Feb 14, 2025

Studio Notes #19

Hello, Cool Folks. Here's issue #19 of Studio Notes—quick bits delivered to you each Friday.


🥽

I've become a fan of Walton Goggins. Not only of his acting, but just...him. And his cool name. GQ occasionally runs a video interview series where the guests share their “10 Essentials”, and the episode where WG shares his meaningful objects was rather, well,  meaningful. I nearly jumped out of my seat when he held up a blue, tattered, paperback edition of Herman Hesse's novel, Siddhartha. It's also one of my favorite books from a time when I actually read whole books. I have that exact same paperback. And it deserves a re-read. He also mentions Ernest Hemingway and most notably, the intangible value that certain objects from traveling or just being with others can bring. Also, if you're looking to go down a Goggins rabbithole, his new-ish house in Hudson Valley, NY is rather spectacular.


🇯🇲

Speaking of YouTube interviews, I really enjoy Amoeba Records', What's in Your Bag? series. It's a great way of discovering new music from artists you may already like. Sometimes it can get a little pretentious, when it seems the interviewee shares only the most obscure record no one is sure to have heard of solely for the purpose of appearing to have exquisite taste—but there are some gems in there. A few videos led me to dub legend, King Tubby, which was mentioned by several different folks. I wasn't familiar with the King, but he was a pioneer in the 1970s of remixing reggae into dub mixes—reverb and delay-soaked, mostly instrumental, droney jams. It's outstanding music to work to. Checkout his albums, Majestic Dub and King Tubbys Meets Rockers Uptown.


🐎

Broncho is a great band from Oklahoma, and they're back with new music. Their sound has evolved from infectious lo-fi punk, to dreamy indie rock with unique vocals. Like a grittier shoegaze. More like bootgaze. Anyway, their new tunes Funny and Imagination have been on repeat over here.

What are you working on?

I'm waiting on one more decal to come back from the printer and then I'll get these in the shop individually, and as a set with some bonus mystery items. Loving the quality that you get with a screen printed sticker. You can feel the ink on the vinyl a bit. I'm sold.

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Feb 7, 2025

Studio Notes #18

Hello, Friends. Here's issue #18 of Studio Notes—quick bits delivered to you each Friday. I'm kicking this week off with something incredibly important that everyone should know about.


🍊

I've been really getting into oranges lately. Specifically, Cara Cara or Red Velvet oranges. It helps that orange season coincides with the frigid New England winter. This Tupperware Orange Peeler is one handy little plastic tool. It's the size of a toothbrush, but has this clever "skate" on one end that is really satisfying to use. Digs in just the right amount to slice through the peel only. The other end pries the peel back. I love this thing. Something Mel got at a Tupperware Party back in the late 90s. The official Tupperware site doesn't seem to carry them but fortunately they're still out there.


🎭

This very well might be a web-wide trend I'm unaware of, but James McNicholas' dramatic monologues of popular song lyrics impressed me. His commitment with subtle expressions and sometimes elaborate-for-instagram makeup is fun to watch. Particularly, Crazy by Gnarls Barkley and Livin' On a Prayer and Sounds of Silence. The dude is downright haunting.


🍸

A tip of the cap to bartender, Devin, at The Babe here in Salem, Mass. He explained why the Manhattan (favorite cocktail of my grandfather, Roy, and myself) is called a Manhattan—not because of where it was invented, but that the recipe is 2-1-2 like the area code of NYC: 2 parts bourbon, 1 part vermouth, and 2 dashes of bitters. Even if false, it's an easy way to remember.


🍄

A correction from last week's issue! I mentioned that I loved the E.T. game for the Atari 2600 (which I still do) but I mistakenly said the game was a pioneer of side-scrolling platform games. I was actually thinking of Smurf: Rescue in Gargamel's Castle. It came out in 1982 and plays like a sad, desolate version of Super Mario. But back in the day—it was magical. I loved this game. And I realize this correction will resonate with exactly 1 or maybe 2 of you, but I thought it was important. Just like plastic orange peelers are important.

What are you working on?

