Only a short one this, simply to hold a candle for the passing away of the greatest hook line singer of all time. Nate Dogg was a true star- revolutionary but gangsta- and took countless hip hop tracks to the next level.
Theres too many to choose from but in his collab with Mos Def and Pharoahe Monch- in my opinion, is the best hip hop track ever made. Feel free to let me know of better ones in your opinion (anything anyone rates higher than this must be pretty awesome too!) but in my mind, nothing can touch this flow, thats why Nate Dogg go...
GB Multimedia - Professional Music & Fashion Photography by Gary Brown
Monday, 21 March 2011
The Award Winning Short, Flux
I've had a feelin recently to stop being so self indulgent here. While im still going to publicise all my work gigs and musings over them, there so much other work which is so massively inspirational, where the very least it deserves is for me to say 'check this out, its pretty cool'.
So where to start... this may not be as easy as it sounded in my head.
OK, well first up I was at Screentest Fest this weekend, the UK's National Student Film Festival. I got to watch loads of awesome work from some of our top filmmaking talent and was really struck by the amount of good work on show and the overall quality of the productions was astounding considering the time and budget constraints for these guys.
My main reason for attending was to support a friend of mine. Mr Sing J Lee hasn't produced much work in his budding career yet, but the quality and aesthetic of everything he's output is staggering. He had two films in the festival, Order- an experimental short- and Flux a short narrative about a young couple. Combined the two films were nominated for six awards and Flux won the prestigious award of 'Best Drama' and rightfully so (I would've given it best cinematography too but lets not be greedy!).
I look forwards to seeing Sing's future work but we can dwell on the present for now. Ladies and gentlemen.... Flux.
So where to start... this may not be as easy as it sounded in my head.
OK, well first up I was at Screentest Fest this weekend, the UK's National Student Film Festival. I got to watch loads of awesome work from some of our top filmmaking talent and was really struck by the amount of good work on show and the overall quality of the productions was astounding considering the time and budget constraints for these guys.
My main reason for attending was to support a friend of mine. Mr Sing J Lee hasn't produced much work in his budding career yet, but the quality and aesthetic of everything he's output is staggering. He had two films in the festival, Order- an experimental short- and Flux a short narrative about a young couple. Combined the two films were nominated for six awards and Flux won the prestigious award of 'Best Drama' and rightfully so (I would've given it best cinematography too but lets not be greedy!).
I look forwards to seeing Sing's future work but we can dwell on the present for now. Ladies and gentlemen.... Flux.
FLUX - A SHORT FILM from Sing J. Lee on Vimeo.
Sunday, 6 March 2011
PROBLEM CHILD- The Ritz, 2/3/2011
Seemingly, Problem Child appeared out of nowhere. An ambitious looking project- An eclectic line-up from the cream of the electronic spectrum, on a wednesday night, in one of Manchester's largest and most historic venues- definitely raised a few eyebrows. Luckily it also opened a few wallets and resulted in a great night with good vibes all round.
I've been aware for quite a while now that people are less and less, attaching themselves to a specific genre of music. Folk will listen to hip hop, house, dubstep and drum & bass without worry or trying to only be part of one group, and rightfully so, as such narrow-mindedness would only result in missing out on much of the great music out there.
This, to me, was some of the thinking towards Problem Child. We had Joy Orbison, a man transcending electronic boundaries to the point where it not worth trying to describe. His fantastic set brought the night together wonderfully with elements of house and dubstep combining to create a unique journey.
After Joy's set things got altogether heavier, with dubstep stars True Tiger stepping up to the plates. They played an hour long dubstep rinse out, feeding the crowd and raising energy levels a stage higher. Local MC's Chunky and Strategy were on hosting duties, and anyone who's seen these boys knows they never disappoint, performing great as a double act and keeping the punters pumped!
Post True Tiger we're treated to a live performance from Newham General's. D-Double & Footsie stomp through their hits and collaborations to a wild audience. These two get as big a reception as anyone on this night- reaching fever pitch for Breakage collab 'Hard' and D-Double's 'Street Fighter'.
As if that wasn't enough, Jenna G and Tonn Piper then take to the stage and annouce that its time to raise the tempo to 170+ for a set from the hottest new artist in Drum & Bass, Netsky of Hospital Records. Netsky doesn't disappoint, playing all his own tunes the audience are expecting, as well as some of the lates Hospital cuts. Special mention here though, has to go the hosts. Jenna & Tonn form a tag-team double act for an awesome performance, their skills compliment each other brilliantly and provide something a little different to your average D&B set.
All in all, this Problem Child caused mass misbehaviour and I for one hope they don't get expelled!
