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 Artworks by SPENCER BOWDEN 

Spencer Bowden is a young and talented web and graphic designer from US. In my opinion he is one of the best out there with fresh and innovative ideas which belong to the nowadays young generation. Last autumn both Simone Rossetti and Simone Stucchi were looking for some artworks for the new cover of Primitive. The idea was to link the brand new music to artworks which could express a fresh vision of what The Watch were going to propose. At the same time there was the need to maintain the traditional and glourious style of classic prog artworks. Today we all think that Spencer did a great work. It's amazing to listen to Primitve while reading the lyrics on the booklet. Spencer really hits the point helping us to gave a new dimension to a genre which is often related to dusty albums stored in the closet.
Spencer introduces himself in this interview pubblished by Michel Biodeau on Terra Incognita Magazine (Quebec City - Canada). Below some excerpts kindly provided by Michel.


M. - Can you talk a bit about you?

S. - As for me, I'm Spencer Bowden, aged 23, currently residing in a suburb of Washington DC called Reston. It is a quiet, peaceful existence wherein I spend most of my time deciding which in my endless library of useless ideas are worthy of translating into some kind of valid artform. I am a visual communicator with experience in web and graphic design, yet the kind of art I've contributed to 'Primitive' is my true passion and what makes all my sacrifices worthwhile. Another important aspect of myself is that I'm in love. Highly recommended to those who feel something lacking in life [...]


M. - Can you tell us the story behind your collaboration with The Watch? Did you contact the band? Did you know the band before you created the visuals for «Primitive»?

S. - At the end of 06', I was delighted to find one of the most honest, inventive prog groups of today, The Watch

Simone Rosetti himself messages me with an outspoken interest in my art. This was quite nice to hear for me, as a passionate fan of his music. Upon first listening to the Watch in 2004 I knew instantly Simone would become one of my favorite singers, in technique and expressiveness. It's very humbling when your artistic process becomes a conversation rather than a mere one sided spectacle. So, Simone wondered if I could send the band some more examples of my work and I vaguely mused to myself "what if I became the Watch's Roger Dean?" The golden age of longstanding relationships between illustrators and rock groups feels distant, but still vital.Simone and I spoke via e-mail, exchanging art for a few months and then it happened. The band decided one of my images fit perfectly with the mood of their present offering, 'Primitive' which at that stage was just wrapped tracking instruments but not yet mastered. I was delighted.
With the Watch, I feel that our artistic journeys are parallel, speak to the same energies and similar experiences of wonder (even towards darker subjects), so to come together felt organic and obvious. I hope to continue representing the band artistically in whatever capacity presents itself. The Watch are just one of the best, most colourful progressive groups out there today, simply put.


M. - Is this the first time that you've created a cd cover? Have you worked on other projects like that?

S. - I've worked on various other packaging projects in my freelance illustration and design work, most recently Vancouver based electronic nu soul / broken beat group Sekoya, who I also connected with through myspace. My other work has been predominantly web site design for local to international musicians such as Futureman of Bela Fleck and the Flectkones. In commercial design firms I've represented companies like the Discovery Channel, TLC and The History Channel. Obviously a far cry away from the world of the Watch, which to me is where the real personal transformation takes place.


M. - Can you talk about your connection with progressive music? It's abit unusual to see people of your age listening progressive rock

S. - Progressive Rock found me my sophomore year in high school and has yet to let go. It redefined me, or more importantly, helped me define a ground floor for what I value most in art of any medium: intricacy, emotion, sincerity, and a kind of child like curiosity with the unknown.


M. - What kind of music do you tend to listen to?

S. - I am a very confusing person. I listen to many seemingly contradictory styles, as is evidenced when I put my music player on 'shuffle' mode. Reggae to Stravinsky? Is that possible? Yes... Music, It's all one giant glowing pond of human reflection! [...]