Art on your sleeve

Graphic designer, painter and sleeve artist, Andie Airfix was born in Scotland but grew up in Warrington in the north west of England. After studying art and English literature at Chester teacher training college, he spent almost a year teaching art and English in Southampton. In 1970 he started travelling around the USA, Canada and Mexico, a trip funded by selling psychedelic paintings to poster companies in New York and San Francisco. On his return to the UK, he spent some time in Devon where he concentrated on painting and writing before heading off again to India for a few years. His is a fascinating life story, involving some of the biggest rock and pop bands of the 1970s–1990s with whom he formed an integral and lasting creative bond. Sadly, Andie Died in 2018 a few years after relocating his design studio called 'Satori' from London to Brighton, UK. You can find out more about Andie's life and work on his website but in this podcast episode I speak with his brother, Tony, all about Andie's work, design legacy and the impressive exhibition that he has created at Warrington Museum and Art Gallery - Saturday 3 February until Sunday 31 March 2024. A book about Andie's extensive portfolio is also in the works by Tony and I'll share information about it in the 'Art on your sleeve' Facebook group as soon as I hear anything. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to Art on your sleeve at Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to your favourite shows, and if you’re very nice, you could give us some stars or a positive review. Art on your sleeve is also available on most popular podcast platforms, including Spotify, Soundcloud and Google Podcasts. Art on your sleeve has an active Facebook group where additional content is shared, and you’re welcome to join. See you online… www.facebook.com/groups/442664446671424

This episode of the podcast is a bit different... Instead of our usual, reverent look back at examples of the best in record sleeve creativity, we dig into its darkest and often unexplored corners of obscurity to expose some of the worst, or at best, most bizarre record sleeves ever created. This collection of more than 500 of 'the worst record sleeves' is part of a touring exhibition of the same name, which I visited a couple of times when it was on display in Birkenhead, Wirral, from November 2023 to January 2024. Whilst there, I spoke with the curator of the collection, Steve Goldman, along with Simon Robinson, the man behind a supporting book that showcases and expands upon the works on display. Buy the book 'The art of the bizarre vinyl sleeve' by Simon Robinson directly from the publisher at this link: www.easyontheeyeshop.co.uk Join the Facebook group: facebook.com/worstrecordcovers Instagram: @worstrecordcovers If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to Art on your sleeve at Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to your favourite shows, and if you’re very nice, you could give us some stars or a positive review. Art on your sleeve is also available on most popular podcast platforms, includingSpotify, Soundcloudand Google Podcasts. Art on your sleeve has an active Facebook group where additional content is shared, and you’re welcome to join. See you online… https://www.facebook.com/groups/442664446671424

Hello and best wishes for the festive season. My gift to you is a brand new episode of the ‘Art on your sleeve’ podcast. In this episode I speak with Paula Benson and Paul West from Form. There’s a lot that I could say about this dynamic duo and their extraordinarily diverse pop portfolio, but it’s probably easier to let them speak for themselves. So, here’s a bit of an introduction lifted directly from their website. In the early 1990’s founding partners Paul West and Paula Benson opened the London doors of graphic design and branding studio Form with two core philosophies: to create work we are proud of and to build real value for our clients through our thinking and particular approach to bold and recognisable design. With a background in music, within a few years we had worked with most of the major and indie record companies within the UK. We evolved by taking our passion to a wider range of clients in other sectors whilst winning awards for our creativity and gaining international respect along the way. Three decades later we remain just as enthusiastic about outstanding design and engaging communications – and the power they have to transform our clients’ products and services. We are problem solvers and ensure our work connects with the target audience by understanding our client’s goals and needs in an ever-changing market place. I spent a fantastic afternoon with Paula and Paul at at their studio, digging through an archive of incredible creativity. We reminisced about the many great artists that they have worked with over the last 30+ years, including Cocteau Twins, East 17, Deuce, 2wo Third3, Everything but the Girl, Scritti Politti, Natalie Imbruglia, Girls Aloud, Depeche Mode and Bright Light Bright Light, and many more. The podcast was recorded whilst quite literally sitting within their personal pop archive, so, at times, things get a bit crinkly and crunchy as we dig out way through parcels and packages filled with decades of delightful design. Hopefully, it doesn’t spoil things for you, just try to imagine yourself within the space and go with it! Stay up to date with Form online: Website: form.uk.com Instagram: @Formukdesign Facebook: Form Design and Branding X/Twitter: @Form_design YouTube: Channel Form If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to Art on your sleeve at Apple Podcasts HERE or wherever you listen to your favourite shows, and if you’re very nice, you could give us some stars or a positive review. Art on your sleeve is also available on most popular podcast platforms, including Spotify, Soundcloud and Google Podcasts. Art on your sleeve has an active Facebook group where additional content is shared, and you’re welcome to join. See you online… https://www.facebook.com/groups/442664446671424

