I’ve pulled up the family tree of American music and exposed its roots to find inspiration for the next Foo Fighters album,

says Grohl of the band’s most ambitious effort to date. Grohl, Taylor Hawkins, Nate Mendel, Chris Shiflett and Pat Smear tapped into the musical heritage and cultural fabric of each of these cities — Austin, Chicago, Los Angeles, Nashville, New Orleans, New York, Seattle and Washington DC — basing themselves at a legendary studio integral to the unique history and character of each location. One song was recorded in each city, all featuring local legends sitting in, with every lyric written in an unprecedented experimental style: Dave held off on putting down words until the last day of each session, so as to be inspired by the experiences, interviews for the HBO series, and other local personalities who became part of the process.

If Grohl’s 2013 feature film directorial debut, the universally acclaimed Grammy-winning Sound City, was a celebration of the human element in the creation and recording of music, Foo Fighters: Sonic Highways is, in its director’s words, ‘a chronicling of a journey to unravel the fabric of our musical identity… not only the making of our most ambitious album… this is Sound City on steroids.’ Each episode delves into the singular regional identity of each city, how each region shaped these musicians in their formative years, and in turn the impact those people had on the cultural fabric of their hometowns. Dave’s unequaled passion for both the music he creates and the music that inspires its creation once again fuels the type of honest and trusting musician-to-musician exchange that made Sound City a critical and commercial smash.

Premiering on the eve of Foo Fighters 20th anniversary, Foo Fighters: Sonic Highways aims to ‘give back’ to the next generation of young musicians. As interviewee Buddy Guy puts it, ‘Everything comes from what’s come before.’

Foo Fighters: Sonic Highways premieres this fall on HBO. For further information and updates, including where and when the series will be broadcast outside the U.S., sign up at foofighters.com.

Foo Fighters: Sonic Highways is directed by Dave Grohl for Roswell Films, a division of Roswell Records, the label that releases Foo Fighters’ music; written by Mark Monroe and Dave Grohl. Executive produced by Dave Grohl, James A. Rota, John Ramsay. The series is produced for HBO by Roswell Films and Therapy Content, in association with Worldwide Pants.

#AlwaysFoos

FIRST PLACE: ‘Don’t Turn Your Back On a Good Thing’ by Benedikt Sebastian

With a Bachelors degree in visual communication Benedikt Sebastian was inspired in his design by three degrees, a good thing (abstract), the Mardi Gras (the party) and New Orleans’ urban-ness (the heritage). Combining all elements into a visual explosion which has you seeing new details every time you look. ‘Don’t Turn Your Back On a Good Thing’ implies that Southern Comfort is a good thing that enhances a party without losing the heritage of an establishment. The message is simple and walking away with the R12000 among other prestigious perks, the design proves that at least in concept less is more.

SECOND PLACE: Tsepo Makate

Tsepo Makate drew his inspiration from the ability of Southern Comfort to blend music and lifestyle seamlessly together. With strong stokes, Tsepo uses the colours of the cultures used to convey the spirit of New Orleans. Currently active in Johannesburg as a graphic designer, Tsepo hopes to hone his craft through collaborations to gather alternative perspective.

THIRD PLACE: Byron Graper and Clinton Campbell

Byron Graper -‘The Spirit of Mardi Gras’

Clinton Campbell – ‘Let the Good Times Roll’

With this much talent it’s hard sometimes to say who is more deserving, for third place it was so difficult that it was decided as a tie. Byron Graper is a Durban based graphic designer who illustrated his idea of ‘The Spirit of Mardi Gras’ in a very literal way “which when released, in a genie out of a lamp kind of way, becomes a spirit or symbolic character.” Byron’s spirit contains the Jazz, culture and voodoo magic that truly draws you into the idea of good company, good times and Southern Comfort. Clinton Campbell gives us a neat clean look at all the things that make Southern Comfort and New Orleans special with ‘Let the Good Times Roll.’

We congratulate all the winners and wish them all further success as we’re sure they are bound to walk into.

Southern Comfort, the brand from New Orleans which represents a distinctive ‘joie de vivre’ has launched Southern Comfort “Creative Exchange”. Drawing from the success of the international campaign, Creative Exchange invites local young creatives to design a striking interpretation of the brand and its provenance. The competition is  now open for entries… So read on to find out how to get involved!

Drawing from the success of a similar campaign held in Germany last year, Southern Comfort South Africa is appealing to all local designers of legal drinking age. From students to up-and-coming creatives – as they say in New Orleans, “come one, come all.” Participants are required to design a two-dimensional piece of artwork which includes an element of the Southern Comfort brand and an expression of its birthplace – New Orleans.

New Orleans is one of a kind. Its music, cuisine, architecture, cultural traditions, neighbourhood bars and wide-ranging mix of people passionate about those things sets the city apart from the world as a place devoted to the lifestyle of “Always for Pleasure”. Martin Wilkes Heron followed the pleasure-centric New Orleans when he invented Southern Comfort in 1874. Using a special flavour concentrate of fruits and spices, he made the harsh tasting whiskey of the time taste delicious. Studying the secrets of modern-day Southern Comfort makes it clear that M.W. Heron’s invention is still all about pleasure.

“Create Exchange” Competition

Through a panel of locally renowned design fundis, the entries  for Southern Comfort’s “Creative Exchange” will be shortlisted to the top five pieces. These pieces will be uploaded to the Southern Comfort SA Facebook page, where brand fans can vote for their favourite design.

What’s in it for the winner? The opportunity to showcase their work on a promotional range of branded Southern Comfort merchandise, a R12K cash prize and exposure in local design publication one small seed. Second place will receive a cash prize of R6K, followed by R3K for the third best design.

The competition opens this week and runs until 15 July 2011. Entrants are required to create a 2D design, which needs to include an element of the Southern Comfort brand and tap into the modern spirit of New Orleans. For more information about the design specs, terms and conditions and judging process, visit  Southern Comfort SA Facebook page or email: southern_comfort@pobox.southerncomfort.com