Vee Hua 華婷婷
Every year, Bruise Cruise transports a cruise-load of individuals from Miami to the Bahamas, for an alcohol-fueled and music-driven party on the water. This year’s seven-concert event will take place over the course of four days, hosted by Chain And The Gang’s dry-humored Ian Svenonius, and featuring music from Black Lips, Surfer Blood, Vivian Girls, Thee Oh Sees, The Strange Boys, Ty Segall, Quintron And Miss Pussycat, Turbo Fruits, Jacuzzi Boys, and DJ Mr. Jonathan Toubin.
This year, Michelle Cable from Panache Booking and Jonas Stein — the founders of Bruise Cruise — invited artist Rob Corradetti to, in his words, “create a series of limited-edition 7″ record covers to coincide with the maiden voyage.”
There will be one brightly-sleeved 7″ record for eight of the bands that have been invited to perform on Bruise Cruise, as shown below. “[The images] are a combination of drawings, screen prints, and collage elements that I photographed and did final work to in digital form,” Corradetti describes. “Most everything is made in reality but ultimately finalized on a computer.”
Upon first glance, there are obvious hints of nautical and “lost civilization” imagery. The nautical themes were the result of brainstorming sessions, but the other influences were a more personal touch added by Corradetti himself. Most of these images stem from his subconscious. “People say that my drawings have an ancient civilization vibe going. I just like to put on the music and draw and collage and try to formulate a response to what I am hearing.”
For an artist like Corradetti, who has always “been a huge fan of garage rock and ’60s music,” having the opportunity to work on a project featuring notable garage rock musicians has been a good feeling. “[All of the bands] do a great job of capturing the raw and inherent power of rock and roll, while at the same time, add something modern to the equation… it was a fun challenge.”
Small details can be found throughout the 7″ covers. The pieces interlock with one another in special ways, and all have been thoughtfully crafted to match the tracks they represent. But Corradetti doesn’t want to give too much away. “I leave the rest up to the owner of the albums to figure out,” he says. And hopefully you will be able to attain a copy, as these limited edition beauties are only available on the Bruise Cruise itself, in select stores that carry vinyl, and randomly on Ebay.
In addition to these pieces, Corradetti certainly challenges himself to create otherwise interesting art, as well. Up next is a series of pillows called Stache Pillows, which conservative parents will no doubt be appalled by. These pillows are not shaped like mustaches, but will be created as hiding places for people to stash their drugs and condoms. Corradetti will also be participating in the MoCCA Festival, sponsored by the Museum Of Comic And Cartoon Art, in New York this April.
Jake Renn
Navi Esparza