What other artists have influenced you along the way in your work, and why? I think my biggest influence was working with Yellow Bird Project, I think Casey and Matt are artists for developing something so beautiful. I worked for them for two years and I still help out when I can. It taught me a lot about believing in what you’re making, and not just working for a wage. Other than that though, I try and keep my head down, I have pretty limited respect for the Design world, like I said it seems to me that design is really a bunch of Londoners and New Yorkers encouraging capitalism, and not really fixing much. Musicly.... At the Drive-in, Refused, Raised Fist, Breach, Death Grips, Squarepusher, Fuck Button etc have all been an influence for me.
How did you end up working with Enter Shikari on their latest video for 'hello tyrannosaurus meet tyrannicide' ? A couple of years ago I think I had a small mid-life crisis. I kinda flipped out and just made this crazy animation for Lightning Bolt, I had no money and my landlord hated me for the mess, but it ended up being the best thing I'd ever made, so from then on it's been a bit of a vendetta to keep pushing it and here I am. I'd just finished an animation for 'Rolo Tomassi' and I was still feeling self-destructive, so I shot a quick email over to the ES crew and they were up for it. I basically worked for six months and earnt ÂŁ0 but at the same time I learnt loads. The ES video was the first ever 100% digital animation I've ever made, and probably the riskiest, but I did it, just. I've given up quite a lot of stuff to be able to make these videos but I think it's been worth it?
What was the hardest part about creating the video for 'hello tyrannosaurus meet tyrannicide' for you, and why? Just before I bagged the ES video I'd run out of money, and moved back into my mum and dads place. While making the ES animation there was a bit of a disagreement and it was pretty obvious that it wasn't working, so I phoned some mates near my old Uni and found a place to stay so I could finish the animation. I've effectively been squatting for the past two months in a house with four girls that charge me next to nothing for rent. The only downside is I have to hide from the landlord every time he shows new tennents around for next year. But it's fun, and it's kind of exciting really. So long as I don't get caught, and if I do I'l just go couch surfing for a bit.
Can you tell us a bit about how long it takes for you to put together a project like the video for 'hello tyrannosaurus meet tyrannicide' ? Usually I set aside two-three months for each project, and they tend to follow the same pattern. It starts off with me being really happy because I've got something to work on, and then the doubt and the worry start to kick in. I spend maybe a week worrying, drinking, drinking and worrying, then I pick a direction and work flat out untill the deadline. I tend to work from lunch time untill bed time and I don't do days off - unless I'm severely drunk or severely hung-over. I don't think I've ever said "I'm happy with it, it's finished" because something else always governs when it's done, whether it's a deadline or money or something. I really try and pick something thats so crazy it's never been done before, so the ES video I bitmapped 7000 images... not many people would be stupid enough to want to do that.
What's it like to actually work with a client then, for example, do they normally give you a huge idea of what they want you to do, or is it normally just a basic idea that you take on and expand as you get more involved with the concept? It depends, some clients/bands have more input than others and I'm cool with either way. Enter Shikari's a good example, they literally left me to do what I wanted. My stuff always ends up being themed around subversion, revolution, survival sickness and all that kind of fight the power stuff - I try to approach bands that I think are into the same stuff as me and so far it's worked out o.k.
What can we expect to see from Jonathan Lindley (graphic design/animation) in 2013? Well I'l be helping launch this sneaky little record label, as well as launching a brand new Crim Collective site. I’ve got a couple of potential videos coming up, one with probably my favourite irish math rock band and one later in the year with a seriously exciting folk rock band! Nothings definite, and I could be on the streets before any of that happens though, who knows!