THE BEST IN NEW MUSIC DESIGNVOL 1 /// ISU 1

ppPITCH PIXEL

AMES BROSWE INTERVIEW AMES BROS THEY INTERVIEWS US *******

pp3 ///// TABLE OF CONTENTS5 ///// PITCH PIXEL

ARTISTS//

8 /////////////// DAN STILS 10 ////////////////// JOSH RUCK 12 ////////////////////// AMES BROS 14 ///////////////////////// POWER SLIDE 16 //////////////////////////// STEFAN KASSEL 18 ///////////////////////////////// AESTHETIC APP

PITCHPIXELPitch represents the perceived fundamental frequency of a sound. It is one of the three major auditory attributes of sounds along with loudness and timbre. When the actual fundamental frequency can be precisely determined through physical measurement, it may differ from the perceived pitch because of overtones, also known as partials, harmonic or otherwise, in the sound. The human auditory perception system may also have trouble distinguishing any and all frequency differences between notes under certain circumstances. According to ANSI acoustical terminology, it is the auditory attribute of sound according to which sounds can be ordered on a scale from low to high.

WHAT IS PITCHIn digital imaging, a pixel (or picture element is a single point in a raster image. Pixels are normally arranged in a 2-dimensional grid, and are often represented using dots or squares. Each pixel is a sample of an original image, where more samples typically provide even more-accurate representations of the original. The intensity of each pixel is variable. In color image systems, a color is typically represented by three or four component intensities such as red, green, and blue, or cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. In some contexts the term pixel is used to refer to a single scalar element of a multi-component representation, while in others the term may refer to the entire set of such component intensities for a spatial position.

So what is pitch pixel? What we are dealing with here the esthetic manifestation of these two fields of work and art colliding head on. Where art truly meets music in an all out classic brawl of beauty, power and mystery. Take a look this little rag and you will see some of the artists who are pushing the limits of how and what we associate with out favorite frequencies. We at pitch pixel are hunting out the best of the best in a world were anything is possible but seldom reaches the potential that some of us know is our there. This issue focuses on the gig poster side of things… You know those ratty plastered posters that adorn our downtown cores and shout at us to take heed to next musical icon traveling through town. Some do the task of creating these works of art better than others and we present a them with great glee.

///David Gatringer

WHAT IS PIXEL WHAT IS PITCH PIXEL

DAN Based in Portland, Oregon, Dan Stiles creates art that is a visual combination of music and design. Over the past 15 years Stiles has collaborated with artists, labels, promoters, and major corporations to create identities, custom packaging, and limited edition collectible art and merchandise. Stiles is perhaps best known for his Poster Art, working with artists across multiple genres the likes of Death Cab for Cutie, Sonic Youth, Arctic Monkeys, Cat Power, Hot Chip, Sigur Ros, Ted Leo, TV on The Radio, Dizze Rascal, Wilco, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, and countless others.

His work has garnered numerous awards, is regularly featured in national gallery exhibitions, and has been reproduced in a wide variety of books and magazines from Graphis, Print, Step, GQ and Rockport Press. He draws from a broad swath of influences including classic skateboard graphics, album covers, modern art, Japanese design, old comic books, and vintage packaging.

STILLS

A

8

JOSH RUCKJosh has crafted posters for nearly 450 bands, DJs and special events at the club, illustrating artists from Chromeo to Jamie Lidell to Steve Aoki. This week, a selection of Josh’s posters are being released in book and print format. Some of our favourite works over the past four years were chosen for the book, representing a balance of posters for DJ’s, bands and special events.

The hifi club’s consistently inviting graphic designs owe much to the big ideas and artful hand of Josh Ruck. Since childhood, Ruckstuhl has been influenced by comic book aesthetics. “In high school,” he says “I used to draw comic panels on my desks, rather than paying attention and getting good grades.” Teacher’s loss was our gain; Josh developed a knack for making graphic heroes out of the club’s visitors and happenings. Likewise, fantastical lettering stand out in most of his work.

At the Hifi, tunes may be the lingua franca inside the club (“In Music We Trust” is our motto), but Josh’s visuals call the kids from Facebook down to our doors. Ever the humble treasure, he says “the posters wouldn’t exist without these shows, they’re window dressing.” We hope the response to this retrospective will convince him otherwise. Many of our friends are already eyeing advance copies of his book.

10

AMES No they’re not a flying trapeze act, they’re not part of a secret government cloning project, and they’re not a household cleaning product manufacturer but they do make great tees.

The Ames Bros. (Jeff and Barry Ament) have recently teamed up with Pearl Jam artist Brad Klausen, responsible for the creation of just about every Pearl Jam poster there ever was and published a rather fab book worth checking out. Pearl Jam Vs. Ames Brothers should be getting a heap load more publicity soon seeing as the big wigs in La La Land are currently shooting a Pearl Jam movie. Let’s hope it doesn’t turn out like a po-faced version of Spinal Tap! I have never enjoyed many rockumentaries, but then again most rock stars have made it because they can jam to high heaven, not so much for their intellectual clout. Still, it’s all poetry I suppose.

BROS

12

POWERHailing from the South Bay Area in California, Mike Klay currently resides in Seattle where it doesn’t rain as often as people may think. He has a Bachelors of Fine Art degree in Graphic Design and a minor in Art History.

Music has always been a driving force behind a lot of the ideas that Klay puts on paper. In high school he picked up a guitar and learned a couple of notes until he eventually starting laying down beats on a drum kit. After graduating from college and moving to Seattle, there was no way that Klay could play drums in an apartment. The drums were sold and the money was used to purchase a pair of Technics MK1200’s. Turntables were Klay’s natural progression in music and also a way to keep his neighbors happy.

Whether it be the music he listens to while working, the local venues he visits to see various music acts perform, or browsing through one of the many local record shops; music makes him tick. Having done posters for theatre productions in school and an infatuation for all things music, it was inevitable that one day a fusion would become a reality. Klay has been making gigposters or “showprints” for local venues such as Chop Suey, The Showbox, Graceland, and The Crocodile Cafe.

SLIDE

14

STEFaN KaSSELA true Renaissance man, Stefan Kassel designs classy CD, vinyls and DVD covers, conceives great compilations, writes liner notes, published a nice book about soundtracks vinyls ... Abiding the the philosophy that If your records look good, your music sounds even better. His work has garnered numerous awards, is regularly featured in national gallery exhibitions, and has been reproduced in a wide variety of books and magazines from Graphis, Print, Step, GQ and Rockport Press. He draws from a broad swath of influences including classic skateboard graphics, album covers, modern art, Japanese design, old comic books, and vintage packaging.

16

AESTHETIC APPARATUSOften considered Minneapolis’ best totally unknown design super team, Aesthetic Apparatus was founded around 1999 in Madison, Wisconsin by Dan Ibarra and Michael Byzewski as a fun side project from their “real” jobs. Over the years their limited edition, screen printed concert posters have secretly snuck into the hearts and minds of a small, rather silent group of socially awkward music and design nerds. Now, Aesthetic Apparatus is a full time, full fledged, insanely unstoppable, and occasionally award winning design mega-studio. They will break your heart and drink your blood.

PP

18

VOL 1 /// ISU 1

ppPITCH PIXEL

PITCH PIXEL //// THE BEST IN NEW MUSIC DESIGN