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House of Dynamite explores impossible decisions

Fri, 07 Nov 2025 01:15:40 GMT

House of Dynamite exlores impossible decisions

November 7, 2025

Kathryn Bigelow is a master of film direction and her new film, “House of Dynamite,” is a masterpiece. Elizabeth and I thought every element of the movie was borderline perfection — cast, plot, pace, tone, shot selection, even the music. Some critics have complained about the ambiguous ending, but I can’t imagine a more fitting exit or a more artistically plausible narrative summation.

A rough outline of the story: The U.S. is forced to figure out a way to defend against a first-strike nuclear missile scheduled to blow up Chicago in 20 minutes. The POV switches between different principals involved in the chaos: the generals tasked with risk assessment; foreign policy advisors trying to determine which country, or how many countries, launched the attack (and why); FEMA working to figure out post-strike disaster relief; the technicians who must ascertain the best retaliatory strike while there’s still enough time to launch a strike; the soldiers in the silos who deploy the missiles; and the President of the U.S. who must make the final determination on everything.

“House of Dynamite” is a brilliant, taut action thriller without annoying plot twists, tricks or gimmicks. These are just trained government workers caught in an extraordinary nightmare scenario where no amount of training seems sufficient. The lingering question: What happens when mutually assured annihilation becomes ineffective as a deterrent against existentially desperate foreign nuclear powers?

It’s the 80s again! Visiting the Lévy Gorvy Dayan gallery

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 15:05:56 GMT

It’s the 80s again! Visiting the Lévy Gorvy Dayan gallery

November 5, 2025

In NYC last week, Elizabeth and I discovered a gem of a gallery: Lévy Gorvy Dayan on E 64th Street. They were hosting a brilliant contemporary exhibit, “Uptown/Downtown: New York in the Eighties” featuring works by the heavy hitters of that era including Jean-Michel Basquiat, Francesco Clement, Jeff Koons, Keith Haring, Barbara Kruger, Robert Mapplethorpe, Kenny Scharf, Sally Mann, and many others. The show was curated by the venerable Mary Boone, who played a crucial and indispensable role promoting contemporary artwork as a gallery owner in the 80s.

The show continues through December 13. Those who appreciate this dynamic period of artistic ferment in New York will love this relatively small show. You can view it in its entirety in probably 30–40 minutes.

ARTWORK: ©Jean-Michel Basquiat

Different venue, different vibe with Richard Thompson

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 01:07:59 GMT

Different venue, different vibe

with Richard Thompson

November 5, 2025

Elizabeth and I had an interesting juxtaposition of Richard Thompson shows that made clear why we prefer seeing him in smaller venues.

As part of a five-day NYC jaunt last week, we saw him open for the great Tommy Emmanuel at Carnegie Hall. Richard played for an hour, so his set was about half of what he u sually performs. Despite a little vocal strain on some high notes, his performance was, as always, exemplary. The acoustics were decent. Tommy’s set was electrifying, if maybe a wee bit hammy. When Tommy and Richard played together on Merle Haggard’s “Working Man Blues” and John Lennon’s “Imagine”, it was a ragged-but-right performance that succeeded despite virtually no rehearsal. We loved the show.

But on Monday night we saw RT at The Birchmere and the difference in venue was striking. It’s not just the relative intimacy of the crowd and close proximity to the stage. I think it’s because Richard doesn’t play “big” — no rock-hero guitar moves, broad gestures, dancing/dipping/crouching, dramatic lighting at the end of songs, etc. His humor, which is a big part of his show appeal, is sly, clever, and spontaneous. Not loud. The off-hand remark, or droll one-liner to an over-enthusiastic audience request is sharp, but never bombastic. The focus on his playing is intense, not showy.

We’ve seen him in venues large and small and his performance is never short of incredible; but larger venues seem to diminish his strengths. We loved both shows... the Birchmere gig just had that special sauce.

Giorgio Armani, a design titan

Thu, 04 Sep 2025 20:45:16 GMT

Giorgio Armani, a design titan

September 4, 2025

When Lasko Design started making decent money in the mid-80s, I decided to join the ranks of fashion conscious Boomer yuppies and kit myself out in Giorgio Armani suits. It was an expensive undertaking, but I justified it (questionably) as helping me project a more professional image when pitching my business. In terms of actual ROI, it was probably a wash.

But for the next decade and a half or so, it was fun putting some effort into my business appearance and learning the ins-and-outs of apparel design, fabric, and suit construction. And yes, I’ll confess to a bit of bullshit snob appeal as well.

Those days are now gone, and so, sadly, is the great fashion titan Giorgio Armani. RIP, sir — I always felt terrific in your clothes.

JangleBox at Andy Babiuk’s Fab Gear

Wed, 27 Aug 2025 22:39:54 GMT

JangleBox at Andy Babiuk’s Fab Gear

August 27

Looking for a great selection of Rickenbackers, Fenders, Gretsches and JangleBox pedals? Here you go: www.andybabiuksfabgear.com

Is capitalism a joke? A review by Charles Finch

Tue, 12 Aug 2025 18:00:57 GMT

Is capitalism a joke? A review by Charles Finch

August 12, 2025

We watch the wealth gap grow, ever more alarmingly. We’re assured by business leaders that technologies like AI and blockchain are going to benefit mankind. But we’re not even completely certain how they work, and many of our kids struggle to find living-wage employment. Finch’s observation strikes me as a perfect encapsulation of the growing mess we’ve created.

Project 2025 stupidly promoting drastic NIH funding cuts

Fri, 08 Aug 2025 17:35:57 GMT

Project 2025 stupidly promoting drastic NIH funding cuts

August 8, 2025

Russell Vought, head of the OMB, is a perfect example of someone in charge who doesn’t know what he doesn’t know, yet remains resolute in his belligerent stupidity. Dr. Jessica Knurick explains, clearly and cogently, why dissecting bits of research for a cheap soundbite is dishonest and wrong.

A brilliant friend of ours recently left her long-time position as a researcher at NIH because funding is drying up for critical studies. It’s people like Vought — a hard-core Christian nationalist and primary author of Project 2025 — who insist on halting research on projects they can’t fully comprehend in order to provide tax cuts for billionaires who don’t need or care about the extra money. This is not making America great, or fair, or wise, or healthy. Americans are going to suffer because of this funding cutoff.

Government supported religious proselytizing

Wed, 30 Jul 2025 17:12:42 GMT

Government supported religious proselytizing

July 30, 2025

Just saw this yesterday.

How well do you think the religious proselytizing will go over with the Trump administration (and MAGA enthusiasts in general) when Muslim federal employees “encourage co-workers to adopt their faith” or “[attempt] to persuade others of the correctness of their own religious view”?

This memo is nothing other than a Christian nationalist provocation. It has the greasy thumbprint of Russell Vought and Project 2025 all over it.

My personal contempt for religion aside, when it comes to other’s perspective on faith and god, I agree with Tom Petty: “You believe what you want to believe.” I also agree and identify with George Will’s personal characterization of being a “low-voltage atheist.” But religion in government? God spare us. This is stupid and should be illegal.

Wet bar art: an inexact tribute to Gene Davis

Thu, 17 Jul 2025 17:03:38 GMT

Wet bar art: an inexact tribute to Gene Davis

July 17, 2025

We just rebuilt our office/studio wet bar, so I created a graphic in Adobe Illustrator for the back wall. Rendered as a print on aluminum backing (30 x 50), it’s sort of an homage inspired by Gene Davis, the D.C.-area artist famous for creating the Color Field series of vertically-striped paintings. Gene’s stripes were always meticulously painted solid colors; I used a series of gradients.

