Scotty Reifsnyder - Design & Illustration

I absolutely love these illustrations from Scotty Reifsnyder. Anyone who designs for Wilco and Runner’s World is A-OK with me. Check out the rest of the colorful illustration and design portfolio here.

Gig Poster Love

Some of my favorite modern design comes from gig posters. They’re fascinating. They represent a fleeting, epic experience but the art endures on its own. Here are few that I heart…

Weekend Vintage: Concert Ready

Going to “rock shows” is my personal vice. I spend way too much money on them, but it is money well spent because they make me endlessly happy. Tonight I will be attending the elusive, solo Jeff Tweedy (Wilco) show at the Vic in Chicago. YAY!!!

One bonus of going to concerts is that it is a bit like a costume party. You can pull out your most outrageous ensemble and be completely appropriate. In my day to day life, my wardrobe is pretty much nerd-chic (I love cardigans. LOVE them.) My concert persona is much cooler. She rocks scandalous boots, skinny jeans that cut off circulation and a smug attitude that will not be rivaled (which is key if you want to blend in with the unhappy, but uber-cool, hipsters.) In actuality, I’m not very cool at all, but I do like to play dress up.

Here are some vintage lovelies with a little boho flair - totally appropriate for tonight’s show.

Vintage Beige Mini Dress from PrettyRaccoon

Vintage Turquoise Bohemian Earrings from misovintage

Vintage Brown Leather Clutch from smellyshoesvintage

Opera Length Locket from HeavenAwaits

Vintage Oxfords from MereTrifles

Guess what I have tickets for??

YES. YES. YES. Finally going to see my boyfriend, Jeff Tweedy, put on a solo show at the Vic in Chi-town! Two nights of whitty banter and acoustics straight from heaven…finally. Can I put in my request for The Ruling Class and Theologians now?

Consider this a heads-up, because these shows are not advertised - anywhere. They are coming up quickly, too - March 12 and March 13. Be there or be square!

Wilco: Ashes of American Flags

I bought Ashes of American Flags back when Wilco kicked off their tour in Milwaukee this spring. I finally had the chance to watch it recently and its another brilliant documentary covering the band on the road. I love the fresh approach to filming, the pastoral landscapes of middle America, the complimentary anecdotes, the romantic capture of rock and roll, etc. Its a perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Here’s a taste of whats to come…

Video coutesy of chienandalusian/YouTube

…all my lies are always wishes, i know i would die if i could come back new…

Wilco Will Love You, Baby

Today’s the day, kids!!! New Wilco from my boyfriend Jeff Tweedy and his cronies. I’ll be heading out to Best Buy to pick up my copy later on. Sometimes iTunes just doesn’t cut it, ya know? You want the experience of the album in hand. Plus, you can give your friends a smug look when they tell you that they ripped a copy from some sketchy corner of the web. If you get the album, remember to look for me in the photographs!!…I would friggin’ die.

Check out “Wilco (The Song)” from Bonnaroo. I got to see it live when they played Milwaukee, its definitely a jam.

Video courtesy of DntBrnDPg/Youtube

Wilco (the album)

Album cover via Rollingstone and wilcoworld

There’s not much rhyme or reason to this post other than the fact that I am getting insanely excited for the new Wilco album to “drop.” (June 30th is the magical date.) The new cover art was released back in May. I took particular interest because I participated in the photo shoot for the cover at the Pabst here in Milwaukee. They obviously didn’t use those photos, but I’m still holding out hope for the liner. Not sure how I feel about this cover anyway…its ok, a little disjunct, a little quirky but it doesn’t shout “WILCO” to me. It just doesn’t really fit into the lineup of their previous albums which were artsy, spacial, monochromatic images that made me feel dreamy.

Nevertheless, I am certain that this album will stand up against the other albums musically. The shows earlier this year suggest that the new album is progressive, but not unfamiliar. Perhaps, as the album cover suggests, we can expect a little more color from this album. No matter what, I have a crush on Jeff Tweedy and any missteps are easily forgiven. (JT, call me. wink.) You can expect a full album review shortly after Wilco’s release.

I haven’t posted many mixtape suggestions in a while. Here are a few for your listening pleasure…some old, some new, all fantastic:

1. The Greatest Denier - Doves
2. Girlfriend Is Better - Talking Heads
3. Hotel Arizona - Wilco
4. Of Montreal - The Stills
5. Soft Shock - Yeah Yeah Yeahs
6. Rewind - Stereophonics
7. The Great Defector - Bell X1
8. The Nude - Catherine Wheel

Tweedy, the Brewers Fan

Photo credit CJ Foeckler and The Pabst Theater

Here’s just a fun photo from the other night at the Pabst. Happy weekend everyone! I’m off to Gallery Night.

PS! The night of the second show, we got to “participate” in a photo shoot for the new Wilco album cover (tentatively called Hemispheres.) By participate, I mean stand in a line while a photog snapped pics of the side of our faces. It was fun no-less. Maybe you’ll see my arm…and then I’ll be famous. hehe.

Gig Posters

What an under-appreciated art form! Personally, I love the gritty aesthetic of gig posters. My apartment is decorated in them, along with some old timey war propaganda posters. They represent a time, a place and a very specific event. I think there is something romantic about these paper tributes that attempt to capture the energy of the time and the people taking part.

Here are my two most recent acquisitions. The first is a print from the Wilco show last night. (Love how the artist went for the obvious Pabst/Milwaukee/beer relationship.)

Wilco, 2009 Tour in Milwaukee, WI

The Tallest Man on Earth, 2009 in Milwaukee, WI

Gettin’ in the mood…

Watch more Sky Blue Sky videos on AOL Video

Next Page »