Sunday, December 18, 2011

Penguin Prison at Mercury Lounge

Penguin Prison
This was the best show I've seen of Penguin Prison so far! I thought I'd be entertained but maybe not knocked-my-socks-off wowed, but he certainly brought it ...and I was wowed! And despite my initial fears about shooting the show, since most of my concert photographer friends have been complaining about the newly installed LED lights (oh hey! this is a photography blog?), it wasn't bad at all. I just had to time my snaps with the lighting sequences, which was not that hard to predict since I'm fairly familiar the music. I guess it does help to do your research... More photos on House List.

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Soulwax at Webster Hall

Soulwax
Soulwax
When I went to Coachella 2007, these guys were playing... but I didn't know about them yet so I merely gave them a cursory listen before moving on to the next item on my festival agenda. I eventually gave them a serious listen and really got into their seamless blend of rock and dance, all the while lamenting the fact that I missed them when I had the chance. Luckily, I caught Soulwax when they rolled into town two weeks ago. You can see more photos at House List.

Moogfest 2011

I've been waiting for Brooklyn Vegan to post my photos from Moogfest 2011, which took place in Asheville, N.C. on October 28 - 30, before reporting on my adventures here. You can see photos from Friday here and Saturday here, but photos from Sunday... a bit lost in the shuffle right now. I'll edit this post with that link when those pictures surface. But for now, here are some of my favorite photos from the festival.
Moby
Martin Rev
Araabmuzik
Special Disco Version
TV on the Radio
Given all the festivals (or rock cruises) that have popped up recently, it's likely that many of you have festival fatigue. However, I really, really like Moogfest -- it is one of the most well organized festivals I've ever attended, especially in terms of bands running on schedule in the larger venues. The festival has a SXSW feel with various participating venues located within walking distance throughout downtown Asheville. And of course, the festival is in the heart of a pretty cool Southern city (check out this "36 Hours" piece in the NY Times from 2007). Some of the highlights of the festival include checking out local clubs, like the Orange Peel, tinkering with random synthesizers at the Moog Factory, and dining around downtown. So many great restaurants and shopping! There was also "77 Million Paintings", an art installation by Brian Eno available for viewing during the festival (you can watch Eno talk a bit about the installation on the Colbert Report). The only word of warning about the festival: airfare to Asheville can get really expensive if you buy tickets last minute. All in all, this is a fantastic festival with great vibes and killer lineups. Do NOT miss it next year.

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Chairlift and Beach Fossils at Mercury Lounge

Chairlift
Beach Fossils
See more photos from Chairlift and Beach Fossils at Brooklyn Vegan.

CMJ 2011

Widowspeak

This was my first CMJ since 2006 without a badge! Though I had a low key week, I ended up going to two events - a recording event at Stratosphere Sound put together by Just Managing and Virgin Mobile Live's party at Brooklyn Bowl. You can look at more photos from the Stratosphere Sound event, where I did a quick snap with Widowspeak (above), by checking out Brooklyn Vegan. Weekend, WATERS, Caveman, and a few other bands also played. Not exactly sure where to find the Virgin Mobile Live party photos at the moment (maybe my pal Abbey's blog?), but I'll just leave the portrait of the perpetual fun machine Datarock (below) as a teaser...

Datarock

Monday, October 10, 2011

Friday, September 23, 2011

Dirty Beaches at Mercury Lounge

Dirty Beaches
Check out some photos of Dirty Beaches on the House List. I also snapped some pics of opener Frankie Rose... more photos of both bands might be on Brooklyn Vegan sometime soon.
Frankie Rose

The Pains of Being Pure at Heart at Bowery Ballroom

Pains
Twin Sister
Not gonna lie - I was a bit more excited to check out Twin Sister than TPOBPAH last Monday. I've been entranced by Twin Sister's dreamy soundscapes for a while now and they were every bit as weird and lovely in person. (And unexpectedly dance-able.) TPOBPAH are always fun to catch live! Check out photos of TPOBPAH on House List, and even more photos (of Twin Sister and the first opener, Wyldlife) at Brooklyn Vegan.

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Erasure at Terminal 5

Erasure
Everything about this show was magnificent. More photos at House List.

New York Fashion Week SS12























Check out some of my exclusive preview photos of Gwen Stefani's L.A.M.B. Spring/Summer 2012 presentation on Thread Count on RollingStone.com. Words by the wonderful Colleen Nika.

Here is one backstage photo:
L.A.M.B.

Sunday, September 11, 2011

More Music and Tennis at the US Open

Great Lake Swimmers
Crowd
Court Side
I always jump at the opportunity to shoot events that combine my love of concerts with another major passion (Fashion's Night Out, anyone?). I didn't expect that other passion to be tennis. I applaud the folks at USTA Entertainment and Go! Productions for putting on the show within the show. Check out the mega post on Brooklyn Vegan.

Friday, September 2, 2011

Wye Oak at the US Open

Outtake
US Open 2011
So it looks like I'll be at the US Open a couple of days this tournament, photographing the (indie) musical acts performing at the "Baseline Stage" right outside Arthur Ashe Stadium. Wye Oak launched the concert series yesterday evening (cutesy portrait outtake above). Afterwards, I stumbled upon a mixed doubles match between Bob Bryan / Liezel Huber (1) and Christopher Kas / Anastasia Rodionova. The volley action at the net was nerve-wracking at times, but it was also really fun. At one point, Bryan returned a volley and I think he hit Kas who charging for the net; in response, Kas was playfully angry, to the delight of the audience. See the rest of the photos of Wye Oak (and some tennis) from yesterday at Brooklyn Vegan.

