Aaron Tanner is an American graphic designer, author, archivist, and musician who creates coffee table books on underground bands and artists.
Career
Aaron Tanner, who grew up in the Midwest, found inspiration in the everyday visuals around him, such as the logos on railroad cars, matchbook advertisements, and other regional imagery. His design experience soon gained him recognition within the underground music scene, ultimately leading to his role as
Ween's resident designer in 2002, a position he has maintained for over two decades.
While creating a book for Pixies in 2014, he realized that there are artists and bands whose works remained unpublished. He founded Melodic Virtue, an independent publisher "dedicated to preserving and promoting the legacies of underground bands through limited-run coffee table books,"
Tanner formed Stationary Odyssey with Brett Siler and released 4 albums before disbanding. Their last release was a split 7" single with Joey Santiago and David Lovering of the Pixies.
Achievements
His work has been added to the libraries and permanent collections of the Smithsonian, The Museum of Modern Art, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and The Punk Rock Museum.
was named
LA Weekly’s Book of the Month in 2019.
Bibliography
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Pixies: A Visual History, Volume 1 (Madtempest, 2014)
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Face to Face: 25 Years of SoCal Punk (Melodic Virtue, 2017)
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Butthole Surfers: What Does Regret Mean? (Melodic Virtue, 2019)
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Ministry: Prescripture (Melodic Virtue, 2019)
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Lil Bub: The Earth Years (Melodic Virtue, 2021)
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The Residents: A Sight for Sore Eyes, Vol. 1 (Melodic Virtue, 2022)
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The Residents: A Sight for Sore Eyes, Vol. 2 (Melodic Virtue, 2023)
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Joan of Arc: A Window & A Mirror (Joyful Noise Recordings, 2024)
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Cardiacs: A Big Book and a Band and the Whole World Window (Melodic Virtue, 2025)
Discography
With Byre
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Here in Dead Lights (May 15, 2018, Joyful Noise Recordings)
With Off-Ox
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Best Best Western (September 2, 2016, Au Fox Records)
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Tender Titan (August 17, 2018, Au Fox Records)
With Star Stunted
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Star Stunted Santa Dog (April 15, 2022, Melodic Virtue)
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Star Stunted II Mahogany Wood (March 8, 2024, Melodic Virtue)
External links
