Tuesday, April 5, 2011

The Luyas @ Cedar Cultural Center - 04.04.11 - Other misc shows - Conor

I'm running on a 26 hour day right now just so I can get this done and out there to share with all you fine people. It's also for the personal satisfaction that it is somewhat being documented and archived for future reference when and if I ever need to look back.

Here goes.

04.04.11 - The Luyas @ Cedar Cultural Center

The first time I've ever been to this venue was when I went to see, The Dodos. Very chill, but a little to chill? Perhaps it's just the crowd that it draws, but it reminds me of the book, "Stuff White People Like." I recommend it to anyone who would like a good laugh. But back to the point. In the book there is a section where they have "standing around at concerts" listed. I felt like I was living it, and all I can do is laugh to myself because I personally didn't know anyone there that I could joke with about it. ha.

The Luyas had their favorite local MN band open for them, and that was Brute Heart. Dominated mostly by violin, bass, drums, and vox, they are definitely someone worth checking out. The stuff they did made me happy. I can see why The Luyas love 'em so much.

I've always been a fan of the Canadian music scene. Ever since I started following kidwithcamera I've always wanted to experience the music scene from up there, specifically Toronto where I believe that photographer shoots and sees a lot of shows. I felt like The Luyas brought a little something with them from our Northern neighbors. For that I am happy, grateful, and had an amazing time jamming out to their music. Here's some pixels to gawk at from the show:


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Some tots got to be awesome and play with bells during a song.

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So that's that. The Luyas, ladies and gentlemen.

To this next chain of events and the long night I've had, and the long day I'm still having, I have to thank a new contact and friend name, Vu. He writes and reviews music and shows on a website him a group of people manage and update. Some are in the states. Some are overseas. It's all for the love of music. Anywho. Vu, inquired about who I was shooting for and I mentioned the promotion people that keep getting in touch with me about shows coming through Minneapolis. To make a long story short, we got along, he mentioned bright eyes and him swinging by the 400 bar to "DJ" (which at the time, we thought was going to be a secret show. Still awesome though). So we heading over there after the show, had a few drinks, and saw yet another show. A band that I haven't seen in years, mind you. The Builders and The Butchers. Now, for any of you that seen them live. Amazing. Awesome. You know what I'm talking about here in a second. For any of you that have heard the album or even just...of them in general. Please, the next time they are in town or playing a small show like at the 400 bar. GO AND SEE THEM. They are a must and you cannot fully appreciate their talent and performance unless you see them in person. It's impossible to capture what they do live on those things we call "records." Such amazing stuff though. I wish I could remember the name of the band they are touring with, which is a lot BATB...but I can't. It's on their tour listing if you happen to go check it out. So in the end, this was another hour and a 1/2 of music, plus the lounging time we had, and then a lat night 30 - 40min set BATB played again, and the followed by that as Conor DJ'ing after his show at First Ave until the 400 bar closed. I tell you though. That mans playlist and taste in music is brilliant. Just like his music, I would expect nothing less. Here's some photos to tie this up from the last part of the night:


Opening for BATB

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BATB, still with that amazing sound.

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They did a little number after the show and walked through the crowd singing and dancing with everyone. It was great.

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Can you tell that Conor is DJ'ing by this time?

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The man himself. Doing what he does best.

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Music...and I'm sure plenty other things. I don't know the man personally though, so that's all I got for a witty remark right now...

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There's just something about this picture that makes me smile when I look at it. Blurry, not in focus...just happy and good times.

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There isn't enough energy to dig up a clever closing statement.
I will tell you this though. I am going to shower, use all the hot water, and then pass out belly down, and wake up with my entire arm fallen asleep, and go back to work after a 3 hour(s) nap.


- B

Monday, April 4, 2011

Braids @ 7th St. Entry - Minneapolis, MN - 04.03.11, and other tid bits


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I'll start by saying that concert photography is a battle between light and camera, photographer and the lighting guy. They're both tricky situations, never mastered, always adapting.

