January 11, 2024
Volume 171
Not taking myself or anyone else too seriously
Curated by Luke McGarry
Cartoonist, Illustrator, Animator, Musician
I’m a cartoonist, illustrator, animator, and musician, originally from Manchester, UK.
I went to high school in Santa Ana, CA — so I basically grew up between the UK and Orange County, but now live in Los Feliz. My illustration work regularly appears in magazines like The New Yorker, MAD, Sports Illustrated, and Playboy, but I’m probably best known in LA for my concert posters — I did a load of stuff for Goldenvoice/ Coachella, Zedd, Mac Demarco, and Tenacious D’s Festival Supreme. I’ve done animated music videos for people like Desaparecidos, Viagra Boys/ Vans shoes… even a commercial for Visa… and I post a new cartoon every day on Instagram. I’m also in the band Pop Noir with my twin brother Joe — we’re recording at the moment, so we’ve been DJing around town a lot instead of playing shows. Basically, I just avoid getting a proper job.
What's been keeping you grounded?
My debut book "Keep It Down Up There" has just been released on Chronicle Books, and I’ve just completed a massive mural for the legendary Roxy Theatre's 50th anniversary. That went up on Sunset Blvd. recently!
What are you into lately?
01 WHAT'S KEEPING ME GROUNDED
Grounded? Right now, it’s the complete opposite. As I say, my debut book has just come out, so I’m wandering around the house in a cape and claiming to have written the Great American Novel… which is a bit of a stretch — my book doesn’t even have words in it, it’s all drawings. But really, I think I’m naturally quite a grounded person. That could be my northern-English roots — I was brought up not to take myself, or anyone else, too seriously.
WHAT IM ROCKIN'
Poem of the Week
02 QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“There’s fewer more distressing sights than that of an Englishman in a baseball cap.”
— The Libertines “Time for Heroes” I only liked a couple of Libertines songs, but this Pete Doherty line is one I’d consider putting on my tombstone.
What are you reading?
03 WHAT I'M DRINKING
Aperol Spritz & Guinness
The recent popularity of the Aperol Spritz has had me banging the drum of Campari Spritz superiority. It has a richer color and a way higher ABV! Haha. But most of the time I’m looking for the coldest, most thoughtfully-poured pint of Guinness I can find. There’s an Irish pub in Newport Beach that does a nice one, but I’ll keep that a secret.
What are you drinking?
04 WHAT I'M UP TO, HEALTH-WISE
A Little Stretching and A Glass of Water
I try to make sure I get up from my desk and stretch every so often. And drink lots of water. I’ve been swimming a lot this summer too. I hate being hot, so the idea of going for a jog or hitting the gym in 90+ degree heat is my nightmare. I’m a terrible surfer/skater, so that’s what I’m left with — doing a little stretching and drinking a glass of water.
What are you listening to?
05 WHAT I'M READING
What Artists Wear by Charlie Porter
I should read more than I do. I recently started Charlie Porter’s “What Artists Wear”, about how modern and contemporary artists use clothes as tools of expression. But I should probably read something more philosophical, and less about what kind of jeans Andy Warhol liked.
Quote of the Week
06 WHAT I'M INTO LATELY
The Sopranos
I’ve been watching *so much* Sopranos, that’s been my little treat when I take a break from drawing. Old episodes of Seinfeld, Frasier, and Peep Show are also constantly on a loop in my studio.07 WHAT I'M LISTENING TO
Luke McGarry x Imperfects Playlist
Listen here.