In this episode, I speak with Andy McCluskey, lead vocalist of Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, or OMD, as they are more commonly known. Andy formed OMD with co-writer and occasional co-vocalist, Paul Humphreys, at the tail-end of the 1970s. Their self-titled debut album (and its follow-up) was released in 1980 at the dawn of electronic pop, just as synthesised sounds were easing their way into the mainstream - and this is where our story begins. We begin by looking back at Andy's interests in art and design that saw him creating the first posters for OMD (see below), his ongoing creative relationship with legendary sleeve designer, Peter Saville, and follow the story right up to today with the brand new album, Bauhaus Staircase, released the same day as this podcast - Friday 27 October 2023. The new album references the Bauhaus art movement in its title, and its sleeve design is naturally complementary, but it is not the first OMD album with connections to art and design. So, join Andy and myself as we connect the dots, and along the way reveal that during this journey of more than four decades, OMD may actually have sailed those seven seas and finally come full circle... If you liked this episode, you may also enjoy the conversation I had with John Petch about his design work for OMD's 13th album 'The Punishment of Luxury'. Check out episode 6 of Art on your sleeve. Stay up to date with all things OMD online: Website: omd.uk.com Instagram: @omdhq Facebook: omdofficial X/Twitter: @OfficialOMD YouTube: @OMDOfficial If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to Art on your sleeve at Apple Podcasts HERE or wherever you listen to your favourite shows, and if you’re very nice, you could give us some stars or a positive review. Art on your sleeve is also available on most popular podcast platforms including Spotify, Soundcloud and Google Podcasts. Art on your sleeve has an active Facebook group where additional content is shared and you’re welcome to join. See you online… https://www.facebook.com/groups/442664446671424

In this episode of Art on your sleeve, I speak with painter and former graphic designer, David Storey. David's career designing record sleeves began in the 1970s when he landed a job straight out of design school working for Elton John's Rocket Records. This position provided a crucial platform for him to build a career in the industry leading to his renowned work for the 2 Tone record label. 2 Tone spawned a raft of charting artists including Madness, The Specials, Bad Manners, The Selecter, The beat, The Bodysnatchers and so many more, all of whom received the design treatment of David, often under the creative direction of label boss (and member of The Specials), Jerry Dammers. I spent an hour with David at his painting studio in Hove, near Brighton on the south coast of England where we looked back at his incredible catalogue of design exploring the above and so much more. David is now an established painter, having moved away from the music industry in the 1990s. More recently, however, he has combined his love of fine art and painting with a return to record sleeve design with some beautiful works for ex-Housemartin/Beautiful Southerner, Paul Heaton with his more recent collaborations with Jacqui Abbott which brings the episode right up to date. This episode is an audio supplement to a five-page Pop Art feature in the July/August edition of Classic Pop magazine, issue 76, published in June 2022. The magazine is available in all good UK newsagents and online. Find out more about David Storey's work at: david-storey.co.uk Art on your sleeve has a growing Facebook group which you’re welcome to join: https://www.facebook.com/groups/442664446671424

This episode is another slight diversion from the usual format and was put together specifically to mark International Podcast Day which falls on 30 September every year - a celebration of the power of podcasts and a great opportunity to connect with fellow podcasters, podcast listeners, podcast enthusiasts and leaders in the podcasting industry. I wanted to promote the day by sharing some love for shows that I regularly listen to. Over the years, I've discovered much talent around the world through podcasting and spent many hours listening to voices that I would otherwise never have discovered. Almost everyone I asked to contribute to this episode was keen to get involved and it is this generosity, enthusiasm and commitment that shines brightly in their own shows, all of which I highly recommend. All of my guests' podcasts have a connection with music, art or design and each has come up with something unique that provides a flavour of their own podcasts whilst contributing something meaningful to the raison d'être of Art on your sleeve. Below is a list of the contributors to this episode along with a brief show summary and links to their websites. Each may also be found in the usual podcast places - Spotify, Apple and Google podcasts etc. Permanent Record Podcast An in-depth look at classic 80s albums, analysing each track and video, then giving the album a rating of 0-5 record adapters. www.permanentrecordpodcast.com The Giddy Carousel of Pop A Smash Hits appreciation podcast dedicated to the swingorilliant British pop magazine which ran from 1978 to 2006. www.giddypoppod.home.blog My 80sography A deep dive into the decade the taste police denied, 80sography offers an artist by artist, album by album, track by track commentary on music that delights, inspires and infuriates in equal measure. @80sography on Twitter. Back to NOW! Celebrating all things related to the variously compiled world of pop. We also consider the wider world of pop culture and how our favourite compilation albums shaped our lives. www.backtonow.music.blog The Hustle We chat with some of the most interesting legacy artists in pop music and go in depth on their careers, how they feel about them, what it's like being a "rock star" and also hear their best stories. www.thehustle.podbean.com The Euro Trip We chat to some of the biggest guests ever to have been involved with the world's favourite song contest, delving into the biggest news stories and asking the questions you want answered. answering.www.shows.acast.com/the-euro-trip Art on your sleeve now has a growing Facebook group which you’re welcome to join. www.facebook.com/groups/442664446671424

