“I can’t fathom how anyone can be a music writer, it seems so missing the point. You really can’t write about music, the best thing about music is almost magical, unexplainable and when you try to describe something you have to put it in a box, and some stuff just doesn’t deserve to be put in a box.” – Sole
An apt quote on why I find difficulty writing about what I do and my supposedly unique perspective on things.
The Lensbaby Optic Swap System is pretty neat, to say the least. With it, you can have a variety of creative options at your fingertips in just a few quick steps. The core optics (single glass, double glass, plastic, and pinhole) were pretty impressive offerings that made the Lensbaby system very attractive for those looking to get a bit abstract, or at minimum try something new. Since then, new optics have be released that push the envelope even further. Released back in 2009, the Soft Focus optic has been one of the lesser talked about offerings, but it has also gained its own following.
Personally, it’s probably my favorite Lensbaby optic.
Alright, back into it!
Black Lips at The Firebird- Yes, Black Lips show up twice. You wanna know why? Because they rule. After touring around the world for most of the year, Black Lips played their second to last show before Lollapalooza at The Firebird. If you asked any of them what they planned on doing with their much deserved break, “detox” would be high on the list. It was a much more relaxed show than you’d expect from them, but it wasn’t mellow by any means. Some would say they looked tired, or that they didn’t really put their balls into it. There may be some truth to that, but to me the show felt like a victory lap. They were so close to home, yet still had one big show before they could return to Atlanta. Arabia Mountain was coming up as the album that might break them into the mainstream and at the very least, was showing to be one of the best releases of the year.
Jared has always been the member of that band I’ve spoken with the most. I think he’s a pretty alright dude. I’ve always struggled getting the shots I’ve wanted of him. He bounces around the stage and hovers above his mic in a way that’s hard to get a good angle on when you’re in a bouncing pit. For a song or two I broke out the Lensbaby and the telephoto adapter and squeezed out a few good shots from stage left. The center of focus isn’t perfect but I feel it captures the hazy vibe that comes and goes during a Black Lips set.
In 2011 there was no shortage of good shows. As the scene grows and matures, more and more national acts have taken notice of what’s going on in Saint Louis. I’ve seen this over the last few years and it excites me to no end. I remember when it felt like no one came here and the only local bands you could see were dudes who’d sign a shitty contract with [REDACTED] to play Warped Tour on the Coffin Case stage for a week. So, yeah, that’s pretty awesome that such things are no longer the case!
Enough shit talking! Let’s look at some of my favorite photos from last year!
JEFF The Brotherhood at The Gargoyle- This was a party as well as one of my favorite shows of the year. The Gargoyle is a drab college venue located in a basement on Wash U’s campus and is notorious for being one of Saint Louis’ least favorite places to see your favorite band. With the right people, however, it can feel like an intimate basement show. Only thing missing is the dude in the red hat you give your $5 to so you can get a cup for the keg. (more…)
A few months ago I picked up a Holga lens that was modified to fit on a Sony/Minolta DSLR and while I’ve had some fun with it, I haven’t gotten to really apply it in my more serious work. However, among the responses on Twitter to my exploration of this lens was local musician Mikey Whehling, who felt that the “digital Holga” look was just was he needed.
I previously shot one of Mikey’s projects, Throw Pillows, during the recording session for their song “Let It Throw” which was featured on local comp STL Loud Vol. 2. Recently, he’s been known for his trilogy of analog mid-fi EPs which he finished in September with Forests of Reverb. They’re lovely recordings, sometimes reminiscent of Black Moth Super Rainbow and similar groups. Ryan Wasoba from the RFT did a great interview with Mikey, you can check it out here. (more…)
Alright, back into it! Black Lips at The Firebird- Yes, Black Lips show up twice. You wanna know why…
The Lensbaby Optic Swap System is pretty neat, to say the least. With it, you can have a variety of …
“I can’t fathom how anyone can be a music writer, it seems so missing the point. You really …
