ANDY VOTEL
Self titled ‘South Mancunian Minister Of Unpopular Culture’, Andy V.O.T.E.L garners equal measures of respect and sympathy for his un-waning addiction to obscure foreign psych-folk-prog-jaz-trash-kraut-fuzz-tropicalia and funk amongst hedonists and nerd-circles alike. Switching heads as a graphic designer, triple label boss, remixer / producer, writer, compiler and international DJ he is still most commonly known for his involvement with fellow ‘Twisted Nerve’ label owner Badly Drawn Boy, but in recent years, has received wide cross-continental acclaim for his DJ mix compilations ‘Songs In The Key Of Death’ ‘One Nation Under a Grave’ ‘Folk Is Not A Four Letter Word’ and ‘Vertigo Mixed’ amongst others.
SWIFTY
Swifty Typografix was set up in 1990 by Ian ‘Swifty’ Swift. Born 1965 somewhere UpNorth, the son of a magician. It wasn’t too long before Swifty was creating the new look for the Jazz Dance scene and by 1995 he’s racked up hundreds of club flyers, record sleeves and identities for the likes of Talkin’ Loud and Mo’ Wax. He dabbled in advertising with a groundbreaking campaign for Fosters Ice Entitled ‘Street Art’ which in 1995 was unheard of! Swifty also applies his talents in the film and TV world doing title sequences for programmes like ‘Peep Show’, ‘Smack the Pony’, ‘Derren Brown’ and his latest ‘The Life of Riley’.
Typomatic was set up in 1997 and was the first independent font foundry set up in the UK by a font designer, not to mention his logo designs for record labels like Far Out, B&W Music, Especial Records, the man Swifty does like to keep busy. Right this minute he prefers to create more one off pieces and editions, making the switch to a more fine art stance which was never going to be easy, but Swifty is doing it! Devoting nuff time expanding his skills and developing and experimenting, the hard work is beginning to pay off… Watch out SWIFTY is about!
SCRATCH
Etablished in 1996 by original team members Matt Smooth, Rob Mac and Jonnie Lyle, Scratch quickly became a leading player promoting hip hop culture across the UK. A dynamic approach was taken to include all forms of street culture including rapping, djing, breakdancing and street art. Over the years Scratch has played host to many of the most influencial dj’s and artist’s from around the world, both leading and underground names, including: The Pharcyde, The Roots, De La Soul, Doug E Fresh, Grand Master Flash, Biz Markie, Roots Manuva, Skinny Man, Plus One, TY, Macy Gray, People Under The Stairs, Pete Rock, Mos Def, Eminem...and a zillion others.
Scratch Vol.1 was released in 2001 to high acclaim on the famous Rawkus label based in NYC, it was their first UK release. The Scratch legacy is still living strong - fresh, fly, bold and wild - with thanks to the extended family: Richy Pitch, Billy Bizniz, Ritchie Ruftone, Tomski, Tukka and the Swedish Gangster. Scratch runs a monthly residency in London and Gothenburg in Sweden.
SHOGUN
Founded in 2001, Shogun Graphic Systems was born from a love of disparate graphic styles, cultures & influences. A desire to create contemporary, dynamic artwork & illustration peppered with pop culture references constantly shapes, informs & determines the Shogun design ethos. Forged in the fires of a boyhood obsession with Marvel & DC comics, Manga animation, street art, a host of cult movies & TV shows & a fascination with oriental culture & the way of the Samurai, Shogun seeks to broaden creative horizons through forward thinking art direction, graphic design & illustration across a variety of private & commercial platforms. A meeting with the infamous Addict was inevitable, an ‘Unholy Alliance’ indeed. He also makes a great cup of coffee! Live in shadow, move in silence…
C-LAW
(Chris Law) - Chris started out his design career with his then design partner Ben Swift setting up Nonsinthetik, they produced flyers and graphics for many London hip-hop events and publications such as Scratch, TheBreaks, Graphotism & many more. From there he & his now wife Lisa set up their own clothing Brand ‘Lewis Sterling’. In 2000 whist working at Bond International, Chris hooked up with Russell Williamson & Chris Aylen & started Unorthodox Styles (U-Dox) which in turn created Spine Magazine & Crooked Tongues.
The team produced designs on all platforms from print & web to product & events. Chris now lives out in Portland, Oregon where he works for Adidas as the Lead Colour Designer for footwear & graphics, Chris also oversees & co-ordinates with Adidas’ artist & brand collaborations coming out of the US.
SHE ONE
Born and raised in London, James Choules fascination with typography began with the album cover, merchandising and band artwork of 70’s heavy rock. Scratching logos into his school desk, painting on the back of his leather jacket or creating the logo for his own secondry school hard rock trio his natural ambitions with drawing found a new outlet with the discovery of new York Subway graffiti. Suddenly the concept of being able to turn drawn letters into huge colorful murals was the way forward and in 1985, adopting the alter-ego SHEONE he began to make his mark on the street and subways of London.
It didn't take long before James began to sideline the usual multicolored and over pictorialised aesthetics of traditional graffiti and concentrate instead on the lettering as subject, abstracting the letters into his own system of personalised strokes. His trademark boldblack and white expressive markings have translated onto canvas and galleries worldwide, onto hand painted furniture and interiors and now are woven indelibly into the fabric of streetwear through collaboration with Addict.
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