Of Montreal at Music Hall of Williamsburg

As I was leaving for the subway, I decided I should probably bring a camera because I remembered hearing something about crazy productions or costumes or something. Though I was set on simply watching the show last night (rather than preoccupying myself with snapping pics) (so a small set on Flickr), I couldn't resist capturing some of the hijinks that transpired.

Vampire Weekend @ Terminal 5

Edit: Sup Mag post here, entitled "Vampire Weekend Sells Out Terminal 5 NYC; Obvs People Still Give a F*** About Oxford Commas ," with a cool vid from Icelandic Airwaves.

Columbia represent! I remember when these guys were playing the basement of the student center. Now they sell out three nights at Terminal 5 and play festivals around the world.
Full set at Flickr.

CMJ 2008 in Brief

Team Robespierre | iHeartComix Showcase @ Music Hall of Williamsburg

Shout Out Out Out Out | iHeartComix Showcase @ Music Hall of Williamsburg

An Albatross | Panache Showcase @ Knitting Factory

Jay Reatard @ Bowery Ballroom

Matt of Matt + Kim | iHeartComix Showcase @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
He was doing a show-and-tell of a friend's childhood Teenage Ninja Turtle drawings.

Totally Michael | iHeartComix Showcase @ Music Hall of Williamsburg

Japanese Motors @ Bowery Ballroom

Aids Wolf | Panache Showcase @ Knitting Factory

Hearts Revolution | iHeartComix Showcase @ Music Hall of Williamsburg

Ninjasonik | iHeartComix Showcase @ Music Hall of Williamsburg

Ford & Fitzroy @ Rehab

From the Vault: No Age at WBAR

So I haven't shot in a while. But I promise that some photographs will come out of CMJ week (Oct 21-25). I haven't seen any standout, must-see showcases or shows; I think this marathon, for once, will be devoted to seeing friends' showcases.

Anyway, I wanted to bring this photo (click on it for the entire set) from the vault because No Age just played on TV but got "censored." Either Randy or Dean wanted to wear an Obama shirt, but that would have violated an equal air time rule (law?).


Source: Youtube

Zac Posen Spring/Summer 2009

Fashion and music go together, right? Anyway, more fashion photos for this concert photography blog.

Zac Posen! I think I like the idea of Zac Posen, and I love the man, but I don't really like the clothes. It's just too over the top. It was HUGE spectacle! The show ran 40 minutes late or so. Guests were coming in way after the supposed 8pm show time. Celebrities in the front row. Bill Cunningham. Nina Garcia. Serena Williams (I think. I didn't see.) Rachel Zoe (ugh). Anna Wintour (of course).

New York Fashion Week

I don't just do music photography --- I love fashion as well.
Just got back from Anna Sui's Spring / Summer 2009 collection. This is my favorite photo --- I just have to share it here.
Random trivia: Jessica Stam (above) is sometimes spotted at indie gigs, most recently, at The Virgins when they last played NYC. (I read Fashionista too much...)

Bloc Party at Webster Hall

The following three (four) images are my favorite from the past evening at Webster Hall because:
Kele: It's hard to get a good guitar face photo without, you know, the O face.

Matt: Only with a burst of shooting can you capture pout to primal scream! (Okay, it's not the most "primal" of primal rock musician screams.)

Russell: This is a rather static shot, but I find something extremely appealing about the lines of light and the colors. And I like Russell's hair.

[Gordon: He didn't play the show, but at home with his new baby.]

On a more informative note, the lighting surprisingly bright but erratic. Thus, some photos were really blown out, and others underexposed. You can see the variance in the full set (here). It was sufficient to use only the Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8. I think some of the darker photos work--- I've always had an appreciation for chiaroscuro.

Taken for 'Sup Mag.

Black Lips / Deerhunter / King Khan and the Shrines at McCarren Pool

EDIT: The 'Sup review is online. Read it here. My good friend Connie wrote some witty words to accompany my pics.The show was outrageous from start to finish. Having seen Black Lips open for the Yeah Yeah Yeahs once, I knew what I was getting into when I signed up for this gig. But I didn't expect the photo pit to be pelted with bottles, Fuze, water, beach balls (thrown hard!), bananas, and (baby?) powder (or sawdust?).
All in a day's work. Full set here. Taken for 'Sup Mag.

Siren Fest + Liars

EDIT: Feast your eyes on the sassy 'Sup writeup: part 1 and part 2.

Okay! So I finally gone through all my photos, and there are A LOT. I put some teaser-like shots on the Flickr ---so small sets there--- because the bulk of the pics should be on Sup Mag.

