rd.2

Scott Miller of AQ + Kevin Yuen of FERMENTÆ September 30th

THE MOLTER

PROCESS: outdoor shooting-range //x3).50 cal (12.7 mm) mauser rounds >> (thanks gramps!) newsprint + bristol board + masking tape >> charcoal, chalk, screen-printing, pen + pencil >> digital camera and PS

MAAP - Multiple Artist Ambient Project

from Daniel Davis's site:

Source: carlsagansghost.com

"This Project will be produced and released under a Creative Commons license.

Brian Eno’s idea for ambient music was birthed from a Zaireeka-like (Flaming Lips…) experience: while sick in the hospital, he could hear music being played softly from down the hall. When mixed in with the noises of the surroundings, the music took on an ambient quality - it couldn’t be fully listened to, and yet it couldn’t be ignored.

I say we complete the circle and record a multiple-artist album in multiple-parts that are meant to be played simultaneously in a mix-and-match fashion up to the listener’s preference. Each participating artist will record their own part for each composition. These parts will then be assembled by the listener for a unique, interactive listening experience.

The parts can be downloaded and then assembled via an audio editor like Audacity.

The parts can be downloaded and then played simultaneously on different audio devices.

The parts can be played via an interactive website to be designed at a later date (WILL need some help with this one).

Stay tuned for more information."

- CURSED interview -

KSD - "...IN ANTIQUITY"

Design/layout for the VERY limited release available @the Josephine performance in Ballard, WA on the 24th (this coming Monday)... The content: A 28m track composed by Scott Miller, Demian Johnston and myself. Half of which was recorded live in San Francisco and the other half by Demian in Ballard, WA.

DETAILS: 4-panel fold-out packaging in a resealable poly-bag, hand screen-printed graphics on high-quality black/black CDrs on center hubs. REMAINING /over-run copies are $5 (+ shipping). Don't miss out on this awesome collaborative work.
- NOW AVAILABLE - REMAINING /over-run copies are $5 (+ shipping). Don't miss out on this awesome collaborative work.

UPDATE: You can pick one up at Dissonant Plane in Seattle.
"...cosmic extra slow music" -D.P.

FERMENTÆ - 'DIASPORA pt.2' (FINALLY!!!)

Tri-fold, 3"CDr companion disc //single 23m track. Printing was completed and assembly begun last night. The front panel side was printed on metallic gold card stock and looks INSANE... the above mock-up, does it no justice.

- NOW AVAILABLE -

These are $5 individually or $8 as the complete 'DIASPORA' double 3" set. NOTE: There are VERY FEW copies of the complete set left (about a dozen)

An excerpt to said track can be heard HERE.

BLACK GOAT RECORDS - 'IN HOC SIGNO VINCES'

Artwork/design for the 4-way split release forthcoming from BLACK GOAT RECORDS. This one features the bands: Halo of the Sun, The Arm and Sword of the Bastard God, Gnaw Their Tongues and The Slaughtered Lamb. As Darea from BGR said, "I can't wait to see the final product, it's going to be intense."

Many thanks again to Hawk Duncan for his photographic contributions!!

- SUNN O))) - LIMITED EDITION tour poster ON SALE NOW

Hi everyone, just a a heads-up that the limited edition MONOLITHS & DIMENSIONS West Coast '09 tour posters are -NOW SHIPPING-
$25 each // please contact me directly for payment/shipping info: kevin@viraloptic.com
These will be shipped wrapped, rolled-up and sealed in sturdy poster tubes.
Print details: measures- 13x32", 5-color screen print on quality 110lb. BLACK stock // designed by Kevin Yuen and hand-printed by Andy Crawshaw @Broken Press, numbered and signed in an edition of 100 pieces by myself.

NOTE: this poster has elements that GLOW-IN-THE-DARK (the O))) logo and the upright figure) and that this print is DATE specific //meaning that this print is a physical documentation of the 080809 AKTION.
process: found-art, scanner, hand-collage and PS + AI

AL QAEDA (the band) - 'COLLABORATIVE WORKS'

(above:) 'Collaborative Works' assembly session @Scott and Erin's (2/3 of AQ) - they turned out GREAT!

Design + layout for experimental/psychedelic band AL QAEDA's new 7" - 'COLLABORATIVE WORKS' //featuring Mike Watt (Minutemen), Gabe Serbian (the Locust), Chris Carrico and Occasional Detroit. These will be available shortly on their West coast tour and through Scotch Tapes. You can catch them on tour w/said and various collaborators starting THIS FRIDAY @the Hemlock Tavern, San Francisco (go check them out!)

