We’ve just released a new Lonesome Rose T-Shirt Club featuring artwork from Alicia Gaines, grab one before they’re gone! Check out this quick interview with the artist behind the latest design, conducted by LSD art director Drew Ryan.

Photo by Alex Hupp

Hey Alicia what's good?
Oh, trying to make as much design and music as I can, knowing that I can only plan so far ahead. It’s kind of comforting for this control freak knowing none of us know what’s going on. No one is ever really in control, but the universe has showed us all that our plans are fragile and frankly a bit quixotic. You’ve gotta work with that in mind.

You're a musician too (apparently we like to pick musician/designer hybrids for the Lonesome Rose T-Shirt Club)—do you rehearse in the same space where you create visual art?
We have a practice space for the band, but my personal songwriting station is the same as my design desk. It gets a bit crowded with mics, Wacom tablets, etc. but I think of it all as pretty similar work. I often have Ableton and Illustrator open at the same time.

Did music introduce you to graphic design?
Not necessarily, though my appreciation of both grows from their constant interaction in album artwork, music videos, that sort of thing. I think I still have some jewel cases from the early 2000’s memorized because I’d pour over the liner notes’ design and photography.

Most people know you for your design work and your band—i'm not sure that folks know you as a painter. do these three worlds intersect in your mind, or do you keep these practices separate?
To me, design is art in service of a problem. If a design isn’t solving a problem, it’s not design it’s art! It’s a fine distinction, but I think it’s important to apply to something like music. What are you making the soundtrack to?

You can only use 5 typefaces for the rest of your life: what fonts do you choose?
I’d have to go with some classics. Akzidenz Grotesk, Avant Garde, Museo, Cooper, Bookmania

Where'd you grow up? what brought you to Chicago?
I grew up in the suburbs around Portland, Oregon, and came to Chicago at 18 to attend The School of the Art Institute.

First song you learned on bass?
Probably something off Doolittle by the Pixies. I was always into the Kims, Kim Deal and Kim Gordon.

Do you like working on your own band's visual aesthetic? Are they your hardest customer?
Like with most design, I have to be confident about anything I show my bandmates, because they may just pick it. We also keep collective mood board folders, so I try to keep a temperature on where our heads are at.

Ganser gets asked to play a show: any dealbreakers?
Oh yeah, tons. Anywhere that isn’t LGBTQ-friendly, or has a reputation like that we know about, we’ll turn it down. For example, we were asked to play a show around the legalization of weed in Chicago, and when they could not answer to our inquiring about their efforts around clearing records of those with drug charges related to weed, we declined the gig.

Favorite Taco Bell specialty item?
Oh, wow. Big one. I would say on tour, late at night, there’s nothing that beats cinnamon twists. They may not be a specialty item, but they’re special to me because I only have them rarely at 2am on tour.

Do you add guac at Chipotle?
Absolutely.

Shoutout to:
Shoutout to folks trying to come out the other side of all this not nicer, but kinder.

Photo by Alex Hupp

We're honored to have Lonesome Rose included in Condé Nast Traveler's updated guide of the best rooftops in Chicago! Our cozy lil California Ave rooftop is in great company, too. Check out the full list and then join us on the rooftop for a frozen marg! Thanks to Condé Nast Traveler for including us!

Our friends at Plate Magazine recently made Lonesome Rose's Watermelon Cucumber Salad the Bite of the Week! Read about the inspiration for the dish from Chef Sal and get the full recipe here. Thanks to Plate for featuring our favorite summertime salad!

Every so often, we’ll ask one of our favorite artists to design a limited run of t-shirts for the Lonesome Rose T-Shirt Club. For the 6th installment, we have Eliza Weber from the band Glyders. Our art director Drew Ryan did an email interview with Eliza, you can read it below and pick up a shirt from Lonesome Rose or our web store.

Photos by Sanjana Elina (except where noted)

Hey Eliza what's good?
Hey Drew ! Life is pretty good right now.