The art world intelligentsia in New York had little, if any, appreciation for Color School, Color Field, or Gene Davis in particular. Their disdain for his work kept it from gaining the wider respect it should have received. That kind of elitism always struck me as especially endemic to precious NYC art gallery folk. The same people who turned art collecting into what it is today: soulless deal-making in the endless pursuit of pointless wealth.

Larry Campbell and Teresa Williams are brilliant

Sun, 22 Jun 2025 16:48:19 GMT

Larry Campbell and Teressa Williams are brilliant

June 22, 20 25

Do yourself a favor and never pass up the opportunity to see Larry Campbell and Teresa Williams perform — if you love great music, you’ll thank me.

Elizabeth and I saw them (along with terrific bassist/vocalist Brandon Morrison) last night in a packed-house show at Jammin' Java . They were, as always, sensational. Country and blues chestnuts; originals; songs by t he Band, the Louvins, George Jones, and William Bell; a fiddle/bass/mandolin instrumental; Duke Ellington’s “Caravan”; a cappella Grateful Dead... it was the vast scope of Americana brilliantly condensed in a single concert. And their performance was as outstanding as their material. Larry is an incredibly inventive and soulful guitarist. His harmony vocals with Teresa were gorgeous, as were their individual solos.

With so much talent on stage, a show like this is, truthfully, as close to a religious experience as I get these days.

Making music for friends — a remembrance

Sat, 31 May 2025 15:52:38 GMT

Making music for friends — a remembrance

May 31, 2025

I was cleaning out some digital files and found this video Elizabeth and I made for our dear friends Rob and Sue Bourdaudhui during covid in 2020. We frequently socialized together and thought this might be a fun musical diversion for them during the lockdown.

Covid aside, it was an awful time. Sue had been diagnosed with a brain tumor, and we were all very concerned about her health. Sadly, she passed away that fall.

Rewatching the video this week, I had better perspective on the fun we had playing those songs: an aimless Friday night; random tunes; low-res iPhone video and audio; no reverb on the vocals; one guitar and two voices; live takes, no edits. There are a couple of flubs and flat notes here and there, but overall I like it. Especially Elizabeth’s singing. I hope you like it, too.

00:20 Maybe Baby (Buddy Holly)

02:29 It’s Raining (Irma Thomas)

05:39 My Back Pages (Byrds, Marshall Crenshaw)

09:17 The World Turns Around Her (Byrds)

11:47 Angel from Montgomery (John Prine)

15:30 Heave Away (Roger McGuinn)

Conducting business with civility

Wed, 21 May 2025 20:11:14 GMT

Conducting business with civility

May 21, 2025

Last fall I got a call from Larry Fishman, president of Fishman Transducers. His company was preparing their trademark application for the product name “Acousticomp” when they saw JangleBox had already applied and been granted a preliminary trademark. Fishman Transducers had completed an initial production run of compressor pedals using that name, ready to ship, and their marketing campaign was in place. So Larry had a problem. He asked if he and I could reach an accommodation that would save him money, time and aggravation.

Aside from the fact that I greatly admire (and own) Fishman products, I really appreciated Larry’s approach and demeanor. We had a very congenial chat for maybe 15 minutes and reached a simple agreement quickly. And let’s be real: with his company’s resources, Larry could have made things difficult for JangleBox. Instead, he promised to drop the Acousticomp name after he sold off his first run (guitar pedals are a small part of their product line). I promised to forgo any legal action. We wished each other well.

Contrast that to the phone call I received Monday from Chris Martin IV, executive chairman of C. F. Martin & Co. Our conversation began oddly. Without introducing himself, he asked who was the person in charge of intellectual property compliance. I told him I’m in charge of everything at JangleBox. He seemed to already be seething when he said we had violated Martin’s trademark by showing a portion of a Martin headstock (with partial logo) in an ad.

I asked “What ad?” He then shouted “ Vintage Guitar ! The ad in Vintage Guitar !” When I figured out what he was angry about, I countered “I see Martin guitars on record covers, CDs and in ads all the time. Isn’t this pretty much the same thing?” That remark, unfortunately, was the wrong thing to say and set him off on a loud harangue, talking over me and threatening legal action several times. He even pulled the “Do you know who you’re talking to?” indignation, which I thought was strange since he hadn’t yet told me who he was. I asked him if he wanted to have a conversation or just yell at me? He kept yelling.

As to the substance of his complaint, Martin’s point was valid; I made a mistake. I thought I could simply use a picture of my Martin D-42 positioned next to an Acousticomp®, and didn’t consider the trademark ramifications. Among his grievances was that I didn’t even ask to use a picture of their headstock. True, but would that have made any difference? I doubt it. Anyway, our Vintage Guitar ad has been redesigned and the D-42 photo is gone.

This issue could have been handled so much more professionally. Chris Martin, former CEO of C. F. Martin & Co., has people to do this for him without all the sturm und drang . I connected with their in-house attorney the next day to resolve the matter and he was both more reasonable and better suited temperamentally to handle tasks like this. If Martin didn’t want to email me a basic cease and desist order, here’s how that phone call could have gone:

“Hello. Chris Martin from Martin Guitars here. I’m calling to inform you that you violated our trademark protections in your June Vintage Guitar ad. I’m asking (insisting; demanding) that you remove the photo of the Martin headstock from this and any other of your other ads immediately.”

It would have been done and done.

I love my Martin guitars and applaud Chris Martin’s turning the company around when it foundered in the 80s. But Jesus, what a needlessly unpleasant encounter.

Martin guitar headstocks and logos are registered trademarks of C. F. Martin & Co.®. JangleBox® and Acousticomp® are registered trademarks of JangleBox, LLC. JangleBox is not affiliated with, nor endorsed by, C. F. Martin & Co.

A pitiful day for The Washington Post’s editorial integrity

Tue, 29 Oct 2024 15:33:20 GMT

A pitiful day for The Washington Post’s editorial integrity

October 29, 2024

William Lewis, publisher and chief executive officer of The Washington Post , today issued a statement that the organization was not going to endorse candidates for President of the United States this election, nor would they endorse a presidential candidate going forward.

The message was simpering nonsense (something about “returning to our roots”), the staff is furious, and many journalists have condemned the decision as nothing other than rank cowardice. I agree.

Lewis was doing owner Jeff Bezos’s dirty work, but that’s irrelevant. As a subscriber for the past 50 years, I joined thousands of other subscribers in canceling our subscription. Yes, I know Bezos doesn’t care, but I just can’t abide sending them my money to read editorial positions that are compromised by spinelessness.

Speculation has run rampant that Bezos is hoping not to further irritate Trump should he win the election. Trump has been vociferous in his hatred of Bezos, and has threatened vague (and probably illegal) action against Amazon. If Bezos thinks he will now be in Trump’s good graces, he’s even more stupid than he looks.

This is a horrible time for the business of journalism. Legacy media is losing money left and right, and owners are trying — sometimes desperately and/or badly — to create new revenue streams. The Washington Post joins The Los Angeles Times as a partner in shame. Their editorial staff, too, was forced to bend to the will of their owner and decline to endorse a candidate.

As a journalism major in college, I came up in the age of Watergate, when courageous writers, editors and publishers stood up to presidents and held them accountable. They saw their mission as a calling, something greater than next quarter’s P&L statement. Those days, unfortunately, are long gone.

Goodbye to Sandy Overbey, my friend and mentor

Fri, 02 Aug 2024 15:31:11 GMT

Goodbye to Sandy Overbey, my friend and mentor

August 2, 2024

Around 1981 I hit extreme low points in my personal and professional lives. That’s when I met Sandy Overbey , who urged me to join the small ad agency where he worked. I did, and soon after he helped set me on a trajectory out of my doldrums and, arguably, into the greatest years of my life.

