I love music–particularly jazz and blues. Everything about them speak to me. At some point in my journey of discovery, I started to pay attention to the many record labels devoted to jazz and blues. I was surprised at how many there were. And the more I researched the various labels the more intrigued I became. Pair that with my enthusiasm for design–especially retro designs–and, well, I think you can see where this is leading: Absinthe Teez.
A word or two about the designs. First, the logos I have chosen to reproduce are in the public domain or are no longer used. Many of these record labels are defunct and if their logos were indeed trademarked, the registration has since lapsed. But some of them are not quite as clear-cut. For example, a label that is closing has its catalog bought by another label before shuttering its windows. So the music was bought up, but was the original record label’s logo also part of the deal? You can see how it gets a bit murky. Please know that I have tried, in good faith, to research whether these logos are trademarked and, more importantly, whether the trademark is still valid. I have tried to ere on the side of caution.
The second thing I want to say about these designs is they have been painstakingly reproduced. I have not simply photoshopped these logos into existence. Most of the font styles do not now exist and in many cases never did, as they were handmade/hand-drawn, not downloaded from a font site on the Internet. While I have tried to maintain the integrity of the logo, I have taken some liberties, always with an eye to the spirit of the design and the music/artists it represents. It has been a labor of love, one that I have enjoyed immensely. I hope you enjoy wearing these logos as much as I have enjoyed reproducing them.
Please leave a message if you have suggestions or comments. I am always open to custom orders. And I would love for this site to be a conduit for sharing and learning as much as one of commerce. I’m always eager to learn more. Thanks for checking out the designs. Cheers!