You're a musician too—where do you rehearse and create visual art? Are these separate workspaces?
Yes, although they are both in my & Josh's home aka the juicy lagoon. Visual art upstairs in my office, music downstairs in the basement.

Do you have any photos of your workspace/studio?
Be warned my office is also my closet & it's not exactly neat....

Photo courtesy of the artist

Where ya from? When did you move to Chicago?
Born in Chicago, grew up in Evanston, went to school in NYC, moved back to Chicago in 2013.

Your design work comes from a place of necessity—you started making flyers and graphics because you had to tell people about your shows, not because you are a design student or a professional looking for more opportunities. What was the first design-related job or project you did that wasn't for your own band?
Hard to remember..... I think most likely it was a flier for Dumpster Tapes, or maybe The Bingers. Back then I charged $20 for fliers haha.

I love when designers stray away from industry-standard programs to create their work. I remember you telling me about this online graphics editor that you use on occasion. Can you elaborate?
That would be pixlr.com, a web-based photo editor. It's basically dollar-store photoshop. When I first started making fliers I didn't have a real computer, just a Chromebook. I would use Pixlr on the computers at the bike shop where I was working. I eventually got a laptop and Adobe programs and haven't used it since. Kind of can't believe I used it for as long as I did. Maybe I'll fire it up again one of these days.....

Got anything you're working on that you're excited about?
Just finished up a shirt for Trouble in Mind records that I'm really stoked to share. I've been a fan of that label for awhile so it was an honor to work on. It was also my first chance to do a crazy maximal design with front, back & sleeves and it's gonna be printed in four colors!

You're at Taco Bell and you've got $2—what do you order?
I'd scour the floor of the van for change until I scrape together enough for a crunchwrap, sub beans for beef.

Got any favorite designers or illustrators on your radar?
Oh man, so many and most of them right here in Chicago. I started following Josef Minor this year and am obsessed with his work. Also Clare Byrne, Bill Connors, David Strother, Crystal Zapata, Ben Marcus, Jacob Gardener, Drew Ryan (no bull!)....

Favorite Glyders show? Worst Glyders show?
Could never choose a favorite, but playing with Fred & Toody of Dead Moon at the bottle is up there for sure. Worst would have to be Be Here Now in Muncie, Indiana when I had the flu and locked the keys in the van.

What's the sketchiest place you've slept while on tour?
An old military prison cell in Prague.

Shoutout to:
Josh, all the homies, Mother Earth

Get ready y’all, Lonesome Rose has teamed up with our buddies at Metric Coffee for a Boot Scootin’ Brunch!

Join us on Sunday, October 20 from noon-4p for a festive fall afternoon of coffee cocktails (boozy and non-alcoholic), brunch specials, and all of your favorite 90s pop-country hits from Texas's very own DJ Mary Wells. We’re talkin’ prime Shania Twain, Dixie Chicks, and Brooks & Dunn. You definitely won’t want to miss this.🤠

Here's a little roundup of some of the nice things people have been saying about LSD in the press! Thanks to everyone who included us.

Parson's Chicken & Fish Lincoln Park was included in Eater's best new bar heatmap for March (for the third month in a row!) Check that out here.

The Infatuation published a guide on where to go for "fake spring" and Lonesome Rose was on the list. Read that here.

Chicago Sun Times' journalist Ji Suk Yi does an online piece called The Grid where she explores different neighborhoods and cuisines and recently did one in Logan Square of Mexican & Latin food options. Lomesome Rose was included, you can read that here.

Reader's Digest published a piece on the best speakeasies inside of hotels and Milk Room was included. Check it out.

Liquor.com released their 2019 best bars feature called "Drink Here Now" and a handful of our spots were included in numerous categories. Longman & Eagle for "Whiskey," Milk Room for "Whiskey", and Lost Lake for "Rum, Cocktail, Tiki, The Team Players, The Food Slingers." The map is really cool and interactive, check it out!