Sandy was my friend, mentor, and adult guidance counselor. He was also a wonderful illustrator, creative thinker, theologian, traveler, chef, and philosopher. He lost his 14-year-old daughter tragically, a few years before I met him, and I think that gave him a special empathetic outlook on life. He could read people’s strengths and weaknesses perfectly.

We were both “lapsed Catholics.” Whereas I drifted away from religious belief in my 30s, Sandy was a constant seeker. In time he came to identify with the Quakers, and, in his 50s, got a degree in theology from Georgetown U. Most importantly, he lived a life of service to others. I doubt anyone in Sandy’s social orbit, (with his wife, Anne), wasn’t in some way touched by their kindness, generosity, support, and/or care. For a solid year, he drove my mother-in-law to physical therapy once a week, and that wasn’t unusual.

I can’t count the ways in which Sandy impacted my life for the better. I would never have been a graphic designer without his encouragement and guidance. He literally picked out my townhouse for me when I dithered on whether and where to move when my first marriage foundered. He embraced Elizabeth when we started dating. My family all loved Sandy, as did my in-laws and friends.

Anne passed away last December after a lengthy bout of cancer. Sandy died early this morning of a heart attack at 82. I’m guessing it was more likely of a broken heart, despondent over losing his beloved wife. But Sandy was a believer, so if he’s now at peace and back with Anne, all is well.

PHOTO: ©Christian Overbey 2023

What’s the big deal about “The Bear”?

Mon, 01 Jul 2024 19:04:33 GMT

Not quite getting the brilliance of “The Bear”

July 1, 2024

Can’t quite figure out what the fervor is over FX’s The Bear . We gave up on it when it first aired a few years ago because the camera work in the initial episodes was cut so fast that it was irritating. A couple of weeks ago, we decided to give it another try in light of the over-the-top reviews, resolved to see what the fuss was about. We also noticed that the reviews for recently released Season 3 weren’t quite as glowing.

The Bear is a middling workplace melodrama situated in and around a Chicago restaurant with extended family — and friends who think they’re “family” — as the main characters. There’s a brooding protagonist (Carmen), who’s also a brilliant chef, mourning the recent suicide of his beloved brother who owned the restaurant. Carm, with his formal culinary training, has aspirations of elevating the place from a sandwich shop to an upscale Michelin one-star eatery, and he’s determined to do it with this motley, mostly untrained, crew.

The go-to creative tic of the show is dialogue that is often screaming cross-talk laden with F-bombs and righteous indignation. The characters hurl horrible, personal abuse at each other, followed immediately by soul-searching contrition and a lot of “I’m sorry, chef.” (Everyone is “chef”). This is supposed to pass for “poignant realism” even though no sane, emotionally stable people ever speak to each other this way.

The food porn photography is truly outstanding, but there’s not much character growth or even an engrossing story. The quality of the acting varies from show to show (and character to character), but only Jamie Lee Curtis’s nutso matriarch is really dreadful, chewing scenes as an unhinged train wreck. The soundtrack includes a lot of REM, Eddie Vedder and Wilco, if that’s your cup of tea. The Bear certainly isn’t bad, but it’s overwrought in a weirdly pointless sort of way. And not terribly original. Grade: C/C+

Scott Galloway: Common sense meets forward thinking

Sat, 01 Jun 2024 17:15:10 GMT

Scott Galloway: common sense meets forward thinking

June 1, 2024

Among the glut of social commentators and pundits, one who’s caught my attention in recent years is Scott Galloway, a 59-year-old serial entrepreneur and professor at NYU. I find myself in agreement with him probably 90% of the time. More importantly, I’ve changed my thinking on certain issues based on his talks and research.

His basic thesis is that for the first time in history, a 30-year-old faces a far less prosperous future than 30-year-olds from years past due largely to a societal “transfer of wealth” that has largely benefitted Boomers at Millennials’ expense, further burdening them with debt. As a demographic cohort (and adjusted for inflation) Millennials receive less income and their future prospects for a comfortable middle-class life (with suitable wealth for retirement) have been greatly diminished. Buying a house is out of reach for many, and college debt is crushing. Young folks today, particularly men, are filled with frustration, rage and shame for a reason.

To his credit, Galloway doesn’t simply traffic in rhetorical bombast — his observations are backed with research and empirical data and delivered with a dry, cool self-aware stylishness. As a speaker, he’s entertaining almost to the point of being glib. But in addition to being practiced and clever, he’s also very smart (despite his claim of being a wastrel in college with a 2.27 GPA). He leans left, but many conservatives will find agreement with him on a range of issues. Most appealing is that despite the dire situation young folks face today, he remains optimistic about the future and offers solutions that are thoughtful and practical. He believes the U.S. is currently adrift, but not lost. Collectively we have the know-how and ability to fix these problems.

Vintage Guitar’s glowing review of our Acousticomp™

Wed, 08 May 2024 15:47:18 GMT

Vintage Guitar’s glowing review of our Acousticomp™

May 8, 2024

It’s always wonderful to get a great review of one of our products that we put so much work into getting just right. Thanks to our friends at Vintage Guitar magazine for the kind (and truthful!) words about the Acousticomp.

Johnny Cupcakes: the man, the t-shirts, the tattoos. No cupcakes.

Thu, 04 Apr 2024 14:48:46 GMT

Johnny Cupcakes: the man, the t-shirts, the tattoos.

No cupcakes.

April 4, 2024

David Ogilvy, the venerable and cranky advertising genius, had certain dictates for his copywriters, one being: “You cannot bore the customer into buying a product.” I actually thought of Ogilvy when we visited Johnny Cupcakes in Boston this weekend. Their motto seems to be: “We want to irritate customers into buying our products.”

Here’s the gag: Johnny Cupcakes doesn’t sell cupcakes. They sell Johnny Cupcakes t-shirts and stickers. But they seem so delighted with this marketing dissonance that they’ve gone to expensive lengths to make their storefront and shop look like a bakery — an entrance with custom retro doors that resemble ’50s ovens; a neon sign proclaiming “Baked Goods”; merchandise racks that belong in a bakery. The sole tip-off to the chicanery is an awning with an F over the B in “Bakery.” Get it?

Newberry Street was jammed Saturday; the few restaurants there were all booked for lunch. We spotted Johnny’s and, like the suckers they hope to attract, went in for a bite to tide us over. Within 10 seconds we figured out the ruse. Slightly embarrassed and definitely irritated, we made a quick exit along with two other younger suckers couples. As we left, the kids running the store called after us excitedly, “Hey, did we trick you?!”

How does this business survive? I admire humor, novelty, and clever marketing subterfuge, but where’s the brand appeal with this user experience? Why would anyone want to buy a t-shirt after being duped? Especially when they’re hungry and somewhat aggravated.

The owner and creative mastermind behind this enterprise is Johnny Earle. On his website he claims that 2,016 people have the Johnny Cupcakes logo tattooed on their bodies.

Cryptocurrency rebounds and the swindler says “I told you so!”

Mon, 04 Mar 2024 22:58:35 GMT

Cryptocurrency rebounds and the swindler says

“I told you so!”

March 4, 2024

You thought the cryptocurrency hoopla was over and done? Nope. In fact, convicted scam artist Sam Bankman-Fried might benefit from a resurgence of the crypto market by receiving a much lighter prison sentence than originally expected. “Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me” apparently isn’t a thing anymore.

A brief review: Bankman-Fried was convicted on November 2, 2023 of all seven fraud and conspiracy counts he faced for swindling investors in FTX, his crypto exchange company. The total losses from illegally managed assets were almost $9 billion when FTX filed for bankruptcy in November of 2022. Bankman-Fried is facing more than 20 years in prison. His sentencing is scheduled for March 28.