I've been aware for quite a while now that people are less and less, attaching themselves to a specific genre of music. Folk will listen to hip hop, house, dubstep and drum & bass without worry or trying to only be part of one group, and rightfully so, as such narrow-mindedness would only result in missing out on much of the great music out there.
This, to me, was some of the thinking towards Problem Child. We had Joy Orbison, a man transcending electronic boundaries to the point where it not worth trying to describe. His fantastic set brought the night together wonderfully with elements of house and dubstep combining to create a unique journey.
After Joy's set things got altogether heavier, with dubstep stars True Tiger stepping up to the plates. They played an hour long dubstep rinse out, feeding the crowd and raising energy levels a stage higher. Local MC's Chunky and Strategy were on hosting duties, and anyone who's seen these boys knows they never disappoint, performing great as a double act and keeping the punters pumped!
Post True Tiger we're treated to a live performance from Newham General's. D-Double & Footsie stomp through their hits and collaborations to a wild audience. These two get as big a reception as anyone on this night- reaching fever pitch for Breakage collab 'Hard' and D-Double's 'Street Fighter'.
As if that wasn't enough, Jenna G and Tonn Piper then take to the stage and annouce that its time to raise the tempo to 170+ for a set from the hottest new artist in Drum & Bass, Netsky of Hospital Records. Netsky doesn't disappoint, playing all his own tunes the audience are expecting, as well as some of the lates Hospital cuts. Special mention here though, has to go the hosts. Jenna & Tonn form a tag-team double act for an awesome performance, their skills compliment each other brilliantly and provide something a little different to your average D&B set.
All in all, this Problem Child caused mass misbehaviour and I for one hope they don't get expelled!
Wednesday, 2 March 2011
Jaguar Jones and the Two Dollar Show
I've been mega slack with my blog lately. Apologies. I barely have a chance to sit down nowadays, let alone recount past gigs and shoots with acompanying prose (although I find time to repost amusing youtube videos about a bodybuilders fishy diet- a question of priorities perhaps!).
This changes now (until tomorrow anyway)!
My friend in Jaguar Jones played at the Two Dollar Show recently so I made my way down to take some snaps. The Two Dollar Show (TDS) is help upstairs in Trof, Fallowfield, every Thursday night. For a measly £2 (see what they did?) you get to see a selection of the regions more hotly tipped upcoming bands in a space not much larger than a living room- with a matchboxed sized smoking area to boot.
It all makes for a very cosy evening as they sure pack out the space, which makes for a great atmosphere- and means I'm restricted to the widest lens I own and positioned roughly 4 or 5 millimetres from frontman Lewis' guitar, which he kindly avoids smashing into the camera as I shoot!
The Jag Jones sound fills the room with catchy riffs and memorable hooks- a perfect rock recipe baked to perfection- and impresses not only their attending fanbase, but surely some of the people attending to find something new. They're certainly a fivesome on the up, and i'll be there snapping at the front as they rise.
Wednesday, 26 January 2011
Metronomy- Deaf Institute, Manchester- 19/01/11
A packed out Deaf Institute in Manchester on a cold Wednesday evening, plays host to a band not so widely known but with a big reputation to their fans. Metronomy's blend of catchy pop with an electronic twist seems to capture the heart of a wide range of people. So many, in fact, that I can barely move through the crowd without literally stepping on many toes- but needs must for good photos!
As the gig kicks off properley and the audience get into a groove I manage to bop my way from one side of the room to the other, along with the 5 or 6 other photographers I have spied also knocking about, with my ear being chewed by some superb energetic pop- the kind of songs that hook you in quickly, take you on a ride, and then leave without outstaying their welcome.
Songs are interspersed with a little dialogue from the lead singer- who's charming and funny- although I found out post-gig (from a bigger fan than myself) that that was the first time most had seen him engage with a crowd! Seems crazy as he's a natural at it!
The whole gig is made a more visual feast by the fact each band member has a flashing light strapped to their chest which- while making my life more difficult- gives me some excellent shots and shows that Metronomy really try and deliver with their live show- a lesson some bands could take on board!
As the gig kicks off properley and the audience get into a groove I manage to bop my way from one side of the room to the other, along with the 5 or 6 other photographers I have spied also knocking about, with my ear being chewed by some superb energetic pop- the kind of songs that hook you in quickly, take you on a ride, and then leave without outstaying their welcome.
Songs are interspersed with a little dialogue from the lead singer- who's charming and funny- although I found out post-gig (from a bigger fan than myself) that that was the first time most had seen him engage with a crowd! Seems crazy as he's a natural at it!
The whole gig is made a more visual feast by the fact each band member has a flashing light strapped to their chest which- while making my life more difficult- gives me some excellent shots and shows that Metronomy really try and deliver with their live show- a lesson some bands could take on board!
