FRIENDS.

Wanted to share these sweet collages made by my good golden bud Jill Bradshaw. I love these so much-especially the mountain/fabric waterfall landscape. Lady B has been curatin' and cooking up some goodness with her zine coming out this Spring called Magazine Party and band Open Ocean which harp some serious and comforting Mazzy Star mystical vibes-check them out HERE.


As I've written PREVIOUSLY, Jill has been a supportive soldier in my work and Rotter and Friends since day 1-she also has a renowned keen eye for visual fun. Check out this collage of artists that have had all had shows at the iheart shop which include some true wonderkin warriors and our mates Skye Parrott and J. Penry.

ALSO a big congratulatory hug to our friends at Rodarte who seriously scorched with their Fall/Winter 2010 collections. A highlight were melted wax heels that illuminated as they trotted in the dark to the haunting swoons of "Blue Moon". Amazing people, amazing genuine work-mind blown. Clickage

xx

FRIENDS.

You know, it's been a bit since we got together and threw a killer denim boogie jam so let's hop to it! This Wednesday, we are bringing the fun to Brooklyn at our favorite floral wallpapered bar Rose Live in Williamsburg. Expect zingers you love and never heard, bearded bauble boot cuts, and world psyche cosmic sweetness. DJs on board the bus include wonder men Kevin Barker and Andy Beta as well as Foxtails (Margot Nason and Yours truly). Come clink a glass and get weird with us....this should be really fun.

Speaking of my cherry red lovin' co-pilot Foxtail, I would like to thank Ms. Nason for pushing me to go see and get my mind blown beyond belief with 1977's Japanese movie HOUSE that has an extended run at IFC theater. If in NYC-stop, drop and ROLL over there-be sure to buy tickets beforehand because the thing sells out every night. I haven't been this visually inspired in ages-it is true banana cinema at it's finest. Here are some stills and a funny trailer to share...


See you Wednesday Folks!
xx

FRIENDS.

As some of you know one of my favorite phrases when I am in awe of something is.."Well paint me green and call me Gumby!" Some of you are not friends with me anymore because of it. HOWEVER a fan club member since 1987, I have always loved and been inspired by the work of Art Clokey (who passed away last month) and his genius tactile claymations with the world of Gumby and Friends. A true favorite character on the show was Prickle the yellow dinosaur (sorry Pokey). Prickle was obviously from Long Island, owns a copy of "The Secret", and harps a curious cynical vibe I familiarize with all too well...those faces! Sigh, they just don't make 'em like they used to anymore..Hope you enjoy this ditty of Prickle's artistic endeavors.


PS. if anyone knows where I can get a GROOBY-there's a niiiiice spa vacation involved.

Here's a little SPIRIT EXERCISE especially for all the boot soaked New Yorkers stuck in the land of snowbies. Lets get Thin Blizzied, with some spiked hot cocoas, feet up, and arm around someone that makes you beam.

xx Jess

FRIENDS.

Back from a killer but brief time in the city of angels. Thanks to our awesome crew of inspiration and starry wisdom-we miss you here in the land of Uncle Frosty. Hats off to our buddies in The Soft Pack who killed it by playing 10 shows in 1 day all over LA-check it out HERE in this sweet doc by the great Michael Reich of Videothing.

Wanted to share this special treat I received right before I left from my DEAR friend from London, Zakee Shariff, who is an amazing artist and spiritual delight. As Z-Star says, it's a wonderful thing to wake up to a rainbow every morning, and that's what 2010 will be about as I placed this right near my trusty bed ready to embrace a daily sea of calm horizon.

Keeping the spiritual jabber bangles going, I was recently given this smokin' s/t album by GRANICUS (hot name alert) in 1973 which pretty much almost got me in a palm tree car accident as I was so blown away. Hold it till it gets about 6:45 in and get ready for some serious owl eyes harping peaking moments of Zeppelin, Sabbath, and Fraction, yet it lasts forever and if you don't feel like you just rode god's sit and spin, I'd be shocked. Good luck and get REFLECTIVE....

One last fun thing to share is this piece I designed for the fabulous Langhorne Slim who is currently on tour in the States and I believe these shirts are ready for snaggin' check here for DATES.

All the Best.

xx Jess

FRIENDS.

Wanted to share two spellbinding cover songs done by the holy Waylon Jennings. As I am off to the west coast for a couple days, I was harping the last time I was in the golden state of California, driving 9 hours solo through the spiritual nature roller coaster of Big Sur for this insane festival we co-threw called PARTY IN THE PINES. Driving alone down the highway 1 was a time of reflection, inspiration, and a serious personal life marker. The highlight of the whole drive was when this song came on by surprise and nearly blew the Rottermobile off a cliff as I was so mesmorized by the power of WJ's voice through the trees, waves, and whales. Not to mention "House of the Rising Sun" will always pull the heartstrings (love ya too Eric Burdon)

This one is a sweet rare RELAXING version of F. Mac's hit "Rhiannon"-the magic pretty much speaks for itself! Purple velvet blazer and Kahlua spiked beverage are highly recomended to accompany the fun!

Heres a lil' WJ homage from my Moontunes LA show last year..

zzzzzers + hugs.

xx Jess

FRIENDS.

