Today we're starting a new feature here on BFD that will be recurring somewhat regularly. As much passion as I have for music, I have the same amount of passion for graphic design of all kinds... advertising art, web design, stencil design and especially rock n' roll poster design. Our hope is to have Q&A's with some of our favorite designers around North Texas and the nation.
In the beginning when I first became interested in graphic design I was drawn to the work of
Ames Bros, since then my taste has changed a little. Currently my favorite designer around is Jason Munn who designs for his own design company,
The Small Stakes. I first saw his work in a design book I have, I Googled him and found his web site and from there... that was it. There are a lot of talented designers around the country and in the DFWd area, but, Jason is my favorite one around right now.
So, I'm absolutely thrilled to present a little Q&A he took part in this week... enjoy.
Bona Fide Darling: How long have you been designing and why did you get into graphic design?
Jason Munn: I've been designing pretty consistently for about the past 8 or so years. I worked in a couple different studios for awhile before going out on my own about 6 years ago. I got into design through growing up skateboarding and listening to punk and independent music. Skateboard graphics, magazines and album covers were really my introduction to art and design and after going to school for a couple of years as a fine art major I was steered in graphic design by a teacher of mine and things began to click a little.
BFD: What is your approach to each poster design? Do you feel like the band, venue or band's subject matter hold any importance to your designs?
JM: The band holds the greatest importance to me, but sometimes locations of shows and so on can play a role. I approach each design essentially the same way, research and listen to the band and do a lot of sketches and see what I can pick up on.
BFD: You use a lot of nature in your pieces--bugs as instruments and what not. Do you get a lot of inspiration from nature?
JM: I don't think I do, but I must in some way. I'm just trying to come up with something appropriate for the band and I know natural objects are used quite a bit in my work, so there is usually something in the music or identity of the band that will lead me this way.
BFD: Your Josh Ritter poster, where Idaho is a piano is one of my favorites of yours. Do you have a favorite you've done? Is there one you wish you could redo?
JM: Thanks, that was one of the rare posters where the artist or band had a request and Josh's was to have something to do with Idaho on the poster and I came up with the piano. I've got a few favorites, the couple I've done for The Books and for Deerhunter have always been some favorites. There are plenty I wish I could redo, or sweep under the rug.
BFD: How did you get your start working with bands and creating show posters?
JM: Most of my early posters were for a venue in Berkeley, CA called The Ramp. It was located in the basement of a church and the shows were quite small, and really amazing. Some friends of mine booked the shows there and they asked me to make all the posters. There was typically 1 - 2 shows a month, so the shows were pretty special and unique. Deerhoof, Why?, Damien Jurado, and Animal Collective were some of the shows to play at the The Ramp. Unfortunately, the venue only lasted a year, but I've continued to work with some of the bands that played there.
BFD: Is there a band you would like to work with that you haven't had a chance to work with yet?
JM: I actually don't think about this too much, but TV On The Radio is one band I haven't had a chance to do anything for that I would really be happy to create a design for.
BFD: You have a very particular style, your designs have a very clean and minimalist feel. Do you think that style works best for the bands you've worked with?
JM: I'm just trying to come up with ideas that work for the band, whether it is clean or minimal is not exactly the goal, but my ideas can be pretty subtle sometimes and adding more aspects to a design can make it feel confusing and the idea can be lost quickly, so I typically try to keep to what is needed to convey the idea or mood.
BFD: Do you approach your designs differently for publications than you do for music?
JM: Not really, my approach is pretty much the same. Sometimes other client work can have more guidelines in general, which is sometimes welcome.
BFD: Would you rather design for a band or venue? Which one would be better?
JM: Most I've my work is through the band, but I occasionally do work through venues, but the bands typically approve the designs either way, so its becoming one in the same.
I have one pair of tickets to give away for the Metric show this Wednesday at Palladium Ballroom.
Hello, kids! I'm happy to announce that we are having our first music showcase at City Tavern on January, 2.
This is probably the most interesting song I've heard of late. Jihae (jee-heh) combines the smoky vocals of a female Tom Waits backed by His Name Is Alive.
Of late, Ed Helm's character "Andy Bernard" has been my favorite anger suppressing character on the show that has gotten pretty stale. But, he joined Old Crow at a show last night playing banjo and singing. (annarbor.com)
I've had the opportunity to see Neko Case in concert twice now and I've not been disappointed either time. She is in a category with the like of Alison Krauss as far as her voice is concerned, they both have pure singing voices where they don't have to strain to hit the notes needed in a performance.
Imagine Enya scoring the music during a "love scene" in a David Lynch movie and you pretty much get the gist of Syntak's "Twentytwohundred."
Today our peoples over at Subservient Experiment posted a helluva LehtMoJoe remix of the White Stripes "Blue Orchid." He gives the falsetto Jack White's voice a workout around a bass that would make Luke blush. It's worth repeated listenings... trust me.
Unfortunately I missed Sarah Jaffe's performance on KXT earlier in the week. But, hopefully I won't have to miss 100 Damned Guns performance at 1030a on 91.7... music to the core. But, you may want to play it safe and tune in around 1015a just to be safe.
I've really been diggin' the hell out of KXT this week. Throughout the week when I've been able to listen to it I've heard a few unexpectedly great cover songs. The best one that I heard just today is Iron & Wine's cover of New Order classic "Love Vigilantes." It gives a whole new spin on the song while keeping the emotion of the song intact. 
It hasn't really been that long since we told you about San Francisco's Kite in the Air. But, they are already back with their second EP of the year, Magic Marker. This time the production is a little bit tighter, however, they are still rockin' it like Ladytron's poppy, non-maniacal kid sister.
This Saturday The O's and Shibboleth are playing with Rhett Miller of The Old 97's at Granada for the Breathe Easy Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. If you wanna check out the show we have a pair of tickets to give away.
So, again, the Granada has given us three pair of tickets to give away for... Neko Case. I guess the post title and image up there kinda gave it away. But, what can I do?
Next Tuesday Colorado's own Pretty Lights will hit the stage at Granada Theater with sound/light/video spectacular. If you're a fan of DJ Shadow and have witnessed the spectacular feat that is his live show, then you will love this one as well.
