I created a d.i.y. merchandise capsule for a cassette tape release by my musical alter ego, Gepetto, including hand-dubbed purple cassette tapes, tie dyed hoodies, and risograph posters
GEPETTO
Gepetto is a Portland, Oregon rapper/ producer who brings the spirit of early 2000s indie rap to modern alternative rap. He blends braggadocios bars with emotional vulnerability over a mix of boom-bap and trap beats, and is constantly exploring sonically.
SUMMER TAPE
This release was written and recorded in the first half of the Summer of 2022, to be released mid-summer and enjoyed for the rest of the season. Gepetto has historically made darker music, and made the choice on this project to try making music with a happier vibe. To construct the sonic palette, he dug into reference points from contemporary rappers like Isaiah Rashad to 80’s summer bops by the likes of Loose Ends.
Concept
For this capsule, I used visual elements that suggest a more "alternative" version of summer, employing faded black and soft lavender shades that remind me of sun-bleached t-shirts and days made lazy hazy.
I also obviously borrowed goth vibes for the design of a hip hop tape, which is part of an ongoing interest of mine in cross-breeding visuals and music from different genres.
Casette Tape
Hoodie
Riso Poster
Music Video
I created animated title cards for the music video that accompanied the summer tape release, as well as editing video and collaborating with videographer baker poulshock on the direction and concept.