Siren Music Fest!
Stephen Malkmus!
Liars!
Andrew W.K. approves! The McCarren show was solid gold all around. I think the Santogold at SummerStage drew away some potential crowd. (It's their loss.)

(Photo nerds: If you go to my Flickr, you will see that I had too much fun with the Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 IS USM.)

Double Punch of Siren and Liars Weekend

The Aftermath:

I was double-fisting it for Siren, with two cameras slung about the shoulders: Canon 30D with a Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 and a 40D with a 70-200mm f/2.8 IS. After 9 hours of not eating, running back and forth between the two stages, bearing heavy gear, I was completely drained. Seriously. On the long F train ride back home, I kept praying that someone would leave their seat so I can rest my achy legs. I had noticeable welts from the book bag straps chafing my arms throughout the day.

And today! Mustering up what energy I had after a deserving 9 hour coma, I made my way into Brooklyn again. Liars, Fuck Buttons, Team Robespierre show at McCarren! Definitely not as tough as running about and shooting 12 bands (I skipped Broken Social Scene and Helio Sequence). The show was another testament to live performances-- all the bands won me over and I am giving them all second listens (and further re-listens).

Anyway, now to sort through a gazillion images.

A Hawk and a Hacksaw at (le) poisson rouge

I've been meaning to catch AHAAH for a while. This being the 5th consecutive concert in 5 days, I decided to take it easy tonight. Of course, I still have to snap a picture or two. This blog is turning into a concert scrapbook, because after 150, I start to forget where I've been.

Le poisson rouge is a lovely (and new!) space. The lighting was intricate, the sound remarkable. The performance space felt incredibly intimate with its low stage and tables. With the blood red walls and chic furniture, the venue felt upscale, yet warm and, as I've said, intimate.

Spotted in the audience: basically all of Beirut. Makes sense.

No Age at South Street Seaport

EDIT: 'Sup feature here. More photos!

Ahhh, one of the few times I wish I could jump from the press pit into the mosh pit. Well, almost. The last time I saw No Age was at a basement performance space at Columbia, where Randy climbed dangerously high up the side of a stairwell. Knowing how high-energy the band is, I was eager to see and photograph them at the Seaport. Taken for 'Sup Mag.There were many photographers clogging the stage at first, taking up those precious spaces between the monitors for clear shots. I noticed after a few minutes that there were a lot less photogs. I turn around, see other photographers snapping away at the raging crowd.Full set at Flickr.

Opening was Telepathe, whose trippy layered vocals brought to mind nineties dream pop.

The first opener was "tropical punk" band Abe Vigoda.

The Vaselines at Southpaw

I was pretty afraid of being disappointed tonight, I admit. After all, the Vaselines broke up so long ago (...when I was 1 or so) and haven't been back together aside from a handful of appearances. Nevertheless, I was extremely psyched when I heard back in May about their two NYC dates before the Sub Pop 20th Anniversary Festival.

They didn't disappoint. They were as sassy, cute and funny as I expected them to be. It was a friendly, intimate atmosphere, with a little bit of Q&A during the banter. ("What is 'Molly's Lips' about if it isn't about oral sex?" asked an audience member.) It was also somewhat surprising how their voices sounded the same as they did on the records. Another pleasant surprise was Stevie, Bobby and Richard guesting as the backing band.

Now, I've been to many concerts so far in my short concert-going career, but this gig felt historic. The Vaselines aren't getting back together and aren't touring --- this was pretty much one-off. For instance, above. The larger sheet of paper is the set list with notes on the left margin detailing which guitar Eugene to use ("red" or "black"). The smaller sheet lists the order of verses for "You Think You're A Man" (how many times Frances or Eugene sings the chorus, and in which order). The band haven't played these songs in a while, and probably won't for a very long time.

East River Music Project at East River Amphitheater

There was sunshine:There was rain:
Poor Titus Andronicus was rained out. How tragic!
But eventually, the showers passed.
Full set here.

The Futureheads at Bowery Ballroom

It was my first time seeing the Sunderland foursome. Their energetic live set left a much, much better impression on me than the hurried listen to their newest record, This is Not the World, prior to the gig. They were fun to photograph --really energetic. However, I'm not too pleased with the set (here), considering my mental tally of missed moments. (Ah, what I'd give for a barricade sometimes.)

So yea, short set. Tonight wasn't an assignment, but an impromptu decision to toss the Canon into my purse. I have to say-- it's hard for me to really get into taking photos from GA when there's a bouncy crowd, and especially when I'm in the concert-going mood rather than the serious, move-out-of-my-way! assignment mode.