But there’s a twist: In the 15 months since FTX collapsed, the crypto market has had a stunning resurgence, which will likely allow FTX customers and creditors to be repaid nearly in full, according to an attorney for the debtors. The market shift, combined with with an equity stake in a crypto unicorn, Anthropic, may help FTX administrators recover $7.8 billion. Details and sales still need to be worked out.

Yet another twist: Many FTX investors who once screamed for Bankman-Fried’s head when all appeared lost are now complaining that simply being made whole isn’t enough! They’re aggrieved that they won’t be repaid an amount reflecting the 150% market gains since the bankruptcy. That can’t happen because FTX is dead and is now just liquidating assets. But you still have to marvel at their greed.

As for Bankman-Fried, he now wants a sentence of no more than 63 months. So I guess if you robbed a bank of billions but returned the money a few years later, it wasn’t that big of a crime?

UPDATE 3/28/24:

Samuel Bankman-Fried was sentenced to 25 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $11 billion in forfeiture for his orchestration of multiple fraudulent schemes, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

Kit Hinrichs, my favorite graphic designer and career inspiration

Fri, 16 Feb 2024 01:08:51 GMT

Kit Hinrichs, my favorite graphic designer

and career inspiration

February 15, 2024

My favorite graphic designer and most profound influence in my design career is Kit Hinrichs, former partner at Pentagram, and now — in his 80s — still working at his own studio in San Francisco. Kit has received every design award and recognition there is, and deservedly so. He’s truly one of the masters.

I met Kit a couple of times at talks he gave in D.C.; he’s remarkably easy going and very approachable. His work, which he describes as “narrative design,” is distinguished by a flawless attention to detail and craft. Every time I’ve held one of his printed pieces in my hand, his brilliance is reaffirmed: the perfect imagery, wonderfully balanced white space, color and typography; and artfully applied production touches like contrasting varnishes, embosses, de-bosses, foil stamping, and folding. His pieces just feel great. Most importantly, every design element is calibrated to help better tell his client’s story. There is a purposefulness to his work that goes far beyond fashion, let alone trendiness.

I recently got Kit’s monograph, a signed, limited edition published by Graphis: Narrative Design: A Fifty-Year Perspective . I’m sharing a few spreads from the book because it displays a creative sensibility that, unfortunately, there’s too little of in the design world today. Enjoy.

https://www.studio-hinrichs.com/

Craig T. Fall’s incredible Acousticomp pedal demos for JangleBox

Wed, 07 Feb 2024 23:17:34 GMT

Craig T. Fall’s incredible Acousticomp™

pedal demos for JangleBox

February 7, 2024

Our good friend Craig T Fall recently took time away from his many projects to create five demo videos of our new JangleBox Acousticomp™. They’re short and sensational — beautiful acoustic improvisations. We bet you’ll love them as much as we do! (Start with Guitar Demo1 — Vimeo automatically arranges them out of order on our website).

Thank you, Craig!

Don’t patronize Joni Mitchell’s Grammy performance

Tue, 06 Feb 2024 23:00:11 GMT

Don’t patronize Joni Mitchell’s Grammy performance

February 6, 2024

If you’re a music critic for the Washington Post , you should know something about music.

Describing Joni Mitchell’s Grammy performance (in an article credited to four writers), they claim: “We’re still fixated on Joni Mitchell’s final, artfully sour discordant note on ‘Both Sides Now’ followed by her sweet, wide grin…”

As if being “fixated on a note” weren’t weird enough, the note wasn’t “sour” (or “artfully sour”) or “discordant”. The song is in C. When she sings “I really don’t know life at all,” she briefly slides to what sounds like an A minor (on the word “all”) before the band resolves back to C major to close the song. This is a common chord change — going to the relative minor. It was nothing other than a passing note with a kind of jazz phrasing. That’s how she’s sung the song for the past few decades.

At 80 years old, Joni’s voice obviously isn’t what it once was. She has suffered deficits from her 2015 brain aneurysm; her speech can be halting. But her singing was moving, deliberate, and on pitch. The Post’s comment comes off as patronizing and stupidly smug. I don’t know for a fact, but I bet Chris Richards wrote it. His style is frequently affected and cringe inducing.

The sky is not falling — the economy is doing well

Fri, 02 Feb 2024 22:39:06 GMT

The sky is not falling — the economy is great

February 2, 2024

If your personal financial circumstance is bad, no amount of macroeconomic analysis is going to make you feel better. I understand and empathize — JangleBox sales often fall off after the January NAMM Show for a while (unless, oddly, they spike). Grocery prices are still too high; the economy can always be improved. Keep in mind, however, your personal financial circumstance is not a bellwether for the nation’s fiscal health overall.

And to the Larry Summers and Jamie Dimons of the world, please shut up now. You’ve been yapping like Chicken Little about an ever-impending “recession” for the past four years. Give it up; you were wrong. Things are getting better. The economy is growing.

And the Fed should give us all a break and start lowering interest rates.

The Book of Kells Experience logo is beautiful and clever

Fri, 12 Jan 2024 22:07:23 GMT

The Book of Kells Experience logo is beautiful and clever

January 12, 2024

Wonderful brand identity for the Book of Kells Experience at Trinity College Dublin. Designed by Domenic Lippa’s team at Pentagram. According to the Pentagram release:

“The Book of Kells Experience is an immersive a digital journey set within a specially constructed pavilion in the grounds of the College, that allows visitors to first see The Book of Kells in the Old Library and experience the beauty of the Long Room. This is followed by the digital presentation that spans 1,200 years and follows the book on its extraordinary journey from Iona in Scotland over the Irish Sea to Kells, and on to contemporary Dublin.”

The logo works well on different platforms. The simplicity of its form and the cleverness of the K turned on its side to show the open pages of a book, delight the eye. It’s clear, clean, and purposeful.

In recent years, I thought much of Pentagram’s identity work was becoming hit-or-miss, but this project is an unqualified success.

JangleBox celebrates 20 years in business, part 2

Thu, 04 Jan 2024 23:07:38 GMT

JangleBox celebrates 20 years in business, part 2

November 12, 2023

Next year marks JangleBox’s 20th in business, so I designed a limited edition t-shirt for the occasion. Since we needed a model, I naturally importuned Elizabeth, who was a good sport. For her efforts, she got to keep the t-shirt — for free! Do I know how to treat a girl, or what?

JangleBox celebrates 20 years in business

Wed, 03 Jan 2024 21:50:09 GMT

JangleBox celebrates 20 years in business

January 1, 2024

We had no idea how hard, fun and rewarding this venture would be when we got into manufacturing in late 2003. Maybe the best part is meeting so many wonderful folks in the music business. Here’s to yet more adventures!

Yes, “Oppenheimer” is a masterpiece, but...

Tue, 02 Jan 2024 18:35:55 GMT

Yes, “Oppenheimer” is a masterpiece, but…

January 2, 2024

Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer is an artistic, capital-M Masterpiece; a technical and cultural triumph of the cinematic arts. It skillfully employs the brilliant acting of a wide ranging A-list cast, (starting with the always-great Cillian Murphy) who are all at the top of their game. The multi-layered story includes scientific discovery, tension, political intrigue, treachery, nudity, sex, triumph, loss, moral righteousness, betrayal, commies and explosions. At three hours plus, it’s a sweeping epic. Exhaustive and exhausting.

But I actually enjoyed Maestro more.