The first band that played was, Adventure. The image above displays how the lighting was beautiful and offered a ray of hope. Mix that in with the bands idea to provide their own lighting, which was a projector they had set off to the side projecting trippy visuals that was blocked by misc instrument(al). Don't get me wrong, it definitely worked with their music. It did not however work with my camera. Now, dim the lights way down and imagine you're in a closet with that shred of light that pours in from under the crack and offers you just enough to see what's around you. That's what this band looked like through a lens. So I retreated and made my mind up that I was there for Braids and the reason I had my camera.

Braids, was nothing like I expected them to be. I have their latest album, Native Speaker, and maybe I was distracted or had my mind on other things, but I could only listen to half of it. When I saw them live, everything was so powerful and amazing. They have a lot of technical experimental stuff going on with their music with all the pedals and effects and etc, which is awesome, and anyone that would have a chance to see them in future dates, I would highly recommend. I loved 'em. Even with the lead singer, Raphaelle Standell-Preston, having Bronchitis, she still sang so beautifully.


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Again, great show.

Following the performance when I decided to dip, I was walking through the parking ramp and the Minneapolis skyline was ever so beautiful. So me, with my camera, of course I'm going to take a few picture. Only a few though. Security hounded me down within minutes through some inconspicuous reason, and told me I couldn't photograph without a permit from the city. Really? What kind of shit is that. I wasn't in the mindset to get into a spat, and I had the photos I already took of the skyline, so I just agreed to their "policies" and head out for home. I will say, it turned out rather lovely in my opinion. Check it out :]



Beautiful nights in a lovely city.


The Luyas play tonight at the Cedar Cultural Center. I have a guest pass for this show as well so I will use the opportunity to take some photos there as well. The last time I was there for The Dodos the lighting wasn't so hot...but we'll see how it turn out. Another post will come shortly after this show as well. Stay tuned!




- B

Saturday, April 2, 2011

Winters end. Welcome Spring.





(85/358)

I think what I'll miss most about winter is the fact that I can go almost anywhere on most trails, woods, lakes...and be alone. In solitude. Admiring things by myself. Not many are willing to trudge through all the snow, which is awesome. Even as much as I don't. Under good conditions (i.e. sun, no wind, just under/above freezing.) it's wonderful. Now I have to deal with walkers, bikers, youth, concerned adults, screaming kids...the general public. The list goes on. Now, this isn't to say I despise or dislike all those people. I just enjoy that solitude...

There is one advantage I still have. I work the midnight hours. So come 5am when I'm off work on weekdays...no ones around. I get the sunrise to myself in most places ;]


Braids is playing at 7th St. Entry in Minneapolis, MN tomorrow. So I'm on the list for that. Pretty excited. Get to chill and see a show, take some photos, and afterwards possibly head over to a studio a friend is using for the night. We'll see how that all plays out. Have to sleep sometime unfortunately.


Thursday, March 31, 2011

Fire @ 1st St S/25th St E - Minneapolis, MN


Change of pace.
I smell like a smoke pit (as opposed to news print? I'll take it).

On Thursday's I tend to go out and find a new place for lunch with my friend, Evelyn, and we do the best we can to make a photo adventure out of it afterwards. We worked backwards today. Already starving, we decided to have a cigarette on the porch and then head out. Not even 10 minutes into my arrival, without time to even light the cigarette, all of the following photos you are about to see started to happen. Which led me to check out the house, mumble some profanity of disbelief, followed by running to get my camera, running back to the scene (dropped cig), and photographing for a good 10 minutes before chief decided to yell at me to back off, which he has good reason to do. I just want to clarify and let you all know that I wasn't that arrogant guy getting in the way of everyone. I made damn sure to stay out of their way huddled up against a car and out of walking paths...but I was close to the work firemen were carrying out (...still hungry).

After being yelled at the first time, I decided to join the crowd outside of the fire area in the smoke laden city block. Everyone had their point and shoots, cell phones, etc, armed and ready for more to happen past what they already missed (sorry guys. You were all a few minutes late. All the big stuff already happened). By this time I'm feeling bold again, and take a different approach to the scene, eventually leading to another firefighter telling my to back up and keep my distance. This triggered my retreat, and my sense of urgency in getting the images off of my card and sent to the newspaper (stomach is eating itself). Is something going to print? You never know. Never hurts to get all your shit together before someone else designated by the press does. Power to the people for that one.

