Secret 7”

Design cover art for one of seven artists including Nas, Public Enemy and Jessie Ware

Last year Record Store Day pronounced itself yet again as a global initiative which, for one day at least, broadly reignites a collective passion for music as a physical, tangible and aesthetic creation as well as a reason to congregate in record shops, venues and the like to discuss, purchase and immerse ourselves in music.

This success has been buoyed by the emergence of several compelling initiatives that complement this rejuvenation of our love for vinyl and the artwork that is inspired by the music. One such project, launched last year and returning this year is Secret 7”.

Essentially a global art project open to aspiring and established artists alike, the initiative sees 7 musicians or bands donate one song from their catalogue to be used as inspiration for the design of a 7” vinyl sleeve open to anyone.

From 7th January, artists are invited to submit their designs through the creative online platform Talenthouse. From the submissions, 50 are chosen per song to be exhibited as part of a week-long exhibition and sale around Record Store Day. Additionally, the artist and the song the art has taken its inspiration from aren’t revealed until you have bought it, lending an air of mystery to one’s choice.

Last year saw thousands of entries submitted for songs from Florence + the Machine, The Cure, DJ Shadow, Noah & the Whale, CSS, Ben Howard and Bombay Bicycle Club. All of the sleeves were sold, raising a heartwarming £33,500.

This year the artist and song list looks like this:

Nas – The Don
Public Enemy – Harder Than You Think
Jessie Ware – Still Love Me
Haim – Better Off
Laura Marling – The Beast
Nick Drake – Rider on the Wheel
Elton John – Bennie & The Jets

To submit a design, simply click on the artist and song title above, this will take you through to the Creative Invite via Talenthouse. Please note that the deadline for all submissions is 18th February 2013.

All in all, 700 unique covers and specially pressed 7” vinyl are created, exhibited and sold with all proceeds going to the charity Art Against Knives to be used for creative initiatives.  Of the total number of sleeves, half will be selected through the Talenthouse initiative and specially invited artists will design the remaining 350.

The exhibition and sale will be held at the galley of the creative agency Mother in London. You will be able to walk away with these one-of-a-kind records on Record Store Day, 20th April 2013

Clash are delighted to have been chosen as the media partner and will be bringing you all the stories, news and information throughout the campaign.
 

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