It’s always God 21, Heathens 0

Mon, 01 Jan 2024 18:08:47 GMT

It’s always God 21, Heathens 0

January 1, 2024

As the college bowl season winds down today, I get a well-meaning laugh at all the post-game interviews where earnest quarterbacks and receivers piously proclaim that their team’s victory was because of god. “All praise to Jesus!” “God is good!” “It all starts with Him!”

What about losing teams, especially a Christian school like Liberty University that just got the hell beaten out of it by the godless Oregon Ducks? Did god forsake Liberty just because of their dreadful defense?

Next to college football and Major League Baseball, I think my favorite sport is religion. Only as a spectator, of course.

“Maestro” is a brilliant character study, not a biopic

s_lasko@lasko-design.com (STEPHEN LASKO) — Tue, 26 Dec 2023 17:56:46 GMT

“Maestro” is a brilliant character study, not a biopic

December 26, 2023

We saw Bradley Cooper’s Maestro last night and thought it was a marvel. Cooper and Carey Mulligan are absolutely superb in their portrayals of Leonard and Felicia Bernstein. Cooper’s physical resemblance and mannerisms are, as you’ve probably read, striking. Maestro is a gorgeous movie, visually and aurally.

While I was generally aware of Bernstein’s genius when I was growing up in the ’60 and ’70s, I didn’t fully appreciate his musical and cultural influence. But even my limited knowledge was sufficient background to enjoy Maestro . This movie is not an expansive biopic or a Wikipedia-style examination of Bernstein’s every event and achievement. It’s a character study and love story, more narrowly focused on Bernstein’s struggles with his art and ambition, and how his bisexuality impacted his relationship with Felicia. The music is glorious. You will glean Bernstein’s brilliance through a series of moments, but not in a strictly linear chronology.

The movie opens in black and white with very stylized dialog — the type of breezy, quippy patter typical of films in the 1940s and ’50s. There’s also an imagined staging of one of Bernstein’s early musicals. If this kind of artistic abstraction and fantasia puts you off, be patient. Maestro isn’t La La Land . The movie gets more grounded after the first 30 or 40 minutes.

This afternoon I listened to a Bulwark podcast where Washington Post columnist Alyssa Rosenberg panned the film as a “major failing.” To emphasize her point, she enumerated every Bernstein musical and cultural achievement that Maestro fails to examine. All I could think was “So what?!” Rosenberg clearly wanted to see another movie, one that Bradley Cooper didn’t make. Enjoy Maestro on its own narrative terms. Going into this movie with fixed expectations will only needlessly spoil the brilliant, beautiful and distinctive film Cooper has crafted.

Another Dimension, indeed

Mon, 18 Dec 2023 16:54:13 GMT

Another Dimension, indeed

December 18, 2023

I was listening to Sid Griffin’s recent podcast on the Byrds, featuring rarities, obscurities, solo tracks, etc, when an especially rocking instrumental backing track to “I Know My Rider” came up. Sid said it was from the Sundazed Records’ Another Dimension collection. After looking awhile for it online (the album's long been sold out), I thought something was off kilter. Then it slowly dawned on me that I already owned it. I bought it, as a collector’s item, back in 2005 when it was first released, and obviously didn’t play it much.

Rather than be aghast at the 18-year memory lapse, however, I’m actually thrilled at the (re)discovery of owning the record. It’s like receiving a brand new gift. Now I wonder, what other surprises await my razor-sharp mind down the road?

America250 logo: a design project with 330 million critics

Mon, 11 Dec 2023 16:05:44 GMT

America250 logo: a project with 330 million critics

December 11, 2023

Here is Chermayeff & Geismar & Haviv’s new logo for America250. This is a project that most designers would kill to be awarded, but I bet the administrative logistics of getting it approved were difficult, if not a total nightmare.

The logo, to me, is reasonably attractive and certainly functional, but not a whole lot more. The ribbon concept makes sense culturally. The “5” looks a little awkward, but is still readable. The red and blue are both vibrant versions of those colors. It all reverses out of black very well.

This type of project is always a tough assignment because the designers probably received a lot of “notes” from their client (The U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission appointed by Congress in 2016) during the design review phase. Trying to please all the various constituencies — aka “design by committee” — on a job like this can be soul crushing. But they did a decent job: C+/B-

Back in 1976, Chermayeff & Geismar designed the Bicentennial logo. Founding partner Tom Geismar is still around at age 92, but it’s doubtful he had any role in designing this new logo.

https://www.cghnyc.com/work/project/america250

Branding shouldn’t be this difficult. But it is.

Wed, 06 Dec 2023 02:31:36 GMT

Branding shouldn’t be this difficult. But it is.

December 5, 2023

The spirit of “New Coke” apparently lives on.

Your brand represents more than your name or logo. A brand attains value over time (and exposure and positioning) by becoming a well known and trusted institution, product, or service that its audience acknowledges as such. When you blithely change the name of your brand, for whatever reason, you do irreparable harm by saying, essentially, “Forget the old me.” Whatever brand equity you’ve built now becomes suspect. This, of course, is probably not your intention — you may think you’re proudly declaring “This is the new, improved me!” But audiences in the marketplace tend to be skeptical and far more likely to wonder “What’s gone wrong with this operation?”

Colloquially, does anyone really refer to Twitter as “X”? Do people tweet or do they “X”? Ye (who admittedly has an array of issues) has reportedly seen his net worth drop from $1.9B to $400M. Not exactly tragic, but not great.

UPDATE 1/5/24:

According to Fidelity Investments (and Elon Musk), X, formerly known as Twitter, has lost 72% of its market value since Musk purchased it.

The Nields are sensational

Sat, 18 Nov 2023 23:28:25 GMT

The Nields are sensational

November 18, 2023

Man, I love The Nields. We saw them last night at Jammin’ Java after a four-year delay (pandemic, covid, scheduling), and they were sensational. Nerissa and Katryna sing like no one else, and their voices together are gorgeous. I'm guessing that has something to do with being siblings with 30+ years of performing together.

Nerissa’s songwriting makes this duo soar — adult reflections on love, loss, wonder, longing, hope, and faith. It’s beautiful music that’s uplifting, eye-opening and fun. Elizabeth and Nerissa have been friends since their days at the Madeira School. On the drive back home, she was just sort of musing aloud when she said “I think the girls are my Taylor Swift.” I laughed, but I knew what she meant.

This “tour” is a just short two-city jaunt, but keep your eye out for them. And get their new album, Circle of Days .

The Rolling Stones are still rockin’

Sat, 21 Oct 2023 17:45:08 GMT

The Rolling Stones’ new “Hackney Diamonds”

October 21, 2023

Still rockin’ at 80? Some find it pathetic or sad. In the case of the Rolling Stones, I think it’s great. While their last truly memorable album was released more than 40 years ago (the critical consensus seems to be 1981’s Tattoo You ), most of the subsequent albums all had some worthy stuff. The thing is, age notwithstanding, the Stones can still deliver — both in the studio and on stage.

Their new Hackney Diamonds sounds very impressive to me. The guitar interplay is terrific; Mick’s vocals are strong; and Andrew Wyatt’s production is crisp, clean and contemporary. The songs are good . And the Stones continue to do more with two chords than just about anyone else. Their race may be run before too long, but let’s not rush toward the inevitable. Frankly, I wouldn’t be surprised if they still had a trick or two left.

Announcing the new JangleBox Acousticomp

Mon, 09 Oct 2023 01:03:02 GMT

Announcing the new JangleBox Acousticomp™

October 8, 2023

Big-time sound for acoustic guitarists.

The JangleBox Acousticomp™ compressor enables guitarists to expand their tonal range while enhancing the natural sustain, resonance, and aural contours of their treasured acoustic instrument.

The Acousticomp is designed for acoustic guitarists who want nuanced compression and tone control for their acoustic guitar without artifacting or brittleness.

