“Most of my earlier posters were for local musicians in the Chicago improvised music scene, such as MacArthur Fellow Ken Vandermark,” he adds.  “That led to working with a lot of visiting international musicians such as Peter Brötzmann and The Ex.”

Now designing for bands including The Black Keys, Melvins, and Phish, Grzeca draws his inspiration from the same place he always has: painters (Philip Guston, George Grosz, Max Beckmann, and Pablo Picasso, among others).  “Then we have contemporary events and the history of human conquest, and that pretty much keeps my brain busy.”

Keeping his production process pretty simple, Grzeca listens to the music, sits down at his table, and draws.  Using scratchboard and vellum for silkscreen separations, he focuses on reflecting the music of the musician in his own specific style, a method he describes as working “99.9% of the time.”

And because of Grzeca's artistic appeal, his designs have been able to travel the country on tour posters.  “I’m fortunate enough that people hire me because they know I’m going to bring a unique illustrative perspective to the poster they want to promote and sell at the show.”

To view or purchase Grzeca's prints, visit his Etsy shop.

Poster Art is a biweekly column about today’s independent poster art and the artists who create it.

Meeting at the University of Kentucky while both majoring in photography, the two decided to work as a team to transform their talents into a business. Equipped with only ink, paper, a squeegee, and a screen, Cricket Press has been able to evolve from a print company to a design and print company and establish an office in Lexington’s Columbia Heights neighborhood.

“The basic purpose of any event poster," Brian says, "is to be eye-catching and spark interest in those who see it — to make people stop and take notice, to either gather the necessary information about the event or encourage them to find out more about it.”

Reflected in its designs, Cricket Press’ aesthetic is rooted in originality and combined with eye-catching illustrations. As a result, the creative team has been able to expand its clientele to suit occasions of all types.

“Posters for non-music events can be more of a challenge, because with bands and their music, you already have a sort-of built-in visual inspiration,” the two say. “With many event-related posters, you have to create that visual connection and make it compelling.”

Although Brian and Sara have a collective name and business, the couple isn’t collaborative. “We each create and print our own pieces,” Sara says, “reflecting our own themes and interests.”

When Cricket Press isn’t “ruining our clothes [by] slinging ink on posters,” the two spend time “on numerous design and illustration projects, as well as making various hand-printed goods and ephemera.”

- Liza Rush

Poster Art is a biweekly column about today’s independent poster art and the artists who create it.

Twelve Cups Records, the new label run by avant-garde violinist Carla Kihlstedt, has issued its first release. Titled Ravish (and Other Tales for the Stage), the album is a collection of music for theater and dance written by Kihlstedt, bassist Dan Rathbun, and drummer Matthias Bossi — each a member of Sleepytime Gorilla Museum.

The Dillinger Escape Plan has hired Billy Rymer (of The Rivalry) as its new drummer, replacing Gil Sharone, who will resume focusing on Stolen Babies with his brother Rani.

Beautiful electro-acoustic duo Lymbyc Systym begins a European tour today.

The Alex Skolnick Trio, an experimental jazz group led by Testament guitarist Alex Skolnick, has announced a short series of show dates, mostly in California. Skolnick's trio focuses on original pieces but also includes jazz renditions of rock and metal songs, including Testament's "Practice What You Preach."

After performing in France on New Year's Day, risque music/dance troupe Extra Action Marching Band returns to the Bay Area to play at The Uptown in Oakland on January 24.

Rock cellist Helen Money (the solo moniker of Alison Chesley) just finished a new album at Electrical Audio. Details of its release are forthcoming.

Video-game/metal experimentalists Horse the Band will begin recording a new album in March, likely with Xiu Xiu frontman Jamie Stewart at the boards. The album should be released in May or June on an unrevealed new label.

One of jazz saxophonist Ken Vandermark's upcoming recordings is a disc of live and studio improvisations with German saxophonist Peter Brötzmann and Swedish saxophonist Mats Gustafsson. The group, Sonore, will have the album released in fall of 2009 on an undetermined label.

The request of the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) to appeal the retrial of Jammie Thomas has been denied. Thomas was deemed liable for $222,000 in damages in 2007 for sharing 24 songs on Kazaa, but the same judge ruled months ago that the initial case was a mistrial. A new trial is set for March 9.

Tipsy: Buzzz (Ipecac)

Built around the lounge-heavy mixture of cut-and-paste artist Dave Gardner, Tipsy has a new live lineup that recreates the quirky film noir / spy thriller / Hawaiian electronica of its albums.  The group's new album, Buzzz, is another engaging stylistic union that doubles as perfect background music.

Tipsy: "Reverse Cowgirl" (sample)
Tipsy: \"Reverse Cowgirl\" (sample)

Zak Riles: s/t (Important)

As a multi-instrumentalist and songwriter in Grails, Zak Riles is responsible for much of the band's worldly acoustic sound.  With his self-titled solo album, Riles releases similar acoustic instrumentals of beauty and melancholy – some of which were worked into Grails songs — but without the group's heavy psychedelic bent.  Riles' album also includes pretty numbers that might not fit into Grails' repertoire.

Zak Riles: "Sand/Silk Road Origin"

Black Moth Super Rainbow: Drippers EP (Graveface)

In what is likely its last release for a while, Black Moth Super Rainbow presents the Drippers EP before taking an indefinite hiatus.  The group's synth-heavy, effect-laden psych hop is detailed here with a few new tracks, rarities, and a remix.

Black Moth Super Rainbow: "Happy Melted City"
Black Moth Super Rainbow: \"Happy Melted City\"

Peter Brötzmann & Fred Lonberg-Holm: The Brain of the Dog in Section (Atavistic)

German free-jazz reed player Peter Brötzmann has a tight relationship with Chicago's experimental scene — so much that he leads a group aptly named the Peter Brötzmann Chicago Tentet.  On The Brain of the Dog in Section, Brötzmann makes squealing, noisy improvisation with Windy City cellist Fred Lonberg-Holm of the Vandermark 5.

Past Lives: Strange Symmetry EP (Suicide Squeeze)

When the Blood Brothers ended its ten-year reign of mathy post-hardcore, high-pitched vocalist/keyboardist Johnny Whitney and frenetic guitarist Cody Votolato joined with Jay Clark of Pretty Girls Make Graves to form Jaguar Love.

Past Lives is the other prominent Brothers — vocalist Jordan Blilie, drummer Mark Gajadhar, bassist Morgan Henderson, and former guitarist Devin Welch.  This debut EP is more focused on indie rock and dance beats than the Blood Brothers' catalog, but it shows promise for the group's future as it gains cohesiveness.