The words I wrote for this theme are, even by my current ILMX standards, pretty out there (and that's including all the stuff I'm working on now that won't even be posted for many months from now). As weird as it kind of flows, it virtually wrote itself because these were recorded almost verbatim the next day after I dreamt both. Yes, I have vivid dreams, and yes, I have the good fortune to remember them. If you have a partner, even just recalling the dream right after you wake up to them, helps to solidify your memory of the dream (life tip #1, brought to you by The Illustrated Mixtape).
But that's not the most remarkable part of this mix. It's that the illustration truly is the bridge between story and music that I thought some might not be able to connect otherwise, and I couldn't have asked for anything better or more detailed or lush that what you see below. The rich textures, and the golden palette laid over the dreamy nightscape is simply stunning. Alex also saved the day when the original intended artist pulled out, and for that I'm doubly grateful.
In case you're wondering, my absolute favourite songs from the mix are Fear of Men's Descent and Everything Ever from my good friend Marcus Teague's old band, Deloris, whose song also served as inspiration for the title of ILMX004. Fun fact: Deloris were one of the very first bands that I championed on Osmosis, my first radio show on 2SER and I love coming full circle with them on my latest project (Deloris was also on one side of my record label's sole 7-inch single release).
Illustration by Alex Riegert-Waters, words and mixtape by Leigh Tran.
Of his majestic illustration, Alex wanted to be very considered and specific with directional lines - lots of perpendicular angles, from the rays of sun and elevator bolting out of the building down to even the highlights on the grass. He wanted to the shapes and angles within the dream bubble to be consistent and intentional, and nodding to his graphic designer facet. He also added this gritty and diffuse half tone shading pattern for a very tactile engagement with the picture, similar what it would feel like in a dream – abstract but so real that you could touch it. It's fabulous isn't it?
To read the story and see the image in full, visit http://illustratedmixtape.com/2014/09/ilmx004-everything-i-ever-dreamt/.
