| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Colorado Springs, Colorado- The worlds of art, music, and fashion are set to collide as renowned artist Daniel Johnston posthumously partners with The Leechpit to release an exclusive and limited-edition t-shirt. This collaboration, commemorating the 20th anniversary of The Leechpit, marks a significant moment in the history of Colorado Springs’ underground art and music scene, paying homage to Johnston’s infamous “Hi, How Are You” artwork, his lasting influence on pop culture, and commemorating his connection to the revered Colorado music and fashion institution. Daniel Johnston’s “Hi, How Are You” artwork has become an enduring symbol of outsider art and indie music. First drawn in 1983, the whimsical frog, also known as Jeremiah the Innocent, gained widespread recognition when legendary musician Kurt Cobain was photographed wearing the iconic “Hi, How Are You” t-shirt. Cobain’s endorsement catapulted Johnston’s art to international prominence and made it an emblem of counterculture and artistic authenticity, while his music has inspired and been interpreted by countless music legends including Tom Waits, Lana Del Rey, Built to Spill, Beck, Wilco, Sparklehorse with The Flaming Lips, Death Cab For Cutie, and even the band “P” (featuring Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Gibby Haynes of the Butthole Surfers, and Johnny Depp (best known for his role in the 80s hit TV series “21 Jump Street”). The Leechpit, a Colorado-based record and vintage clothing store is a community hub for music and underground culture and shares a similar ethos with Johnston’s often misunderstood art. “Not everyone understands what The Leechpit is, and does, but that is the beautiful thing about it. The connection is more personal, and what we do is secret, “says co-founder Adam Leech. “The magic in Daniel’s artwork, like The Leechpit, comes from not understanding everything.” Their dedication to preserving and celebrating the more esoteric aspects of underground, alternative and outsider art and music aligns perfectly with this collaboration. In recent years, Johnston’s art has received renewed attention through partnerships with major brands like Supreme and Vans. These collaborations brought his distinctive art to a wider audience while staying true to its independent spirit. The upcoming collaboration with The Leechpit offers fans and collectors the chance to further experience Daniel’s D.I.Y. legacy. “We are beyond thrilled to work with Daniel’s friends and family,” said Heather Leech, found object artist and co-founder of The Leechpit, “Daniel’s art has had a profound impact on all our lives, and his art and music continues to inspire us in all of our own artistic endeavors. It’s nothing short of a dream to be babies in his universe!” Representing the Johnston group, Daniel’s long time friend and conspirator Don Goede adds, “I have traveled all over the world with Daniel, and we went into hundreds of record stores, thrift stores, and vintage shops, and although we only visited The Leechpit together twice, it was one of his absolute favorites.” The limited-edition run of 250 shirts will feature authentic artwork by Daniel Johnston, updated with fresh text by Johnny Dagger Leech, to reflect his affinity for the Leechpit, where he spent many hours shopping for vintage King Kong toys, Yoko Ono records, and various other knick knacks and collectibles. Each t-shirt will be printed in-house by Adam Leech, preserving the spirit of D.I.Y. that launched both Daniel and The Leechpit. The Daniel Johnston x The Leechpit t-shirt will be available for purchase at Leechpit.com and in The Leechpit’s retail store in Colorado Springs starting on Friday the 13th of October, 2023. |
