Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Baron Samedi And A Voodoo Altar Sketch For Rory Kelly's European Tour Poster

Been crankin' away in the design lab with all sorts of new merch coming out for quite a few of the bands we work with. Check out the tour poster sketch of some voodoo we have conjured up to help make a damn great tour for Rory Kelly. The south is full of mysticism and folklore and what could be better than a copperhead slithering through an altar wrapped in a bone necklace. We hope to make Marie Laveau proud.

Below are the tour dates and a cool video we found with some interesting visuals and homage to Baron Samedi. If voodoo and Black Magic is an interest, read on below with more info on Baron Samedi. Just remember though, voodoo magic only preys upon the weak of mind...



10.03.12 - Zaragoza - La Ley Seca
10.04.12 - Monzon - Serjo's Zona Rock
10.05.12 - Barcelona - Rocksound
10.06.12 - Castellon - Pub D'Leyend
10.07.12 - Estepona - Louie Louie
10.08.12 - Cadiz - Supersonic
10.10.12 - Cangas - Salason
10.11.12 - Vitoria - Helldorado
10.12.12 - Barakaldo - Edaska Rock Club
10.13.12 - Madrid - El Juglar
10.14.12 - Calella - Rock&Apple

New tour poster for Rory Kelly in the works



He is usually depicted with a top hat, black tuxedo, dark glasses, and cotton plugs in the nostrils, as if to resemble a corpse dressed and prepared for burial in the Haitian style. He has a white, frequently skull-like face (or actually has a skull for a face) and speaks in a nasal voice. However more recently he has been portrayed rather differently. Now the the image of a dark-haired, light-skinned young man is seen as Baron Samedi. This new adaptation stays true to tradition wearing a fitted dark suit, but there are differences. The dark glasses, nasal voice and cotton plugs have been removed. Replaced with slight facial hair and earring on his left ear. The most notable change, Baron Samedi seems to have traded in his top hat for a fedora. 

Baron Samedi illustration featured on FunnybookBabylon.com
He is a sexual Loa, frequently represented by phallic symbols and is noted for disruption, obscenity, debauchery, and having a particular fondness for tobacco and rum. Additionally, he is the Loa of sex and resurrection, and in the latter capacity he is often called upon for healing by those near or approaching death, as it is only Baron who can accept an individual into the realm of the dead.

Baron Samedi spends most of his time in the invisible realm of voodoo spirits. He is notorious for his outrageous behavior, swearing continuously and making filthy jokes to the other spirits. He is married to another powerful spirit known as Maman Brigitte, but often chases after mortal women and men. He loves smoking and drinking and is rarely seen without a cigar in his mouth or a glass of rum in his bony fingers. Baron Samedi can usually be found at the crossroad between the worlds of the living and the dead. When someone dies he digs their grave and greets their soul after they have been buried, leading them to the underworld.

Baron Samedi illustration by - johnnymc.deviantart.com
As well as being master of the dead, Baron Samedi is also a giver of life. He can cure any mortal of any disease or wound, if he thinks it is worthwhile. His powers are especially great when it comes to voodoo curses and black magic. Even if somebody has been afflicted by a hex which brings them to the verge of death, they will not die if the Baron refuses to dig their grave. So long as this mighty spirit keeps them out of the ground they are safe. He also ensures all corpses rot in the ground to stop any soul being brought back as a brainless zombie. What he demands in return depends on his mood. Sometimes he is content with his followers wearing black, white or purple clothes or using sacred objects; he may simply ask for a small gift of cigars, rum, black coffee, grilled peanuts or bread. But sometimes the Baron requires a voodoo ceremony to help him cross over into this world.