NEWS: Baroness' John Baizley and Artist Marald Van Haasteren Feature Purple Artwork

January 08, 2016 • Leave a Comment

PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 8, 2016 – Baroness’ John Dyer Baizley and graphic artist Marald Van Haasteren, who partnered on the artwork for Baroness’ new album, Purple, will feature original artwork from the new release as well as other individual and collaborative works in a February art exhibit dubbed “Desperation Burns: The Artwork of Purple” at Co Exhibitions in Minneapolis (1101 Stinson Blvd #2). The opening reception, which both Baizley and Haasteren will attend, is Feb. 6 at 7 pm central.

“Marald and I have a long history as friends and artists, and we’re excited to show our work together, most of which was made for the recently released Baroness album, Purple,” explains Baizley. “Marald and I have worked in parallel over the past decade or more, creating covers and images within and around the punk/HC community, and we’re thrilled to finally hang some of our work together. We worked relentlessly on the images and layout for Purple, and would love to share some of this process, in the form of an exhibition of our work in various formats.”

Baizley painted the cover art for Purple, which will be featured at the exhibit, while Van Haasteren created the multiple interior illustrations as well as the visuals that accompany the various song premieres from the new album. A time-lapse video of Baizley’s work on the Purple cover art can be seen here: https://youtu.be/WpUUnRtHbHc. Noisey Design visited Baizley at home to discuss the current art as well as his work with Kvelertak, Black Tusk and Kylesa: https://youtu.be/WUq6Abq1EzY.

Purple was released on Dec. 18 and has been universally praised with Pitchfork saying the album features “some of the biggest, strong songs Baroness has ever written,” Rolling Stone Australia dubbing it “the most dynamic, robust guitar album this year,” Mojo echoing those sentiments, saying “Baroness have delivered their masterpiece: an album grounding their cosmic heaviosity with earthbound, compelling drama,” and German magazine Visions declaring “the quasi-comeback Purple is their best album to date.” The record landed on a number of year-end best of lists including Rolling Stone, Entertainment Weekly, Decibel Magazine and Stereogum.

The band returns to the road, kicking off their European tour in Southampton, the same city where they suffered their now infamous bus accident in 2012. Tickets for all European shows are on sale now via yourbaroness.com/tour.

February 24 Southampton, UK Engine Room

February 25 Birmingham, UK 02 Ritz

February 26 Leeds, UK Lees University Stylus

February 28 Glasgow, UK The Garage

February 29 Manchester, UK 02 Institute

March 1 London, UK KOKO

March 3 Paris, France Le Trabendo

March 4 Bilbao, Spain Bilbao Kafe Antzokia

March 5 Madrid, Spain Teatro Barcelo (Sound Isidro Fest Special)

March 6 Lisbon, Portugal Paradise Garage

March 8 Barcelona, Spain Razmatazz 2

March 9 Lyon, France Le Transbordeur Club