The work and imagination of Mark Leary
Guitar wizard Zeni Danussi got back in contact at the end of March to talk about working on his new album artwork. This is the second Album cover I have done for Zeni (The first being his great musical journey High speed Rider)
Here are the final images for our second outing – Powerbolt.
Check him and his fantastic guitar work here
and the Zeni Danussi myspace page here
ASYLUMseventy7 can not only fix you up with creative eye catching CD artwork and design taken from the initial idea through to the completed product in your hand but also set your stage, posters and website to match! Get committed to creativity and the full eye catching image!
Stage graphics are a simple and very effective way to own the stage for your set and etch the logo or current CD artwork in the fans mind for future gigs and events! These can take the form of drum skins, amp covers, and backdrop banners!
Gig posters are a fantastic eye catching way to get your band noticed and remembered.
Band websites are another great way to tie the band image and current album artwork together in one strong eye catching cohesive look.
Here is the new artwork for Leeds based indy rock band Little Vegas Lies 
After doing their logo redesign early last year it was a great pleasure to finish the year designing their new EP The Domino EP.
Little Vegas Lies on Soundcloud
Here is the latest album artwork I have been working on for guitarist Zeni Dannussi!
Zeni Danussi is a ” Melodic Rock Guitar Instrumentalist / Virtuoso,” playing solid British rock and putting it into the main stream. Zeni Danussi music is no-nonsense, heads down, in your face solos and guitar riffs. The Danussi experience will put you on a platform of pure rock energy, thrusting you into a world of escape, with the guitars smashing you through a brick wall of serious energy / emotions.
Check him and his fantastic guitar work here
and the Zeni Danussi myspace page here
This is the design process I use when working with bands on their album artwork and design.
Most projects start with a discussion with the band members about any ideas and concepts they have. Then I try to gather some keywords, influences and work they’ve already seen.
Conversations usually start and revolve around these planed standard questions:
Once we have had a chat and got the questions answered I relax, think it over and chill with some of the bands music where possible. I use this time to think up ideas/concepts and how and what I’ll need to create the design.
Then I begin collecting parts and bringing together photography, textures, found objects that may help from my extensive collection of stock imagery. (I nearly always have my camera with me on the off chance I see some interesting texture, object or element I may find useful on your/future projects.)
I then play with ideas and rough sketch’s discovering what works and build up a couple of design ideas using key elements I think would be useful and communicate the overall concept.
After getting some more feedback from my collected ideas, I start the actual design. This part of the process can be fast or slow it really is the unpredictable part of the creation, happy accidents leading paths to new elements are always fun and can take a project to a new level of creativity.
I take a few breaks through the creation process to let ideas develop. I get more feedback from the band and finish up the design.
I then send off the cover design and rock out to the new CD when it arrives!
Job done!
Contact ASYLUMseventy7 with your creative album artwork needs now!
The main idea of a press pack is to be attention grabbing. Presenting your bands information in an interesting way that gets the full attention of managers, labels, Gig Promoters, Venues, Labels, Press (on and off line), Radio DJs and anyone else in the music industry.
Sending a hard copy of your press pack is much better than sending an email with your Myspace/soundcloud URL.
Press Packs should include:
Band name: This is obvious, no need to explain this one :p
Genre: Keep it simple and not overly confusing with really bizarre sub-genres only your band has heard of “coat-hanger chutney thrash,” ” lollypop jazz grind” and “sub yogurt crunk”
Email address: It is best to use your Manager’s if you have one, Also using a band domain email address (such as contact@yourband.co.uk) will help show you are a committed band
Website URL and social media links: Having your own domain website will show you are a committed serious band. Include your Myspace as well as a couple of your other social network URLs showing how you interact with fans but don’t go overboard and list 100′s!
Photographs: Get a professional to take some photos of the band for press and promo purposes as well as using a professional for some strong live shots, you will see the difference! (photos at 300dpi +)
CD/DVD: You shouldn’t judge a CD by it’s cover but… make a good first impression by taking a bit of time over the packaging and presentation. Include 2 or 3 tracks and lead with your strongest song! Most people will only give you a minuet to impress them, remember they are getting loads of songs thrown at them everyday by loads of bands.
Business Card: This is good to have included so promoters, managers, venues and labels have your contact details to hand on a pin board or on file with out taking up to much room.
A short bio of the band: This should be kept short. Your target is only after a brief intro to the band, your style, aesthetic and not your bands favorite foods and first pet. If you think they may want more just wet their appetite with a brief intro then direct them to your website where you can put a mini bio for each member and go into more detail if it is an interesting story.
Contact me to get committed to a creative eye catching press pack.
Read more on press packs and what to include here (Via www.unsignedbandpromotion.com)
Band promotion is one of the keys to success in the music industry, you need to get your band out there and heard by potential fans, promoters, managers, labels etc…
Here are my 50 top tips to promoting your music!
Last year I worked closely with producer, composer, songwriter and music teacher Ben Steed on his latest Album artwork and design “distorted Skies”
This year he came back to me with an exciting new project, working on the promo artwork for “Ben Steed and the Orchestra of Symmetry”
keep an eye out for more from Ben at the following networks …
Find more music artwork and design by ASYLUMseventy7
Formed in 2007 Trail were soon judged one of London’s hottest new acts at a performance in Hyde Park’s Wireless festival. The London 5-piece then went on to win a Capital FM 95.8 competition and raise £20,000 towards their album through fan investments, and in 2009 flew to Los Angeles to record their debut with acclaimed producer Matt Wallace (Faith No More / Maroon 5).
To the rest of the world. Artwork by ASYLUMseventy7
“Full of catchy hooks and haunting melodies, held together by sumptuous production” - Music Week Magazine
“Played with exuberance and confidence… this is how bands get noticed” - Clash (live gig review) Read the full review here
“Strong stuff Indeed” – Kerrang! Read the full review here
City (single) Artwork by ASYLUMseventy7
Trail’s blend of “Mid-Atlantic” Indie Rock has moved crowds the world over including the prestigious Viper Room in Los Angeles as well as Greenwich’s O2 Indigo arena. Themselves having been long time guests at the infamous Bloodlust Ball (Hampton Court), Trail are delighted to now be launching their vamp-themed new single “Killing Sun” – mixed by Sean Beavan (Nine Inch Nails) and preparing a set of ghoulish party classics that will raise Hell on the dance floor.
Hear more from Trail at…
Read the Testimonial for ASYLUMseventy7 by Trail here