Archive for the ‘Photography’ Category
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14 November 2010
Summit Music Hall in Denver, CO
What a powerful show. What can I say? You should have been there? Yes, you should have. Or, rather, if they’re coming to your town, don’t miss it. I have been to quite a few concerts this year, and it was completely unexpected that this one would blow me away like it did. I’ve always loved Filter, but I had definitely forgotten the way it has the sheer power and energy to feel like an out of body experience.
I had also forgotten just how many songs I had fallen in love with over the years and associated with different parts of my life. Their music has definitely been a part of my development as a musician and as a person, and it was surreal to finally see them live. More than anything else this year, it has made me want to pick up a guitar and join a band again.
It was also great to see that Richard Patrick appreciates every one of his fans (he made it clear, more than once). And just how often does the headlining band come to the merch table after the show to meet each and every fan?
Enjoy these photos from that night’s show. For more info on the current tour, check out the Filter website here.
Hey Rosetta!
Shot 17 September 2010 at the Bluebird Theater in Denver, CO.
They had just played an amazing set at the Bluebird Theatre and we waited while they packed up all their gear. It’s quite a bit, considering the more-than-average instrumentation of the band. I thought about how I had come to love this band so quickly in so short a time. I had only first been exposed to them a few months before, but they were already one of my current favorites. I keep telling everyone I know about Hey Rosetta – not because I’m some kind of music promoter – but probably because I think they write some of the most genuine and unique music I’ve ever experienced. Each song tells a story, beautiful and heartfelt, perfectly orchestrated and never rushed – they seem to put an amazing amount of emotion into each one.
A few minutes of walking found us in front of a complete stranger’s house on a dark side-street. The bricks bordering the sidewalk were a perfect spot for a band to sit down and offer their music to the sounds of the night. We were only able to capture one song that night, a slow one, but one of my favorites for sure. It was quite surreal, and an off-stage short I’ll never forget. Enjoy a brief taste of Hey Rosetta! from a sidewalk in Denver, CO. Photos from that night’s show are below.
“Red Song” from the Red Songs EP
For more of Hey Rosetta’s greatness, check out their website here. I highly recommend seeing them live, and adding their music to your collection. It’s well deserved.
Mumford and Sons
27 October 2010:
What a show.
It was sold out. Packed to the rafters, as they say. No photo pit (all that much more of a challenge to get into any position to a good photo). But I didn’t mind one bit, and neither did the thousands of others that filled the Ogden Theatre in Denver for Mumford and Sons.
You didn’t really have to convince anyone there as to the greatness of Mumford and Sons. It only took one album to push them to instant international stardom. It’s something magical that most fans can’t really put into words, but it’s there. The gods of harmony spoke to them, and Mumford and Sons sang back. Their music speaks to thousands (millions?) of people all over the world, pushing the envelope for a whole genre of music.
Mumford brought an energy and passion to that stage that electrified a whole room. The lights strung in barnyard fashion from end-to-end seemed to respond to this, as if they were directly wired into the crowd. The fans swayed and swooned over them, intoxicated by every song. The band treated them to a couple new songs that, while equally brilliant, would only wet their appetite for the next album, and leave them wanting more at the end of the night.
So yeah, I’d say it was a damn good show. If you don’t have their album, you’re really missing out on one of the most innovative sounds of the past 10 years. If they come to a town near you, jump on those tickets fast, because they’ll probably sell out in minutes. Enjoy the photos below for a small taste of a night with Mumford and Sons.
Zombie Crawl
23 October 2010:
More than 7,300 zombies gathered on the 16th St. Mall in Denver for a world-record breaking zombie crawl (& zombie rights march?). More info at eyeheartbrains.com.
Gasoline Heart
23 July 2010:
It was a busy day. I was shooting The Ataris that evening, and they had asked me to consider shooting Gasoline Heart while I was there. On a quick listen to GH beforehand, I thought it was good, so I agreed. I’m so incredibly glad I did. I ended up making three of my favorite recordings ever, and meeting one of my new favorite artists. Easily one of the best bands I’ve discovered in the past year, I just can’t get enough of Louis DeFabrizio’s voice, lyrics, and songwriting. As a huge Foo Fighters fan, I found comfort in Louis’ vocals (though he says he’s more keen of Eddie Vedder), and his writing weaves heartfelt lovelorn stories of joy, pain, love, and loss. Regardless of the subject or setting, Louis proves he can hold his own – which he did – not only in the performances seen here, but in his mostly solo set on stage. I think I even remember a Springsteen cover in there somewhere that was utterly amazing.