Performers will love the flexibility it brings to their live gigs. Recording artists will appreciate how easily they can dial in the exact sound they want, or develop a new sound they’ve been exploring. Songwriters will find new voicings. Everyone who plugs in their acoustic will delight in experimenting with the Acousticomp.

This is a different JangleBox. Different chip, a more soft-knee compression, and designed to optimize acoustic tones. But it retains the same power and incredible sustain as our other acclaimed compression pedals. The Mix control offers parallel clean and compressed circuits, and it's the key to balancing the amount of compression that’s right for your instrument.

Does your favorite “player” acoustic guitar sound just a bit flat or too thin? Wait until you add an Acousticomp to the mix!

Release date: early November.

Pseudo balance in the media — Jennifer Rubin

Sat, 23 Sep 2023 00:53:35 GMT

Pseudo balance in the media — Jennifer Rubin

September 22, 2023

As Washington Post columnist Jennifer Rubin clearly and cogently explains, the media do us and themselves a grave disservice with their frivolous and shallow reporting. The chaos in the House Republican caucus is a far more urgent and worrisome issue than idiot Hunter Biden and his stupid, self-inflicted legal woes.

JangleBox sighting — Peter Buck at the Hamilton!

Sat, 19 Aug 2023 00:40:43 GMT

JangleBox sighting — Peter Buck at the Hamilton!

August 18, 2 023

JangleBox sighting:

R.E.M. guitarist Peter Buck's other band, The Baseball Project, played the Hamilton in D.C. last evening. A fan sent us a picture of his pedalboard, which includes a JangleBox Nano (inset, from the top: JB Nano, RAT ProCo, Boss tuner). Pretty cool that the Nano is one of only two effects he uses! Too bad Peter doesn’t do any product endorsements — not even for Rickenbacker.

Our thanks to Mike Duncan.

UPDATE 2/15/23:

According to Peter’s equipment tech, it looks like we might get that endorsement. Stay tuned!

Time to break the recession fever dream

Thu, 17 Aug 2023 00:29:45 GMT

Time to break the recession fever dream

August 16, 2023

I was no doubt triggered by Michelle Singletary’s column in today’s Washington Post : “Consumers are confident inflation is waning. Are they too optimistic?”

If consumer confidence is major psychological component in helping create a vibrant economy, the mainstream media seems hellbent on undermining it. Since early last year, we’ve heard dire predictions of impending recession from economists who’ve, so far, been off the mark. Still, the Washington Post , New York Times , and network news programs relentlessly warn of imminent economic trouble.

Former Harvard president and U.S. Treasury Secretary Larry Summers and Goldman Sachs’ Jamie Dimon have practically made a cottage industry of predicting looming recession. In October 2022 Summers predicted a global recession in mid-2023. He now says it will be later in 2023. Or, for sure in 2024.

Remember those “edgy” logos from the ’80s? Anyone?

Sat, 12 Aug 2023 00:08:18 GMT

Remember those “edgy” logos from the ‘80s? Anyone?

August 11, 2023

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

When I first came up in my graphic design career (ca. later-’80s), logos were created mostly by drawing. Then in the ’90s, desktop computer applications like Aldus Freehand and Adobe Illustrator allowed designers a much broader range of options and flexibility. These days there seems to be an increasing use of programming to create “generative” logos. In fact, animated and generative logos are often part of the first design considerations.

From what I’ve seen, most generative logos are generally not so great. I submit the Norwich University of the Arts new identity as an example. Ironically, despite the advanced technology, this logo looks like the goofy stuff designers were doing in the ’80s to look “edgy.” Not many of those logos survived for long.

Anyway, you be the judge.

A final thought on Dan Snyder

Sat, 22 Jul 2023 23:14:09 GMT

A final thought on Dan Snyder

July 22, 2023

I’m trying to think of a public figure in the DMV who has been as consistently reviled as Dan Snyder. The top sports story in yesterday’s Washington Post detailed the relief and joy felt by every sports fan at Snyder’s no longer being the Redskins/Commander’s owner. He effectively ruined the Washington franchise single handedly over his 20-year stewardship.

Mayor-for-life Marion Barry had staunch defenders to the end; Trump still has a fervent following. Buffoons, criminals, reprobates, swindlers and bastards galore have populated the region throughout my life here, but none that I can recall who’ve had the contempt and loathing heaped on them like Snyder.

Maybe the Beltway snipers? Whatever, good riddance

Happy Birthday, Roger McGuinn

Wed, 12 Jul 2023 21:11:11 GMT

Happy Birthday, Roger McGuinn

July 12, 2023

Roger McGuinn is my musical hero. As a 12-year-old kid, the Byrds were my favorite group and McGuinn was my favorite Byrd. I’ve had many enthusiasms since I first heard Roger sing “Mr. Tambourine Man” on Hullabaloo in ’65, but none as consistent as my McGuinn fandom.

Like most interesting people, Roger has some intriguing contradictions. The Byrds sang beautiful harmonies, but McGuinn’s voice had a distinctive, almost quirky quality (he accurately describes it as a cross between Dylan and John Lennon). His guitar playing was the major force in defining several different rock ’n roll genres — folk-rock, psychedelic/jazz rock, country-rock, space rock — but his guitar of choice, a Rickenbacker 12-string, as gorgeous as it sounds, is actually a somewhat limited, not-very-versatile instrument. And in the age of the singer-songwriter, he prefers to rework old folk standards. McGuinn was often regarded among his peers as one of the more cerebral rock ’n roll personalities, but he had a sly sense of humor and enjoyed writing the occasional song that bordered on being a novelty tune (“CTA-102” for one example).

Roger’s solo records from 1973 to the present comprise a very sturdy body of work that still delight and captivate. He has a new release coming out soon, and I can’t wait. Considering all the giants of music I learned about through McGuinn’s music — Seeger, Coltrane, Sockhausen, Dylan, Merle Haggard, and so many others — no single musician has had a bigger impact on my life. And that’s all before I factor in his early endorsement of JangleBox — which has been incalculable. I’m very fortunate and most grateful.

Roger turns 81 tomorrow. Happy Birthday to the 12-string legend and original space cowboy!

Above: Me and Roger backstage at the Richmond Arena, December 12, 1971. Photo: Carl Braun.

“Hard Times” on my D-42

Sun, 11 Jun 2023 20:38:48 GMT

“Hard Times” on my D-42

June 11, 2023

My headless iPhone snippet of Stephen Foster’s “Hard Times Come Again No More” performed on my new Martin D-42. I absolutely love this guitar. Even on this not-really-great video, you can hear the resonance of the instrument.

Listen/view it here .

For once, I agree with The New York Times’ Ross Douthat

Fri, 09 Jun 2023 17:15:24 GMT

For once, I agree with The New York Times ’ Ross Douthat

June 9, 20223

Good column by The New York Times’ conservative writer Ross Douthat. The technology required to develop and create Apple’s Vision Pro headset is, in its own way, incredibly impressive. But there is something very creepy, off-putting, and ultimately dystopian about these goggles and the “immersive experience” they offer.

In Apple’s ad to introduce the product (scrub to the 2:00 mark), a father wearing Vision Pro goggles watches his children playing so he can take a video that will allow him to rewatch the scene in life-size space at a later date. WTF? Why isn’t he just enjoying watching his kids play, or better yet, playing with them? Seeing him grin at the kids while wearing those stupid goggles is weird and terribly strange. Wonder what the kids are thinking?

The world that this immersive technology portends has little appeal to me. Actually, at $3,499 per headset, it has no appeal to me.

