🎵 IT096: Can I Park Here?
✏️ Neil Carribine
🗓 05.02.21

Mixcloud / Spotify

Neil is an illustrator originally from Newcastle, currently based in London.

Hi Neil. Can you tell us a little bit about your tape and your song selections?

Just over a year ago, I decided to move from Sheffield to London. I didn’t have any savings, so I knew I had to move down with a job. I accepted the first offer I received: a delivery driver. Not knowing the streets of London, paired with being a nervous driver, I knew this would be a job made in heaven for me. I was stressed out of my mind and the only things that kept me going were loud music, Google Maps and secret McDonalds.

This is a selection of music I listened to during my van days (which only lasted two months) and my one-hour commute consisting of two trains and a tube. Each track reminds me of a specific time – I’m driving around parliament when I listen to “Hoo Bangin” - Westside Connection’ and “If You Pray Right” - Brockhampton brings me back to my morning trudge to work.

I had one incident where I was enjoying Jurassic 5 a little too much and accidentally pulled out in front of a taxi driver who proceeded to overtake me, break suddenly and get out of his car to shout at me. Can you see why I quit?

What direction did you take with your cover art, and what was your process?

All jokes aside, it was actually a pretty rough introduction to the city. Nowadays I look back and laugh at how ridiculous the whole experience was. So that’s why I wanted to use loads of bold colours to show that it’s not doom and gloom for me anymore. On closer inspection, you’ll also start to see some of the characters expressions and hand gestures. The people behind the wheel really stand out in my memories and I wanted to make sure they were accurately captured… rude!

I normally start any drawing by making loads of rough sketches in my sketchbooks. I’m gathering quite the collection! When I’ve landed on an idea, I’ll start to develop the illustration on my iPad, playing with the colours and format until it’s just right.

What are your fave album covers, records with a great music and artwork combo, or musical projects with a visual component?

Oooffffff what a tricky question! The albums I have picked are some of my all time favourites.


Madvillainy – Madvillain
2004, Stones Throw Records
Design: Jeff Jank
Photography: Eric Coleman


First album I have picked is Madvillainy - collaboration between MF DOOM and Madlib. Instant classic.


Veckatimest – Grizzly Bear
2009, Warp Records
Design: Ben Wilkerson
Illustration: William J. O'Brien


This is one of my favourite albums of all time - particularly the track “Two Weeks” 

Picture You Staring – TOPS
2014, Arbutus Records
Design: Ryan McCardle
Painting: Jessica Dean Harrison



Bandana – Freddie Gibbs & Madlib
2019, Keep Cool / RCA / Madlib Invazion
Artwork: - Jeff Jank



Unlocked – Denzel Curry & Kenny Beats
2020, PH Recordings
Artwork: Chris M. Wildon

What did you listen to growing up?

I wish I could say the first album I bought was something cool or edgy but I’m pretty sure it was something like The Venga Boys. When I was a teenager, I loved listening to RUN-DMC and this was the start of my journey in rap/hip hop. Music then became a huge part of my life and I was obsessed with artists like MF DOOM, Mos Def, Jurassic 5, A Tribe Called Quest, and J Dilla. I loved their use of sampling and from there I’d discover different artists and a whole new genre of music.

And what’s on heavy rotation for you at the moment?

When I find a new song I like I will listen to it to death. It’s on in the kitchen, in the living room, I’ll be humming away and definitely annoying my girlfriend whilst I’m at it! At the moment, I’m obsessed with “Hopprock” – Madlib but it’s getting to that point now where I’ve listened to it a bit TOO much. I think “Brand New Revolution” – Guts will shortly be taking its place.

What’s happening in your creative world at the moment?

It’s been a strange experience to move to London in a pandemic, so it’s been a little bit quieter than expected. I’ve used this time positively, I’ve revamped my portfolio and am ready to reach out to people for potential collaborations. I’m also taking part in ‘Make More Stuff’ online market happening this month - check it out here.

Where can we find you?

︎ lamptissue.com
︎ @lamptissue
︎ @lamptissue
︎ etsy.com/shop/Lamptissue

Cheers Neil!

TRACKLIST
Westside Connection - Hoo-Bangin' (WSCG Style) / BROCKHAMPTON - IF YOU PRAY RIGHT / Denzel Curry - ꞌCosmicꞌ.m4a / Run–D.M.C. - Beats to the Rhyme / Wu-Tang Clan - Protect Ya Neck (feat. RZA, Method Man, Inspectah Deck, Raekwon, U-God, Ol' Dirty Bastard, Ghostface Killah & GZA) - [Bloody Version] / DANGERDOOM - Benzi Box / Beastie Boys - Ch-Check It Out - Freddie Gibbs - Giannis (feat. Anderson .Paak) Raekwon - Criminology (feat. Ghostface Killah) / MF DOOM - GAZZILLION EAR / Ice Cube - No Vaseline / Jurassic 5 - Concrete Schoolyard ︎

Mark