BESPOKEN

In this episode of BESPOKEN, host Scott Pollack sits down with Darryl Norsen, a graphic designer and art director known for his distinctive work with numerous estates and artists, including the Grateful Dead, Jerry Garcia, Joni Mitchell, Little Feat, and contemporary groups like Phish, Green Day, Kurt Vile, and many more. This conversation dives deep into the art and inspiration behind album, poster, and merch design, exploring Darryl's process when working with archival projects versus new artists. Darryl shares his philosophy on using "organized chaos" as a design creed and why he believes designers should "get their hands dirty" by incorporating physical items like collage and imperfections into their work. He explains his perpetual search for interesting and sometimes esoteric typography, often redrawing or tweaking typefaces to ensure the final product is unique and memorable. Darryl makes a strong case for the importance of physical media (vinyl, posters, and CDs) and the lasting value of finding inspiration everywhere. Whether you're a designer looking for new inspiration, a fan curious about the design process behind your favorite artist's merch, or someone in the music industry looking to better understand creative design, this episode offers a peek behind the curtain of modern music art direction. 🔗 For more about Darryl Norsen: www.dnorsen.com 💿 For 30 years, A to Z Media has been the trusted manufacturing partner for artists and labels—major and independent—producing high-quality vinyl, CDs, cassettes, books, and merchandise. Start your next project at: www.atozmedia.com

In this episode of BESPOKEN, host Scott Pollack sits down with Ryan Mitrovich, General Manager of The Vinyl Alliance, the international industry organization uniting labels, pressing plants, hardware makers, and retailers to shape the future of vinyl. This conversation dives deep into the state of the vinyl industry, exploring how Gen Z is driving the vinyl resurgence, why young collectors are investing in physical media, and what the Vinyl Alliance’s research reveals about the next generation of record buyers. Whether you’re a record collector, an indie label, or just curious about why vinyl sales keep climbing, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at where the industry is headed and what it will take to keep the format thriving for the next generation. 🔗 Learn more about the Vinyl Alliance: https://vinylalliance.org/ 💿 For 30 years, A to Z Media has been the trusted manufacturing partner for artists and labels—major and independent—producing high-quality vinyl, CDs, cassettes, books, and merchandise. Start your next project at: https://www.atozmedia.com 🎙️ Special thanks to Audio-Technica for hosting this episode at their Technica House NYC space. The session was engineered by Jacob Derwin. 

In this episode of BESPOKEN, host Scott Pollack sits down with Josh Bonati, the Brooklyn-based mastering and lacquer cutting engineer behind Bonati Mastering. With a discography that spans indie icons, cult classics, and high-profile reissues, Bonati has become a go-to mastering engineer for artists and labels who value precision, depth, and analog character. This conversation dives deep into the often misunderstood world of audio mastering—demystifying the differences between digital and analog workflows, explaining how vinyl lacquers are cut, and unpacking what happens during the mastering process. Josh shares stories from behind the lathe, what it means to “remaster” an album, and how the limitations of vinyl can actually drive creative decisions. Pro tip: Get an acetate cut of your album! Whether you're an artist prepping your first vinyl release, running a label, or just curious about what makes a record sound the way it does, you'll love this behind-the-scenes look at the technical magic that happens after mixing but before your needle hits the groove. 🔗 Learn more about Bonati: https://www.bonatimastering.com/ 💿 For 30 years, A to Z Media has been the trusted manufacturing partner for artists and labels—major and independent—producing high-quality vinyl, CDs, cassettes, books, and merchandise. Start your next project at: https://www.atozmedia.com

In this episode of BESPOKEN, host Scott Pollack welcomes Ken Shipley, co-founder of the influential reissue label Numero Group. Known for its meticulous packaging, deep archival research, and genre-spanning catalog, Numero has spent over two decades preserving overlooked artists and forgotten underground music scenes, from soul and funk to punk, post-hardcore, early emo, and beyond. This conversation centers on Sequoia, Numero’s ambitious new 7-inch box set documenting the first decade of American emo. Described by Ken as a “30-year sequel” to his 1995 compilation Eucalyptus, Sequoia is both a love letter and historical archive, featuring 27 vinyl records, a 136-page hardcover book, and packaging that faithfully recreates the tactile, handmade spirit of ’90s DIY culture. Ken shares insights into Numero’s creative process, how physical media becomes a vehicle for storytelling, and why their mission goes beyond nostalgia—it's about preserving cultural memory. This rare behind-the-scenes conversation reveals the values, vision, and detail-driven ethos of one of the most respected archival labels in the industry.  A to Z Media is proud to have worked with Numero Group on countless vinyl releases, boxed sets, merch, and, of course, Sequoia. Whether you're a fan of emo, punk, or the art of vinyl packaging, this episode is a must-listen. Learn more or order Sequoia: https://numerogroup.com/products/sequoia For 30 years, A to Z Media has been the trusted manufacturing partner for artists and labels (major and independent) producing high-quality vinyl, CDs, cassettes, books, and merchandise. Start your next project at: https://www.atozmedia.com

