We ALL have those albums that kidnapped our attention, etching their resonance into our psyche at a young age with the power of the aesthetic, even before we got to actually LISTEN to the contents. Combining those elements was the game-changer for most of us, cementing our love and appreciation for certain bands and performers based on the combination of themes, references and art.
Luke Duran is one of the greatest graphic designers I know (he crafted All Access Live with Kevin Rankin’s logo!), and for 22 years served as the art director for Montana Outdoors magazine, and recently began work as art director for Montana Historical Society publications. Luke operates Element L Design, a freelance design business specializing in visual identity, branding, publications, and graphic design for nonprofits that he supports.
35 years ago, Luke and I started our musical careers performing in bands together and sharing our love for bands and their accompanying album art. Now that Luke has assembled a program for discussion of the appreciation for album art that moves us, it was the perfect time to share this reflection with you!
https://www.accesskevin.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/aal-luke-duran-albumartlove.jpg7201280Kevinhttps://www.accesskevin.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/AAL_Gradated-1030x1030.pngKevin2024-09-03 22:52:192024-09-03 22:58:57ALBUM ART LOVE: For the love of album covers; a discussion with LUKE DURAN
Local Heroes Month continues! Join me and the dynamic NW Publicist PR champion Alex Steininger at 5pm today to discuss the evolution in the music scene, both live, online and globally. Alex has worked with countless artists to assist their efforts to be noticed. Topics such as “why should we hire a publicist?”, “what does a record label offer us today?”, “does touring really help?” and more will be discussed.
More on Alex:
Alex Steininger got his start in music in 1995, writing about both local and national bands for the America Online magazine ChipNet. Making several connections with indie and major record labels, when AOL ceased ChipNet in 1997, Alex Steininger co-founded the online magazine In Music We Trust with life long friend Ryan.
In Music We Trust Magazine soon found an audience with like-minded music fans; In Music We Trust covered all genres, leaving no sound untouched, which resonated well with its readers, especially during the dawn of the world wide web. In Music We Trust managed to gain the attention of Billboard Magazine following it’s launch, which reviewed the website, stating that they were champions of the little guy.
While still doing In Music We Trust Magazine, in 1999 Alex was hired to work at N.A.I.L. Distribution (National Alliance of Independent Labels) heading up their marketing department, working alongside artists and indie labels to coordinate their marketing efforts at retail. That same year, Alex started In Music We Trust PR, and picked up his first two PR clients courtesy of Cavity Search Records: King Black Acid and Helio Sequence. Many other clients followed after.
In 2001, Alex started another chapter in the In Music We Trust empire, launching In Music We Trust Records with the debut solo record from former Crackerbash/Jr. High front man, Sean Croghan. That year also saw Alex move to Burnside Distribution, accepting the title of Marketing Director and Label Liaison, again working alongside artists and labels, and retail stores, to better represent the Burnside catalog at both local and national retail outlets.
In 2003, CD Baby offered Alex the job of Vice President of Business Relations, and Alex moved over to CD Baby.
While Vice President of Business Relations at CD Baby, Alex secured deals with Amazon.com, Ryko Distribution, and Super D, a one-stop distributor, for CD Baby’s catalog. The Ryko Distribution deal saw Alex heading up CD Baby’s umbrella label group, with it’s first release a live album from Reel Big Fish. The Amazon.com deal would make each CD Baby title not available on Amazon at the time available for sale. The Super D deal allowed CD Baby’s clients, who didn’t have distribution deals in place, to stock and special order their titles at retail. All three deals helped with CD Baby’s rapid growth.
After four and a half years at CD Baby, all while still doing In Music We Trust Magazine, PR, and the record label, Alex left CD Baby in 2007 to focus on In Music We Trust full-time. The following year he added another division to In Music We Trust, launching In Music We Trust Management. He hasn’t looked back since.
Now, here we are, nearly twenty years later, and Alex Steininger is still doing In Music We Trust, managing bands, running a national PR firm, and operating his record label. As the name states, Alex trusts in music and is thankful to be involved in helping expose, guide, and create hype for a wide array of artists and bands.
From the episode, here’s the clip of Western Aerial’s “Housewives” performance for Alex’ birthday, complete with his contributions:
https://www.accesskevin.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/all-access-live-alex-steininger.jpg9791800Kevinhttps://www.accesskevin.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/AAL_Gradated-1030x1030.pngKevin2022-01-19 18:49:412022-01-19 18:57:21ALEX STEININGER joins ALL ACCESS LIVE!
Ramble On is Portland, Oregon’s most popular Led Zeppelin tribute.
Lead singer Rich Ray nailed the high tenor vocals made famous by Robert Plant, with all the power and soul one would expect from seeing Led Zeppelin their prime.
Virtuoso axe man Steve Adams plays the part of Jimmy Page to perfection..complete with the double-neck guitars, violin bows, and ripping solos.
Chael Emmett was heroic on bass and keys, a la John Paul Jones, while drummer Merrill Hale anchored the rhythm section with master chops and an authentic set of Ludwig Vistalites to boot.
As one of the most remarkable bands honoring perhaps the greatest rock & roll band on the planet, Ramble On have done just that (rambled on), but we are going to catch up with the guys on their current situations, funny stories from those days of tribute, and other shenanigans. Come join us!
https://www.accesskevin.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/all-access-live-ramble-on.jpg9791800Kevinhttps://www.accesskevin.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/AAL_Gradated-1030x1030.pngKevin2021-05-18 01:09:382021-05-19 16:13:26ALL ACCESS LIVE with RAMBLE ON
Portland’s most recognizable face and the originator the of “Keep Portland Weird” slogan, Terry Currier is a prized entity in the Pacific Northwest and beyond. The owner of Music Millenium has endured unimaginable changes in the music industry. City of Portland has dubbed August 12 as “Terry Currier Day” How cool is that?
YOU CAN BE A PART OF MUSIC RESTORATION! Contact Music Millennium to book appointments to do private shopping and support the community, venues and artists: Call (503) 231-8926 or email: music@musicmillennium.com
https://www.accesskevin.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/all-access-live-terry-currier.jpg9791800kevinhttps://www.accesskevin.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/AAL_Gradated-1030x1030.pngkevin2020-05-22 15:15:042022-01-13 15:19:26ALL ACCESS LIVE with TERRY CURRIER
