@dardensmithmusic is a critically acclaimed singer-songwriter known for blending folk and Americana influences with rock, pop and the rich musical history of his home state of Texas. The Austin-based musician, author and artist has also been a longtime collaborator with Pentagram’s Austin office. Over the years, Partner @djpentagram and his team have designed vinyl/CD packages and posters for four of Smith’s album releases and three of his books. His debut album, Native Soil was released in 1986, and for his sixteenth album, Western Skies (released last May), the singer-songwriter called on his friends at Pentagram Austin once again. The Western Skies project – part music, part prose and part photographic essay – is Smith’s homage to the mythologies of Texas and the American West. During the live-show-stopping days of the pandemic the performer began taking long sojourns out west. Amid a series of solo road trips to West Texas, Smith found himself writing songs at the wheel and taking Polaroid pictures of the stark, therapeutic terrain. Inspired by the spirit of the landscape, he scribbled his observations in a notebook and found new life in old lyrics. Between the prose, the music and the photographs, Western Skies came vividly to life. Read the full case study via the link in our bio! Project team: @djpentagram @stuctaylor Photography by @nickcabrera, bookbinding by Jace Graf / Cloverleaf Studio #graphicdesign #albumcoverart #albumdesign #branding #albumart