INTERVIEW: Sam Flores Turns Sound Into Vision During Dirtybird's 20th Anniversary - KALTBLUT Magazine

"Since the 1990s, has been a constant presence in the creative pulse of San Francisco. His imagery, populated by hybrid figures, spiritual bonds between humans and animals, and emotionally charged atmospheres, was shaped within the same ecosystem that gave rise to much of the city's underground culture. From Upper Playground to global collaborations with brands like Nike and Adidas, his path has always been defined by a deeply personal drive for exploration."

"That unmistakable visual language finds a new point of expansion in his artist residency with , just as the label celebrates its 20th anniversary. Over the course of a full year, Flores translated sound into image, listening track by track, artist by artist, to build a visual universe that speaks directly to the rhythm, energy, and playful spirit that define the label. The result is a body of work that functions as a sensory extension of the music itself."

"It was a great experience and opportunity to design the looks and vibes for the 20th anniversary and be the resident artist for Dirt Bird. Getting to listen to each artist and take their vision of the audio and transform it into my vision of a design that will illustrate that new piece/track was really exciting. It gives a different energy, having a first-hand relationship with the music and beats that the art depicts."

Sam Flores has been a constant presence in San Francisco's creative scene since the 1990s. His imagery is populated by hybrid figures, spiritual bonds between humans and animals, and emotionally charged atmospheres shaped by the city's underground culture. He has worked with Upper Playground and global brands like Nike and Adidas, driven by personal exploration. During a year-long residency with Dirtybird for the label's 20th anniversary, Flores listened track by track and artist by artist, translating sound into image to build a visual universe aligned with the label's rhythm, energy, and playful spirit. The resulting works function as sensory extensions of the music.

Read at KALTBLUT Magazine