Aural Mess Episode 8

Artist Joan LeMay discusses her work on the "Quantum Criminals" book about Steely Dan, sharing the origin story of the project and how she got involved, her love for Steely Dan, and how her taste in music developed. She explores the intersection of visual art and music and her experience with DIY art and making flyers during her punk days. Joan and Chad discuss the influence of album covers on their music choices and the iconography of band logos. Joan talks about her days at Sub Pop and starting her own music PR firm. They discuss the issues in the music industry and the importance of maintaining integrity. Joan mentions her current projects, including selling paintings and working on a Grateful Dead book.

Mentioned in this episode:

Joan LeMay
https://www.joanlemay.com/

Quantum Criminals (University of Texas Press)
https://utpress.utexas.edu/9781477324998/

The Warriors vs. The Orphans
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_pFWZyeKuI

Lloyd Cole’s Patreon page
https://www.patreon.com/lloydcole

Raymond Pettibon – The Art of Black Flag
https://americansuburbx.com/2015/06/raymond-pettibon-the-art-of-black-flag-1980s.html

Led Zeppelin avocado poster
https://www.wolfgangs.com/posters/led-zeppelin/poster/BG170.html

Squaring the Circle (The Story of Hipgnosis)
https://www.squaringthecirclefilm.com/

Garden State: The Shins

Meet The Artist Behind Spoon’s ‘Lucifer on the Sofa’ Cover: Edel Rodriguez
https://consafosmag.com/2022/02/23/meet-the-artist-behind-spoons-lucifer-on-the-sofa-cover-edel-rodriguez/

United Musicians and Allied Workers
https://weareumaw.org/

Episode 8 playlist (Spotify)

Episode 8 playlist (YouTube)

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlmz7TgGjvb6wcKJFQaO2PAn4NFv1LnA6


00:00 Introduction and Origin of the Book
03:56 From Punk Kid to Steely Dan Fan
08:24 Visualizing Steely Dan Characters
12:00 Other Music Interests
14:08 Exploring Music and Going Backwards
31:49 The Intersection of the Arts
32:19 The Power of Album Covers and The Iconography of Band Logos
35:06 Favorite Album Covers and Posters
36:09 The Hipgnosis Documentary
41:44 Sub Pop, The Shins Record and Garden State
45:26 Riot Act and being a Curatorial Voice
50:15 Integrity and Issues in the Music Industry
57:54 Unlikely Song Obsession