After the successful release of their first album, Charm School, in 2003, the members of Brooklyn’s Bishop Allen were stumped. Until, that is, lead singer Christian Rudder procured a beat-up piano from a local elementary school. Inspired by its worn imperfections and tinny notes that were almost in-tune, Rudder and friends wrote “Corazon”, an ode to an ancient piano, and January, the first record of The EP Project was born.

The cover artwork by touring member Darbie Nowatka is a throwback to plate engravings and etchings typically found in antique books. Each meticulous drawing seems more precious than “album art”, and certainly transcends the gimmicky genre of “calendar art”. Mysteriously narrative as a series, and iconic as individual images, the artwork for each album depicts the subject matter of a corresponding track. In particular, the size and intimacy of Nowatka’s work reminds me of certain 18th century bookplates:

Bishop Allen – Corazon (from the January EP)

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