And it’s diamonds and gold for the idiot sons
All the privileged thieves gonna make things run
Well I believe in heart and apocalypse sound
You kick em in the head and you kick em when they’re down
And you don’t serve them
You don’t serve them
You don’t serve the people…
To coincide with the launch of Patrick Watson‘s latest album, Adventures in Your Own Backyard, I recently revamped his website with production and dev by Ombilicus Mundi. I’ve always been greatly inspired by Watson’s cinematic music, and the goal of this design was simple; showcase the music and get out of the way. We did just that, devising a docking content column that sits on top of full-screen videos, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the experience.
This coming Friday, Howl! Arts will be presenting a performance by renowned radical graphic artist Seth Tobocman, launching his latest book Understanding the Crash. Seth’s work as an artist and organiser has been central to social justice struggles over the last three decades, from the squatters movement in New York’s Lower East side in the 80s, the anti-globalisation movement in the 90s, the Palestinian solidarity movement, mobilizing support in new Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, to the Occupy movement today. We’re very excited to be bringing this important artist/activist to Montreal alongside author Eric Laursen.
Local musicians Marathon, and the Chaotic Insurrection Ensemble, whose raucous music has animated countless protests and rallies, will also be performing.
More info on Howl! Arts.
For the weekend, a beautiful song by local songstress Claire Boucher, aka Grimes, and a beautiful video by my bud Emily Kai Bock.
Some musical inspirartion for the new year from Lupe Fiasco.
Vision Diversité came to us looking for a visual design for their musical project Arometis that would embody the diversity of the 17 Montreal musicians and composers that collaborated on the album.
Looking to move away from the stereotypes and clichés of the world music genre, we used scans of old wood type lettering, ink splatters and a unique colour palette to reflect the vibrancy of the music, paired with restrained and nuanced supporting typography. The art direction of the CD packaging has been extended across all platforms, giving a cohesive identity to this unique project that weaves musical styles, and musicians, together.
Painting by Lindsay Foran
The next concert in the Howl series features Vancouver-born, NYC-based cellist Julia Kent, and local artists les momies de palmeres and Jen Reimer.
Having worked with such artists as Antony and the Johnsons, Angels of Light, Devendra Banhart, and William Parker, amongst many others, Julia Kent has recently released her second full-length solo album Green and Grey, “a new solo record of looped cello, field recordings, and electronics inspired by the intersections between the natural world and the human-created world.” Her music has been described as “cinematographic, melancholy and luminous”, “emotive, up-close and personal”, and we are very honoured to bring her to Montreal, a city which could share these same descriptives.
The concert takes place two Thursdays from now, Nov. 24th at the Sala Rossa, and is co-presented by the amazing 2110 Centre for Gender Advocacy.
More information and RSVP on facebook here.
In light of the occupations/demonstrations happening around the world, we’re honoured to present a very special series of events this weekend featuring celebrated political artist Eric Drooker. Since I first started becoming interested in political art and design, Drooker has been a consistent reference, up there with the likes of Barbara Kruger, Jenny Holzer, and Gran Fury. His work draws on a long tradition of political illustration while expressing an aesthetic vision that is uniquely his own. From his many cover illustrations for the New Yorker to the iconic street graphics he has designed for countless social movements, Drooker’s body of work is infused with a sense of urgent humanism balanced by a healthy dose of celebratory menace.
The first event, Artists Against Apartheid XVII takes place this Friday at Sala Rossa, where Drooker will present a musical storytelling performance accompagnied by projections of his work. This event brings together so many great organisations; including Howl Arts!, the Mile End Poets Festival and Tadamon, in support of the Palestinian people’s continuing struggle for self-determination, and in solidarity with the popular uprisings happening across the globe.
We’re very excited to announce the third edition of the Howl concert series, Thursday September 15th at Sala Rossa, featuring Kaie Kellough (spoken word), Matana Roberts (saxophone) and Matthew Shipp (piano). These unique, uncompromising artists will perform solo sets that will expand our understanding of contemporary music while paying tribute to the historic, spiritual, and liberation roots of American jazz.
Matthew Shipp — Art of the Improviser
>> RSVP and more info on Facebook here
The Howl concert series has gained a lot of momentum since our first performance at l’Envers last December. We aim to continually highlight fiercely independent art and culture, and draw strong links between it and the important social justice work being done in Montréal and beyond.
