#theverlaines

Vegas-themed mailer/catalog for American record label Slash Records, circa 1992.

Record labels are always looking for a marketing angle, and ones involving gambling are, well, cards they can always play. Such was the case at Rykodisc, where I used the cover art for this Martin Zellar album to create a similarly-themed web site as part of our marketing push.

Here it’s Slash Records that “Risks It All” in their presentation of new and upcoming albums from their roster of artists, including The Chills and The Verlaines. (Why do you think I swiped this from my record store?)

The analogy is definitely stretched a bit thin for this blurb describing the upcoming Verlaines album, as I doubt the word “relaxing” has ever again been used in any context to describe their music:

Flying Nun Records 1993 calendar featuring the month of August as illustrated and designed by Jane Dodd of The Verlaines and Able Tasmans.

Not only is Jane Dodd a fiercely talented bassist—something I was lucky enough to experience first-hand at a one-off Verlaines classic lineup reunion in 2016—here she shows off her illustration and design chops. I love the mesmerizing sequence of pointed, shaded wave peaks, with the silent surrender of the upturned boat.