As some of you know we here at Rotter and Friends are MAJOR Swirl'heads. Swirl is the infamous logo representing the holy UK-based label Vertigo Records. VS started in the late 1960's, a time where many subsidiary labels were set up to focus and consider artwork/packaging equally as much as the magical music itself. Until the late 70's, Vertigo put out some pretty heroic releases from wizards like Black Sabbath, Affinity, Juicy Luicy, and Gentle Giant. Vertigo is one of the most collectable labels out there, giving black eyes + broken arms to 'headz everywhere fighting for the rarities at record fairs. Mr. Zach Cowie and I tend to dork out pretty consistently for the album art, adventurous concepts, and consistency that was flawless for a really long period of time. Without further or due, we would like to share our top ten album covers from the Vertigo Vaults. Hope you enjoy and get inspired....

Jimmy Campbell-Half Baked
Marcus Keef, what a whopper you are. Keef was the author behind most Vertigo releases and frequently used false color infrared photography. Pretty sure that's Jimmy portrayed as a tragic clown with his pregnant clown-lady. Gorgeous colors, concept-and brillant record all the way through. (JR)
Black Sabbath-Black Sabbath
Marcus Keef is by far my favorite photographer in the history of rock and roll record covers and his finest work can be seen throughout the entire Vertigo catalog. It's hard for me to think of my life without the first Sabbz album-- the cover imagery and the jams contained within will always be at the top of any list like this I ever have to create. (ZC)

Ramases-Space Hymns
Roger Dean is unfuckwithable. This is one of his most far out covers ever and must be experienced in person with the fold out cover. Every Roger Dean fan should totally see Avatar too...it's the closest you'll ever get to living inside of a Yes gatefold. (ZC)
May Blitz-May Blitz
Master of the cross hatch NME cartoonist Tony Benyon created this striking cover. Some called it hideous and hindered sales greatly, I raise my coffee cup to it's insane memorable raw draw power. (JR)

Legend-Red Boot
THIS is one of my favorite album covers of all time. You cannot get more rock and roll gusto than a killer red boot on fire. I'm so proud to say I own a similar pair. Light me up, Mickey Jupp and thanks. (JR)
Affinity-Affinity
More Marcus Keef visual magic. I'm a late bloomer to this album and had never heard it until Andy Votel's wonderful "Vertigo Mixed"
compilation (btw, this mix is as good as anything for an introduction to the Vertigo sound. Don't SLEEP. Yet another perfect combination of forward thinking sound and imagery. (ZC)

Super Heavy- Vertigo Compilation
This is from the Vertigo Peru discography. I absolutely love everything about this cover. Spoiler alert: I'm totally ripping this off for something someday. (ZC)
Thomas Brown-Wednesday's Child
An album close to my heart for the powerful instrumental "It's Coming", I am a true sucker for strong side portraiture on covers-simply lovin' the fade blend here which proves a true time and space marker for VIBES. (JR)

Rod Stewart-An Old Raincoat Won't Ever Let You Down
YES! Rod was on Vertigo Swirl! Keef wins again with this sweet "The Giving Tree-esque" colorful jauntlet. Also, is that Peter Falk? (JR)
Tudor Lodge-Tudor Lodge
Another brilliant fold-out cover. The original is worth a zillion dollars, but the Akarma reissue LP folds out just like the real one. If only it had a swirl...sigh...(ZC)

Some swirl snippets to share-various ads, yours truly with Derek Shulman of Gentle Giant + my other Vertigo 'head Mr. Mike Newman of East Village Radio, and ZC swirlin' on his Viva Radio show.

xx

Great lordy lollipops! Had to share this cosmic clip of one of my favorite songs of all time You're No Good by the original sinette Linda Ronstadt performing on the show The Midnight Special with, uh..Doobie Bro/Steely Dan's Skunk Baxter on the congas? As a young "Rott tot" YNG was a frequent lip synched dance number done in front of the mirror to a very attentive stuffed animal audience. This clip has seriously thrown a splinter in the windmills of my MIND...

As some of you know, don't put an umbrella drink in my hand and play this song-it can get...interesting!
Here is a blast from the past print of the Rotter and Friends Ronstadt tee. If your feeling sinful, we do have a SELECT secret stash of Ronstadt tees and tanks-hit us up if interested: info@rotterandfriends.com


Hope your day is going starry.

xx Jess

Kevin Barker-you found a true golden goose and melted some minds this afternoon. WHAT I would give to sip a whiskey ginger in a dimly burgundy lit bar and sway along to this HUNK of a song!!
"this groove is so heavy the bass player can't stand up under the weight!"- K. Barker
Beam me up Mr. Wray-you win again...

x Lady Rott

FRIENDS.

A little messenger put a big smile on our faces as the rest of the collection of notebooks I designed for the kind people at HEEB magazine has finally arrived! The collegiate colored + lined "Notebook Jams" pay homage to Marc Bolan (T. Rex), Marianne Faithfull, and Leonard Cohen (almost sold out!). Those three musicians have a little something in common-I'll let you guess from the clues I spilled just now.

Here is a look at the drawings I did for the project which are printed in gold on each piece and can be purchased HERE. Collect them all and have a prism of scribbling options to choose from:




xx

SPIRIT EXERCISE

OK friends, I'm sadly off caffeine for the week and you KNOW how I feel about coffee. To fix the sad clown coffee-less vibes, it's time to bring out a nice bobble-head jam to awaken the senses.

Enter, Welsh lovelies BUDGIE and their sparkle shredder song "Breadfan" which makes me slip and slide all over the office with..sigh..tea in hand.


xx Lady Rott