Psychedelic stalwarts The Chemistry Set are masters of the acid-y English strain of psych, but at heart are simply great song writers. They have a brand new single called ‘Paint Me A Dream’, so as part of our ongoing series What’s In A Cover? we caught up with the band to talk about the cover art!
Listen, read and buy!
https://thechemistryset.bandcamp.com/album/paint-me-a-dream-plus-bonus-tracks
How hard is it finding artwork for releases, is it a chore or a joy?
It is a joy! and essential. When we came back in 2008, we worked with a highly original photographer from Barcelona called Blanca Vinas and she did all our covers for a few years. We then worked with a graphic artist from Barcelona called Serse Rodriguez, he did the incredible cover for The Endless More & More and some singles. We will work again with Serse. On “Paint Me A Dream” we work with the sensational Canadian artist Kirk Sutherland – https://www.saatchiart.com/kirksutherland
Where did the art for ‘Paint Me A Dream’ come from and what does it represent?
It’s great because Kirk is a huge fan of the band and was a fan for years before we spoke about him doing some art. Now, Kirk has synasthesia where he can taste colour and see colours in music, so it was perfect for us. As he can taste colours and see colours in music, it was an ideal marriage for “Paint Me A Dream”, which is about is about the power of visions. It begins, lyrically, with a group of mystics who become hypnotized as they sing together while playing dulcimers and lyres. This in turn evolves into mystical visions and a request to the divine eye to “paint them a dream” (travel from the grey to the Technicolor). As the painted dream multiplies and embraces them further, they meet Orpheus, the lyre-playing Greek musician, poet and prophet, travelling further in time and space to encounter translucent orbs, stratospheric emanations and transcendental oscillations. Yes, it’s a trip and so is the art!
It reminds me of Christmas, the colour combination is a like a tree full of baubles, which feels right for The Chemistry Set’s warm , fuzzy old fashioned sense of song writing.
I like the way Kirk uses layers and they always remind me of a psychedelic milky way, yes you are right it has the effect of Christmas tree baubles and a lot of his artwork has bright flashing strobes or orbs. The use of colour is magnificent.
A single with remixes feels lovely and 90s, tell us about it!
We love remixes and have done them since we returned. We released an album of remixes called “Chemistry is not just numbers” which is a quote from Carl Sagan. I love handing our music over to someone who can do whatever they like with it. We are not precious, quite the opposite. It is exhilarating to hear what someone else can do to your music. Music is about freedom of expression and to hear different interpretations is beautiful.
https://thechemistryset.bandcamp.com/album/paint-me-a-dream-plus-bonus-tracks
Read a review of The Endless More & More, which listening to it this week it clear that most psych bands are really just trying to be The Chemistry Set
colourhorizon 