Our Beverage Director Paul McGee recently shared Cherry Circle Room's "That's That" martini recipe with Imbibe and it's featured on their site here. 

Lonesome Rose’s second collection with Los Angeles-based clothing company The Quiet Life is out!

Led by Andy Mueller, an LA-based designer with deep Chicago roots, The Quiet Life has been committed to bringing us stylish, quality garments built for everyday wear since 1997. This second collaborative collection is ready to keep you warm and cozy in the winter elements, and includes hoodies, long sleeve tees, and corduroy flat brim hats. 

The limited-edition line is available at Lonesome Rose in Chicago (2101 N. California Ave.), The Quiet Life shop in LA (5627 N Figueroa St.), and online. 

Photographer Alexa Viscius came by to shoot the collection with some of our LSD HQ staff. Take a peek and come check out the new items soon!

photos by Alexa Viscius

We’ve still got a few long sleeve t-shirts available featuring artwork from Wyatt Grant, grab one before they’re gone! Check out this quick interview with the artist behind the latest Lonesome Rose T-Shirt Club tee, conducted by LSD art director Drew Ryan.

photographs by Alexa Viscius

Hey Wyatt what's good?

Hi Drew! I'm doing pretty well. Just got back into studio mode working on new art and music. 

Got any memories from childhood that are strictly visual?

I got my shoe signed by Charles Barkley in the 1st grade, which I proudly wore to school every day. I'd outline his signature with markers and embellish it until the original signature was no longer visible. Sadly I no longer have this shoe. Other visual memories from when I was very young: making rock necklaces, drawing comic books with mechanical pencils, Christopher Reeves as Superman, and the dirt bike ramps at Cameron Brown Park. 

You're a musician too—where do you rehearse and paint and draw and record? Are these separate workspaces?

I like to write music demos in my art making space at home, so both visual and sonic stuff has the same place of origin. The difference is with music I often bring those demos to my collaborators in Pool Holograph and they change and evolve quite a bit. We also write things through improvising as a group. Nevertheless the "sketch" element of both songs and visuals has always been at the core for me. 

We're both from Memphis but we didn't know each other growing up. Where would we have most likely crossed paths?

I am certain that we were in Cats Music or the Skate Park of Memphis at the same time. No way that we weren't. Possibly the Armory or the Complex. I saw your high school band play multiple times too, so I saw you but you didn't see me. :-)

Favorite Memphis rapper? 

It's hard because I'm a big three six fan and all of the members have their own strengths and styles. Out of that group my favs are Project Pat and Juicy J who I recently found out are brothers, which is nice!

Favorite Eggleston photo?

I found his work through Alex Chilton and Big Star covers, so his work became synonymous with Big Star's magical southern mystique. Really nostalgic and sentimental to me. There's one that's called "Untitled (near Jackson MS)" with a coat hanging in a room that was part of a series called At War with the Obvious which is a pretty cool title and sums up who he is as an artist. "Glass in Airplane" is another favorite, but another side to him that is spiritual and intimate. Still very everyday, but somehow he makes the mundane very alien and psychological. 

Pancho's or El Porton?

We were always an El Porton family 100%, however On the Border on Poplar replaced it after a while. 

Do you like dub music?

Any and all Trojan-related records are worth listening to in my book. Lee Perry and King Tubby are my favorites, however I don't know anything past the 70s, so I'm sure a lot has changed since then. I love that era of dub because of the kind of "primitive" experimentation. Lee Perry would put mics inside of stumps and whack them for crazy percussive sounds. I think the only "modern" dub I'm exposed to would be on a Mitsubishi commercial or in a Lyft. 

Ink pen of choice?

I just got a couple of big Windsor and Newton brush pens that I think are technically india ink. They are super great but I always feel overindulgent using them since I've usually been restricted to much cheaper materials. I like using brushes and ink the most, which is how I drew the shirt design. I get those big 2-liter bottles of india ink from Blick. 

