Raissa Pardini is an Italian born, London based multi-disciplinary Designer, Type Artist and Creative Director based in London.
She has been working with many of the most interesting music artists, labels, art and culture projects around the world. She mixes old-school typography and colourful details in a modern way. Her work has been acquired by the V&A as part of their permanent collection. She’s also a musician, band manager and DJ.
Featured image: Raissa Pardini My Type of Revolution poster, 2021
Beat drops Meets is a series of interviews with the folks we like that work on the records, in the grooves, behind the covers, at the stores and in the crates.
Raissa Pardini campaign for Earth/Percent, the climate emergency organisation founded by Brian Eno.
This split single is the world’s first commercially available sustainable bioplastic record, Evolution Music, 2022.
How and when did you start making art for the music industry?
It just happened casually, I studied design because I was making music zines in high school. Being a musician first, I had a lot of contacts and friends in the industry and felt organic to start working with those pals. It all started as a word of mouth and escalated pretty quickly!
Which album were you most blown away by when you played it for the first time?
Welcome to Music City by Music City which is a new band in town! I have the recordings but they aren’t out yet : )
I’m in love with Kit Sebastian first record, too – to mention new bands!
On old records – the first time I heard #1 by Big Star I was absolutely blown away. Still gives me shivers and it’s just an instant classic.
Raissa Pardini poster design for Blur at Wembley Stadium, 2023
Was there a person that introduced you to the music you love?
There are many people behind the scene. There is an older generation that looked after us and introduced us to the good stuff. They get it. I hope I could be the same inspiration for some of the younger people now! Francesco at Limonaia Club, a place near Florence that gave me some of my first djsets ever. Vizioso who is a local dj in my hometown in Italy who taught me everything about playing records. DJ Henry in Milan, Jason at Lucky 7 in London (the place I used to work for), blogs like New Commute.
What was the last lp you bought?
Ulrika Spacek’s second album at their gig last week, which was the only record I didn’t own from their catalogue.
Do you also make music?
Yes! That was my first love although on stand by at the moment. I’ve became a manager and looking after a few bands doesn’t allow me to have any spare time to create music, only to work on the design. I think it’s an excuse as I haven’t felt very creative with music since I last left a band… so it’s definitely me : )
Raissa Pardini No music on a Dead Planet t-shirt design x Smiley x Music Declares Emergency, 2023
The last gig you saw
The Lemon Twigs in Valencia last night, going to cumgirl8 in London tonight.
The perfect album to listen to while working
I don’t listen to music much when I work, I can’t be distracted and I’m very easily distracted when I listen to music… I just focus on the riffs and end up not doing any work eheh.
The perfect album to listen to when going for a run
Any indie sleaze comp around now.
Raissa Pardini artwork for Disco Volador by The Orielles, Heavenly Recordings, 2020
Your favourite movie soundtrack
Everything on CAM catalogue so anything giallo / horror / soft porn from the 70s.
Your favourite book about music
I’m reading a book about the story of a fan of the Bay City Rollers in the 70s. Pretty chill. (I ran with the gang: My life in and out of the Bay City Rollers by Alan Longmuir and Marton Knight).
In which way do you order your record collection?
Strictly by genre. I never crave an artist in particular rather a genre… so alphabetically would be way too OCD for me and wouldn’t do the work : )
Raissa Pardini poster design for The Rolling Stones at Glendale, 2024
The record you are most proud to own
The Replacement’s discography I think?! Hard to tell.
The record you are the most happy to have inherited
My first two albums ever were Ziggy Stardust and Transformer. They were both my dad’s records.
Do you have a favourite record label?
Trouble in Mind has an incredible catalogue and they are amazing people. Stiff is an oldie I have a lot of records of.
Raissa Pardini campaign and rebranding for Village Underground, 2022.
Do you have a favourite record shop?
Too many!! And very spread out globally. I recently went to Digging in India in Delhi and they are so amazing. Great digging for sure. In London – Flashback is great for second hand records, Phonica has lots of new stuff. Stranger Than Paradise and Dash The Henge are two AMAZING independent shops that keep the community alive – highly recommended. Sounds of The Universe also for second hand stuff (but also new catalogue stuff).
What’s the first genre rack you go to when you enter a record shop?
Depends on the day. I buy A LOT of different music.
Raissa Pardini My Type of Revolution poster, 2021
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