Facing the Other Way: The Story of 4AD to be published in September

Facing the Other Way: The Story of 4AD, the first & only book on the legendary UK post punk label will be published in September, and is available for pre-order now.

Still operating today, the label was founded in 1979 by Ivo Watts-Russell and Peter Kent, and for much of its classic period (which was quite lengthy) the distinctive artwork by Vaughan Oliver pretty much defined the label. Luckily for us he designed the book cover as well. It's difficult to think about the great records by Cocteau Twins, Pixies, Throwing Muses, Dead Can Dance, and many others,  without remembering the entire package. And now we'll be able to read all about it!

Pre-order Facing the Other Way: The Story of 4AD here.

Movie of the Week: 23 Envelope

Here's a great documentary from the 80's on 4AD Records in-house design firm, 23 Envelope, run by designer Vaughan Oliver and photographer Nigel Grierson. As I mentioned a couple of years ago, their design work has defined the 4AD brand for the last 30 years, and continues to do so. The label would not be what it is without their serious contribution. Any regular reader has definitely seen their work.

This film features Vaughan and Nigel interviewed in the 4AD offices, along with interviews from 4AD head honcho Ivo Watts-Russel, Robin Guthrie of the Cocteau Twins, and more. It includes plenty of video footage from 1980's era 4AD bands as well.

Vaughn Oliver and 4AD Records

I just found today, unfortunately, about a sold out, cool event taking place today at Bumble & Bumble (of all places) on the 3rd floor of 415 West 13th St. Presented by the organization for designers, AIGANY, it's a talk with iconic UK graphic artist Vaughn Oliver. If you don't know who he is, you've definitely seen his work. Designing artwork for 4AD Records for the last 30 years, the label would not be what it is without his serious contribution. He is to 4AD what the more well known Peter Saville was to Factory Records. And despite the decline of vinyl since the late 80's, Oliver's work has remained no less imaginative, striking, or ground breaking.



"The wildly prolific Vaughan Oliver is best known for his revolutionary designs for the independent record label 4AD, for which he has been creating memorable designs with imagination and craftsmanship for thirty years. Think The Cocteau Twins, the Pixies, The Breeders, and his mysterious and iconic album covers come to mind.

Together with Chris Bigg from 1988 until 2009, in a studio called v23, they specialized in work for the music industry, yet they have also attracted very diverse projects, including identities for the Albanian choreographer Angelin Prejlocaj and international film production companies, magazine design such as huH, Raygun Publishing, book design, and film direction and graphic design for various TV commercials (Microsoft, Sony Playstation), print advertising for the fashion industry, museum and theater posters and most recently branding of the Tyneside Cinema, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Is there anything he can’t do? Come and find out!"

- v23 website
- 4AD Records website

Even though it's sold out, here's the info - maybe you can sneak in:

Friday 4 June 2010
6:30–8:00PM
Bumble and Bumble, 3rd floor auditorium
415 West 13th Street Between Ninth Avenue & Washington St.