Genres R&B Website youngandsick.com | Years active 2011 (2011)–present Genre Rhythm and blues | |
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Associated acts Foster The People, Chance The Rapper Origin Los Angeles, California, United States Albums Young & Sick, Ghost Fetish EP, Continuum Similar Euro, Suga Free, Gangsta Dre, MMOTHS, C‑Bo Profiles | ||
Young & Sick is a Los Angeles and New York City based music and art project. The project is the brainchild of Dutch artist Nick van Hofwegen, described as a "double threat" in art and music by the Wall Street Journal, who is responsible for the project's musical composition, production, and performance, as well as all artwork. Young & Sick is currently signed to Harvest Records and has created artwork for a variety of well known entertainers including Foster the People, The Velvet Teen, Maroon 5, Robin Thicke, Mikky Ekko, T. Mills, Andy Dick, Jerry Stiller, and others. In 2014, Zane Lowe and BBC Radio 1 called Young & Sick the "Next Hype" and the project was named Stereogum's "Band to Watch."
Contents
In April 2014, Young & Sick released his first self-titled album. The record was first available as a vinyl LP with 50 unique original pieces of art from Van Hofwegen, inserted into records at random.
Album artwork
In 2011, Young & Sick designed the album cover for Foster the People’s album Torches. The artwork was later expanded and used extensively as a backdrop in live shows, on merchandise, and on the band’s website. More recently, in 2012, Young & Sick drew the album cover for Maroon 5’s album Overexposed. Jimmy Fallon "loved" the artwork, even creating an improv song about the art entitled "kill the boogers" with Adam Levine after learning that the drawing first featured mucus coming from the nose. Young & Sick's artwork done for Maroon 5 was featured by Apple Inc. during the September 2012 launch of the iPhone 5. Young & Sick was also retained by recording artist Robin Thicke to design the cover of Thicke's 2013 album Blurred Lines. The album was the 4th consecutive album designed by Young & Sick to reach #1 on the Billboard Charts.
American singer-songwriter Mikky Ekko, rapper T. Mills, and producer Skrillex also feature artwork completed by Young & Sick.
Branding
In 2013, Young & Sick designed the branding and artwork for the New Orleans based music and art festival BUKU.
In June 2015, van Hofwegen was commissioned to reimagine the classic Pringles can for an artistic campaign the brand did alongside Fergie of the Black Eyed Peas.
Later in 2015, The Fader and Coors Light retained van Hofwegen to create artwork for a three event concert series in LA featuring Kali Uchis, HEALTH, and Shlohmo. van Hofwegen created three unique posters for the event which were used during a six-week wheat paste campaign around Los Angeles.
Fine art
In October 2013, Katz's Deli featured Young & Sick's artwork in the grand opening of their new art space, "The Space." Young & Sick's piece was purchased by actor and comedian Jerry Stiller, father of Ben Stiller.
In coordination with the release of Foster the People's 2014 album Supermodel, Young & Sick was commissioned to design a mural to be painted on the side of a building in downtown LA spanning 148 ft X 126 ft. The mural was the largest mural constructed on the West Coast of the United States. A time lapse of the mural's creation was used as the lead music video for the band's first single off Supermodel, "Coming of Age".
Fashion
In late 2012, Young & Sick’s first fashion designs were featured by Urban Outfitters.
In February 2013, Young & Sick was commissioned by fashion retailer Rag & Bone to paint a mural on their store in SoHo, New York City.
In January 2015, MeUndies, an online retailer of specializing in fashion underwear, released a new pattern entitled "faces" designed by Young & Sick.
Music
Young & Sick self-released the first single "House of Spirits" in October 2012.
In November 2012, a collaboration between Young & Sick and Irish electronic artist MMOTHS was featured in The Fader in their exclusive mixes.
In March 2013 Young & Sick turned down six-figure recording contracts from major music labels to release their second single "Continuum" via Tor "The Underweb". The song and method of release was featured by outlets such as Forbes, Business Insider, and Pitchfork.
The project has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Rolling Stone, Pitchfork, Vice Magazine, The Fader, Amoeba Music, Blare Magazine and others.
In late 2013, Young & Sick signed with Harvest Records (Capitol Records).
In 2015, Young & Sick teamed up with JD Samson (Le Tigre) to create a side project called SHARER.
Songwriting
In 2014, van Hofwegen co-wrote the song "Caught In The Middle" for Charli XCX's album "Sucker" alongside Benny Blanco.
Festivals
In early 2014, it was announced Young & Sick would perform at the 2014 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. He later performed at festivals including ACL Music Festival in Austin, Texas and Corona Capital Festival in Mexico City, Mexico.
SXSW
In March 2014, Young & Sick did a series of showcases at Austin's South by Southwest including a show exclusively for dogs at the Austin Pets Alive! shelter with Ryan Hemsworth and Mahaut Mondino.
Young & Sick also showcased at other well-known events during SXSW including Fader Fort, HypeHotel, Another Planet, Noise Pop, and opened for Foster the People at the main outdoor stage for SXSW at Butler Park.
Discography
Songs
Heartache FetishYoung & Sick · 2014
Ghost of a ChanceYoung & Sick · 2014
ContinuumContinuum · 2014