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
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
A few weeks ago we made the video for Weatherbird’s forthcoming single Johnny Strange . It was a fun shoot, a great way to spend a Monday evening.
The song was produced by Romesh Dodangoda who has worked with the likes of Motorhead and Funeral for a Friend – and the song is immense
Can’t wait to see them when they come to Newcastle as part of their UK tour in June
Following Liam around the stage with a camera was the closest I have come to experiencing the buzz of playing live – I hope this video conveys some of the energy of their live performance and from the point of view of the band members.
It is the first video that I ever made where I have not actually filmed any of the footage – I will write a behind the scenes blog soon
I hope you like it we all put our hearts and soul into making it ( I gues that goes without saying)
Also they are playing this Saturday at the Think Tank in Hoult’s Yard Newcastle. As the song goes – Don’t be scared pick up a chair…
It took hours to set up and film
With teamwork we managed to do the load out in ten minutes. We managed to enjoy the last of the weekend sunshine
It was great fun working with Sonner and can’t wait to finish the video and for everyone to hear this song.
also on Vimeo
Sonner We Go Forth Tonight Video Shoot Load Out from David Wala on Vimeo.
Today – I am really excited about seeing and photographing the super talented Natasha Haws EP launch at Sunderland Minster – which is a sell out. It will be a wonderful night.
Also I am so proud that the video I made ( with the help if some great people) for Natasha’s lead song on the EP Stepping Stone has over 2,000 views at the time of writing
See you there !
David Wala Photography 