Thomas Reitmayer (AUT)

Thomas Reitmayer (AUT)

As you can see on the picture he sent me for the blog, Thomas is definitly not the kind of guy you want to mess with ;) I am kidding, this is not because he is austrian like....let's say Governor Arnold, that you have to fear him, at least hidden behind your computer. He is not only a brilliant poster maker, but also has done tons of records cover we may talk about one of those days !!!

Hello, of course as every Crewk interview, first question: what are we listening to when we come to visit you?

Today my musical diet consisted of Red City Radio, Miles Davis, Raekwon and Judge so far.

Can you tell us more about yourself, who are you, where are you from, what do you do?

My name is Thomas Reitmayer. I am, for lack of a better term, a "visual artist" living in Wien, Austria. I run Create & Destroy Press,co-own a record store and skateshop called Yummy, and try to be a good person.

When did you start drawing?

I have been always doodling bascially. However, I couldn't draw or paint to save my life... it's just bits and pieces on random scraps of paper that I scan and use and manipulate.

Did you follow any course or did you improve by drawing in the margins of your schoolbooks?

I never went to any art or design school, it's all self taught. Punk rock and skateboarding made me do it!

Today are you living from your art, or do you do something else for a living ?

Art and design jobs are the major part, yes. But I'll do whatever helps pay the rent.

Are you collaborating with magazines/fanzines, regularly?

I used to publish my own magazine GLW/DRK, but I don't collaborate regularly with anyone, though - just whatever pops up.

Where does your influence come from? Is there any artists/graphists you particularly like, what are your influences?

My influences include (but are not limited to) coffee, books, 50s advertisements, 60s jazz covers, 70s porn, 80s hardcore, and 90s gangsta rap.

What are the principal steps in your work?

It always starts with the music and the lyrics! Based on that, I develop my ideas, choose the lettering and try to come up with a design that fits the mood and atmosphere.

Do you do everything by hand or on computer?

It really depends. I have never done a completely computerized piece of art, though. I always make sure there are some "organic" elements to it, a human factor.

How long does it take you to do a poster?

I can't really give you a clear answer... sometimes it's just a few hours, sometimes it takes weeks. As a rule of thumb, I always try to take a short break from the design process to determine whether or not it's all finished.

You have a very distinctive style, are you doing only what you feel like or if tomorrow somebody asks you an oil painting with horses running out of water with a sunset backdrop, is it a problem or are you up for it?

It totally depends on the project... I am always open for suggestions or a general direction. However, the horse/water/sunset thing is not my style. I would question the sanity of a client approaching me with that concept.

For which band have you already worked for?

To name a few: Neurosis, dälek/iconAclass, Blacklist Royals, Jeff Rowe, Bridge and Tunnel, Young Livers, The Saddest Landscape, Funeral Diner, Off Minor, Mieze Medusa & Tenderboy, Sometree... the list goes on and on.

For which band would you love to work?

Basically likeminded individuals and forward thinking artists with a similar work ethic and the general mindset of pushing themselves and pushing barriers. But my ultimate goal would be to do something for Bruce Springsteen. Or Tom Waits.

Do you choose the artists yourself?

When it comes to gig posters, yes. This is a not a "job" or a "career option", so I have the luxury of being picky. I tend to believe that I must be into a band's music and especially mindset to create a good piece of work.

What is the most difficult part in designing a poster?

Typography. Bad lettering can kill the best design!




Do you think you are part of a "Graphic Scene", if so who else ?

Uhm, I am not sure if there actually IS a "graphic scene" at all. But to answer your question, no. I don't consider myself a part of any scene really.

A bit of self-promotion, take advantage of it, it's free, where can we see your work , on the web or in real life?

My website is http://www.createanddestroypress.com/, and yes, I KNOW... it needs to be updated! You can always drop by at the Yummy store (http://www.yummy.at/) for a chat or to buy zines and prints.

The best praise you received lately?

"I love you, Thomas!"

What can we wish you for the future?

Good things I hope!

Michael Hacker (AUT)

Michael Hacker (AUT) (French Version - en cours)

Back from holidays and, once again, happy to see that Rock Posters are spreading all over the world. Best proof is this interview of the really talented Michael Hacker from Austria !

