"So Huge The Ocean" Layne Staley Stardream Amethyst Variant

Introducing a new collaborative poster series by myself and the legendary '90s photographer Karen Mason-Blair, celebrating our deep roots and paying homage to the early '90s Seattle music scene. We're re-envisioning some of Karen's most iconic captures of local musicians before they ascended to global stardom... our “Loud Gods”

For the first print in our "Loud Gods" poster series, we present "So Huge The Ocean," a tribute to Layne Staley of Alice in Chains. The original image is a black-and-white photograph taken by Karen at an AIC show at the Central Tavern in Seattle on June 1st, 1990. I've created a newly realized version of her photo in my style a lush eight-color screen print. In this image, I aimed to convey two things: the power and vibration of Layne's massive voice and a nod to the rainy, wet city of Seattle. The venue was literally mere blocks from the waterfront and massive body of water that is the Puget Sound. The background looks like it's under the waves of the ocean, portraying Layne as the Grunge God version of Poseidon. Instead of a trident, he wields a microphone, and his unearthly power is his immense voice.

Imagine stepping into one of Seattle's oldest clubs, The Central Tavern, nestled in the heart of the Pioneer Square district. The venue, with its 199-person capacity, offered an intimacy that larger arenas could never replicate. On June 1, 1990, Alice in Chains took the stage, and the atmosphere was electric. Their debut album, Facelift, was still a couple of months away from release, so the only way to experience their raw, unfiltered sound was to be there in person.

Layne Staley and the band were a raw force of nature. The room was small, but the sound was immense, almost deafening. I was in the crowd reveling in the experience with friends. Karen stood right in front of the stage, capturing the night with just one roll of film. Layne's presence was magnetic; you could feel the vibrations emanating from his entire body. It was a powerful thing to behold up close. The energy was palpable, and the band played with an intensity that left the audience in awe. They blew the doors off the place, leaving everyone yearning for more. It was a night to remember, a testament to the explosive live performances that would soon catapult them to worldwide fame.