The whole thing came about somewhat unexpectedly when my friend (Athica Gallery board member and fellow Athens artist/designer) Michael Lachowski suggested I enter the ‘Mystery Selections Triennial Exhibit’ they were having at the end of the summer. The event was conceived as a clever way to raise funds for the non-profit gallery while at the same time bringing some attention to a very diverse set of local artists. All artists were encouraged to donate 2 or more small works (5.5″ x 8,5″) to be auctioned off at a predetermined price of $60, with all proceeds benefiting the gallery. At last count they had raised over $8000, with a lot of the pieces still available (including mine, haha!). The pieces I submitted were both adaptations of my commercial design / illustration work. Part of my aesthetic involves “sampling” and “remixing” my own work as a way to coax some more (or different) meaning through re-contextualization.

To my surprise, I got an email from the Athica Gallery a few weeks later, informing me I had been chosen to show some more work in the follow up show. Even though I jumped at the chance, the whole thing posed a bit of a problem for me. First, because of the various freelance projects I was already juggling and secondly, because I really had no “gallery ready” art to speak of. I took a few days to mull it over and came up with a plan. I wanted to show work that was in the same vein as the first two pieces, both of which were digitally created and riffing on pop (hip hop) culture, incorporating typography. Over the next week -after some ridiculously long hours- I managed to pull together some pieces I was happy with. They are all either brand new or newly updated from my vaults. I want to refrain from explaining the work too much, since I like to hear people’s interpretations of “what it all means”. I also want to emphasize that in my day job as a graphic designer, my aim is mostly to communicate a message or sell a product by developing a certain visual language. This show was a chance for me to do something where the message could be perceived as divorced from the medium, that is, without having to worry too much about clarity of purpose.

'Juicy' (8,5" x 24")

'Synaesthetic Time Machine' (8,5" x 24")

'Do You Have A Life?' (Custom print on T-shirt)

'They Shook' (30" x 30")

These pieces, alongside work by the other Selections Choice artists Jorie Berman, Will Eskridge, Cindy Jerrell, Missy Kulik and Rebecca Brantley are on display at Athica Gallery until November 6, 2011.

*For the people who inquired about buying art from the show: some have already been sold or reserved, but send me an email to check for availability. I will also be launching a web store on this site next month, with archival prints (and the one teeshirt design) available of pieces in this show, as well as some brand new stuff!*

Both these guys have been turning heads in their respective genres. Multi-instrumentalist and DJ Will Holland under his Quantic and Flowering Inferno monikers has been putting out album after album of quality latin and afro-cuban infused downtempo, funk and dub music from his Cali, Colombia studios. Bristol, UK based Phaeleh has been crafting lush and cinematic (post)dubstep and future garage soundscapes that have found wide support in this constantly growing worldwide bass scene.

Phaeleh – Caustic Storm off his ‘Cold In You’ EP.

I am beyond excited to have been added to the lineup on opening duties. There’s so much good music out there -beyond what’s trendy- begging to be exposed, and I’m elated to have the opportunity to warm up the room with some melodic goodness along the lines of my last mix. It also happens to be my birthday at midnight (October 9th). If you’re reading this, you’re invited to the celebration

Also check out the Neumachina artwork for the show. I’ve been immersing myself in Japanese design and had to go minimal on the vibe for this one:

We’ve been road-testing this one in our sets for a few weeks to enthusiastic response, and we’re excited it’s finally getting released “in the wild”. Preview the tracks below. or head on over to the band’s bandcamp for a free download. Make sure you get the bonus 5-track EP ‘For Real: The Remixes’ as well.

Also check out the artwork for both releases done by Neumachina, and RSVP for the official release party at New Earth Music Hall, featuring FLTRSK, HeRobust, Greenhouse Lounge and Uprise Dub, Saturday September 3rd, 2011

Again, I was a little worried about the time constraints, but it all worked out in the end. The 7-track release, entitled ‘People and Places’ features collaborations with local Athens chanteuse Lera Lynn and Atlanta – based hip hop artist Priceless The Kid, and will be available for free on June 21st via the band’s website. In the meantime, check the goods below!

Cover:

Back Cover:

Disc:

This year’s performer list includes:

Charlie P, Ployd, Sorted, Rel 1, Kryptonite, Captain Crunk, Section 8, Organic Variance, D:RC, Wonky Kong, Feral Youth, Ideal, Decepticron, T8r(tot), Envader, Trogdor, DJ RX, andyredrum, Thump & Hustle.