CIRCLE of EYES //260809 LIVE performance

cathedral photograph via. Niall Scott (AUS) // artwork+design: Kevin Yuen
CYCLIC EXALTATION //EXCERPTS //here...
also performing: ONEHUNDREDSUNS and TYRANT

end July into August // new horizons and the Northwest haul

After an amazing visit with friends, both old and new in Seattle, WA - with the greatest memories still fresh, lets get to it - the bounty from my vacation:

(above:) for those of you who are familiar. Yes. it is. THEE original cover-art, matte/framed exquisitely, courtesy of the artist himself: Mr. Demian Johnston. MANY THANKS!!!


(above:) Alio Die & Aglaia - 'Private History of the Clouds', Hemmingway - 'Live at the Josephine 2009', the Golden Greys - 'Hold up the Vanguard', Grouper - 'Dragging a Dead Deer Up a Hill', Nifelheim - 'S/T' (reissue), Morbid Saint - 'Spectrum of Death' (reissue...finally), Kevin Drumm - 'Sheer Hellish Miasma' (reissue), Jim O'Rourke - 'I'm Happy, and I'm Singing and a 1,2,3,4 (reissue), Mütiilation - 'Vampires of Black Imperial Blood' (reissue... finally), Alva Noto + Ryuichi Sakamoto with Ensemble Modern - 'utp-', Ulysses Siren - 'Above the Ashes' (another gem from Shaxul Records on Haight!!!), Sir Richard Bishop - 'While My Guitar Violently Bleeds', Demian Johnston - 'Still.' and Hemmingway - 'Strange, How the Night Moves' (thanks to Demian for keeping the tapes strong!!!


(above:) an Anpanman mask I bought in a sushi-bar in Tukwilla (thanks Doug).
Apparently, this cartoon character rips-off his head to feed the hungry...

Wolves roaming Australia

"Got the print back from the framers at the weekend. I have attached a couple of pics, I think it looks great beside Necromorth haha!! It cost $180AUD to get it framed, ouch, worth it though! What do you think? There is a earthy green hue off the blackish wooden frame which maybe doesnt come out the best in the pics but it works well with those colours in the print to the naked eye. cheers Niall"

MONOLITHS & DIMENSIONS Westcoast Tour '09 // SF poster

(above:) my poster design that will be available @the Independent show (San Francisco, CA) on August 08, 2009 and through myself shortly afterward. See you there.

Details: measures 13x32", 4-colors (a translucent ink mixed within 2-colors: sunn logo, the upright figure and 080809 elements will glow-in-the-dark), hand screen-printed on black-stock, edition of 100 prints.

They will be printed by Andy @BROKEN PRESS in Seattle, WA.
I will be heading up to WA in a couple of days and should have some in-progress shots from Andy's studio to update – also, CONGRATS to Mike and Janel Johnson in advance!!!

-Kevin

IVORY ANTLER: logo study //process //re-cap

(above:) the amended Ivory Antler logo; a simple and effective representative icon of relevant collective symbolism(s). Process: photography, ball-point pen and PS + AI


(above:) various drafts/stages on the process of the IA logo.
You can visit IVORY ANTLER for more information.

150709 //Aidan Baker - Noise of Silence

6-panel CD digipak design/layout for the reissue of Aidan Baker's - 'Noise of Silence' - (one 50 minute long track of guitars and tape-loops) - being re-released shortly by Essence-Music, (based in Brazil). Those of you unfamiliar with either parties can definitely expect only the best in aural composition and high-quality audio releases.
All artwork and photography by myself - the background picture was actually taken @my parents front yard in Clovis, CA. Process: photography, PS/AI/ID

Bio from Aidan's site:
"Aidan Baker is a canadian musician + writer currently based in toronto. he performs as a solo artist + with the groups nadja + arc. a classically trained multi-instrumentalist, his primary instrument is the electric guitar w/ which he creates music ranging from experimental/drone to ambient post-rock to contemporary classical. he has released numerous albums on labels from around the world + has authored several books of prose/poetry."

...more coming - stay tuned!
Thanks,

-Kevin

2 birds, 1 stone //ALBUM ARTWORK + LOGO of the week

(above:) logo for a start-up company TWENTY 5IVE, who specialize in film/music/media production.




