A Visual Echo
If you’re a musician you may already know of EchoNova, a local design studio working particularly – but not exclusively – for various bands. HIP recently talked to its owner, Joseph Gregory.
“We’re a small graphic design firm based in Hastings, working closely with businesses and private clients all over the world to deliver exceptional services for web and print and always trying to create for local musicians. Some recent clients include: Sistie Moose, Scott Chisholm, Kid Kapichi, Blabbermouth, Rufus Stone, Lather & Yarn, Hastings & Rother Healthcare, Hastings HEART, Sussex Sound, Gracie Barra Hastings and Metaltech.”
Origin story
“I was born in London, moved to Brighton when I was five, Hastings when 10 and I’ve been here ever since. Local musician, graphic designer, and ‘martial artist’.
Music is what got me started on graphic design. From picking up a copy of ‘Art of Modern Rock: The Poster Explosion’ at age 14, to working behind the bar at The Union Bar (TUB), designing all their posters in my free time. Gigging relentlessly, dive bars, fancy clubs. I’ve just always loved it. I’ve only ever played drums in bands. I play every instrument to some level, but drums to a much higher level. My favourite drummer is Thomas Pridgen, but Matt Garstka is becoming one of my favourites and definitely one of the best. I learned to play drums by listening to Led Zeppelin, so John Bonham needs an honourable mention.
I’m lucky enough to be playing again with my Math Rock band ‘Forever Home’ now, but there was a time when I couldn’t play music. My anxiety became so bad I couldn’t leave the house and had to leave my bands and quit TUB. I needed a way to work from home and maintain my connection to music. I decided to put everything into freelance design and work with as many bands as possible. My influences include, but aren’t limited to, Richey Beckett, Justin Hampton, Scrojo, Emek, Bonnie MacLean and Jermaine Rogers.”
HIP founder member
“In 2013, Paul Osmond, owner of TUB, had the idea of starting a newspaper… due to dissatisfaction with the Hastings Observer’s ability to accurately report local news. We aimed for grassroots reporting, fair and balanced but with often accidental left, sometimes socialist leanings… to combat the predominantly right-wing press.
This became the Hastings Independent Press. The initial meetings were held there while I manned the bar. As far as I can remember (sorry if I’m missing anyone), the first people at the meetings were Paul, Tim Barton of Bookbuster, Jamie Tarrant, Sam Kinch, Kate Renwick and myself. The team quickly grew to include some fantastic people such as Kim Batty, Pete Donohue, Cathy Relf and many others.
I sort of defaulted to designing the paper as I had a computer with the right programs and had already been doing the pub’s band poster designs for a couple of years. Sam and myself worked together to design the first few issues until he took a more editorial role and I’d figured out the workflow to the point of being able to tackle it solo.
I started as a volunteer, eventually charging a very modest fee. The founder members of HIP put years of love and hard work into growing something we were all very proud of. By then I’d started working full time as a freelance graphic designer and my focus shifted to that. I stepped down from my position as lead designer of
HIP hoping to give another young designer the opportunity to grow and establish themselves in the role.”
• www.echonova.co.uk – also Twitter, Insta and FB
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