I narrowed the 100x2 photos down to a whopping 20 for the ease of viewing. You're welcome.


It started out with an uneasy approach.




...needless to say, that whole adrenaline rush kicked in. I felt like a kid in a candy shop just taking all his shots.





...this was about the time where I felt my heart race, the heat of the flames, the cover of smoke rolling into my face, and I thought to myself, "should I retreat?..." I never did answer my own question. Things just kept happening and I practically forgot at the same time I asked.
















...and then I bought jawbreaking 10cent gum at an antique store. Go figure.


I have concerts to photograph on 4/3 (Braids), 4/4 (The Luyas), and 4/5 (Callers). Stay tuned.


-B <3

ps. I'm rather happy I have shed my unfortunate haits of forgetting to insert my memory card or recharge my battery. I've had one to many white knuckled "fuuu----" moments over these things. This would have been one of those times if I hadn't. Almost positive.

Sunday, March 27, 2011

THE DODOS @ Cedar Cultural Center - Minneapolis, MN

The Dodos played here in Minneapolis on the 23rd. I wasn't notified about this show until the day of, at around noon, stating that they were playing that night and asking I wanted to get in to check it out. Keep in mind that this was the day of yet another winter wonderland and transportation for most of the day was futile for me. Yet still, I managed and things lightened up over the day and I was able to make it down to the Cedar and check them out.

Now, I have never heard these guys previous to this day. When I got their latest album, No Color, I was enlightened. They'll definitely be in my "current artists" list on the stereo for a while.

Here are some shots from the show, followed by their future tour dates and who they're with.



Meric Long and Logan Kroeber


Tour Dates:

03-28 Calgary, AB - Republik $
03-29 Edmonton, AB - Starlite $
03-31 Vancouver, BC - Rickshaw $
04-01 Victoria, BC - Sugar $
04-02 Bellingham, WA - Wild Buffalo $
04-04 Seattle, WA - Neumo's $
04-05 Portland, OR - Doug Fir $
04-07 San Francisco, CA - The Fillmore $
04-08 Los Angeles, CA - El Rey Theater $
04-09 San Diego, CA - Casbah $
04-27 Spain, Donostia - Gazteszena
04-28 Spain, Vigo - University
04-29 Spain, Madrid - El Sol
04-30 Spain, Barcelona - Plaça de la Odissea (Free Outdoor show)
05-02 Grenoble, France - Le Ciel
05-03 Milan, Italy - Salumeria Della Musica
05-04 Rome, Italy - Circolo Degli Artisti
05-05 Ravenna, Italy - Bronson
05-06 Aarau, Switzerland - Kiff
05-07 Munich, Germany - 59-1
05-09 Berlin, Germany - Magnet
05-10 Hamburg, Germany - Prinzenbar
05-11 Cologne, Germany - Blue Shell
05-12 Nijmegen, Holland - Doornroosje
05-13 Amsterdam, Holland - Melkweg
05-14 Brussels, Belgium - Botanique Festival
05-16 Vendome, France - La Chapelle Vendome
05-17 Strasbourg, France - La Laiterie
05-18 Paris, France - Divan du Monde
05-19 London, UK - Scala
05-20 Manchester, UK - Deaf Institute
05-21 Glasgow, UK Arches
06-01 Salt Lake City, UT - Urban Lounge #
06-02 Denver, CO - Bluebird Theater *
06-04 Iowa City, IA - The Mill *
06-05 Milwaukee, WI - Turner Hall *
06-06 Chicago, IL - Cabaret Metro *
06-07 Cleveland Heights, OH - Grog Shop *
06-09 New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom *
06-10 Brooklyn, NY - Music Hall of Williamsburg *
06-11 Philadelphia, PA - Theater of Living Arts *
06-12 Washington, DC - 930 CLUB *
06-14 Boston, MA - Paradise Rock Club *
06-15 Montreal, QC - La Tulipe *
06-16 Toronto, ON - Phoenix Concert Theater - NXNE ^*

$ w/ Reading Rainbow
# w/ White Denim
* w/ Gauntlet Hair
^ w/ Deerhoof