Shoutout to:

My fiancé's flower business Plein Air Flowers— https://www.instagram.com/pleinairflowers/?hl=en

Really awesome collaborator and overall person Dave Vettraino aka Public House Recordings— http://publichousesoundrecordings.com/

My friend Jake and Clare's new web site Sun Room— https://www.hellosunroom.com/

Courtesy— https://idmatic.bandcamp.com/

Check out more of Wyatt’s work at wyattgrant.com and poolholograph.bandcamp.com

photos: Alexa Viscius

We’re almost sold out of Eileen’s new shirt design “Tuxedo Mask’s Lonely Rose” so be sure to snatch one up while you can! Until then, check out an interview (er…more of a questionnaire) with Eileen conducted by LSD Art Director Drew Ryan—

---

Hey Eileen! What's good?
AYYYEEE DREWWWWW. Ayeeeee.
*alt answer* Chicken butt.

First proper design-related gig?
I tried to make logos for local bands in high school, they were really bad. Lots of stars... My first adult job was at BBDO! 

Seemingly insignificant moment from your childhood that shaped you?
Sailor Moon, Escaflowne, Trigun, Gundam... I mean anime that was widely accessible to kids in America was absolutely influential in securing my obsession with art/design. And continuing to love anime definitely influences the things I like today and what I design (probably).

What've you been listening to this week?
I've been driving around a lot in my trip to Seattle. So I've been cruise controlling on a lot of my overplayed playlists and what my boyfriend has been playing.  Let's see, in "last played" Spotify remembers... Kllo, Gøggs, Show Me The Body, Perera Elsewhere, Babyteeth, Bully, Naomi Punk, Danny L Harle, Heathered Pearls, Show Me the Body, 3Teeth, Tycho... I mean what's happening here, a lot of music.

What's up with Other Studio?
OTHER Studio is my independent design studio that I formed after I moved back to Chicago in 2014 (shout out to an anniversary party later this fall). We're a multi-disciplinary design studio that pushes graphic boundaries, and pulls a lot of international aesthetic inspiration. I would like to say it is a Concept Studio—a design shop that clients come to because they enjoy our POV and the way we use design to solve problems. BUT, that's pretty unusual term maybe? I think it's easier to say we're a branding studio that handles logos, collateral, websites, video, and all things related to your brand but how dreamy would it be to say like... need a good looking, smart creative solution? Whatever it is, WE GOTCHU. 

What's your studio look like?
It's a loft space in an artist owned building where our longest wall is all windows overlooking Humboldt Park. Some days I wish it looked like a pristine all white studio space with designer furniture, like many I've worked in, but it's not. It's a textural mix of wood, metal, plastic, patterns, prints, half alive plants, and the work of my studio-mates. HVNTERGVTHERER, previously Keara Stick and Poke, Maggie Famiglietti, Justin Duncan, and Alex Wallbaum all share this space as well. We're kind of like a creative co-op. So it's definitely, not minimal, but that'd be boring right?

Go-to pantone color?
Erm. Warm Gray 1C or any of the fluorescent colors. Or like any of the bright greens and bright blues... things you can't print with CMYK... I'm always rooting for PMS.

Still got that risograph?
Yea, can you like come over and print on it with me. It's so lonely and grumpy.

Favorite fabric? Oh shit. Any color PVC (I like clear, fluorescent orange, and black). I'm too mindless to take care of Latex and Leather properly...

Do you keep an eye on any tattoo artists?
Mmhm, Raph Cemo is the #1 homie best uniquely talented super wicked. I believe he's tattooed me the most. Followed by Bastien Jean has also tattooed me a lot. And local champion Tine DeFiore of Black Oak. Incredible. But also to note, my old studiomate Keara does some really crazy stick n pokes.

Have you ever been to Del Taco?
Uh oh... no is the answer supposed to be yes?

