I've finally done it: I've created a blog for the "James Does America Tour '08." The purpose of this madness is to stay in contact with my sponsors, friends, and family, and those along the road who may be interested in keeping up with and assisting in my research. Already I have some willing people to talk to in Washington, and a sweet show (the band "D+") to attend in Anacortes, WA, so I'm quite excited. I think a map showing my route will be pretty sweet…It may have to be done by hand though. I leave for Seattle on Sunday via Amtrak, so stay tuned!
Cheers,
James
Record of the day part 21 (Diagram A, "Monkey Machine")
Cassette attached to a painted chunk of a 12" with wire. Super Sweet.
Record of the day part 20a (Unknown title, Unknown Artist)
Found at Printed Matters, Inc., an artists-book store, this record is made of metal with two sets of grooves and holes. And Im sure it plays. Probably not "homemade," but very cool.
record of the day part 19 (Viceburgh, "Diversity")
Shameless self promotion. How come he gets to self-centeredly feature his album in "record of the day"? Because I write the blog. And this one is all hand screen printed. Limited to 300 copies. If you ask, we can arrange a trade for it.
record of the day part 18 (Red Pony Clock)
Cover made of foam glued together plus googlie eyes. Unknown number constructed.
Record of the day part 17 (The Black Swans, "Change!")
The 500 handpainted covers were completed by studio artists at the ARC North. From the liner notes: "The ARC North is a shelted workshop providing services for 300 adults with disabilities. We are one of the adult service branches of franklin County Board of MRDD. Our art program is designed to provide our communnity with an environment they can feel comforatble and successful with their very personal styles of expression. We are there to recognize their talents, reinforce their confidence in self expression, challenge them to grow and have lots of fun all the while!"
Record of the day part 16 (Caroliner)
This is a record done by the enigmatic San Francisco outfit. Inside the worn, recycled record box was a lei, the record sleeve for Michael Jackson's "Thriller," two fold out inserts for the band's lyrics, and 2 dozen unused San Francisco bus transfer slips. This is typical packaging for Caroliner.
Record of the day part 15 (Switchhitter, "fer de lance")
This is a striking CD cover example of paper, sewn to felt, and fastened shut with a mother-of-pearl snap. From David's band.
Record of the day part 14 (Plus Bien "Susan Saradon is a doer")
Clear vinyl with grooves on one side. The image in the record in the upper right was printed on the flat side of the disc, then printed over in yellow followed by Susan Saradon's face. Brilliant craftsmanship.
Record of the day part 13 (Fuck, "Shock Treatment")
One of my favorites, this 7" has the following glued to a mailing envelope: birdseed, puzzle pieces, an airline ticket, felt, stickers, and other pieces of crap.
Record of the day part 12 (Birds of America)
Super-elegant letterpress and lino cut print from Nat Russell's hands.
REcord of the day part 11 (Kristy Romanick & Karen Langlie "4.29")
This is a mini cd from Weird Forest Records; the front flips up like a matchbook, there are rivets at the bottom with ribbon woven through, and a picture inset in tiny corner holders.
Record of the day part 10 (Hacksaw, "An Exercise")
Part of Jon's collection, this reused Toy Story tape and the insert fit into the modified cowboy shirt pocket. Genius.
record of the day part 9 (Brick) Unfolded 7"
This is the BADDEST cover I was alluding to. A brick for a stamp? Come on! The black element and its text is taped on with packaging tape
Record of the day part 8 (Soft Shoulder "Hit Single")
The third installment of the trilogy.
Record of the day part 7 (Rake)
This limited edition cover (#36/50) appears to have been produced with a process identical to the Rank Strangers', even down to leaving the actual cover devoid of print and placing the text on the plastic sleeve.
Record of the day part 6 (Rank Strangers "My Genius b/w Caffeine Alcohol and Sleep")
Mike, of the Rank Strangers, who claims the idea was his, made these covers by painting and then cutting up posterboard.
Record of the day part 5 (The Microphones "It was hot, we stayed in the water")
Shown is the detail of the inside collage-pop-up– 2000 were cut by hand since they couldn't be die-cut
Record of the Day Part 4 (KELP Monthly no. ?)
The nine panels on the front open up to reveal nine images. I think the medium is watercolor on old record sleeves.
Record of the Day part 3 (Mt. Eerie "Drums")
Rather than printing on the inside of this old record cover like the others in the edition, the front cover sufficed.
Record of the day part 2 (Jeremiah Green "Drum Breaks")
Combination of stickers, stamps and feathers make every cover unique. edition unknown. For all you geeks out there, JG is a part of Modest Mouse. (I didn't know that)
Another Jeremiah Green "Drum Breaks" cover
…and another just for kicks
Record of the day part 1 (Hepi "Hurt and Alone")
That's not sharpie on the vinyl--it's been pressed like that; the brown panel has been screenprinted