Also, a special thanks to Louis for enlightening us to the comedic genius of the HBO series East Bound and Down. As he flawlessly performed the opening monologue from the show to hundreds of clueless concertgoers, a few of us in the know could simply not stop laughing. I’ve never seen someone pull off a performance with such reckless disregard for whether or not the audience understood what was going on. And I loved it, it was perfect. Never change.
I’d love to see the whole band one day, and I hope to god Louis DeFabrizio keeps making music, because I for one will be enjoying his music for a long time to come. Enjoy these three songs from Louis DeFabrizio of Gasoline Heart. Photos from that night’s show can be found below.
“Never Been Better” from Nostalgia Ain’t What It Used To Be
“Armadillo” from Nostalgia Ain’t What It Used To Be
“Yellowbelly”
Photos from that night’s show:
Be sure to check out GasolineHeart.com for tour dates, more info, and music downloads.
Random Rab
This was my first time seeing/hearing Random Rab, as he opened for Beats Antique. I had no idea what I was missing. He definitely brought a fresh, intricate sound to the Ogden Theatre – the kind of thing a Beats Antique crowd can appreciate. His atmospheric and ambient layers played with tight beats that echoed similar world music influences, and Android Jones accompanied with visuals from his magical machines. If you have a chance to check out Random Rab – don’t miss it.
Check out Random Rab’s website for more info on tour dates and music.
Beats Antique
Wow. No idea the word had spread so far about Beats Antique. It’s deserved, of course, as they are an amazing electronic band. But very few had any idea that they would PACK the Ogden like they did.
Random Rab was a perfect opener, spinning intricate and delicious beats to get everyone moving. More on him in another post (with some photos).
This was in fact the CD release party for Blind Threshold, the newest full-length album from Beats Antique, an electronic/world-music group out of San Francisco. In fact, they draw influences from a mix of Middle-Eastern belly dance music, down tempo, hip-hop, old school jazz, clown, afro-beat, and many styles of electronic music. You pretty much have to hear it to understand it, I know. But it’s amazing, that’s for sure. Have a listen to the new album here. Go ahead, start that playing and come back, I’ll wait. ….
It goes without saying that the show was incredible. Bass vibrated through the crowd of thousands, as serene sitar and violin from David Satori reverberated off the high ceilings. When she wasn’t joining in the intricate and explosive drumming, Zoe Jakes mesmerized the pit with her belly dancing and stunning costumes. Visuals were done by Android Jones. He gave everyone nothing less than a truly beautiful landscape of moving art, pulsing and interacting with the music and the swipes of his hands. A perfect complement to the soundscape produced by Beats Antique.
So enjoy these photos from the show, wish you were there, and catch them next time they come to play your town. Oh, and download that album – you won’t regret it.
The Ataris
Sure, it’s just a short sidewalk concert from Kristopher Roe (the soul behind the Ataris). But it was really great to finally catch one of my long-time influences in action. I remember buying So Long, Astoria from the record store back in high school. It wasn’t long before I was driving with the windows down, singing along to every song on that album. It was one of those albums that stuck with me forever. As I started writing my own music and playing in bands, my songs always had a similar element or two drawn from The Ataris. It seemed to all be deeply rooted in me forever.
Then, Welcome the Night came out, and blew me away. I was always amazed how unnoticed it was in the mainstream, even though I thought it was an incredibly powerful album. I felt like the Ataris had invented a new genre. Don’t ask me to name it, cause I can’t. It was and still is one of my favorite albums. Can’t wait to hear Graveyard of the Atlantic next year, and really happy to be able to feature an acoustic rendition of the title-track.
Enjoy these 3 songs from the Ataris, filmed outside the Marquis Theater in Denver, July 23rd, 2010. Also, some photos from that night’s show can be found below.
“In this Diary” from So Long, Astoria
“Graveyard of the Atlantic” from Graveyard of the Atlantic
“Broken Promise Ring” from Blue Skies, Broken Hearts…Next 12 Exits
Find out more about The Ataris current tour dates and the upcoming album by visiting facebook.com/theataris or myspace.com/theataris.
Domino
Domino
When she dances it comes from her soul,
with an ease and beauty that inhales and exhales life itself.
She is vitality, joy, bass, and rhythm.
If you have a job that requires kickass dancing all evening from a gorgeous, energetic beauty,
contact Domino by email.
Arizona Ride
Rode my motorcycle to Prescott, Arizona, for a screening of For the Benefit of All Beings.
Took a few shots along the way, in southwest Colorado, Arizona, and Monument Valley, Utah.
