The complex math rock/angular indie/krautrock mix as embarked upon by New York’s Turing Machine since 1998 came to an abruptly tragic end in November 2009. On the eighth of that month, 34-year-old drummer Gerhardt “Jerry” Fuchs was killed in a freak elevator-shaft accident in a building where he was attending a fundraiser. Understandably, surviving members Justin Chearno (guitar) and Scott DeSimon (bass) put the band to rest after losing an integral piece of their musical puzzle and close friend. So, it was to everyone’s surprise when, earlier this year, Turing Machine announced its return with a new album, What Is The Meaning Of What (Temporary Residence Ltd.). Chearno and DeSimon will also be guest editing magnetmagazine.com all week. Read our brand new feature on them.
DeSimon: Working with your friends can be a double-edged sword. On the plus side, you get to create with talented people who you love. The negative? Because they often work for free, you end up putting them in impossible situations. As in: “Hey, I know you have a real paying job and you’re doing this as a favor, but we need you to finish by tomorrow. Ok, call me back.” Mike Vadino and the design firm he runs with business partner Tommy Everett know this situation all too well. Vadino is responsible for the graphic language of DFA; since 2000, he’s designed album covers, posters and more for the label. He also designed our new record, What Is The Meaning Of What. (He was also at the recording sessions, serving as cook and photographer.) His firm’s slogan says it all: “Making what’s perfect more human.” Vadino’s work was the subject of a gallery show in Australia a couple of years ago. It included an awesome neon sign of the DFA lightning bolt. The thing was pretty amazing—until Jerry, our drummer, fell on it while on tour with the Juan Maclean and broke it.
Video after the jump.
