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

Art on your sleeve - Episode 17 - Bill Smith

My hybrid remix of Man In The Mirror - a little synthwave; a little tropical house.

Man In The Mirror (Nick* Poolside Remix)

Pet Shop Boys - Home And Dry (Oberheim DMX 1984 Remix)

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

Art on your sleeve - Episode 23 - Andie Airfix

To celebrate the release of Pet Shop Boys' new album, "Nonetheless", I live-streamed a 4+ hour DJ mix on Remark Sunday Sessions. The mix featured songs from the new album, plenty of hits, some deep cuts, and delicious b-sides. This mix is exclusive to Soundcloud and an official third installment of the Remark Encomium series (Pet Shop Boys tribute mix) will follow soon.

Remark Livestreams

Podcast

Remark Sunday Sessions: 40 Years of Pet Shop Boys, Nonetheless

Art on your sleeve - Episode 1 - Introduction

Electronic 80's Recorded at Blackwing Studios - London

Return Of The Funky Lizard

TV Glare (Reworked)

Track featuring samples taken from the Samplography sample library produced by Pete Gleadall long-time partner of the Pet Shop Boys and many other top artists such as George Michael, Aswad and many more. His library, featuring many of the sounds from these hit records, is available for instant download in WAV format from samples-now.com soon and audio CD format now.

Thank You - Demo track for Pete Gleadall's Samplography sample library

My remix of the Years and Years cover of It's a sin by the Pet Shop Boys

Years & Years - It's A Sin (spEE Cyberpunk Mix)

The fact that Years & Years released a piano rendition... shameful!! Here is a haunting mix of the original with their cover.

Years & Years - It's a Sin (Liiiam's PSB 2020 Mix)

A podcast about design and music by a graphic designer who has a regular article about these subjects in Classic Pop magazine. https://softoctopus.co.uk/index.php/podcast/

Art on your sleeve - Episode 23 - Andie Airfix

Soft Octopus

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