Shoutout to—
MRDREWRYAN for being really supportive. It can be hard out there in this industry and getting to do work together is pretty fuckin' cool. My Mom for not disowning me when I dropped out of Math and Science Academy to take Graphic Communications at Tech School. Big shoutouts to Shang Drop and Alex (Uh, hey Alexa, ???) for catching me in the worst instagram stories of the year.

Lonesome Rose is proud to announce a collaboration with Los Angeles-based clothing company The Quiet Life!

Led by Andy Mueller, an LA-based designer with deep Chicago roots, The Quiet Life has been committed to bringing us stylish, quality garments built for everyday wear since 1997. They’re made to withstand the heat from our kitchen, yet airy enough to catch that cool pacific breeze.

The limited edition line is available at Lonesome Rose in Chicago (2101 N. California Ave.), The Quiet Life shop in LA (5627 N Figueroa St.), and online. Come get it before it’s gone!

Thanks to the staff at Lonesome Rose, especially Nova, Ryan, Chris, Alicia, and Karen, who were our models for this collaboration. Check out more photos here!

Chef Pete Coenen collaborated with Skeleton Key Brewery on a beer they’ve named ‘Petal Pusher,’ a summer wheat ale brewed with wild rose petals. It’s an easy drinker, refreshing, with a light, floral nose.

Making its debut at the Chicago Ale Fest (happening Friday, June 1, and Saturday June 2 in Grant Park), ‘Petal Pusher’ features dried rose petals sourced by Chef Pete from Rare Tea Cellar. Pete joined the Skeleton Key team to develop and brew the beer, made with summer in mind.

You can also catch a ‘Petal Pusher’ at Cherry Circle Room, Game Room, and Lonesome Rose, where it’s currently on tap.

Did you see? The LSD Art Dept. just launched the third edition of the Lonesome Rose T-Shirt Club! “Rise and Shine” by Burt Sasso of GENTLEMAN is available on the LSD megastore now. We recently sat down with Bart Sasso to chat about the design.

What’s up with GENTLEMAN?
GENTLEMAN is a creative agency I started with another designer friend of mine, Roy Fleeman. We focus on branding and identity but do a little bit of everything. We are, most importantly, for hire.

What’s your studio look like?
My wife and I just brought home a new baby boy, so the room I used to work out of in our condo looks more like a nursery than a studio right now. I’m kind of a nomad these days: Coffee shops, Ticonderoga Club during the day, Mi Barrio, the Mexican restaurant next door to my place.

How’s been being a part of Ticonderoga Club been?
It’s been an amazing experience. My partners and I, all industry veterans, set out to create something very specific with Ticonderoga Club. Built from so many memories, we aimed to create a place that at once feels a little unhinged and exhilarating, but also extremely comfortable and familiar: Like when you’re a kid and your crazy uncle watches you for the day and he takes you to a townie bar to watch a ballgame and it feels a little scary… but you also love every second of it. Two and a half years in, I’m proud to say it’s become so much more. We take hospitality very seriously and seeing the ripple effect it can create is inspiring.

First design-related gig?
First real compensated gig was designing flyers for punk shows around Atlanta when I was in high school in exchange for guest list for me and my friends. RIP The Point.

Most underrated Atlanta band/artist/rapper?
Our bud Philip’s band OMNI is excellent. They’ve gotten a bit of national buzz, but deserve more. And I’m really into the new Trouble / Mike WiLL Made-It album Edgewood. It just sounds like Atlanta right now. And my buddy Diwang Valdez did photography for the album.

Fav atlanta hotspots?
I kind of veer away from the new hotspots and tend to prefer old standbys. If I’m out with friends, chances are I’m at The Local, Righteous Room, Manuel’s or Bookhouse Pub. The wife and I love Sotto Sotto for dinner because it’s old school and quiet and perfect. Oh, and the Victory guys are friends – their places are always a great time.

