Out of all the bands I’ve had the pleasure of photographing over the last few years, one stands out on the top of the pile. Gyroscope. They’ve been around for what seems like forever on the local scene, but thanks to their latest CD ‘Breed Obsession’ they’re finally starting to crack into the consciousness of mainstream Australia.

It wasn’t until the second or third time I’d photographed them that I got really hooked. And it wasn’t for the music. They’re a savagely energetic band, and it’s pretty much impossible to walk away from one of their shows without good photos. I did grow to love the music in time, mainly for the fact I was attending just about every show I could get access to, and it was bound to stick with me eventually! They’re the nicest of guys, and an absolute pleasure to work with, be it live shoots or press shoots.

This particular song is one of my favourites, not just of Gyroscope’s but out of all songs ever. It’s from ‘Are You Involved?’ the album that came out just before I started getting into them. For some reason it’s the album I’ve always related to most, and sort of claimed ownership of. This song is an out-and-out anthem, and while I obviously enjoy the song itself, I also love the reaction it gets from the crowds, and the inevitable epic singalong. It’s passion, it’s aggression, it’s power.

Enjoy.

 

They’re one of the bands that gets featured regularly on my blogs, and for good reason. Without question, I’d count Sugar Army as one of the most exciting bands in Perth at the moment. Their jagged, angular indie rock is precise, catchy, and gets better and better very time you hear it.

It wasn’t always the case. I saw them for the first time in late 2006, and found them slightly awkward and unengaging. Over the years frontman Pat has evolved from a shuffling shoegazer to a commanding presence, clutching the microphone stand like a weapon, as opposed the safety blanket of the early days.

This particular song (with its very long title) has been getting a bit of airplay on Triple J, and is from their EP ‘Where Do You Hide Your Toys?’ I’ve always loved this one in particular as it sucks you in right from the get-go.

Oh, and it has cowbell. There can never be too much cowbell.

Enjoy

And I’m back! I didn’t think that in this day and age it would take over a month to restore an internet connection, but no mind. I’m back in the land of high-speed internet and I’m oh so very happy about it.

A bit has been going on while I was away. Knew I needed to make a decision in regards to photos, doing sporatic gigs was very unsatisfying, so it was time to either stop altogether, or get back into the swing of things properly. As luck would have it, I got offered some regular ongoing work by a national ticketing agency, taking photos at their Perth shows. And as they put on heaps of shows, there’s no shortage of work. I stick to mainly the indie/rock gigs, and over the last few weeks I’ve shot the West Coast Blues and Roots Festival, Children Collide, Okkervil River, and The Grates. So it’s definitely work AND play, and I’m quite happy with how things are travelling at the moment. On top of that, I’ve done one live shoot for Triple J’s national magazine ‘JMag’, with another one lined up in about two weeks.

I’ve also currently got photos in two exhibitions around town, three photos in the WAMi ‘Kiss My Camera’ showcase at the WA Museum, and one at the Photographers In Perth curated ‘Fables and Nocturnes’ show, at Behind the Monkey on Beaufort St. I’ll put some photos up once I get a chance to pop along to them with a camera. Fables and Nocturnes runs til May 30th, and Kiss My Camera until June 28, so plenty of time to get along.

Tonight will see the return of Sunday Night Music Club, it’s pretty hard to upload songs when you’re more or less on dialup speed! Because I didn’t get around to doing my ‘WAMi Week Music Club’ due to lack of internets, tonight’s will most definitely have a local flavour.

And in completely non-photographic news, I recently bought MarioKart on Wii, so if anyone wants to play online and absolutely belt me (I’m not really very good) email me with your friend code.