Musicians Do It Better

Here are highlights from some of my favorite shows from the last few months. Every one of these artists is a class act and they have brought us hours of joy and inspiration.

Top to bottom:
House of Fools
Pearl and the Beard
Sam Quinn and Japan Ten
Amelia's Mechanics
Stephaniesid
Jill Andrews
Alcazar Hotel
Holy Ghost Tent Revival

All of these bands have been kind enough to grace our Kitchen for a short video session. Check them out and fall in love. More photos on flickr.

Holy GHOST, the Ladies Love These Guys!

Holy Ghost Tent Revival is a pretty big deal around here. We've had the good fortune of seeing these guys numerous times live (as well as hearing them play in our Kitchen) and I can honestly say, with complete confidence, they're gonna be big. Huge, perhaps.

Insanely talented, fun-loving, inspired, easy on the eyes, Holy Ghost puts on a live show that has more energy than you can begin to fathom. Even if you are 20. And the ladies (young and old) love them something fierce. Within minutes of them starting their set there is always dancing. A lot of it. Singles, couples, kids, anyone within ear shot feels the need to dance it on out.

It's important to add that these are all genuinely nice guys. Friendly, down to earth and willing to do things like record a score for free for our most recent 48 Hour Film. So it is with great excitement that I post some pictures of them that I think finally do them justice. I've shot these guys in a lot of dark, smoky bars and it took this outdoor show with these beautiful women (and a train) to really bring out the Holy spirit. If you know what I mean. Rock it out, fellas.

People I've Met

More and more recently I've realized that I really love shooting people despite whatever past thoughts I might have had to the contrary. Whether it's friends or complete strangers or somewhere in between, it's an ongoing challenge full of uncertainty, trepidation, awkwardness and sometimes fear. At the same time, the instant relationship that is developed between photographers and their subjects is a very interesting and rewarding thing, indeed.

The photos here have all been taken in the last few months. Some are close friends, some are complete strangers, but all were kind enough to not run away when I got right in their face with my camera. They were taken in all sorts of settings from a temporary homeless shelter, to a swanky art museum party to our backyard. As always, it is a reminder that people are just people regardless of whether they're rock stars, art dealers or just someone hoping to get back on their feet.