Fender guitars and the future of music

Sun, 04 Jun 2023 16:27:13 GMT

Fender Guitars and the future of music

June 4, 2023

Props and appreciation to Fender Guitars for their back-page ad in The New Yorker's Music Issue. I can’t recall ever seeing a major music manufacturer advertise so prominently in a general interest magazine. This is a continuation of their long-game strategy begun a few years ago to introduce young people and their parents to the idea of playing musical instruments. Hopefully, this will help expand and engage the market of budding musicians.

JangleBox is, nominally, a competitor of Fender, but their campaign is going to help every music manufacturer. It’s wonderful to see a company with Fender’s influence and financial clout commit to a marketing strategy that is aimed at something bigger than next quarter’s profits.

My dream guitar. Finally.

Fri, 19 May 2023 02:35:42 GMT

My dream guitar. Finally.

May 18, 2023

After an almost 14-month wait, my belated birthday present from Elizabeth finally arrived: an immaculate Custom Shop Martin D-42, built to my specs. After decades of countless dalliances with Taylors, Gretsches, Gurians, Gibsons, and others, I have come to the irrevocable realization that, in my heart (as far as acoustic guitars), I’m a Martin man. I have neither the musical skills nor general worthiness for this glorious instrument, but what the hell — the same applies to Elizabeth, and she still tolerates me. Endless thanks to my beyond-generous wife!

First roses of the season

Sun, 14 May 2023 02:28:55 GMT

First roses of the season

May 13, 2023

Just saw the first flowers from our rose bush today. It's gray and drizzling here, but the color on this one really pops.

The worst owner in D.C. sports history

Wed, 19 Apr 2023 01:05:44 GMT

The worst owner in D.C. sports history

April 14, 2023

The glee/relief/joy expressed by fans of the Redskins/Commanders across the DMV over Dan Snyder’s tentative deal to sell the team, is something I haven’t experienced with another major Washington team in my many years as a local sports fan.

Snyder’s utter haplessness at running into the ground what once was considered one of football’s great franchises speaks not only to his professional incompetence, but also to his fetid and loathsome character. Good riddance.

More Marty Stuart

Sat, 08 Apr 2023 14:29:30 GMT

More Marty Stuart

April 8, 2023

This past Thursday and Friday we saw Marty Stuart and his Fabulous Superlatives at the beautiful Barns of Wolf Trap. The shows were, as always, sensational. Seats were great and sound was perfect. If they were playing there tonight, we’d be at that show, too. They are simply outstanding.

The music is a mixture of country, blues, bluegrass, gospel and rock ’n roll (not “Rock”). It is expertly performed by every musician on the stage with an enthusiasm as if it were the first time they ever realized how great they sounded together. Marty says that they still consider themselves students of the music. To sit there and hear those twin Telecasters — or even just Marty’s solo mandolin — wash over you while the four of them harmonize about love, redemption, whiskey, Jesus, hillbillies or whatever, is to experience popular music at an unmatched suppleness, intensity and brilliance. We’ve seen these guys more than a dozen times over the past 10 years, and it’s always this good. Only the songs change.

For gearheads who might be interested, I discovered that Kenny Vaughan’s sparkly Telecaster is also a B-Bender, but I believe it’s a Glaser Bender, not one of Gene Parsons’ (the kind installed on Marty’s “Clarence”). For bar-fight fans who might be interested, Elizabeth successfully backed down a weirdo with a cane who threatened to beat me with it, all over a who-was-first-in-line argument at the bar. You don’t want to trifle with Elizabeth. Or miss a Marty Stuart & his Fabulous Superlatives show.

Here’s the setlist .

The beauty of Ryuichi Sakamoto

Mon, 03 Apr 2023 00:53:35 GMT

The beauty of Ryuichi Sakamoto

April 2, 2023

RIP to the brilliant composer, Ryuichi Sakamoto. His “The Revenant Main Theme” is one of the most beautiful two minutes of music ever recorded. I’m moved every time I hear it . Sakamoto’s musical creations were diverse, eclectic and incredibly inventive.

Marty Stuart’s “Sweetheart of the Rodeo”

Fri, 31 Mar 2023 00:40:25 GMT

Marty Stuart’s “Sweetheart of the Rodeo”

March 30, 2023

Marty Stuart & his Fabulous Superlatives' upcoming album, “Altitude”, was inspired by the Byrds 1968 Sweetheart of the Rodeo — even down to the cover art. Much of it was written while the band supported Roger McGuinn and Chris Hillman on the Sweetheart 50th anniversary tour.

Years ago, Elizabeth brought me backstage at the Birchmere when she had Marty record a PSA for #NAfME . He was so quick-witted and sharp, ad-libbing a cool bit about Sister Rosetta Tharpe in the middle of the PSA. The Holler interview reminded me of that encounter.

Yellow Submarine illustration style revival

Tue, 28 Mar 2023 00:25:49 GMT

Yellow Submarine illustration style revival

March 27, 2023

The illustration style pioneered by Seymour Chwast and Milton Glaser at Push Pin studios in the ‘60s — utilized most famously in the Beatles’ “Yellow Submarine” (though not by Push Pin) — seems to be having a revival. This weekend we noticed its appearance in Apple ads for its new yellow iPhone, and again in the New York Times and The New Yorker . I think it’s most effective when used judiciously in small doses. So, not my favorite visual style, but undeniably eye-catching. And popular.

David Lindley, RIP

Sat, 04 Mar 2023 01:10:24 GMT

David Lindley, RIP

March 3, 2023

So very sad to learn that musician extraordinaire, David Lindley, has died at the age of 78 after a lengthy illness. Known most famously as Jackson Browne’s longtime sideman, Lindley could expertly play anything with strings — guitar, mandolin, fiddle, bouzouki, slack-key guitar, electric slide... you name it.

Lindley had a beautiful touch with everything he played, and was a frequent instrumentalist for many artists in L.A., including Linda Ronstadt, Warren Zevon, and Crosby & Nash. His solo records were an eclectic lot, easily transitioning from reggae to Middle Eastern modes to straight out rock and blues. I've been a fan of his since I first saw him and Jackson at the old Cellar Door in Georgetown in 1971. I was gobsmacked by his brilliance that evening and every subsequent time I saw him live. We will not see his like again. RIP, David.

Sir Jony Ive and Apple

Fri, 03 Feb 2023 23:57:59 GMT

Jony Ive and Apple

February 3, 2023

As a graphic designer, I’ve long admired former Apple Chief Design Officer, Jony Ive. Everything he and his team produced prior to his departure in 2019 defined Apple’s brand. The colorful iMac, iPod, iPhone, iPad, MacBook, and even Apple Stores — were sleek, minimal, and beautiful. Ive is a brilliant designer.

Unfortunately, his luster has started to fade. This week, Britain’s Comic Relief announced that Ive has redesigned their iconic Red Nose . Despite the great fanfare, it looks like a silly novelty or bric-a-brac you could get at any party supply store. And two days ago, Apple announced that the position of Chief Design Officer would be eliminated at Apple. Going forward, their design team will report directly to the COO.

Not tragic, but kind of a sad day for design.

UPDATE 2.14:

Maybe Jony needed the structure of Apple, Inc., or inspiration from Steve Jobs. His latest, the coronation emblem for King Charles, looks like a nice collage of clip art.

David Crosby, RIP

Thu, 19 Jan 2023 19:20:02 GMT

David Crosby, RIP

January 19, 2023

David Crosby, a musician and character that I found fascinating, frustrating, confounding and brilliant, has died. Given his myriad health problems — much of them self-inflicted through years of heavy drug use — one wonders how he made it to 81. Regardless, I’m saddened that he’s gone.