(above:) (x2)CD mini-gatefold+pouch for GMH Records in Pakistan. Artwork + design by me, photography (used as elements in the layout) by label owner, Shaheryar Shoukat. They specialize in underground punk/thrash/metal. Here is the release description from the inner panel:

"Underground Chaos is a compilation featuring various acts from Pakistan and of Pakistani origin. Bands featured on the compilation come from all eras; most have been playing and putting out music for over a decade. We have here the originals of the underground and the younger blood, bands that have worked hard and come a long way from when they started.

This compilation is a showcase of Pakistans originals, the few who have stood the test of time."

it has been a busy week, more artwork/updates soonish...

...Regarding music/related, I received the mastered version of FERMENTÆ - 'Diaspora II', courtesy of Mr. Pau Torres from Etude Records back and it is ready for production. The artwork/assembly/packaging is next in-line (lagging) and those will be available withing a few weeks through me, BASSES FREQUENCES (France) and Small Doses (here in the states). And then, it will be time to work on the 'Seer' album. ALL in due time...

Thanks for checking in,

-k

IA for AT

New logo(s) in the works - this is a pretty far-off concept
that I wanted to throw in, but the finished version will likely
be "classy" typographic treatment and not some decaying antler/twig/...thing

//Process: pen(s)/paper/camera/wacom/PS/(x1) Ritter Sport Biscuit

I will post more in-progress pics. along the way...

- WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM - LIMITED EDITION tour poster ON SALE NOW

Hi everyone, just a quick heads-up that the limited edition WITTR '09 tour series posters are -NOW SHIPPING-
$25 each // please contact me directly for payment/shipping info: kevin@viraloptic.com
I have less than half the run at this point. Upon request, I can ship these rolled-up or flat - it's up to you.

Print details: measures- 13x32", 6-color screen print on 100% recycled, acid-free BLACK chipboard // designed + hand-printed, numbered and signed in an edition of 100 pieces by myself.

NOTE: this poster has elements that GLOW-IN-THE-DARK and the glare is from the metallic flake used in the inks. The prints purchased directly from me are VARIANTS of the prints the band sold on tour (check previous posts for pics).
process: photography (temperate rain forest canopy shots from Northern WA state), PS + AI and hand-illustration.

>>additional notes from the BROKENPRESS blog:

OFFICIAL WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM 2009 US TOUR POSTER SERIES

KEVIN YUEN

May 11-Knitting Factory Boise,Idaho - w/ Opeth & Enslaved
May 12- Bar Deluxe Salt Lake City, Utah
May 13 -Marquis Theatre Denver, Colorado - Gojira & Krallice
May 14 -The Picador Iowa City, Iowa -w/ Krallice


Thank You,

-Kevin

AQ + Mike Watt //Westcoast tour '09

Recently finished poster design - you can pick one up at their upcoming shows! check them out HERE.

ps. ask Scott about Bakersfield...

moving forward + more output = RESULTS

I was bored... this might be on a shirt one day ( why you shouldn't swallow ocean water, your call...)

040609 - 170609 //GATES - 'Moths Have Eaten the Core' (revised post)

I recently completed this 6-panel + Obi, folio-style packaging for Canadian drone band GATES debut release.

The general working theme: labyrinths, claustrophobia and the detached mindset within subterranean spaces. Bryan Walker, the sole member of said project, is also a photographer and provided all the insane shots of caves, underground cathedrals and gargoyles to be used and manipulated as elements towards the layout - pretty cool. You can also check out Bryan's other related projects here: ORCA and GARDENIA

Aside from a MASSIVE (long overdue) + pending update of various design projects that I am still awaiting approvals for to post here: there is a NEW interview for Beau over @Hammer Smashed Jazz, good times, great blog (click the link to read said interview)

The Wolves in the Throne Room posters that I designed and printed (see previous post) will be for sale within the next few weeks (NOTE: that these prints will be variants from the prints they sold on tour - more info on that later).

I am STILL wrapping up the final mixes and artwork for 'Diaspora' pt.2 and will be rehearsing live performance material for potential shows in the near future - I guess it's time to test the waters.
Also note that I am involved in a new project named CIRCLE of EYES featuring Thrull from South Bay black metal horde NECRITE and myself on guitars, please check that out!

Until Next time,

-Kevin

UNTIL THE LIGHT TAKES US //SFCA //July 9-11

(should be hilarious...)