Usual Taco Bell order?
I used to fuss with more extravagant menu items, but my wife really brought me around to the elegant simplicity of the bean burrito. We even went as far as dialing in an at-home version and now always keep the supplies in the pantry.

Dream vanity plate?
I’ve never considered a vanity plate… BENICE maybe? Atlanta traffic drives people to insanity. 

Shoutout to:
Drew Ryan and Jesse Brown. I love their work and I’m honored to be featured in the same series as them. And always, shoutout to the haters. ✌️

The LSD Art Dept. is excited to launch the third installment of the Lonesome Rose T-Shirt Club — “Rise and Shine” 003.

The design (which looks best paired with breakfast tacos) comes from Bart Sasso, partner in Gentleman Design & Works, a creative agency responsible for some of our favorite brand identities.

This edition is a one time run—no reprints. The last tee shirt club sold out in a day (!), so make sure you grab your shirt before it’s too late. It’s available at Lonesome Rose or on the LSD webstore.

Join the club—rise and shine with Lonesome Rose.

Look who stopped by good old Lonesome Rose for breakfast. Thanks for the kind words “Bitches Who Brunch” blog! Read the full review HERE.

Whoah, that Lonesome Rose T-Shirt Club T sold out fast. Thanks for all the speedy orders and sorry to those folks whose orders we couldn’t fulfill. You all seem to really like Jesse Brown so we asked the Seattle-based multidisciplinary artist and designer a few questions, check it—

Where do you live?
Seattle, Washington

Favorite hangout as a teen?
Westlake, it’s the plaza downtown where everyone would skate and lurk out

Three records that shaped you?
Gravediggaz – 6 Feet Deep,  Crass – The feeding of 5000, Abdullah Ibrahim – Banyana

What’s your studio look like?

Favorite T-shirt you have lost?
George Michael Japan tour tshirt, R.I.P.

Favorite taco?
Al pastor forever

Advice for the kids?
Don’t get a face tat kiddos

Shoutout to:
All the Gods and Erfs

See more of Jesse’s work HERE and stay tuned for more releases from the Lonesome Rose T-Shirt Club in the future….

Eater’s Heatmap for February 2018 just came out, and we’re psyched to see Lonesome Rose included (for the second month in a row). Thanks for coming in – see you guys there for breakfast tacos tomorrow morning, yeah?

The LSD Art Dept. is excited to launch the Lonesome Rose T-Shirt Club.

Every few months we will reach out to friends and artists we admire to make a t-shirt design for our little establishment. Each T-Shirt Club shirt will be a one time run of 72, and when they’re gone, they’re gone – no reprints here.

The first in the series is Bad Moon Rising (001) by Chicago-based artist / designer / musician Drew Ryan. Shirts are available on the Land and Sea Dept. web store, and at Lonesome Rose.

Join the club and stay tuned for the next edition!

We’re excited to share that Lonesome Rose is now officially open!

Lonesome Rose is an all-day restaurant and bar focusing on the rich cultural histories of the regional states of northern Mexico and the southwestern United States.

While a border may divide two countries, the histories of these areas have long been intertwined, informing and influencing each other across generations. This is most evident in the regions’ drinking and eating habits, where ingredients, recipes, and techniques have passed continuously across these borders, improving with each pass.

With Lonesome Rose, we celebrate and explores this exciting history, with accessible, approachable menus from a culinary team led by Executive Chef Pete Coenen (Cherry Circle Room, Lost Lake) and cocktails by Beverage Director Paul McGee (Cherry Circle Room, Lost Lake), which focus on the flavors these regions share. Opening early, and staying up (very) late, Lonesome Rose offers accessible, creative takes on the best these border regions have to offer.

Join us for breakfast, lunch, dinner and drinks every single day.

Lonesome Rose
2101 N. California Ave.
Open at 7am daily; food until 1am & drinks until 2am Sun – Fri / 3am Sat
To-go coffee, juice & breakfast tacos also available from 7am – 2:30pm

Photos: Clayton Hauck