Saturday, 18 December 2010
The Pretty Reckless- Manchester Academy- 18/12/10
As I stand waiting, with the most photographers I have ever seen at the Manchester Academy, I can't help but think I am about to witness the perfect example of 'its not what you know, but who you know.'
This is mainly due to the fact that tonight's band, The Pretty Reckless, is fronted by a young lady called, Taylor Momsen, who made a name for herself acting in TV's Gossip Girl, before deciding that an Alt. Rock band is they way she'd like to earn a crust. She also happens to be incredibly attractive, slightly contraversial, and 17 years old. All of these things combined to reinforce my cynicism as to why this band have managed to sell out the Manchester Academy on their debut UK tour.
Turns out I was rather wrong.
The bands main material is, to be honest, not much to write home about. I haven't been into that kind of stuff for many years now- having got over the various injustices, problems and emotional trauma in the world. However, the band rock out, audience love it and Taylor keeps everyone suitably excited. Taylor turns out to actually be a very competent vocalist, at times sounding remarkably like Karen-O of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs (cue the refutations from hardcore YYY fans, but she bloody does!).
Interspersed into their own material, The Pretty Reckless also squeeze in a few covers. The first is introduced as "a song we wanted to play on French TV, but they wouldn't let us because they didn't think enough people would know it. I hope more of you know it." This put me on edge, 'how bad could it be!?' i'm thinking.
Not bad at all, as it turns out. The cover is of Audioslave's 'Like a Stone', a very good song that I've not heard in quite a while. I think the only people in the building who know it are me and the band- most 15 year old girls yet to acquaint themselves with Chris Cornell's back catalogue- confirming the French media's suspicions. But full credit to them for having the balls to play a song they wanted to, despite not fitting into the 'target demographic'.
The final cover, during the encore, was a medley of Oasis' 'Supersonic' and Muse's 'Time is Running Out'. Again both of these aren't the immediately obvious tracks you'd expect someone to cover, and again, most of the audience don't have a clue about them, but they're both very well executed and keep me suitably entertained!
So all in all, a show with a few surprises, and a lot of my cynicism dashed. The Pretty Reckless, it turns out, are a real, decent band, who all know what they're doing. Theres a lot of mediocre rock in the music industry nowadays and, as far as mediocre goes, I'll but them towards the top end of that scale.
This is mainly due to the fact that tonight's band, The Pretty Reckless, is fronted by a young lady called, Taylor Momsen, who made a name for herself acting in TV's Gossip Girl, before deciding that an Alt. Rock band is they way she'd like to earn a crust. She also happens to be incredibly attractive, slightly contraversial, and 17 years old. All of these things combined to reinforce my cynicism as to why this band have managed to sell out the Manchester Academy on their debut UK tour.
Turns out I was rather wrong.
The bands main material is, to be honest, not much to write home about. I haven't been into that kind of stuff for many years now- having got over the various injustices, problems and emotional trauma in the world. However, the band rock out, audience love it and Taylor keeps everyone suitably excited. Taylor turns out to actually be a very competent vocalist, at times sounding remarkably like Karen-O of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs (cue the refutations from hardcore YYY fans, but she bloody does!).
Interspersed into their own material, The Pretty Reckless also squeeze in a few covers. The first is introduced as "a song we wanted to play on French TV, but they wouldn't let us because they didn't think enough people would know it. I hope more of you know it." This put me on edge, 'how bad could it be!?' i'm thinking.
Not bad at all, as it turns out. The cover is of Audioslave's 'Like a Stone', a very good song that I've not heard in quite a while. I think the only people in the building who know it are me and the band- most 15 year old girls yet to acquaint themselves with Chris Cornell's back catalogue- confirming the French media's suspicions. But full credit to them for having the balls to play a song they wanted to, despite not fitting into the 'target demographic'.
The final cover, during the encore, was a medley of Oasis' 'Supersonic' and Muse's 'Time is Running Out'. Again both of these aren't the immediately obvious tracks you'd expect someone to cover, and again, most of the audience don't have a clue about them, but they're both very well executed and keep me suitably entertained!
So all in all, a show with a few surprises, and a lot of my cynicism dashed. The Pretty Reckless, it turns out, are a real, decent band, who all know what they're doing. Theres a lot of mediocre rock in the music industry nowadays and, as far as mediocre goes, I'll but them towards the top end of that scale.
Saturday, 11 December 2010
Mak Promo Shoot
Last month before my monthly trip to Leeds for Metropolis, they got in touch to ask if I could do a short promo shoot for one of their residents. Mak is a Dubstep DJ from Leeds who has been gigging at Metropolis & elsewhere in Leeds for quite some time. He is also a producer of some fine music and well worth checking out!
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