So, I’v been terribly busy and haven’t had much time to update the blog. I apologize. I’m heading off on the road again in an hour or so for the Snow Patrol Tour. So, in honor of that, and since I don’t have time to prep anything for the blog at the moment, I’ll post the newest Snow patrol video, for their forthcoming single, Just Say Yes, to be released November 2nd. It’s one of the three new track that will be included on the Album Up To Now, a compilation of previous work through the band’s career.

I love old garden statuary and fun secret hidden places tucked away in the garden. Shame I’m not much of a gardener myself but I certainly enjoy the fruits of others’ labor. This little angel found the old weathered garden angel hiding behind shrubbery in a secret garden path. they soon became fast friends.

Pardon my french, but that’s the actual name of the band. What can I say about this show.

It was insane.

It was awesome.

It was fantastic!!!!!!!

Really, it was so great! Just one of those shows that is fun to be at, fun to listen to, fun to watch, and immensely fun to photograph. OK, first, who is Fucked up. you ask? It’s a great hardcore punk band out of Toronto Canada. Damien, the lead singer, spent pretty much the whole show either crowd surfing or on the barrier. I love a band/frontman who interacts so intensely with the audience. And intense it was. Tons of crowd surfing fans, all trying to surf their way over to Damien. Damien screaming into his mic while face to face with fans. Now I know not everyone is a fan of hardcore punk, and that’s fine. I’m not a fan of all music either, and I wouldn’t say that I’m a hardcore fan of hardcore punk, but there are some bands who make their shows so fun that I can’t help but become a fan. Ok, ok, so for me it’s not all about the music, it’s about the whole experience. I mean, there are bands whose music I love, but live? just hohum. I think this was the first time I’ve seen the security crew pulling up the pants of an artist while he was performing. I suppose that while they are holding him up on the barrier, they realized they would rather be holding some sweating shorts than, well, naked parts.

Rounding out the Friday lineup of PMF2009 was Built To Spill. As the the sun set over the park Built To Spill took to the Aluminum Stage and finished out the first night of PMF. It was a great show. Granted, I’m not a huge B2S fan, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. I will say that it got cold. Who would have thought that mid July in CHicago would require a jacket for warmth? Again, the crowd was ready and pumped. It was a great set, great music, great everything. This was the start of something big here. This Pitchfork2009 was going to be huge.

After the set, I slogged my way home. I was staying with a friend. She actually came out to the park to pick up her keys and then told me that I shouldn’t take the same route home as it wasn’t safe. Yikes. So she tells me what train stop then walking directions to then catch another bus, and I try to engrave those instructions in my brain, but 5 hours later I couldn’t remember them completely. To top that off, my iPhone was running out of battery power and I hadn’t had time to charge it at the press tent. But I made it back in one piece. Got to editing and finished in the wee hours of the morning, just in time to sneak in a few hours of sleep. Ah, the life of a festival photographer. It’s not all glitz and glam (ha) but actually a lot of hard work.

The Jesus Lizard, OMG The Jesus Lizard. Yes, they came out of hiding and kicked off their tour. What a way to start Pitchfork! This was the most fun show of PMF Friday night for me. First off, I like the music, always a plus. Second, the crowd was wild, double plus. Third, it was completely INSANE! When the singer takes a running headfirst dive off the big stage, over the pit, and into the crowd, with microphone in hand, you can’t help but get excited. Wish I would have actually caught that image but I missed capturing that. He spent most of the first 2 songs singing while crowd surfing. Awesome. best show of the night, one of my favorite sets of the festival. These guys are fantastic. If you get a chance to catch one of their shows, do it.

And in case you’re interested, you can see watch David Yow stage dive

The Jesus Lizard Myspace

Ah, the night is getting better and better. Friday night sets, second on the bill Yo La Tengo. This trio was fantastic. They certainly are veterans in the music world with something like 20 released albums (I’m sure I’m wrong on the exact number, so don’t go quoting me on that). The audience was pumped and I could feel the festival vibe getting stronger.

So, this is a test. This is just a test. I’ve been having some issues getting everything set up and running on the newly redesigned blog, so pleae hold on tight as I run a quick test of posting as well as email notification. Remember, this is just a test. No need to ajust your screen or run to the tornado shelter.

Cheers.

LA

The October edition of Performer Magazine – Southeast features my photographs of Birds Of Avalon.

You can see the edition online or can pick up a print copy at most music shops, including The Guitar Center.