every year i’m impressed by how well bumbershoot puts on an enormous show. just like i have my favourite fashion-show-throwers, a music festival shouldn’t be a beating (*ahem*capitol hill). you should know where the gate is, know where the stages are, know who’s doing what, when. and although every year i’m a little put off by the crowds, i never once think, i wish this could be more seamless. from the ease of press entrance, a badge being your ID, schedules that are pretty strictly adhered to. it makes it easy to enjoy the music. which is just what we did. thanks for having us, and thanks for letting me capture some of the rock. for all photos, click Read more
first of all, for anyone who’s never been to white river amphitheater… give yourself more than 2 hours to get there. actually, go ahead and give yourself 3. pretend you’re driving to portland. and while you’re at it, leave the concert early or you may never see your home again.
i exaggerate. but seriously. i gave myself what i thought was PLENTY of time to get there. thanks to dagmar, i had pit access at an arena show. i’ve never had pit access at an arena show. i was excited. and 10 minutes after the band was slated to go on, i was still in my car. praying to whoever, wherever that i’d be able to get one song worth of photos.
i don’t have to give you all the drama. i will say, rush gave an amazing performance. my husband, who has been a DEVOTED rush fan for well over half his life, came back to the car giddy with excitement, and we talked the show most of the way home (40 minutes with no traffic). i enjoy having these photos as a gift to give him, and recording one of his all time favourite bands. (for a rush review) for all the photos, click Read more
i was uber excited to see a few of the bands playing friday. like… jazzed. so when i got there (after work), and the ‘will call’ line stretched two blocks, i waited. then when my tickets were in the ‘guest list’ line… i tried to shake it off. i was doing pretty well. thinking… man, this is way better than i thought it’d be. then, bang. no breathing room. no moving room. drunk people. elbows. and suddenly, i realized the photos weren’t worth it. i liked the few bands i got to see. and having been to my share of music festivals, i am by no means, a baby. i just think CHBP is still figuring it out. should a photographer have to shove through over a block long area of people to get photos, and then… shove your way back out? maybe. but it detracts from the experience. everything i’ve been reading seems to show people are enjoying themselves… and the music. i’ve seen a lot of amazing photos, and think maybe it’s just not my thing. give me bumbershoot, wide open spaces, years of experience, and just around the corner. for all of my CHBP photos, click Read more
my husband has six tool albums. when i said i was going to take photos… he played me some songs. since i have a fairly open music mind, and it wasn’t reggae, i didn’t hate it. since i’ve also been to too many shows lately, with inadequate ear protection, i decided to invest in serious earplugs. call me granny, but i can’t stand the ear ringing after a show anymore. the helpful clerk at guitar center sold me some plugs, inquiring if i was going to see tool. i was somewhat surprised by the question and asked why he was asking. ’people have been buying them all day for the tool show.’ apparently i was on the right track to the type of music it was. even the general masses thought they needed to protect their eardrums.
this is in no way a review. i will gladly listen to some of the albums, and tell you what i think (over a beer). but i was in key arena to shoot photos for ONE SONG. and although i was given a ticket (which i think is generous for a show that sold out in 40 minutes) i wasn’t allowed to bring in my many thousands of dollars of camera gear, and since i was dropped off, there wasn’t really anywhere to put it, so i wasn’t able to stay.
i will tell you what i find most interesting- lead singer maynard keenan has bought land and built a vineyard in arizona (my home state). people seem very passionate about tool’s music. i love that on top of inspiring millions of fans with music, he’s also pursuing this role of making small batch wines. his first wine was named after his mother. here’s to artists who inspire, cross genre.
for info about tool, for info about the documentary- blood into wine and for the rest of my photos be sure to click Read more
i’m not so pleased with most of my photos from this show. but instead of being a whiny baby about it, i’ll just post them, forget about them, and remember hearing some of my favourite SWR songs live. the red lights are such a beating. i’m taking suggestions for how to deal with them. for all the photos click Read more
this show has been on my calendar for AGES! i love she wants revenge, and was so excited to see they were opening for PHSYCHEDELIC FURS!! are you kidding me? although you undoubtedly know ‘pretty in pink’, i was excited to hear ‘heaven’ and ‘hearbeat’. richard’s gravelly voice is killer and it was such a good show!
here’s my photos of the furs- for all of them, be sure to click Read more
summer in my mind is synonymous with concerts. i think of all the concerts i’ve attended over the 15 years i’ve lived up in the northwest… and there really isn’t a better melding of what i love about this area. outdoor music shows on the pier (remember those?), at the zoo… watching the sun slowly fade and hearing some of my favourite songs. summer concert series are just getting going… this summer, i’ll try to hit a little of everything. chateau st. michele is a favourite… what’s not to love about packing up food and blankets, buying a bottle of wine and listening to some a live band. i’ve got shows picked through september, keep your fingers crossed i get in to some of the good ones!