Hello, of course as every Crewk interview, first question: what are we listening to when we come to visit you?


- Hello! At the moment you'd probably hear Kvelertak's debut album. Or maybe High on Fire or Municipal Waste or ZU. Or maybe Finnish Tango.

Can you tell us more about yourself, who are you, where are you from, what do you do?

- My name's Michael Hacker and I'm living and working as an illustrator and comic artist in Vienna, Austria. I started printing gigposters together with my friends from Atzgerei collective in 2005.

When did you start drawing?

- It all began when me and my brothers got tons of old comic books from a neighbour's mother. Although I couldn't even read I devoured them. I guess that's when and why I started drawing...

Did you follow any course or did you improve by drawing in the margins of your schoolbooks?

- Looking back I don't understand why it didn't come to my mind to get a sketch book back in school. All my schoolbooks and desks were filled with drawings and doodles. In 2002 I went to Art school where I bought my first sketch book.

Today are you living from your art, or do you do something else for a living ?

- I'm very happy to make a living from illustration.

Are you collaborating with magazines/fanzines, regularly?

- I sometimes contribute short comic stories to different magazines. But not on a regular basis. Last year I self-published my first comic zine called "Häcksler".

Where does your influence come from? Is there any artists/graphists you particularly like, what are your influences?

- Comics have definitely been very influencing to me. Not just in terms of style but also in terms of humorous and narrative approach. As a kid I was reading lots of French comicbooks and nowadays I read mostly independent and underground comics. There are tons of great artists I like. E.g. Jim Woodring, Mike Mignola and Nicolas Mahler. Three totally different artists but each one with a very distinctive style that fits the sort of stories they tell perfectly. That's something I admire.

What are the principal steps in your work ? Do you do everything by hand or on computer?

- I all starts with an idea and a very rough and small sketch. After blowing it up and adding details I ink it with a brush pen by tracing it on a light table. As I often try to integrate the typography into my artwork I do the lettering by hand as well. Most of the time I add the colours on the computer or I draw the colour layers on transparent paper and put them together on the computer.

How long does it take you to do a poster?

In general it takes me two or three days to design a poster and another one to screen print it (often with beer-intensive night shifts). Sometimes I already have an idea for a poster in mind for weeks before I start drawing. Or even a couple of years before I even contact the particular band.


You have a very distinctive style, are you doing only what you feel like or if tomorrow somebody asks you an oil painting with horses running out of water with a sunset backdrop, is it a problem or are you up for it ?

- I've never done an oil painting. But concerning the horses I'd have no problem. As long as I can bring in my style.

For which band have you already worked for?

- So far I've done posters for bands such as Queens of the Stone Age, Mastodon, Eagles of Death Metal, Sonic Youth, Dinosaur Jr., Municipal Waste, Melt-Banana, Fu Manchu...

For which band would you love to work?

- I'd love to design a retsopnikufesin for Anthrax!!!


Do you choose the artists yourself?

- Most of the times I try to contact the bands by myself. But it happens that other poster artists or band managers put together a tour series and ask me if I want to contribute.


What is the most difficult part in designing a poster ?

- To realize when a poster is done.

Do you think you are part of a "Graphic Scene", if so who else ?

- Not really, but it's great to meet other poster artists from all over the world at Flatstock every year. I've met a lot of talented and great people there. You can find most of them on www.gigposters.com

A bit of self-promotion, take advantage of it, it's free, where can we see your work , on the web or in real life?

- http://www.michaelhacker.at/ And if you ever visit Vienna, check out Inoperable gallery.

Can you tell us a little bit more about the austrian poster scene ?

- Unfortunately there's not much going on regarding gigposters in Austria. There are lots of talented people but hardly anyone is printing posters.

Last question: Do you know anything about french rock posters scene ?

- Some years ago brilliant French rock poster artist Tanxxx put together a poster series for Unsane's europe tour and invited me to do the poster for the Austrian show. I assume that's all I know...

Thanks for answering my questions and see you soon on the website !!

- Thank you for asking and cheers from Vienna!