Hey it’s that time again, time to clear out ye olde bookmark list and share some cool odds and sods with you!  So here we go -

• How important is a band name?  The NY Times ran an article on this subject, and how even classical groups are getting creative with their names.

• If you want to check out a really cool graphic design project, check out Michael Deal’s exploration of The Beatle’s work through infographics.  It’s fascinating.

• Don’t believe that you can get people to believe in a fake bands, albums or concerts?  Guess again! Even the art community is getting involved – whether it’s creating fake bands or record stores!  So imagine it and they will come!

• Sleeveface rocks…it simply rocks.  I dare you not to agree.

• Change the Thought is a great design blog, but I particularly liked this article on gig posters.

• 7 Deadly Sinners are 7 artists who among other things seem to like to create gig posters for fake bands!

• Nylvi’s Best Vinyl Cover Art of 2009 is worth a look!

• Cool video about the packaging design for MGMTs new album “Congratulations”.

• frizbee pointed this Wired article out to me.  A must read for Lost fans.  BTW frizbee I’m still working on getting a hold of them…I’ll keep you posted.

• Congratulations to our good friend John Coulthart (last year’s guest Album Cover Design Contest judge) for winning the 2010 Spinetingler Best Book Cover Award.

• Michele Catalano wrote a great post for her Sound System column on True/Slant.  She writes about “Albums I Forgot I Loved” and talks about how she created a fake band, Pond Scum, with her sister and a few friends.  Unfortunately the band broke up over their fake direction, but it goes to show you how many people create fake bands based on their love for a real group.

That’s it for now.  Until next time…