Tom Gallahue is the fucking man. I had the chance to hang with him a few weeks back while our mutual friend Ronan Macmanus was over for a bachelor party in NYC. Much of the night I don’t recall, so luckily I got to reconnect with Tom to learn more about his work. You need to check out his blog here!
What’s up with the King of Kilburn? When did you start developing that idea?
This image is part of a series of pieces that I’ve been working on, however the inspiration for this image came from a number of different places. Firstly, one of the reoccurring themes that pop up in my work is the focus of the Irish that came to London in the 1950’s & 60’s, their treatment, the lives they led and how they managed to survive. Both my parents were part of that mass emigration for work, so it’s a subject that is close to my heart. I often heard stories from them, and other members of the family that made it across the water, about the poor conditions they both lived and worked in. The ‘King of Kilburn’ is trying to make the statement that even though this character was seen and treated by society at the time as a second class citizen, his roll as a Hot Asphalt Man gave him the opportunity to physically rise above the daily grind and constraints and affords him the opportunity to look over the roof tops while enjoying a cup of tea – making him feel like king of all he surveys. It also is in stark contrast to the vast majority of people that moved to the cities from rural Ireland. My father would have looked out on forests and the Galtee Mountains as a boy growing up – he than found himself looking over the ever expanding city of London – it must have been a huge shock to the system for many of them. Another source of inspiration was the song ‘The Hot Asphalt’ – an Irish Folk song, sung by among others Damien Dempsey. This seemed to sum up everything I wanted to say in the Illustration.
Did you design the current tees for BCS? What else have you done with them?
I’ve known the boys for years. Setting up the Hayes Celtic Supporters Club with Andy nearly a decade ago, and I’ve known Ronan since kindergarten; so working with them was just a natural progression. I’ve designed everything from t-shirts to posters, flyers and logos (in fact the bands logo is actually my fist and Claddagh Ring!).
I’ve also created their Album Artwork. The debut album artwork for BCS was originally released in by the band in 2006. The original brief was to work from the title track and develop a look that would reflect the bands London Irish Roots. I found an image of an old man with a pint, staring off into the distance – this seemed very poignant when coupled with the title of the album. He was faded to become almost see through – becoming a ghost himself. It speaks of places like Hammersmith (which is in the background of the cover), Shepherds Bush, Cricklewood, Kilburn etc that were huge Irish communities of migrant workers moving to London to send money home, or to start new lives. That generation has since died off, or moved home or out to other locations, yet the ghosts of those people live on through our generation.
Their eagerly awaited second album was released 25 May 07, (40th anniversary of the Lisbon lions) through the bands website. The band was keen to have the same graphic look to the second album artwork as was in the Debut Album ‘Ghosts of Our Past’. The title ‘Boots or No Boots’ refers to the work ethic of the Irish workers who helped to build huge areas of London. The Album artwork shows a group of workers in the foreground with the London skyline in the background seeming to rise from the earth they are working.
Since then I’ve worked on T-shirts, press packs and special one off CDs and packs for their tours in the US.
Where do you seek inspiration when designing.
Everywhere really. Drink plays a big part – as Shane McGowen would tell ya – you cant run a machine without the right fuel!!
Seriously though – Friends & family are a continual inspiration, music plays a huge role too – I always work to tunes – it could be anything from The BCS boys, The Wakes, Damien Dempsey & Irish Rebel Music to Ska (especially the Specials), Nirvana, DropKick’s, Coldplay etc, etc.
What else – everyday life – I love the mundane things that everyone takes for granted, other artists, socialist and republican politics, history and heritage… and did I mention drink?
What made you decide to become a designer.
Its something I sort of fell into while at school – and thankfully has been a big part of my life since. It’s now not what I would consider a job, its just what I do. I’m lucky to have worked with people in the US, Scotland, all over Ireland and of course London.
Getting a new project or brief is exciting – the rush of ideas then the creation of those ideas, and creating something that complement someone else’s creative work or something that stands on its own is amazing – it’s just a really fun process.
How is life as an Irish Londoner? Describe the culture and scene…
The London Irish scene has had a huge influence on my work and others! I’m lucky to be friends with some amazing people – most are good working class people that work hard and drink harder. Some are musicians and writers, and our roots in both Ireland and in London are a major inspiration for us all.
People like Dean O’Hara – an amazing London Irish Poet – who has written about everything from The Hunger Strikes in 81 to France cheating there way into this year’s world Cup, and how it reflects on the lives of London Irish people. Andy Nolan from BCS has written an amazing film called Clan London – this hopefully will be hitting the big screen soon, The BCS boys blasting out tunes like Irish Londoner and My town… It’s what we as a generation and hopefully what my art represents – our pride in being London Irish… as the song says – “you can hear it in my accent when I talk, I’m a proud London Irish Man!”
BibleCode Sundays
You are now Art Director for Wild Rover. What is the first design scheduled to drop?
After several exhaustive meetings and creative sessions in Dempsey’s Bar – I’m sure we could come up with something! J
I would love to see a range of Wild Rover Scally Caps – a lot of us London Irish heads wear them here – but they are next to impossible to find – so we have to wait till we visit the US to get decent ones. I’d also like to work on a Wild Rover Skateboard design (just cos I’ve always wanted to work on one of those) and possibly a kids range of Wild Rover Clothing – sure – we might as well start them early!