first up… imogen heap. last night imogen (and some of her very creative and talented musical buddies) played at the paramount. heap’s first album since 05, ellipse came out last year, and she mentioned at last night’s performance that she has more musical intent (beyond albums) to offer us over the next few years. i’m not a reviewer, but i enjoyed the live show immensely. such a mix. and i appreciated the effort to make each show unique to the town it’s being played. she allowed fans to vote for songs to be performed, and after the performances, the songs will be sold with proceeds going to charity.
one of my favourite bits to her show- she came out to introduce each act (there were 3) that preceded her own… and hugged each performer as they came on stage. she was also extremely animated, which made for lots of blurry photos, i didn’t mind… to see all of the photos, click Read more
any time i see spectators i swoon. i love them in any form. i just saw a pair by miu miu that’d i’d trade a kidney for.
it’s been a hectic week. and what it is it… tuesday? yikes. it was nice to visit the triple door and hear shelby lynne. i was in love with this song when i was about 15 (cut me some slack, i grew up on country). she’s still as sultry and sexy as i remembered, and i loved, LOVED those boots. be sure to check out gene stout’s write up, and to see more photos click Read more
i like norah jones. actually, i really love someone who wrote songs for her…wait, maybe i should do some research. ok, yes. jesse harris. i think i have norah to thank for a cherished cd. you know, one of those that got you through a crazy time- usually love burdened or achey minded? if you get a chance, check out jesse harris’ while the music lasts. anyway… i must be experiencing a nostalgic return to my roots, because i am literally loving, LOVING anything twang-ish. brandi carlile? yes. wailing jenny’s? absolutely. and last night, with her shiny electric guitar (no grand piano)… norah paid tribute to her own roots- texas. i didn’t stay for the whole show, long story… although i wished i could have. the start had the feel of twang minded heartache. it’s cliche right? but it’s a natural progression in my mind. from a jazzy soulful belting (come away with me) to a mournful guitar rift and crooner (tell yer mama). apparently all covered in last night’s set, including several covers. and i love reading that norah’s in a band with sasha dobsen called puss ‘n boots. hope you enjoy the photos… those red heels are SASS, and she found the perfect shade for lips to match. to see all the photos, click Read more
i’m not sure what it was about this show. i wanted to like it. sometimes you’re just not in the right frame of mind? i don’t know what my excuse was… but the reggae before and between sets didn’t help (i sometimes feel like the only person on earth who HATES reggae). i’ll be giving this album (lungs) another listen, in the meantime, enjoy the photos
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holy hail was the opening band for florence and the machine. here are a few pictures from their performance… Read more
my weekend was FILLED with music! i love seeing live music… it’s inspiring to me in a similar way as people watching. performance art has become another hobby… and it fits nicely in to the blog. too bad i didn’t get pictures of ALL the music i saw (another time muse, another time!) hope you enjoy the photos of citizen cope, be sure to click ‘read more’ to see the rest of the photos, and there’s a video after the jump too! Read more
jet came out and rocked the showbox. you know it’s a good show at the showbox when the floor’s moving… Read more
last night i went to the showbox market and saw crash kings and jet. as always with live performance, i was invigorated. nothing like a little rock to get you going… Read more
emily haines of metric epitomizing rocker style- sparkle and boots.
also, be sure to check my pictures featured on the P-I’s after dark blog- COOL! Read more
fresh off a plane from sxsw, codeine velvet club (a band from glasgow) opened for metric. that plaid dress is AMAZING. for more info about the band, visit their website. Read more
i’ve been lucky recently to take my camera places i don’t normally get to (begging works!).
tonight i went to see a great show, at a gem of a venue in seattle (neko case, travis, snow patrol, keane have all played amazing shows there) the moore- playing tonight- suzanne vega.
it’s touching to get a glimpse of where songs you love have come from- gypsy (such a gorgeous song) written at the age of 18 for a summer love. caramel… a song you hear and can’t help the urge of taking a naughty bite of something (or someone) is about just that… wanting something you can’t have.
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it’s hard to fall in love with celebrity style. someone else is dressing them anyway… maybe if i could see how those people dress? i’ve found it to be easier to fall in love with the style of women musicians, and recently had the opportunity to meet one. there’s something to be said for getting an up close look of what ‘on the road‘ means, and a guarantee you, it doesn’t involve a lot of closet space. kristen of vedera spared an hour of her time in seattle to talk with me about her personal style. to see our interview- needleplusthread on the seattle post intelligencer.
i also got a chance to hear vedera perform and was impressed. similar in feel to eisley (but not as… sad? gloomy?) i loved kristen’s voice live. this free download of their new single satisfy from their newly released album just might hook you.
to see more pictures from the style bio and the show… Read more
there are some truly talented musicians who play in our streets. one of my favourites was a violinist who used to play right outside macy’s in the metro tunnel. i wanted to ask this girl for a close-up of her pretty accordion… they’re so interesting.
