I worked with Denver indie-rock band Hello, Mountain on a visually dynamic record experience for their fourth studio release, Swim. The album theme is a metaphor for fear of diving back into a relationship without “drowning” again. My approach plays with these themes, including inspiration from Neil Krug’s photographic works, which are very ethereal and moody.

Design

Approaching this project, the band told me they wanted the album cover image to include water. I was lucky enough to get a sneak peek at the music, so I took inspiration from the lyrics and thought about the reality of drowning and how water can be all-consuming. The image of a waterfall was something I gravitated toward. Hello, Mountain is a Denver-based band and I wanted to utilize the natural waters we have in Colorado, instead of using a cliche ocean image. Making the waterfall the main visual element and flipping the perspective of the photograph, I implemented a hyper-realist color palette to surface feelings of the unknown and evoke visual intrigue. 

Print Design

For the insert, I utilized a three-panel gatefold design to create an interactive component and a sense of reveal. This allowed me to establish different sections dedicated to the lyrics, credits and band photos. I worked with local photographer and friend to Hello, Mountain, Andy Borgione, who shot and provided the images used in the insert. Other images used were color film slides taken by the drummer’s (Patrick Smith) parents in the 1980s. This collaboration from different generations made for a visually energetic experience. 

Streaming Artwork

Before releasing the album on streaming services, the band asked me to design artwork for two of their singles, Spiraling and Slip Away. For both singles I tapped into the themes of drowning and being disoriented and consumed by water while implementing colors from the album cover.

Special Thanks

This was hands down one of my favorite projects of 2020. The Hello, Mountain dudes are great and a blast to see in concert. I feel blessed to have contributed to their band’s discography and future success. I love how the album cover turned out. It’s moody, yet colorful, which fits the overall aesthetic of the album’s music and Hello, Mountain’s approach to their songs. If you haven’t listened to this album, you have to stream Swim ASAP. 

Andy Borgione | Provided photos for record insert

Yellow Dog Design | Printed the insert