Mixcloud / Spotify
Greg is an illustrator based in Brooklyn, New York City, who also enjoys exploring design, video, and electronic music.
Heya Greg, can you tell us a little bit about your tape and your song selections?
I listen to a wide variety of music, but I’m most excited about ambient or atmospheric sounds. I first gathered a bunch of my favourite electronic and contemporary classical pieces, but I realised that if I didn’t make some rules for myself, my tape would be at least six hours long. So I made sure to stick to instrumental tracks (I did sneak in some subtle choir sounds) without any percussive beats.
How did you go about the artwork for the tape?
My main goal was to create a vast, dreamlike composition. The image started as a doodle on a sticky note at work, which was perfect for the square format! When I developed the idea on nicer paper, it felt like it needed a background that was textured and dark, so I grabbed a black watercolor pencil. Then I added some final elements digitally.
What are your fave album covers, records with a great music and artwork combo, or musical projects with a visual component?
There are so many! It’s hard to choose, so here are some recent favourites.
![]()
![]()
「音楽のある風景」(Ongaku no Aru Fuukei) – rharuka nakamura
2014, KITCHEN. LABEL
「音楽のある風景」(Ongaku no Aru Fuukei) by haruka nakamura has the classiest CD packaging ever.
Greg is an illustrator based in Brooklyn, New York City, who also enjoys exploring design, video, and electronic music.
Heya Greg, can you tell us a little bit about your tape and your song selections?
I listen to a wide variety of music, but I’m most excited about ambient or atmospheric sounds. I first gathered a bunch of my favourite electronic and contemporary classical pieces, but I realised that if I didn’t make some rules for myself, my tape would be at least six hours long. So I made sure to stick to instrumental tracks (I did sneak in some subtle choir sounds) without any percussive beats.
How did you go about the artwork for the tape?
My main goal was to create a vast, dreamlike composition. The image started as a doodle on a sticky note at work, which was perfect for the square format! When I developed the idea on nicer paper, it felt like it needed a background that was textured and dark, so I grabbed a black watercolor pencil. Then I added some final elements digitally.
What are your fave album covers, records with a great music and artwork combo, or musical projects with a visual component?
There are so many! It’s hard to choose, so here are some recent favourites.
「音楽のある風景」(Ongaku no Aru Fuukei) – rharuka nakamura
2014, KITCHEN. LABEL
The Moomins – Graeme Miller & Steve Shill
2016, Finders Keepers
Sakura – Susumu Yokota
1999, Skintone
What did you listen to growing up?
My parents introduced me to a lot of classic rock. I also took piano lessons and played in orchestras and wind ensembles (percussion), so I was also surrounded by classical music. On most Sundays, my family would listen to our local college radio station’s ambient program.
What’s happening in your creative world at the moment?
I’m churning out a bunch of fun illustrations, both for collaborative projects like this and for the heck of it as I develop my skills. I’ve printed up a risograph comic recently, and I might do another comic soon. I’ve also been putting together a modular synthesizer, and I make electronic music!
Where to find Greg:
︎ gregstasiw.com
︎ gregstasiw
︎ @gregstasiw
︎ gregstasiw
TRACKLIST
Ulises Conti - S / Ben Lukas Boysen - The Veil / Ólafur Arnalds - Öldurót - Island Songs IV / Byron Westbrook - Vanishing Action / Deru - 1979 / Brambles - To Speak of Solitude / Taylor Deupree - Minism / Nest - Lodge / Steve Hauschildt - Eyelids Gently Dreaming / Luke Howard - Portrait Gallery / Hammock - Now and Not Yet / Rauelsson - Wave Out ︎