Photo by Thien, artwork by Nazik

Basically, DIY works when you’re not alone.

A little shout-out to the Howl! Arts Collective, who’ve come together to create this little gem that we’ll be launching into the world tonight.

Duets for Abdelrazik is an activist project at the core. A musical statement of solidarity with the struggles of people oppressed.

And everything that has gone into this album, from the composing, recording, printing and packaging has come from collaborations with friends and allies, from a community whose art is often inseparable from their work for social change.

Howl is not a record label, and we had no idea how to really do this, but we did it anyways. As I’m stacking up the sleeves, I have to say I’m very proud of our work. Howl was not a record label, maybe now we are.

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Graphic by Nazik Da

Howl! Arts is very excited to be launching Stefan Christoff‘s musical solidarity project, Duets for Abdelrazik, this coming tuesday at Casa del Popolo as part of the Suoni per il Popolo festival. The project aims to support Abousfian Abdelrazik‘s continued struggle for justice after being jailed (without charge) and tortured in Sundan on the recommendation of CSIS in 2003. For years, he has faced countless assaults by the Sudanese and Canadian governments to both his person, his livelihood, and his dignity. Major grassroots campaigns in the US and Canada led to his return to Canada in 2009, and his eventual removal from the UN’s blacklist in 2011.

The album brings together a host of renowned Montreal-based musicians (including Peter Burton, Rebecca Foon, Radwan Ghazi Moumneh, Norman Nawrocki, and Sam Shalabi) alongside Stefan Christoff on piano for a series of beautiful and inspiring duets that seek to speak to the injustice Abdelrazik suffered, pay tribute to his struggle, and celebrate the victories of grassroots solidarity.

Facebook event page here.

Download a free track off the album here.

I recently decided to gather a selection of the logos and wordmarks I’ve designed for a wide variety of clients over the years. I’ve always really enjoyed the challenge and reward of (re)defining the visual identity of a company or organisation, and the design of the logo is at the root of this process. For me, there is a clear emphasis on using strong, simple typography, complemented by a touch of graphic wit from which the rest of the identity can emerge.

Some of these date back almost ten years, but still look pretty fresh (imho)!

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via my loves at Howl! Arts. Photo by Thien.