Jams, a karaoke bar inspired by Japanese karaoke and izakaya culture, has been claiming the spotlight in Newcastle’s party scene on Australia’s East Coast. Following the collaboration for the uniform t-shirt design back in 2020, I was brought back to create a new t-shirt and two tea towel designs.

Building on the playful concepts provided by the client, which creatively combines elements of Japanese culture and vibrant local storytelling, I brought them to life through Jams’ funky and retro Japanese aesthetic.

T-shirt

For t-shirt design, while the previous theme of karaoke and octopus remained, we added a local twist: Newcastle’s iconic Queens Wharf Tower.

The tower – which was demolished in 2018 due to budget constraints, stirred a buzz for its resemblance to a certain male feature and making it unforgettable to locals. The design reimagines this iconic landmark in kaiju (giant monster) film style with a gigantic octopus tearing it down, blending humor and nostalgia for the community.

The Japanese text on the design reads “覚えてる” (we remember).

Tea Towel (New Friends)

The tea towels which commissioned after the t-shirt design received great feedback, feature two unique designs:

The first design depicts a fox and a tanuki (Japanese raccoon), often appeared as the rival in Japanese folklore, setting aside their differences to share a drink and enjoy each other’s company. It symbolises Jams as a place to connect with strangers and create unforgettable memories together.

The Japanese text reads “新しい友達” (new friends).

Tea Towel (No Regrets)

The second design shows a group of salarymen cats with their friend, a dog and a frog, letting loose at karaoke on stage. This is an ode to drunken Japanese salarymen as well as Jams regulars going wild at karaoke on a Friday night.

The Japanese text reads “悔いはない” (no regrets).

Jams Karaoke & Bar