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Infographics

Hello there! I just received a 1TB external WD hard drive from the lovely BF (I had dropped heavy hints that I wanted to re-back up my photos). As I started copying my photo archives, I realized it will take quite a bit of time to back up my files because my archives total 600+ GB. Then I made some graphs!
I was curious how many photos I've taken per year. The spike in 2010 can be attributed to post-college free time and a camera upgrade. Simply not shooting as much can explain the drop in 2011; I've seen a lot of bands already, I like shooting new ones, and I've developed an uncharacteristic penchant for sleeping early.
Then I was curious about how many bands I've seen or photographed. I first discovered photos and concerts at the end of high school. Back then, I had a Canon Rebel and a clunker of a point and shoot back, and I was shooting mostly for fun (it wasn't that great). Then I got my trusty Canon 30D in March 2007 and I started shooting a bit more (this was also when I started neglecting my academics a bit, going out so late at night!). The next year, I reeled back my nighttime romps and focused on coursework rather than gigs. After I got my Canon 5D Mark II at the beginning of 2010, and especially after I graduated that May, I started to go to a bit more concerts. I guess this year, I've just been more selective about bands I want to see.

Anyway, I have a number of September shows lined up (you can check that out on the right margin). I'm especially excited about Moog Fest in Asheville, NC a bit further down the line. The line up looks stellar and I get to go back South!

Saturday, August 27, 2011

Girl Talk and Matt and Kim at US Open's Rock the Set

Audience
"Stage Invaders"
This was a last minute photo gig, and I had no idea the private event was a launch party for the US Open until I got to the venue. I used to go to the Open every summer as a kid (I had one of those oversize tennis balls for players to autograph!), stopped during HS and college, but now I'm getting back into it. Last year, I scored last minute seats to the women's final and this year, I'm going to the men's quarter finals... unless I cave in and decide to get day session tickets early on in the tournament as well? I can't decide!

Anyway, Matt and Kim and Girl Talk are always high energy and fun to shoot. It was comfortable shooting the bands at a barely-filled venue (it was a private event with caterers walking around...), since I'm sure the bands have played Terminal 5 before, when the venue was full to the brim. See a few more photos here.

Matt and Kim
Matt and Kim

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Friday, August 12, 2011

Cut Copy at Prospect Park

Cut Copy
I ♥ Cut Copy thisssss much. As always, the Melbourne boys brought out the bright lights for some seriously romantic electroballads. At the moment, all I want to hear is "Need You Now" on a loop. You can see more photos of Cut Copy at House List.

Foster The People opened. I've somehow neglected to check those guys out til now, and I can see why they would sell out two nights of Terminal 5. (Mark Foster gave an obligatory "I can't believe we're here!" quip.) I give them props for a spot-on cover of "Say It Ain't So." Click on the photo below to link to Flickr.
Foster the People

Sunday, August 7, 2011

Cold Cave at Bowery Ballroom

I've seen so many iterations of Cold Cave, but this is the first time I've seen "the dance monster unleashed" (as my pal Jamie, who introduced me to Cold Cave way back in No Fun Fest 2009, describes it). I enjoy the aesthetic evolution from gentle head bobster to full out dance monster. Anyway, the Bowery Ballroom show this past Saturday was pretty infectiously dance-able. Here is one photo from the sold out gig and you can see more on House List or Flickr.
Cold Cave

Saturday, July 30, 2011

Black Lips at Bowery Ballroom

Black Lips
Black Lips
The first time I saw Black Lips was in 2006, when they were opening for the Yeah Yeah Yeahs at Roseland Ballroom. I was pretty taken aback by the shenanigans -- ridiculous black wig, vomit on stage, spitting. Now, after seeing the band for the 5th time last night, I'm pretty used to it. In fact, it's a whole lot of fun. Tons more photos on House List.

Oh, and right before Black Lips, I was able to catch Pissed Jeans open for Cro Mags and Fucked Up (and I headed straight to Bowery Ballroom after that). I never miss an opportunity to see those guys play, and neither should you.

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Glitch Mob / Phantogram / RJD2 at Terminal 5

Ravey Fingers
A shot from the audience from last Friday's show.
You can see the photos of the actual band at the House List.

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Bonnaroo 2011

I went with a media pass (not a photo pass) this year, which afforded me tons of weight off my shoulders (literally, without a camera back pack and all) and a lot more time to enjoy the festival. I did take some photos with a trusty old Fujicolor Quick Snap Flash.
Robyn
What
Adult Swim
Lines, Lines, Everywhere

Monday, May 23, 2011

The Antlers at Bowery Ballroom

The Antlers
I'm back from the dead and I spent the Friday night before the rapture with a sold out crowd and the Antlers. Great stuff. Check out a few more photos at the House List. I bumped into my pals Matt and Amanda at the show, so check out their review and pictures at A Heart Is A Spade as well.

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Peter Bjorn and John at Bowery Ballroom

Peter Bjorn and John
Peter Bjorn and John
You can always depend on Peter Bjorn and John for some good, clean fun.
Peter Bjorn and John
Actually, Peter was having so much fun, he hit himself on the temple with his guitar. As a rivulet of blood trickled down his face (see above), you could hear all the women in the front gasp and murmur with concern.

You can see more photos on House List and additional photos at Brooklyn Vegan.