We've Got an Art-On for BLOWOFF Poster Designer Linas Garsys. Meet Him and Win a BLOWOFF Poster!

On June 22, BLOWOFF—the  hurly-burly music-lovers dance party hosted and DJed by musicians Bob Mould and Richard Morel—will celebrate its 5 year NYC Pride anniversary at The Highline Ballroom.  While the parties have long had a rep for great music, men and muscle, the slap on the ass has always been those sexy BLOWOFF flyers floating around town the week before.

In honor of the big 5^th anniversary, Bob and Rich are giving away five 11 x 17 very-suitable-for-framing, heavy stock, BLOWOFF mini-posters (first slide above). Just go to www.blowoff.us to find out how to win one.

Meanwhile, we thought you’d like to meet the man behind the art, so here’s a quick 5 Q&As with graphic designer, BLOWOFF man creator and all-round babe, Linas Garsys.

1 How did you hook with the BLOWOFF guys, Richard Morel and Bob Mould? I met Bob and Rich at one of their early BLOWOFFs in the basement of the 9:30 club in DC, when they first started doing the parties there. We ended talking a lot about different music. I had a blast that night. So, I brought samples of my work to the next one, and it all kind of went from there.

2 Are these real guys in the posters? Some of them look familiar? The majority of the early posters were what I call unicorns—basically puzzles made up of different guys, but these days, more and more of the posters are real guys. I have guys who I’ll ask if they would mind being in a poster, but then I also get emails from guys asking to be made into posters. From the beginning, my inspiration or idea for the art was always constructivist/circus sideshow art. Fantasy men, but one that you might actually run into. I guess that's why I started doing more actual people instead of smoke-and-mirror adaptations.

3 Who is the BLOWOFF man? As for the BLOWOFF man aesthetic, for me, I tend to think of him as older. Definitely an older guy, bit rough around the edges, but funny, who can make you laugh. BLOWOFF to me was always unique because it encouraged an older audience to come out and have fun, which is why I embrace the sideshow aspect of it for the posters and try to keep them fun and pinup-ish.

4 BLOWOFF is all about the music (and a few muscles). What's in your
iPod right now? Musically I’m all over the place but recent Must Listens for me are:

Ceremony "Zoo." Love these guys metamorphosis from grindcore thrash to
wire worship. Plus, Ross, Jake and Avocado are great dudes.

Perfume Genius. Their “Put Your Back N 2 It” album is  amazing wounded piano balladry. Brutal, honest and powerful.

Frank Turner “England Take My Bones” album and Dave Hause “Resolutions” EP. Both are punk-rock folky singer-songwriters. Just good solid song writing.

Turbonegro “I Want Everything” album. Scandinavian glam punk with over-the-top gay innuendo. Their new singer is the Pride month BLOWOFF poster.

Cold Cave "Cherish the Light Years.” Just good 80s worship.

5 Where do you BLOWOFF? Will we see you at BLOWOFF on June 22? Generally, I do BLOWOFF in DC, but looking at plans to attend June 22, all depends on work schedule LOL. Right now I’m staying busy with full-time job as a graphic artist and doing freelance work. I also just launched a clothing company, Bear Bones Clothing.

For the full BLOWOFF schedule--there are parties coming up in Provincetown, DC and San Francisco--go to www.blowoff.us