the art? Ali Johnson of Dorothy spoke to Art Vinyl about the making of Saint Etienne’s ‘Words and Music’ sleeve.
“Saint Etienne and Heavenly Recordings approached us in January 2012 after seeing our Original Song Map and asked if we’d like to create a new Map for the cover of the band’s upcoming albumn ‘Words and...
Nick Phillips: Designer of Richard Hawley,...
“Having worked with Richard Hawley for the last 27 years we have a good understanding and have developed a successful process for the visual representation of his work. I get to listen to the music as it develops from simple recorded ideas to full production and have a copy of the lyrics. From these I make a list of all the imagery that comes to mind and develop ideas from these.
...
Surrealist Sensibilities: Markus Hofko's 'From The...
A surreal gathering that brings Belgian artist René Magritte together with 80s-inspired gloss is taking place on the cover of French producer Débruit’s new album, From The Horizon.
It’s the work of The Rainbowmonkey, aka Markus Hofko. His long-term design work with Xavier Thomas – the producer behind Débruit – started after Hofko’s band, okyo, connected with Débruit on MySpace and the...
Band of Horses at the HMV Hammersmith Apollo...
And so to Hammersmith on Tuesday night, where Art Vinyl were treated to an audio visual feast courtesy of Band of Horses. At 9pm sharp, the boys took to the stage in a blur of blue denim and beards, as the charming frontman Ben Bridwell and his bandmates attacked the opening numbers with a wild enthusiasm that was infectious to the 3,000 strong crowd before them.
Although initially a little...
"Make the sun bigger...bigger...bigger!" Paul...
Following the nomination of his work for Future of the Left, Art Vinyl spoke to Paul O’Connell about what went into the making of the sleeve for The Plot Against Common Sense (above).
“This is the first and only record sleeve I have ever been asked to produce, based on an idea Andy [Falkous, Future of the Left frontman] came up with. I think the original brief was something like… ‘A...
Richard Robinson & Mads Perch: Designers of Clock...
As one of the most innovative and exciting pairings in music design today, it will come as no surprise that the work of designer Richard Robinson and photographer Mads Perch features in the nominations for the 2012 Best Art Vinyl award for their stunning work on Clock Opera’s Ways to Forget album.
Dedicated followers of the award will notice that this is not the first time that the...
2 tags
Best Art Vinyl 2012 Private View at Front Room, St...
Below and above: Best Art Vinyl 2012 Private View at Front Room, St Martins Lane
The annual Best Art Vinyl award, awarded to the public’s choice for the most outstanding vinyl record cover art of the year, was first won by Hard-Fi’s ‘Stars of CCTV’ in 2005. For Best Art Vinyl 2011, it was Bright Eyes’ album ‘The Peoples Key’ with its striking layered...
October 2012
2 posts
September 2012
5 posts
'Six Songs of Me' on Guardian Music →
What songs are most important to you? Take this fun quiz and see how your taste compares to that of your favourite musicians and celebrities…
Did record labels really sabotage vinyl on... →
August 2012
7 posts
Sir Peter Blake: Things I Love
Legendary pop artist, Sir Peter Blake has designed record sleeves for some of Britain’s most famous musical exports, including Oasis and The Who. You might also be familiar with his design for a certain gang of mop-haired Liverpudlians: The now iconic sleeve for Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. The Fine Art Society, located in New Bond Street, London is currently...
Dust & Grooves: Photographer Eilon Paz Documents...
Dust & Grooves is a photography and interview project documenting vinyl collectors in their most natural and intimate environment: the record room. Dust & Grooves maintains the integrity and history of vinyl, as well as the musical heritage that goes along with every record in these collections.
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Dust & Grooves is the only project of its kind that documents...
How Old Vinyl Records Can Help Cancer Research UK
Collections of vinyl records could help raise money for cancer research, thanks to a plan by the former managing director of EMI UK.
Using his vast music industry experience, Andrew Pryor has offered to help people sell their vinyl record collections and music memorabilia, with a share of the proceed going to the Theydon Bois & District Friends of Cancer Research UK.
Andrew worked in the...
July 2012
1 post
June 2012
7 posts
1 tag
Bids Soar for Rare Sex Pistols Record →
The British Music Experience 'Seminal Albums'...
Seminal albums set the standard for future work, provide a landmark for fans and artists, as well as forging a place in music history. This new series at the British Music Experience will explore the development and making of such albums, from art work to arrangement.
Producers, designers, musicians and fans will be able to comment on the making and reception of these albums whilst playing back...
May 2012
12 posts
Flaming Lips Continue Wacky Stunts with A World... →
78 Project replicates original vinyl recording... →
