It is just great when you get to see a band /artist that you are not familiar with. To my shame I had only heard a few songs Annie Clark on You Tube – but I am now the owner of both her albums. The power of music and seeing a great live band !
Actually may have seen her way back with the Polyphonic Spree.
Here is a picture from the gig and you can click through to see the set on Flickr
St. Vincent Gateshead Sage August 2014
It was so great to catch up with The Voyeurs ( previously Charlie Boyer and the Voyeurs).
Although the band were delayed on the motorway getting to the gig , they still found the time to do some photographs with me after their soundcheck.
Here are three portraits done before the gig – one of which included me standing on top of chair which in turn was on top of a table. I think it was worth it. Looking forward to seeing them again later in the year
The Voyeurs, backstage portrait at Night and Day, Manchester, 15th August 2014
The Voyeurs, Manchester, 15th August 2014
The Voyeurs, Night & Day Cafe, Manchester, 15th August 2014
This was one of the wildest gigs have been to in a long time. I was down the front with the super enthusiastic crowd – I could not move around much but managed to get some shots that reflect the energy of the gig.
Fat White Family, The Kazimier, Liverpool, 18th August 2014
I feel I should be updating my blog more since the turn of the year. Instead I have made a slide show of my music photography so far.
For me it has been an outstanding year for music, and I have seen some of my favourite and feel privileged to have photographed some of them.
I have also filmed four music videos in 2014, with more to follow before the end of the year
Thanks again to Goy Boy McIlroy for permission to use their song The Actor – which I have used to go with the slide show
I am extremely thankful that I have been very busy this year taking photographs and making videos. So unfortunately I have neglected this blog , to keep things fresh I am adding a few of my images that remind me of summer.
Flaming Lips, Usher Hall, Edinburgh, 26th May 2014
Howler,Leeds, 2nd April 2014
It has been a busy beginning to 2014. I have worked on magazine assignments, photo shoots, live shows and videos.
Here is a composite image of Peculiar Disco Moves from a shoot in February
Back in 2010 I made a video with one of my favourite bands Brilliant Mind at their practice room ( an old meat storage facility on an industrial estate. I have seen and photographed Brilliant Mind at loads of gigs and even done their first photo shoot.
Before the shoot we had a rough idea of how it would look and shot the video live with me in the centre getting the footage ( we did not have any shot list but I was familiar with the song so done everything intuitively). In hindsight there are loads of things I would change but I am still proud of what we achieved – especially considering we done four takes with one camera. It has a great D.I.Y. feel similar to some videos shot by bands in New York in the late 1960s.
Once I shot the video neither myself or the band had the knowledge and/or software to edit this. So it has been on a hard drive since I shot it. I am pleased to put it out there and make it public.
I did not attempt another music video until 18 months after this at then of 2011 – The Union Choir Your Melodica
Ralph Ellison was born 100 years ago today. I am incredibly proud and moved that my photograph is the cover for the Penguin Classics print of the Invisible Man.
It is such a powerful and moving novel.
First I am going to do my best to make time for my blog. I am giving myself 10 minutes to write this and add a few pictures – the less time you have to think the more you will write from the heart. Sometimes it is the same when you are doing a photo shoot you can sometimes capture the character of someone in five minutes.
I see that my previous post was about my A A D exhibition and it was extended until the end of January and I have took down all the images – which are now on the floor in a corner of my studio. The project was fun but putting the exhibition together took a lot out of me and other people – I feel after much soul searching that it was worthwhile . I know I made some new friends and produced some interesting images. Also it is a personal project and it was good for the soul. I am going to continue with the project but first I need to repair the Hasselblad 500 I was using – if anyone can get my viewfinder repaired please get in touch.
So far in 2014 I have photographed and seen some of my favourite bands/artists Adam Green, Obits, and Maximo Park. Also I was super proud to be commissioned to shot Maximo Park for t In The Studio piece which appeared in the NME in January. had to keep it a secret since I took the pictures at the beginning of December.
Looking ahead it is shaping up to be a great year already looking forward to gigs in the coming week by The Orwells, Toy, Radkey, Drenge and others
I am also continuing with my Instamatic for the People project of instant print pictures. Adam Green as part of my Instamatic for the People project
This is one of my favourite images from my A A D project I love the colours and how relaxed the band were. Despite numerous technical difficulties we managed to get some decent shots. This image was shot in bulb mode with a second curtain flash. With a Hasselblad 500cm
Looking forward to seeing more Telegram gigs and hearing more recordings. This shot is from The Shacklewell Arms Christmas party – did I tell you we won the pop quiz 0n the night 🙂
Adam Green as part of my Instamatic for the People project
Telegram Leeds Brudenell 14 October 2013, a set on Flickr.
@telegramband a great new band. Definitely one of the most exciting live bands around at the moment. On tour now with Palma Violets
Can’t wait to see some of their headline shows – hopefully soon.
David Wala Photography 