In this episode of Art on your sleeve, I speak with graphic designer and art director, Bill Smith. Since the 1970s, Bill has been one of the busiest designers servicing the music industry and he's worked on so many record sleeves that a book has been published celebrating his amazing portfolio. In the introduction to the show I read from the back cover of the book - a succinct summary of a life's work... "Bill Smith and his studio have been designing record covers since 1976. In those five decades they have worked with over 200 bands and artists, creating hundreds of album covers, singles bags, and CD covers. Bill Smith Studio worked with some of the world's best photographers, illustrators and painters on covers for among others; The Jam, The Cure, Kate Bush, Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, King Crimson and Mike Oldfield." With such a massive portfolio of work, it's a challenge to cover all bases in a one-hour podcast but we cover plenty of ground and I'm thankful to Bill for his honest insights about the creative process and key artists he's worked with, including: The Jam, Toyah, The Cure, Genesis, Thomas Dolby, Queen, Kate Bush, Sigue Sigue Sputnik and Alison Moyet. I hope you enjoy this episode, if you do, please subscribe at Apple Podcasts and if you’re very nice, you could give us some stars or a positive review. Art on your sleeve is also available on several other popular platforms including Spotify and Google Podcasts. Art on your sleeve now has a growing Facebook group which you’re welcome to join. https://www.facebook.com/groups/442664446671424

This episode is a slight diversion from the usual format, but all is explained in the show introduction. I am joined by Eddie De Souza and Lucy Percy to dissect design for songs that have represented various countries in the Eurovision Song Contest.

Simon Halfon has been designing artwork since the 1980s,  starting out at Stiff Records and then assisting Neville Brody, before setting up London and LA design studios in the 90s.  Long standing clients included the late George Michael, Oasis and Paul Weller. He creates international campaigns for global acts and continues his work with iconic artists, most recently collaborating for the 3rd time with Sir Peter Blake, for The Who's latest record. In this episode I talk to Simon about all of these things and so much more, digging deep into the design process and concepts behind some of his classic works. Simon has just released a book, Cover to Cover which, is as of publishing this post, has sold 85% of its limited edition run of 1000 copies. In the book Simon treats us to many of his personal images and stories which elevates the tome in to something more than a mere catalogue of work. I highly recommend it. If you are interested in the book or finding out more about Simon's work, check out his website at: www.nemperor.com Full show notes are available at: https://softoctopus.co.uk/podcast

Being Boring, a single by Pet Shop Boys is 30 years old today (12 November 2020). It's one of my favourite songs by one of my favourite pop groups and as such I felt I needed to mark the occasion. This podcast complements a Pop Art feature I wrote for Classic Pop magazine about the photography of The Douglas Brothers published in March 2018. The Douglas Brothers photography was used on the cover designs for the single, with graphic design by regular Pet Shop Boys creative collaborator, Mark Farrow. Neil Tennant has spoken in detail about what Being Boring is about and this is included in the podcast, but to quote from his book, One hundred lyrics and a poem: "An autobiographical elegy for my best friend from Newcastle whom I'd known since we were teenagers; he died in 1989 aged only thirty-four... The title was inspired by a Japanese review  which said we were 'being boring'. I liked the bouncy rhythm of this phrase and confronting the criticism  of our famously deadpan presentation. The teenage party referred to in the first verse was in July 1974 (actually, I had just ceased being a teenager) and the invitation quoted Zelda Fitzgerald, the wife of Scott Fitzgerald, from an article, 'Eulogy on the Flapper', published in Metropolitan magazine in 1922: 'She was never bored mainly because she was never boring.' In the second verse I leave Newcastle on the train to study in London wearing platform shoes (it was 1972) and assuming I would never move back. In the third verse I am a Pet Shop Boy recording in Munich, while back in London my friend has died and other friends are ill."