For 2009 - no.14 - Fischerspooner - Entertainment
These guys are primarily an art performance duo, giving more importance to their live performances than their studio music. They even write songs for dance and other performances. It is no strange thing then that the photography of their current release is theatrical to say the least. Like an American version of Pet Shop Boys mixed with a dose of Gilbert & George, they project a distinctly arty image, kabuki yet space-age. The photography is by Dusan Reljin and their styling by Nicola Formichetti, the creator of Dazed & Confused magazine. So what does Casey have to say about their image: "With this album, I wanted to create a world of style where you couldn’t really decipher what the sources were. I first started with having garments based on a sauna suit. They were non-descript, no gender, no references, zero. The Wooster Group brought in Japanese references, initially for us to copy the movement. Warren wanted to use a documentary about the space program in the Sixties. Then we started borrowing from Mark Twain – that’s where the straw boater comes in. All these themes connect and they connect to the music as well. It was a new, interesting way to frame music." Clothing by Elise Fife-Martinelli, Romain Kremer, Alexander McQueen, KTZ. The hats are from Nasir Mazhar, Lite Brite Neon. Art direction and design by Jack Dahl assisted by Enrico Bonafede. Jack Dahl was responsible for kickstarting a visual presence and direction for international mens fashion publication HE magazine and Cover magazine (Copenhagen). Among others Jack has worked with Self Service magazine and Work in Progress advertising design studio (Paris) on some of todays leading fashion references including Jil Sander, Prada, Pucci, Chloé, Celine, Colette and Virgin Records.
For the 00's - Jens Lekman - Night Falls Over Kortedala
The album was designed by Stefan Falt with photograph by Tammy Karlsson who is Jens' drummer (!). The cover shows Jens getting a haircut by a pair of hands coming out of the clouds, with a distinctly retro look (black and white coloured looking photo). The clouds image is at the back cover too and that's about it. A red diamond marks both covers (at the front it is inside the transparent case spine). Simple but beautiful. Like his music.
