Phabies presents: the Curse of Caring
About this Project
Laura Hobson of Grand Rapids-based Phabies
reached out to me after she had a spooky lil dream. All that materialized since has been a pure process of collaboration.
Laura is a multi-faceted creative who has been building a strong visual identity for Phabies while masterfully tapping incredible artists to collaborate with along the way.
Photographing artists is always a creative treat for me but designing cover art has long-been on my bucket-list. Laura, along with their partner, band member & manager Garrett Stier created and utilized so many clever, handmade props throughout this collaboration. Nothing I made for this album wasn’t also touched or dreamt up by them. They communicated the vision, I enthusiastically filled in the gaps. Getting to know Laura, Garrett and the entire ensemble through this process was such a genuine treat. Their passion for their craft and immense kindness only helped me make decisions and suggestions with confidence, clarity & (thanks to the subject matter) lots of feeling.
I frequently find these songs in my head, but the opener Blooms of April is one of my favorites. We planned this project in March of last year; that bleak time when the snowmelt gives way to dull, damp debris and overcast skies. Optimistically, it’s the final grim stretch before the approaching signs of spring. A great time to give this album a listen.
Services
Creative Direction Assist
Editorial & promotional Photography
Graphic & Product Design
Event Photography
About this Album - an excerpt from FLOOD Magazine
“weightless pop-rock,
with sunny guitar lines... spritely vocals,
and a warm-breeze chorus”
The Curse of Caring is Phabies’ second album. Grafting sounds from their first album that left their true style and tone still up in the air, Phabies has grown into something unique and singular. A little of this, a little of that but with the essence of strong songwriting at the core of every song. What is life? What is love? Where do any of us belong, and for how long? There are too many questions and too little time but Phabies seeks joy amidst it all. Creating their own happiness among a deluge of self doubt and years that feel like purgatory, let the songs on their second album lead you through questions with no answers.
Recorded at Sabbath Recording in Cincinatti, Ohio
& Local Legend Recording in Grand Rapids, Michigan
Mixed by Jeremy Ferguson, Josh Kaufman, Adrian Olsen, & Sean Sullivan
Mastered by Kim Rosen
Laura Hobson, founder, lyricist, vocals, guitar
Garrett Stier, manager, bassist
Josh Holicki, drums
Max McKinnon, synth/keys
Andrew Deters, guitar