Work has begun in earnest on our next typeface, we're called "Scorekard". It's based on an ancient, paper, baseball scorecard device I found a photo of. More about that later. Also, I hope it's obvious I misspell most of my typeface names intentionally 🤓 So many names are already taken!

Have a fantastic week, despite the world seemingly eroding before our eyes. It's hard to "promote" your small business that seems so insignificant most of the time, but push forward we must.

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Jan 31, 2025

Studio Notes #17

Hello, Amazing Folks. Here's issue #17 of Studio Notes—quick bits delivered to you each Friday. This is a weekly newsletter that I'm publishing here on the blog as well. You should subscribe if haven't already :)


🥣

If you're in need of a media cleanse (and who wouldn't be) this calming, peaceful video documenting the process of handmade, Chinese, ceramic bowls is astounding. The intricate steps, no electricity involved, and the surprising finished product. I really needed this inspiration this week.


🐆

A brilliant and hilarious piece of marketing: The Cheetos Other Hand Font. And it's actually real. (via STC member Robb Knight) Admittedly, I pour cheese-laden snacks directly into my mouth from the bag to avoid the "other hand" dilemma. And actually prefer little snack-sized bags to help make this easier.


🕹️

Fixing E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial for the Atari 2600I can't claim to have actually read the entirety of this, but I sincerely applaud the level of nerdery for a game I actually loved as well. To me, it was the godfather of the simple side-scrolling platformer. Plus, E.T. rules.


🎬

Another week, another documentary. This one might only be interesting to Gen-Xers? I always liked Tom Green and felt bad for his patient parents, who seem to be lovely people. His self-directed documentary is filled with nostalgia, but also makes a good case for Tom being a legit pioneer of reality television and podcasting.

What are you working on?

I've found a new sticker printer I'm happy with (and one that isn't run by an insane person). I'm going all in on quality going forward. DECALS. That is, screen printed inks, high-quality, split backing. Will have a few new designs in the shop soon.

Also! Our (Other Brother Darryl) new single, "Watch the Trees" is out today. Full album coming February 28th.

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Jan 24, 2025

Studio Notes #16

Hello, Good People. Here's issue #16 of Studio Notes—quick bits delivered to you each Friday. This is a weekly newsletter that I'm publishing here on the blog as well. You should subscribe if haven't already :)


🎸

I've long been a fan of surf music and had a brief stint playing drums in a local band in the mid-90s. I love reverb. Every once in a while I'll go down a rabbit hole into that world and recently that led me to a few cool things worth mentioning. I stumbled on The Surfrajettes from Toronto, who play original surf instrumentals. They are fantastic, and have great branding and gear collabs as well. Which led me to Creston Electric in Vermont, where Creston Lea makes incredible, original guitars that have a foothold in vintage. He's made custom instruments for scores of famous musicians. Love his work, and that led to me grabbing a Tele-style guitar of his that has a lap steel pickup at the bridge. Anyway, for the non-music-nerds out there: The important takeaway bit is that great branding + great craftsmanship = something special. I love finding independent folks making niche things they love with utility and purpose.


🎧

My latest go-to music to work to: Khruangbin. I'll never pronounce it correctly. I'm late to the game, but the minimal, laid-back groove and heavy use of reverb is a perfect companion to work mode. Sometimes instrumental, or with sparse vocals. This band nails a very specific vibe with elements of soul, funk, jazz, even surf. Today's theme is apparently reverb.


🩸

I'm a big fan of the show Severance, and now that Season 2 is out, it's reignited my appreciation for Lumon's design. The logo, the office. I want all the branded office products they show in drawers and the supply closet. Those sweet blue Lumon pens and erasers. The aesthetic reminds me of all the great Braun designs from 20th century. I hope working at Braun wasn't at all like working at Lumon, however.

What are you working on?

We launched our latest typeface, Spagetty, earlier this week. I hope it's obvious the name is intentionally misspelled :) Naming fonts something unique is a challenge, and an intentional misspell is funny solution. Anyway, I also put up some genuine, custom Dunlop guitar picks in the shop featuring the new typeface.

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