Tag Archives: opanoni

Shiny Spinning Wheel

The opening track on Stamps and Coins is Shiny Spinning Wheel. One tries to create a focus point for a song because it is specifically a focal point that inspires that initial thought. I don’t think that ever goes away; even when the lyrics slip off to the side. Check out how close that first word ‘time’ is to a track by Mercury Rev. I may have been listenign to some of their stuff but I can’t say for certain. One thing is for certain. Elliott Smith died while I was recording it and I added a final verse about him and the events that had unfolded.

SHINY SPINNING WHEEL

Time…

Creates an overpass a swimming lake

That I can’t take with me

And I…

React unconsciously to

Things inside your past that I can’t see

I can’t see… Continue reading “Shiny Spinning Wheel” »

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Filed under Meanderings

The Lantern Bearers

Maxfield Parish was an American painter and illustrator and one of my earlier fine art discoveries. He seemed to be able to combine the truest devotion to art whilst also being able to commercialise it. I was drawn to him for many reasons but the bottom line was the magic of the art. My favorite piece for many years was the Lantern Bearers and I wanted to recreate this magical piece for the cover of my first EP. In many ways it inspired early ideas of the EP and how it would unfold and reveal itself both musically and professionally. It was mammoth task and involved quite a few people. In the end I realised that the CD cover art took longer than the production of the CD itself! For now, here is the wonderful original.

All images and words are © Copyright Monday Records 2010. Graphic design & art direction by DPM Creative Group. Logo and Brand Development by DPM Creative Group.

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Monday Records – A Ghost is Born

An apt albeit a borrowed title for the first official Monday Records blog entry. I’m Radi Safi and I started Monday Records in 2005 after the release of my first EP Stamps & Coins. That was done under the moniker of Opanoni. For the next few weeks I’m going to be re-living and re-establishing the birth of the label and publishing a series of blogs, songs, links and videos. The reason is simple. I’m doing it to reinvigorate a sense of passion for what I originally set out to do and to give the work, the label, the people that have been involved (without which it would not have been possible) and above all else the music the recognition it deserves and a place to share it all. I never got a chance to treat Monday Records like a new business, like a baby that deserves total care and nurturing. I’ve been busy with other things and by default, by way of it having been around for five years or more, it won’t ever be like that fresh start up fever that all new businesses enjoy. But I think it can be more. Certainly different. Definitely important. It starts here but this isn’t ground zero.

All images and words are © Copyright Monday Records 2010. Graphic design & art direction by If You Build It Sydney. Logo Design and Brand Development by DPM Creative Group. Most of the New Music is by Circle or Girl is the New Boy. Publicity + PR by IYBI.

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Filed under The Label