Leeds has long been a master of the indie scene, from warehouse parties in the 90s continuing with studios, guerilla groups, cutting edge bars and the latest trend of food pop-ups. At the forefront of such things for the last two years has been Outlaws Yacht Club – it’s owners highly revered on the music scene, they have branched into food, cakes, cocktails, music, book launches, Chin Wags and art. Having held numerous exhibitions in their time, they’ve recently handed the picture-handling reigns to MPIA, a northern and suitably underground creative team.
MPIA’s first venture in Leeds brings the talents of Toby Whitebread to the City. Cutting fine form in the last seven years in the advertising and music industries, his illustrations are now official art pieces for the likes of DJ Shadow, Mad Professor and Sigur Ros. He’s created material for The Heavy’s world tour, Bonobo’s world tour (which was plastered on billboards across London), and most recently merchandise for Lee Scratch Perry and Horace Andy. The Wailers are waiting in the wings for a special edition package, and everything else is a secret, TBC and all that.
Humbly stating online that his company New Analog Illustration simply creates “limited edition gig posters for events in Manchester”, Whitebread joined forces with Gawain Forster who drives the industry connections – unlike some music focussed artists, nothing at New Analog is done without full consent of the musician and management. The lads are currently fighting off requests too. Their mini-biog is right though, posters are only created in very limited edition runs, 100 screen prints on high quality stock, beautifully hand printed at One69a Studios in Salford. Some items are sold out already and only currently exist with a signature of the represented icon. Valuable things these pieces indeed.
The MPIA // New Analog exhibition launches on Thursday 18 September 6pm at Outlaws Yacht Club – with one item of every piece of Toby’s work-to-date on show, it’s up to you to arrive early and see which one you can purchase before it’s another to sell out.
