Podcast Episodes
Aspiring Graphic Designers - Degrees, Tools, A.I., & Advice
Welcome to Mitten Music, where we bring you authentic conversations.
In this episode, we enter the world of graphic design while we were onsite for the GIG - The Art of Michigan Music event in November 2025.
We spoke with Professor of Graphic Design at Jackson College, Christie Hughes, and one of her student's Jaylen Westbrook. They discuss the curriculum, tools, and the approach to the associate degree at Jackson College.
Four professional graphic designers ( Carl Lundgren, Dennis Preston, Matthew Jacobson, Jonathan Doyle) from concert posters to corporate design interject their experiences, advice, and passion for design.
Of course, what would a conversation be today without the topic of artificial intelligence (A.I.). Listen to hear their thoughts and outlook on this new tool or curse to the craft depending on how you look at it.
Graphic Art in Music, Concert Posters, and a Dabble of Magic
We had an in depth conversation with five graphic artists that are involved in creating art for music at GIG - The Art of Michigan Music event in November of 2025. Most of the conversation focuses on concert posters but dabbles in a little magic, too. From 50+ year legends in the industry to an intern just getting started, there are plenty of stories and passion to go around. Listen to hear some great stories from the days of doing grueling letter to the advancements with Adobe Photoshop.
Band Life Unfiltered: Carbon Decoy on Hangs, Venues, and What's Next
In this episode, we caught up with American garage psych, stoner, acid rock band, Carbon Decoy, from Michigan at the GIG - Art of Michigan Music event. Casey and Earl got us up to speed on what the band has been doing since we last talked to them in 2024. Earl covered how he balances being a dad a rock band. They discussed the after show "hangs" they had this past year with Glass Chimera, Levitator, Ficus, and Old Mountain Acid Test. Reminiscing about past hangs and stories from the green room at the Blind Pig when discussing Fuzz Fest in Ann Arbor. They also touched on the plans to create some new music in Casey's new home studio in the coming year.
Brandon Nagy, Isabel Dowell, Nathan Purchase, and Terry Moore on Music Photography in Michigan
We talked with four music photographers at GIG - Art of Michigan Music Event. Each of these individuals gave us a different angle on how they got started in taking photos of live music. From the photo pit to gear to their memorable moments, they walk us through the lens of what it is like to be a photographer in the Michigan music scene and beyond.
