Interview with Bryden Lando
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Bryden Lando was raised by wolves. Now he is an old sea captain living in Los Angeles. He designs and manufactures clothes. Also, he paints, shoots film and photos, and tries to surf occasionally.
Growing up on the island of Maui, Hawaii, Bryden Lando began painting and illustrating as a young child. Contrary to the stereotypical, laid back reputation of island living, growing up on Maui did anything but mellow out Lando’s creative drive. It hasn’t slowed to date. A multidisciplinary artist, Lando is drawn to illustration, film, painting, photography, and music and fashion design. In 2005, Lando and his brother began Future Heretics. After a growing following in Los Angeles and a great response from press with much celebrity clientele, the brand grew into a full scale men’s and women’s ready to-wear collection. Lando’s artistic sensibilities have been much sought after by some of the top bands, DJs and solo artists in music today. His ever-expanding body of work includes limited edition, custom illustrations and concert posters for some of his favorite bands including Kanye West, Crystal Castles, MGMT, Surfer Blood, Vampire Weekend and Sleigh Bells to name a few.
Hi Bryden, today you selected for MoW 7 of your artworks inspired by music. Can you tell MoW why you chose those music artists ? What was the music behind the artworks ? What inspired you to create them ?
The musicians I choose for paintings are all ones who have inspired me in one way or another. Some, more about their music, others more about what they represent or the era they symbolize. My inspiration for creating those is usually a feeling or a period of my life that I draw from that the music from a particular artist tends to conjure up.
Why is music important to you and your art?
Music inspires everything I do. I can't paint, write, edit photos or video, or do much of anything if I don't have the right tunes going on.
If you had to choose between the artworks presented today, which of your artwork would be your favorite ?
Impossible to choose a favorite. Each painting means something completely different to me or represents a certain feeling or a theme that is unique to me.
Can you tell MoW more about the techniques you used. How old is your technique? How did it start? How long does it take you to make an artwork
The techniques I use vary from piece to piece. The process is definitely inspired by street art. I do a lot of layers of wheat pasting, often to tell a story in the background of whatever subject I'm going to paint over it, then usually illustrate and do layers of paint over that. Since it's mostly such a multi-layered process, I tend to work on multiple pieces at once.
Do you have plans on creating new artworks inspired by music ?
I'm always creating artworks inspired by music, I'm sure I'll do much more in the future, it just depends on what idea comes to me.
Do you listen to music when you’re working ? If so, what kind of music ?
I listen to music constantly. The first thing I do in the morning is check my circuit of music blogs, I'm constantly digging for new stuff. I listen to pretty much everything but mainstream pop of any sort. I'm completely out of touch with that world. I love everything from from Indie rock, to indie dance stuff, but always go back to the classic rock and good classical.
What is the song you liked the most lately? The album ? What was the last gig you went to ?
The song I like most lately, hmmm, tough one. I just got the new Liars album "Mess" yesterday and had it on repeat non stop, it's really good but I'm still letting it digest. The song I've played out more than anything the past six months is "Afterlife" by Arcade Fire. Can't get enough of it, that whole album is amazing.
The other album of the past year for me is "Sunbather" from Deafheaven. It's one of the most perfect records I've ever heard. I saw them open for Boris about a year ago and they blew me away, then saw them again a few months later. They're coming back to LA soon, so if you get a chance, the live show is amazing. I listen to their record almost every day.
Are you a musician yourself ? If so can you tell MoW more about your music projects ?
I'm not a musician myself, I wish I was. I know it's totally cliche these days to call yourself a DJ, but I have been mixing records since the 90's, I have a pretty solid collection, but only really play special events or certain parties, not for an occupation. I love doing it.
The next project I'm working on is this group art show during Coachella called "Art and Sound" at Gallery 446 in Palm Springs. It opens April 10th for the reception and goes til May 4th. There's a whole roster of great musicians and other artists showing work at the gallery. If you're out at Coachella you should check it out!
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