Neu:Machina – designed poster:

This one came together quite organically; while copying files over from a crashed hard drive I found this folder I forgot I had put together of deeper future garage tracks. I decided to combine those with some current selections, and had it nailed down in one try. I feel like the era of sweating and laboring over mixes is over – mixes are a dime a dozen nowadays – but it’s always nice to have this documentation of music you’ve enjoyed at a specific time for future playback.

D:RC – Cyan Mix – Tracklisting:

01. Arkist – What Do I See
02. Phaeleh – Soulfunk
03. Sclist – Mirrored (Gyu Remix)
04. Late – Losing You
05. Atlantic Connection – No Explanations
06. Indigo – Fallen (Synkro remix)
07. xxxy – You Always Start It
08. Josif – Numb
09. George Fitzgerald – Don’t You
10. Dfekt – Dark Sunday 1st Jerome
11. DJ Rum – St. Martin’s
12. Jack Dixon – With You
13. Versa & Rowl – G’d Up
14. Salva – Baroque
15. Distal ft. Hxdb – Typewriter Tune VIP
16. Epworth & Hackman – Mrs. D
17. Maddslinky – Further Away Featuring Tawiah (NDV Even Further Mix)
18. Glitch Mob – Bad Wings (Kastle Remix)
19. Von D & Riskotheque – Like A Bird
20. Ill-Esha – Black Ice
21. Gravious – Cascade
22. PTR1 – Comatose
23. Phaeleh – Memories
24. Illum Sphere – Blood Music (Indigo Remix)

Download

The site is built on the WordPress platform for that ease-of-use and update-ability that’s a requirement for a band that’s on the road a lot. I took their existing logo mark and created a look around it that’s part gritty and part minimal.

With a few exceptions, regular opportunities to hear upfront dance music in a friendly environment have been far and few in between, after the one “real” dance club we had, Boneshakers, shut it’s doors on East Hancock 5 years ago. The idea with the Knock Knock night is to try to bring back some of that same accessibility we enjoyed (and admittedly, started taking for granted) back then. Every first Thursday of the month throughout the school year we’ll be showcasing some homegrown Athens DJ talent. We’re mixing veterans with new players, wax with digital, old school with future beats, in an intimate, no-frills environment aimed at pushing quality dance music in Athens. We’re shooting to have nice, comfortable sound, with some decent low end courtesy of Matt Soundboi with Dash Productions, while local celebrity vocalist/bartendress Star Scott (of local electro-jazz-fusion band Sursievision) will be on hand to slang some dranks. Best of all, it’s completely FREE!

Concurrent with the launch of the night, we’ll be curating a series of mixes by our rotating crew of DJs. If you’re a DJ or electronic artist who’d like an opportunity to perform at Knock Knock (or have your mix featured), please head over to the official Knock Knock website for instructions on how to submit your entry. We’re excited to get this going and to meet and network with new talent. Please take the time to invite your friends who might enjoy dancing or generally having a good time.

Here’s the lineup for the first event (flyer by Neumachina below):

10-11: MITCHEL MONTES (French House / Nu-Disco)
11-12 – D:RC (Future Garage / UK Funky)
12-1 – WONKY KONG (Tropical Bass)
1-2 – LEXUS LUTHOR (Electro)

Edit: here’s a mix as well of the kind of stuff I intend to play that night.

Dude’s got releases and collaborations with Kode 9 on influential label Hyperdub in addition to a slew of other labels. Very excited to see this kind of talent in Athens and very happy to be part of the show.

Repurposed some Neumachina artwork from last summer’s Dub-Ocracy show in Atlanta for a “quick and dirty” poster design.

Between the 20 acts scheduled to appear on 2 stages, nearly all beat-based dance genres will be represented, from experimental hip hop, to electro-house music, dubstep to drum & bass.

Athens is no stranger to the “late night dance party” phenomenon, but Wired is the only large scale event of its kind to reach out to festival goers with a day component; the opening acts are scheduled to go on at 4pm, with a different act appearing every hour on two separate stages until the closing time of 2am.

Neumachina is responsible for the art direction and design of promo materials in addition to collaborating with video artists Integrated Visions Productions on visuals for the event.