I first became aware of Crosby in the Byrds, where he, along with Roger McGuinn and Gene Clark, created a unique and indelible vocal blend that helped define the band. Crosby went on to create even more vocal magic with Crosby, Stills & Nash (with and without Neil Young). His early oddball masterpiece, If I Could Only Remember My Name , was a gauzy but beautiful collection of songs written and performed with various member of the Jefferson Airplane, Grateful Dead, CSNY and Joni Mitchell. If you were a big fan of that album — and I was — it bestowed on you a sort of secret handshake into a stoned community of like-minded music lovers. Back in the day, it seemed that I could personally relate to everyone who owned that album.

Crosby made every musician he worked with sound better with his gorgeous harmonies. He’s on more recorded music (often uncredited) than is commonly known. Throughout his music career, he was a major presence and an appreciator of talent. In his later years he wrote, recorded and performed with younger musicians who were enamored of his illustrious past and grateful for the creative free rein he gave them. Crosby always let his freak flag fly.

Quick to judge, often temperamental, and naturally cantankerous, he could anger and irritate friends and detractors alike. But David Crosby’s lasting legacy will be the glorious music he made, and that legacy is secure.

RIP, Croz

Larry Campbell and Teresa Williams make beautiful music together

s_lasko@lasko-design.com (STEPHEN LASKO) — Mon, 21 Feb 2022 16:50:29 GMT

Larry Campbell and Teresa Williams

make beautiful music together

February 21, 2022

If you’re an Americana music lover looking for a bright reprieve from the mid-winter blahs, consider Amazon Prime’s engaging documentary, It Was the Music , a 10-part musical odyssey showcasing the terrific husband and wife duo of Larry Campbell and Teresa Williams.

The series works so well largely because, in addition to being gifted musicians, Larry and Teresa are just delightful people — sharp, clever folks with a chemistry and shared humor that’s the natural byproduct of a dynamic 30-year marriage. Their story is remarkable in that, after backing up A-list musicians for years (Larry was a long-time multi-instrumentalist for Bob Dylan, and a first-call accompanist, producer, and session player working with Levon Helm and Jackson Browne, among others), they decided to put everything else aside in order to record and tour together. And it’s all the more extraordinary because — even though they don’t look it — they started this adventure in their sixties.

Be patient with director Mark Moskowitz’s muddled opening and the way he occasionally, but pointlessly, inserts himself and girlfriend into the story. Just go with the non-linear narrative. Bear with the large cast of familiar and not-so-familiar Americana performers who, confusingly, aren’t always clearly identified. These minor irritations can be overlooked by focusing on Larry and Teresa’s captivating tale, and the glorious music they make. This is seriously wonderful stuff.

Carol Warren Welsh

Thu, 30 Dec 2021 15:39:17 GMT

Carol Warren Welsh

December 30, 2021

On Wednesday, our family lost my sister-in-law, Carol Welsh , after her 21-year ordeal with adult ependymoma — a rare, but relentless brain tumor. The fact that we knew the end was coming didn’t lessen the grief. A world without Carol is still almost unthinkable.

The youngest of the four sisters, Carol was smart, funny, curious, and great company — whether at a Birchmere show, a West Point football game, hanging out at holiday get-togethers, or driving to one of her medical appointments. She and I shared a penchant for goofy humor. When she wanted to wind me up, she’d refer to me emphatically as “Stephen J. Lasko!” or “Stephen J!” (my middle name is Anthony). Once during a drive, she was telling me about a movie she really liked, when her muddled speech and my lousy hearing collided — I finally had to ask, “Carol, what the hell is all this ‘Box One’ stuff?” Turns out she’d been telling me about the movie Black Swan . When we figured that out, we both howled. “Box One” then became our shorthand for “Never mind.”

Maybe you had to be there. I’ll spare you the story of how I tweaked her epic narrative poems at family gatherings.

A high academic achiever (Princeton undergrad; MBA at William & Mary), Carol seemed all but destined for professional greatness when her tumor was discovered in 2000. From that point, she endured one slow, agonizing setback after another.

But she handled her condition — with its attendant pain, unpredictability, and anxiety — with incredible courage; her rallying cry was “Onward!” The comprehensive website she created was a source of information, insight, hard truth, and encouragement for others who were similarly afflicted. She and her team of sisters and friends raised considerable money for cancer treatment and awareness at the annual Race for Hope in DC.

In the end, Carol did not get the life she planned, wanted or deserved. But she made a life of incredible value and significance out of the awful hand she was dealt. That’s how we’ll all — everyone whose life she touched — fondly and lovingly remember her. I just can’t believe she’s gone.

RIP, Carol. ��

Fred Hiatt, Washington Post editorial page editor, RIP

Mon, 06 Dec 2021 17:25:34 GMT

Fred Hiatt, Washington Post editorial page editor, RIP

December 6, 2021

The death of Washington Post editorial page editor Fred Hiatt, at 66, is terribly sad. Hiatt was terrific writer, and his editorial judgment was steady and consistent, always reflecting the long-held positions of the Post : “…support for civil rights, fiscal responsibility, equality of opportunity and a muscular presence on the international stage, particularly in protecting human rights,” according to Washington Post writer Matt Schudel.

I found myself in agreement with Hiatt on the vast majority of Post editorials — all of which he wrote or edited: about 1,000 a year. Half the time I disagreed with Hiatt, I had to concede, if only in my own mind, that he possessed far greater knowledge, insight, and experience, and was probably correct in his assessment.

Solid, measured editorial writing is in short supply these days. Fred Hiatt’s death is a loss for journalism, intellectual rigor, fairness and decency.

Updating the U.S. flag to reflect our country’s deep divisions

Tue, 28 Sep 2021 17:07:19 GMT

Updating the U.S. flag to reflect the country’s deep divisions

September 28, 2021

The New York Times asked a number of designers to redesign the American flag to reflect how they feel it should represent the country today. To me it was a mix of interesting, strange, and meh, but I really liked two of them. The concepts are direct, bold and visually compelling, if more than a bit cynical. Of course, these concepts would never fly (pardon the pun) with most Americans, but what consensus is there about anything today?

9/11/2021: What happened to our country these past 20 years?

Sat, 11 Sep 2021 18:40:13 GMT

9/11/2021

What happened to our country

these past 20 years?

September 11, 2021

Nous sommes tous Américains. “ We are all Americans” ran the sub-headline in the left-of-center French newspaper, Le Monde, on September 12, 2001. The world was aghast at the horrifying attack on the leader of the free world.

In the immediate aftermath, Americans were reflexively united in a common purpose of rebuilding what had been destroyed, and recommitting to expanding freedom and democracy in the world. And, yes, many of us also wanted a measure of revenge against whoever committed this atrocity on innocent fellow citizens.

But I remember our FedEx driver saying simply “God bless America” when he handed me a delivery a few days after. He wasn’t being mawkish, ironic, or angry. In fact, it didn’t even strike me as a political comment. I had no idea if he stood on the left or right, and didn’t really care. As a fellow American, I just appreciated the sentiment. This was a neo-patriotism borne from an attack on our collective values.

So what happened?

Twenty years after 9/11, we live in a country that’s more divided and fractious than it’s been since the Civil War. Economic disparity is widening. The idea of individual sacrifice for the greater good has become a sucker’s move. We can’t seem to agree on objective facts. We don’t seek to persuade, we only want to win. We have fewer collective (and connective) values. A significant cohort of our citizens don’t even want the U.S. to be a democracy anymore. These are strange, sad times; discouraging, puzzling, even frightening. Some historians say it’s actually always been this way. Really?

But it’s alright, it's alright

For we lived so well so long

Still, when I think of the

Road we’re traveling on

I wonder what’s gone wrong

I can’t help it, I wonder what’s gone wrong?

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