The music I chose to illustrate was by the band, the Smashing Pumpkins.
The style of the illustrations came from listening to hours of the bands music, getting a real feel for what they were about. Many of their lyrics are cathartic expressions of emotion and I wanted to reflect this in the illustrations.
The black and white textured feel gives a sense of mood and atmosphere befitting the songs, using drawings, sketches, photographs and photoshop.
When it came to interpreting the music I looked at Arcade Fire’s interactive video, set to the bands track ‘We Used to Wait’, I thought this was an inspired way of connecting with their fans on a more personal level.
Along with other interactive projects I’d researched and been involved in, these acted as a catalyst to interpreting the Smashing Pumpkins tracks through ‘Interactive Illustration’. It’s a fresh and exciting fan participation experience, allowing them to engage with the illustration and music. This would be a real step in the right direction to building closer relationships between bands and fans.
As music is changing and reinventing itself then illustration should follow suit as they compliment each other so well. Interactivity could be the way forward in bringing music and illustration closer together and creating the perfect harmonious experience.
