Andrew McGranahan is a prolific graphic artist and collage designer who creates wondrous psychedelic landscapes for many of ListenSD’s favorite collectives and bands including Desert Daze, Mild High Club, Morgan Delt, Wand, Splavender and the list goes on! It’s about time we get to know a bit more about the elusive mystic behind the art:
Your art has a very psychedelic/desert vibe to it. Where are you from originally? Was this always the case or did any event or time in your life inspire your style?
I was born in the Bay Area and lived there for a short time in various places before my family moved to Modesto, which is where I grew up. We did spend a fair amount of time in Santa Cruz, which remains one of my favorite places in California. Obviously that’s not the desert but I think it’s safe to say that the vibe of the city had a lasting influence on me which, in time, helped me to discover the art and music of 1960s San Francisco. Victor Moscoso‘s work for the SF psychedelic music scene in the mid-late 60s is a constant source of inspiration.
What are your thoughts on the art scene around San Diego and do you have any other local artists you dig?
To be perfectly honest, I’m not hugely {{{Maybe not the best word?}}} involved with the art scene. Not necessarily by choice, I’ve simply found that painters/illustrators are more in demand than collage artists like myself. I have had one amazing solo show thanks to my friend Alejandra at Teros Gallery and have had work in shows at A Ship in the Woods, Graffiti Beach and Bluefoot Bar. I’m always hoping & looking for show opportunities! But I digress… In terms of local artists, I always enjoy the work of Celeste Byers and Jorge Gutierrez. My friend Katie Howard (co-owner of Little Dame) also does some great, delightfully strange illustrations and, of course, my good friend Camilla Robina is a fantastic painter of all things dark and psychedelic.
How did you start working with local bands?
I actually started working with my good friend Mike Turi many years ago when I wasn’t even living in San Diego. I’ve done (almost) all of the art for Wild Wild Wets since the beginning and also helped out with random work for his other projects such as The Old In Out and Dream Joints (whose first 12″ is now available!). Since my girlfriend and I moved back almost 3 years ago, I have been very fortunate to have worked with many local bands and venues and I look forward to the opportunity to continue to grow my client list.
What records do you like to spin when your DJ’n and what are your favorite venues to spin them at?
This could easily be an incredibly long answer, haha! I spin anything from old and new psychedelia to new wave, post punk, classic rock (50s, 60s, 70s), etc. Without giving it too much thought, I’d say the 10 albums I consistently play would be …
- Pink Floyd – Piper at the Gates of Dawn
- Amon Düül II – Yeti
- Psych Funk Sa-Re-Ga: Aesthetic Expressions of Psychedelic Funk Music in India 1970-1983
- Jefferson Airplane – Surrealistic Pillow
- Françoise Hardy – …. In French (Compilation)
- Thee Oh Sees (no album in particular, I have many!)
- Television – Marquee Moon
- Total Control – Typical System
- Drab Majesty – The Demonstration (and Careless)
- Gary Numan – The Pleasure Principle
What advice would you give other aspiring artists about connecting with the scene & getting their work more visibility?
I’m never quite sure how to answer questions like this. In truth, there isn’t a solid answer… For most (including myself), maintaining a career in the arts is not easy. But if, like me, you can’t picture yourself doing anything else, take the time find your voice, work hard and don’t give up when things get difficult (apologies for the plethora of clichés). I’m very lucky to have so many friends and colleagues in the music/art scene but it certainly did not happen overnight. You never know when your ideal client (whoever that might be) will come along. Be ready to deliver!
Follow Andrew McGranahan on Insta and hang with the ListenSD crew at Soda Bar this Saturday (4/29) with The Verigolds, Well Well Well and Star Jungle.
Artwork by Andrew McGranahan