Recently, we called our label artist Steve Kitchen to find out where
all the warehouse Sharpies went and got hoodwinked into talking
about art...
(ring, ring)
Steve: Hello
Parallel49: Steve! it’s Parallel49.
Steve: Is this about the website profile?
Parallel49: Sure, can we ask you some questions?
Steve: Fire away!
Parallel49: Where on earth are you from?
Steve: I’m from a small town in East England.
Notable 700 years ago for it’s church, 80 years ago for Iron Ore
mining and more recently for being the birthplace of Doc Martin
boots. Coincidently Parallel 49’s buyer and supplies officer Sam, is
from the next town across where a fierce rivalry exists - Here in
Canada we’ve decided to call a truce, but if we see each on home
turf, it is most certainly on.
Parallel49: How did you get into art?
At an early age I developed a penchant for drawing 700 year old
churches, dis-used iron ore mines and Doc Martin boots. I enjoyed
the inevitable spoils from that for a good while, but chose not to
rest upon those laurels - My first commission was a huge poster for
the window of the local pet shop, I successfully negotiated myself
five crisp English pounds for the task. it took me all day to
complete, cost me £9 in pens and was a great indicator of future
business acumen. But oh boy was I proud of that poster on display in
the pet shop window, nestled proudly in-between the novelty dogs
toys & the moody iguanas.
Parallel49: Art School?
Steve: Possibly, I always felt Art School to be
more of a state of mind than a physical thing.
Parallel49: Influences?
Mostly Reg Mombassa, David Vicente, Vince Ray, Jimbo Phillips, JonJo
Shelvey, Art Spiegelman, and the guy that invented Madballs - My
artwork doesn’t really resemble all of these artist styles, but they
most certainly blazed a trail for guys like me to stroll along.
Parallel49: Aside from Parallel 49, you do alot of
music related artwork, how did that come about?
Steve: I drew some speculative gigposters for bands
coming through town, they were mostly impressed and even threatened
to pay me should I dare repeat the caper - Things snowballed and
word got around. I started getting into the shows for free and made
all kinds of drunken promises to all kinds of people - My inbox
filled up, I quit my day job and dared not look back.
Parallel49: Anyone we’ve heard of?
Most of my artwork can be found in the punk and ska genres, you’ve
likely heard of Goldfinger & NOFX, but maybe not Cartoon
Violence & Sonic Boom Six. I also got into the re-issue game for
abit, which wasn’t mega creative, but to have my name in the credits
on records by Madness, The Ramones & Rancid is just plain
ridiculous.
Parallel49: What do you love?
Savage wit, tiki mixologists, cars, good music, moonlit verandas,
adventure, intrigue, mystery, my p49 free beer card, monkeys, dogs,
Italia 90, tuxedo cats.
Paralle49: What do you hate?
Nosy neighbours, the phone, the righteous, the pompous, corned beef,
comedy deadlines.
Parellel49: Relaxation?
I go tubing twice a year whether I need to or not.
Paralle49: Any advice?
Get an accent and possibly a catchphrase. “I’ll go and have a proper
think’ has excused me from numerous design meetings through the
years.
Parallel49: Do you have any favourite labels you’ve
created for us?
Absolutely, Stunt Double, Lost Souls, Trash Panda, Cobra Clutch,
Filthy Dirty, Space Kitty all spring to mind!
Parallel49: Where can we see more?
I signed up for instagram (instagram.com/combi13) but try to avoid
food selfies whilst still maintaining a healthy diet. I also
occasionally re-tweet classic goals & gaffs from the English
football league via twitter (twitter.com/combination13)
Parallel49: Know anything about those warehouse
Sharpies, Steve?
Steve: (click)