Andrew Belle
20 May 2010:
Last time it was about 15 degrees. We huddled in the back of a running tour bus, sitting in a dark parking lot. This time, nothing but sunshine, warm summer air, barking dogs and singing birds. The seasons are part of Colorado’s charm, I suppose. This marks the second time we’ve filmed Andrew Belle, but if you give me the chance, I’ll take you up on it every time. Simply put, the guy does not disappoint.
Andrew was in town for a quick show and we met beforehand to capture one of my favorite songs: All Those Pretty Lights
Andrew is on tour this summer! Check out his website (AndrewBelle.com) for more information.
Some screencaps and photos from that night’s show can be seen below.
Dan & Laura
16 May 2010:
Two of my best friends got married in the summer of 2010. I was the best man. I snapped these pictures one summer day in Denver, for use in the ceremony and reception materials.
Nouvelle Vague
1 February 2010:
The concept behind French pop band Nouvelle Vague is genius in its simplicity. They take classic punk / rock / cult hits, and reinvent them as new wave (or ‘nouvelle vague’ in French) songs. Sometimes it’s more of a bossa nova, sometimes it’s completely undefinable. It’s more than a cover, though, as they almost seem to conjure the song up from the ethereal void that songs materialize from without inducing an eye-roll from even the most cynical music lover. What I mean to say is, hearing these songs in such a different light leaves one with a refreshing hint of the song they used to know, like a distant memory; like the original songs were a distant memory for these musicians too, and they let it flow through them again in this form.
Started by producer/arrangers Olivier Libaux and Marc Collin (who you’ll see playing guitar and melodica, respectively, in this video), the songs are sung by a revolving cast of unfailingly gorgeous women. On this tour, they’re lucky enough to enlist the talents of Karina Zeviani (international model and singer for Thievery Corporation), and Helena Noguerra (beloved French singer and actress). Onstage, these two truly captivate the attention of the entire room. Actually, it doesn’t matter what room they’re in, you can’t miss them.
Enjoy Nouvelle Vague performing the cult classic “Blister in the Sun” backstage, just moments before walking onstage to a packed room of fans.
Thanks to Marc, Olivier, manager Christophe, drummer Spencer Cohen, the lovely Helena, and the stunning Karina, for performing for Ecce. Nous adorons les Nouvelles Vagues!
For more info on Nouvelle Vague, including current U.S. tour dates, check out nouvellesvagues.com.
Check out a few concert photos and freeze-frames from that night below.
Sam Bradley
17 November 2009:
I met Sam Bradley at the Fox Theatre when he was finishing up his sound check for that night’s show. It was below freezing and not really all that welcoming of a night. Colorado usually has very mild winters (though I keep telling visitors this, they don’t believe me).
With the cold limiting our desire to be outside, we ventured to Pearl Street Mall (the nightlife of Boulder) to find some spots for Sam to play. We quickly found a deserted patio behind a restaurant, complete with a fireplace to warm our hands and some intimate mood lighting. We got comfortable and chose a corner of the patio. My crew had never heard Sam play before, so they were really surprised when he poured out his heart with the emotional song “Too Far Gone”. Sam’s genuine performance was punctuated by the cold and emptiness of the space. Beautiful, serene, intimate. It all just… fit.
Next we ventured around the corner and into the basement of a bar to find a warmer space to play the next song. An old brick dart room in the back corner provided the perfect setting for “No One and Me”. Hundreds of people had left their mark on the walls of this room, written with chalk or dart-tips. Sam left his own mark with a heartfelt private performance that we are more than happy to share with you.
Lastly we headed back out into the cold onto the nearly deserted Pearl Street Mall for “Passport”, a fun song complete with strip clubs and “lines of confidence” (you’ll see what I mean). There were a few brave souls out in the cold, and a small crowd gathered to enjoy the performance with us. It was great to finish up our Off-Stage Shorts with some traditional buskering (minus the panhandle, of course), and wonderful to hear a song I’d never heard before, belted out into the thin Colorado air by a talented musician.
Click the buttons below to launch each segment in streaming HD video:
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That night after filming, we were lucky to be able to see Sam Bradley’s show and take a few photographs. With his full band backing him up, they gave a polished and energetic set that was a pleasure to witness. Sam showed us his introspective and emotional side, as well as his fun and lighthearted side. We’re very grateful to Sam Bradley for sharing a piece of himself and his music with all of us. Thanks for coming out, Sam! If you have a chance to see him live, don’t pass it up!
Be sure to check out sambradley.com!
A few screencaps and photos from the show are below:
Royal Affair
22 May 2008:
Royal Affair was a Denver area band from 2003 to 2005.
This video features the wonderful Emma and Royal Affair, way back in the fall of 2004.
Featuring:
Pete Kelly
Rob Speck
Greg Ferrari
Devon Walton