In this episode of BESPOKEN, host Scott Pollack welcomes Mo Shafeek, co-founder of Mutant and a visionary force in the world of film soundtracks and collectibles. Mo discusses his long-standing partnership with A to Z Media, spanning nearly 15 years, including his previous role as Creative Director of Music at Mondo, to the present day with Mutant. Mo dives deep into his creative approach, sharing how he collaborates with studios, composers, and artists to craft bespoke, story-driven vinyl packages and collectibles for some of the most beloved films and shows, including Jurassic Park, Lord of the Rings, Dune, Inside Out 2, Planet of the Apes, Shogun, The First Omen, Lisa Frankenstein, and so many more. He discusses the evolution from Mondo to launching Mutant, the challenge of pushing physical media to new creative heights, and why building trust with rights holders is key to producing collectible art that fans love. This episode explores the art of soundtrack design, the importance of physical media in an increasingly digital world, and how Mutant is preserving film culture one release at a time. Mo also reveals personal stories behind standout projects and what drives his mission to make compelling objects for superfans, composers, and creators alike. For more on Mo Shafeek and Mutant, visit: https://mutant.store To explore A to Z Media's custom manufacturing for vinyl, CDs, merch, and more, visit: https://www.atozmedia.com

In this episode of BESPOKEN, host Scott Pollack catches up with Dr. Portia Sabin, President of the Music Business Association and former President of the groundbreaking indie label Kill Rock Stars. Dr. Sabin, who also hosts "The Future of What" podcast, shares essential music industry knowledge that independent artists and labels need to succeed in today's competitive landscape. The conversation includes the collection of music royalties, performing rights organizations (PROs), and income from digital streaming—essential knowledge for artists who want to grow and protect their income streams. Dr. Sabin discusses the enduring popularity of physical media like vinyl records and CDs in a more digital era, highlighting how K-pop has attracted younger listeners back to record stores. Dr. Sabin offers music industry insight through their Roadshows, industry conference networking at Music Biz, and global music marketing. Dr. Sabin talks music industry diversity and inclusion initiatives, streaming fraud detection, and collective resolutions for industry problems. Listen as Dr. Sabin explains how artists can be "smart, not just hard" working to achieve success in the complex music industry and enjoy a sustainable career. To learn more about the Music Business Association and its Music Biz conference and Roadshows, visit musicbiz.org. For 30 years, A to Z Media has been the production partner of choice for artists and labels (major and indie), manufacturing top-quality vinyl records, cassettes, CDs, books, merchandise, and more. Ready to get started on your next project? Visit atozmedia.com..

In this episode of BESPOKEN, host Scott Pollack welcomes Lewis Griffin, the owner and principal designer of Blackout Studios. Based in the UK, Blackout Studios specializes in creative media production, particularly vinyl record and CD packaging for independent artists. In this episode, Lewis shares insights into his creative process, discussing how he immerses himself in the music to craft distinctive designs emboldened with a DIY spirit.  The conversation explores how Lewis built a strong creative relationship with the Austrian recording artist, AViVA, creating meticulous designs, including unique vinyl labels, limited edition packages, and handmade box sets, while emphasizing the value of bespoke, special-edition releases. Lewis also shares inspirational advice for emerging independent artists on releasing physical media and enhancing their work with DIY design elements. For contact and more info, visit blackout-studios.com. For 30 years, A to Z Media has been the choice manufacturing partner for artists and labels (major and independent), crafting high-quality vinyl records, cassettes, CDs, books, merch, and more. Ready to get started on your next project? Visit atozmedia.com.

In this episode of BESPOKEN, host Scott Pollack welcomes renowned Zoetrope animator and artist Drew Tetz. Drew, known for his mesmerizing zoetrope artwork for vinyl records and slipmats, shares his journey from graphic design to becoming an influential figure in the field of zoetropes. The conversation delves into Drew's creative process, his notable projects, and his innovative experiments with animation and technology. Drew discusses collaborations with John Lennon (Grammy-winning Mind Games box set), Enjoy the Ride Records (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), and Sacred Bones (John Carpenter), and he offers insights into how the oldest form of motion pictures is being revitalized in modern art. Listen in to learn about Drew's unique approach to blending science and art to create visual magic. To contact Drew Tetz, visit his website: drewtetz.com For 30 years, A to Z Media has been the choice manufacturing partner for artists and labels (major and independent), crafting high-quality vinyl records, cassettes, CDs, books, merch, and more. Ready to get started on your next project? Visit atozmedia.com.

Welcome to BESPOKEN, a podcast that delves into the world of independent music and physical media culture. In each episode, we'll be talking with industry experts and dedicated creators who are bringing music to life in every format imaginable. I'm Scott Pollack, your host and the president of A to Z Media. For 30 years, A to Z Media has been working with countless record labels and artists to meet their manufacturing and printing requirements. We hope that these conversations will educate, entertain, and inspire you.