Mew at Music Hall of Williamsburg

EDIT: Hot off the interwebs, the interview with Bo Madsen and the photos with the rest of Mew is up on 'SUP MAG, here.
Amazing. Extraordinary. Immense. Epic. This was by far the best concert I've ever, EVER been to, and I've been to many (my ear doctor agrees). During the encore, I was upstairs photographing the crowd, and I was just standing there thinking, "this is so beautiful." It was overwhelming - I felt like I should've teared up or something.
I was accidentally double-listed for photopasses because I was shooting my first assignment for the Bowery Presents blog, cleverly titled House List. I was also shooting for none other than 'Sup Mag.
I met the Danish trio around soundcheck to take some very quick portraits for 'Sup. What a gracious bunch of lads! A teaser...
Album dropped today in the States. It is sprawling and glorious. "Introducing Palace Players" is my favorite jam right now. For the complete set, go here.

The Guess Who Edition

Hello! I'm back. Guess who I'm shooting this Monday?

Not much of a "Guess Who"...

The great Danes! I had a chance to see them open for Kasabian a few years back, but I couldn't make to the venue on time. I'm absolutely thrilled to see them at Music Hall, such a small venue. The (now) trio will be supporting Nine Inch Nails for various dates.

"No More Stories Are Told...," the new album with an absurdly long name, drops this 25th.

Diesel U Music Party at Webster Hall

I briefly attended the Diesel U Music concert party at Webster Hall on Thursday. I was so horribly jet lagged from Hong Kong, having flown in the evening before, that I just couldn't make it through the night. Did catch Noisettes (love the new sound), Heartsrevolution though. But one day, just one day, mark my words, I will catch you in concert, Lykke Li!

Hong Kong Hustle

Hong Kong was ...different. Vibrant. Nocturnal. Having grown up in New York City, I've always enjoyed traveling to other big cities but I've never felt at home at any of them. Until Hong Kong, that is. For one, I enjoy the night life a lot more over there, as malls and stores stay open until 8, even til 11 for youth-oriented micro-malls, and pubs much later. Taxis are so cheap. The public transportation infrastructure is amazing and inexpensive. There are all these great dessert chains dotting the city, like Hui Lau Shan and Honeymoon Dessert (I went on a holy grail quest for the best black sesame roll to no avail, though I did taste THE BEST red bean yellow sugar sticky cake). The one thing that I really don't like about Hong Kong, and the reason why I would waste away there, is that there is practically no independent music scene. Only big names play in Hong Kong (before I left, I saw advertisements for upcoming Placebo and Keane shows) or Macau, the neighboring former Portuguese colony a. k. a. East Asian Las Vegas (Fall Out Boy played at the Venetian during my trip). I was starved of English-language entertainment! Nevertheless, it was a fantastic month abroad, with much thesis-musings and general merriment. To see my Flickr set of travel photos, click here.

A Respite Abroad

Doing a bit of traveling right now, so no music photos for now. I was in Vancouver and Coquitlam, nestling in the unsettling comforts of suburbia, but now I'm in Hong Kong, where malls are futuristic and luxurious. I don't foresee going to a concert anytime soon, save a possible Leon Lai gig in Kowloon (ONE OF THE ORIGINAL FOUR KINGS OF CANTO-POP!). Definitely no concert photography anytime soon, but some nice travel snaps.

From suburbia disturbia...

...To a major Asian mega metropolis

Modular x 'SUP Mag Party Photos

Modular and 'SUP Mag had a party last Thursday. Were you there?

Abbey (Punk Photo and fellow 'SUP photog) & Marisa (editor-in-chief of 'SUP Mag)


Tan Lines: I call them "triumphant tropical trance." Excellent set.

Cameron ('SUP Mag managing editor, Moz fan & reveler)


Free Energy (on DFA)

I had to bolt before Solid Gold went on, sorry! (Had jury duty the next day.)

Modular x 'SUP MAGAZINE | Northside Festival: June 11-14

I shoot for 'SUP and I am quite the Modular person, so I am definitely hitting that up. The Modular x 'SUP MAGAZINE party is part of the Northside Festival, which I will be partly covering for the L Magazine. Click any images for more information.

Tiga at Webster Hall

This was the first time I've been to Webster for a non-Bowery affair, so it was a bit disorienting. Packs of bros in too-gelled up hair. Skanked out ladies teetering in too-tall heels. Also, a fake sailor was trying to chat me up. Isn't it considered impersonation to dress in white collared shirt and pants with a nautical cap during Fleet Week? (Dude asked me where I'm from, and offered that he was from Turkey, so you are DEFINITELY not in the U.S. Navy.) There were, however, genuine American sailors roaming around Webster, arm in arm with some laydeees. I caught up with Caroline Turkish Homework and finally met Jeff Culture of Me, who gave me a quick tutorial about flash-centric party photography (which isn't really my thing, as I don't like to stick cameras in people's faces, but not that the party pic aesthetic is unappealing). By the time Tiga (.ca!) got on, I was told that there was no flash photography allowed, which was simultaneously a relief and a hassle. Surreptitious snaps are my thing, and I think it turned out decently. Anyway, I snapped some shots for 'Sup Mag --who else?-- and "danced" unconvincingly side stage til 3.

No Fun Fest 2009

EDIT: Jamie's column on the Fader is up online now. Part 1 and Part 2. They didn't credit my photos though, despite Jamie's constant reminding. LAME. EDIT2: Now with proper credits!

That was a very shortly lived teaser. Here are more photos. Ended up with a LOT of pics from this three day mayhem (okay not so mayhem, it was a hyper organized affair!), so head over to Flickr to see more more more. Some of my favorites pics (and acts) from the weekend:

Prurient (a.k.a. Dominick Fernow)

Sonic Youth | Thurston Moore

Some Page Six for you: Thurston was just chillaxing all weekend, even reclining on the side stage for Dominick's set. At one point, a videographer tripped over Thurston. Whoops.

Cold Cave
SO GOOD! You must check them out! "Love Comes Close" is my new jam right now!


Yellow Tears

I may not be that familiar with noisy, No Fun bands (yet), but I really enjoyed Yellow Tears's set. Seeing the band have fun on stage, I couldn't help but do the same. Powerful stuff.

Black PusSo LOUD! Even my Etymotic earplugs were not strong enough for the percussive fury.

Emeralds | Mark McGuire

Another band I really enjoyed! The dude next to me said "WOW!" after the trio was done. Deservedly. Bought the new blue 12" at merch.

No Fun Fest 2009

A Teaser Shot For Now: Bastard Noise - Heaviest act of the first night of the three day fest.
Photographing for TheFader.com. More coming soon... No Fun Fest 2009 (As I'd like to call it, Noise with Boys!, even though there are a lot of ladies attending this year.)