Jan Hellriegel and Soar Print go way back. Nothing makes us happier than helping one of New Zealand’s leading musicians bring her print creations to life. Jan’s latest print production, Sportsman of the Year – A Suburban Philosophy, involved printing a CD cover and a book.
Jan is a New Zealand legend; a songwriter/performer/businesswoman that we’re proud to call our own. Sportsman of the Year is her 4th studio album, but it’s the first to include a book of true-life short stories. With 12 chapters that spin the tales behind the album’s songs, Jan describes it as a ‘musical in a book’.
The book sprang from the album project when Jan realised the new songs were driven by real-life stories. She decided to write the stories that inspired the album, so that the stories would enhance the music and vice versa. The overall theme is about following your dreams and never giving up.
Jan’s songs and stories are a memoir that touches many aspects of her rollercoaster life – growing up in West Auckland, student days, relationships, playing with her band Cassandra’s Ears and her solo career. The book has an easy-reading, conversational tone, while the songs are more refined and poetic.
The name of the project refers to how Jan won the Sportsman of the Year cup at Rangeview Intermediate when she was 12. Back then, she felt she didn't deserve the award and says the album is "calling that 12-year-old back to claim her prizes with pride and without reservation".
Launched on Mother’s Day 12 May, Sportsman of the Year – A Suburban Philosophy is available from Jan’s online store. You can buy the book, the CD or a package that includes both.
Find out more about Soar’s book printing capabilities.
Project facts
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Produced on Océ VarioPrint i300 print-on-demand digital press
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Foiled matt laminate covers
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PUR bound (a form of perfect binding)
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First 500 limited edition copies were sequentially numbered
