A few weeks ago a friend came by and dropped off a copy of the Impossible 5 album, 11 Hours in Antwerp. I had been hired by the band to do the cover art, and since I knew very little about their music, I sorely needed to get some vibes as soon as possible. After a late night listen in my apartment, I eventually tapped into what the Five was all about. I found myself feeling edgy yet still relaxed, extremely inspired, and though it may sound strange, a tad bit sexy even.

The next morning, still intrigued with what I'd heard the night before, I felt compelled to find out some more about the group. I combed the local record stores for some other releases but all I could find was their split 7" on Lovitt Records. I was told that the Impossible 5's primary influences are Gentle Giant, Hawkwind, Deep Purple, and the Looking Glass (authors of the old chestnut "Brandy"). I also heard that they have become known for their frenzied live shows in the DC area, supposedly consisting of a lethal combination of hip shakes, hand claps, luring glances and hard sneers. The info was hard to get, but with each day I made a bit more progress.

I then played the record during a small party at my flat. Reactions were: "Mmmm. That's nice," and "Wow: They really know how to make me feel..." By this time I'd felt I had done enough research to go ahead and design the cover. The process, fortunately, was a breeze.

A few days later, two girls approached me, and invited me back to their place to listen to the secret agent sounds of the Impossible 5. I knew what they were hinting at, so I declined their offer. At that point, I also knew that my initial vibes were solid.