THIS IS NOT A BLOG...

Another Dag in de Branding and a Number of Jazzy and Funky Concerts

Wed, 7 Apr 2010 20:15:13 +0200

OK, let me open this update with the second Dag in de Branding festival gallery. I have now become an official photographer and cinematographer of the festival, and I am thus preparing a brand new project page dedicated solely to this festival of contemporary music, one that will contain not only the photographs, but also the trailers that I will soon start making... Stay tuned.

Apart from this, I have covered a number of a rather interesting jazzy and funky events, the two of which need no special introduction whatsoever - Dr. Lonnie SMITH and Fun Lovin’ Criminals. Widely regarded as one of, if not the ultimate master of the Hammond organ out there, you simply had to be there to understand why, the instrument simply did seem to produce an infinite number of otherworldly sounds throughout the concert. Should you ever be able to see him live, make sure you do, it is an unforgettable experience.

The same advice applies to Fun Lovin’ Criminals. They truly are, as their very name so aptly suggests, a fun lovin’ bunch. This is the second time I have been photographing their live performance and while not much has changed between the two, I’d dare say it is for the best, because there are only a few other bands I know of that can infuse their (jam packed) audience with so much fun, causing literally the entire hall to jump around and basically have a great time. Highly recommended.

I will be shooting three new music videos over the coming three weeks, just in time to start adding content to another major section of the site - @MOVIES, which will present in one place all my video works...

So much for now, expect another update very soon,
Danijel

The Biggest Update Ever, Consider it a Christmas Present

Sat, 26 Dec 2009 20:21:24 +0100

OK, lets get the numbers sorted out right away - 13, yes, thirteen new galleries, all in time for a leisurely viewing over the holidays. Mind you, there are some true gems hidden in this update.

For a start, there is Gare du Nord - to put it in their own words, probably the best known unknown Dutch band, doing their very own “sex’n’jazz” fusion in an exemplary manner. I missed their last year’s concert and after hearing many a great critic of that performance, I made sure I was present at this year’s one, and I can wholeheartedly say that that was not a mistake, not at all.

I also covered the last leg of the Netherlands-wide (or so I believe) Contrabanda Festival, with some great acts, but I was really amazed with what Zulu 9.30 from Barcelona and The Band Hotel (still not sure if that is the proper title of the band, or is it just Hotel?) from Amsterdam have shown. They really rocked the big hall of Paard van Troje and managed to animate the great audience with their eclectic mixture of ska, Cubana, reggae and what have you. Be sure to catch the next edition of festival if it comes to the venue near you...

Dag in de Branding is a great quarterly New Music festival taking place in various venues throughout The Hague. This is the first time I covered it and there were some amazing and some strange (if enjoyable) acts, but all truly inspirational. Then yet another festival, State X New Forms, of which I am already a veteran, having covered at least the last 4 editions. It did not disappoint this year either, not in the slightest, what with such acts as The Melvins, Peaches and most amazing of all, at least as far as I am concerned - Rolo TOMASSI. Let me tell you, I have seen hundreds, if not thousands of concerts, but these kids can Rock, with a capital R at that! Hope they will not burn out, since they are just plain amazing.

The last, but not the least, Xzibit. What can I say, I am really not a big fan of Hip Hop, I am actually not a fan at all, but this guy surely know his business. He is raw, he is direct, he has got a great rapport with the audience, I have to admit that I enjoyed this performance... Plus, the entire show was very visually impressive, with some great lighting...

I believe I have not even touched upon at least half of the acts in this update, so just check them out yourself. Have great holidays and all the best in the New Year. Till next year then :)

Danijel

The Best of Paris Appelle! and a Number of Rather Cool Dutch Acts

Fri, 4 Dec 2009 14:10:35 +0100

Well, it has almost become a habit to announce “comprehensive” updates with many galleries each and every time I update my page, so I would not be the one to break up the tradition - 8 new photo galleries in total, with acts from France and the Netherlands.

Let me start with Paris Appelle! and the three acts, out of some nine or so, that I have selected to present here - Nosfell, La Caravane Passe and Berry. Other than all being very French, each in their own spirit, these acts really could not be more different from each other. Don’t get this wrong, it is not a critique, but a praise, a major on at that, to the organisers, for bringing up such a diversified program to the public - only very limited people would not enjoy an evening like this. I believe that the photographs of the three acts do tell enough about their respective styles and performances.

As for the remaining 5 galleries of Dutch bands and performers, they also do vary a lot in the musical and stage approach, but were all enjoyable nonetheless. I have to stress out that The Deaf are truly deserving of the award for the best live act, I believe in The Hague, although they would hold their ground at just about any stage worldwide - the sheer amount of good energy they project onto the audience, as well as the visual richness of their performance really must be seen to be believed.

So much for this update, another one on its way soon, very soon,
Danijel

Cesaria EVORA, Jose FELICIANO, Hanggai and 4 Other Galleries

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 01:28:27 +0100

Well, it has definitely been long since I have prepared an update of this magnitude. No, it is not only that there are seven new galleries, it is above all about the sheer quality of some, if not all, of acts photographed.

It is easy to begin with Cesaria EVORA, not only because of her incredibly emotional vocal performance. It is about a simple statement she uttered while I took her backstage portrait. Having told her to just relax and behave naturally, since I wanted to make a spontaneous image of hers, she answered something along the lines of “I cannot behave in any other way anyway”. What a simple, adorable diva indeed.

Then, Jose FELICIANO. In case you do not know who am I talking about, let me paraphrase the old saying that a picture is worth a thousand words - well, these images do no justice to the sheer genius that Jose FELICIANO is, you really have to hear that passion to be able to fully appreciate it. I have been spamming just about anyone I know for quite some time with the YouTube video of young FELICIANO playing Flight of the Bumble Bee, and not without a reason. Go look for it and see what I have been talking about here.

To top it all up - Hanggai, a total surprise and a very indescribable, albeit beautiful discovery. A group from Beijing, mixing traditional Mongolian music with modern Western instruments and production - an amazing, amazing performance. Should you by any chance be in a situation to see them, do not miss it - you would not regret it at all.

So much about this update, keep watching this space,
Danijel

6 New Galleries, and a Few Announcements

Sun, 18 Oct 2009 16:40:26 +0200

Here is another comprehensive update with 6 galleries in total, ranging from the Dutch very own, famous De Dijk, through some bass virtuosity, courtesy of one Richard BONA, and ending with The Bootleg Beatles, a great trip back in time when many a thing was better than nowadays.

The mentioned Richard BONA, a bass maestro from Cameroon, provided an unforgettable evening, with a very successful mixture of jazz, ethno, and what have you, supported by a great, truly cosmopolitan band, with members from all sides of the World.

The stars of this update definitely have to be The Bootleg Beatles. Not only did they provide a great trip through the three eras of The Beatles, if you look at the gallery you will know what I mean, but their visual and sonic performances were absolutely top notch as well. On top of that, they are a great bunch of guys, so go figure. I heartily recommend the show, should you ever have a chance to go see them, do not miss it.

I did mention a few announcements. There are a few really cool concerts coming up, should names Jose FELICIANO, Eliades OCHOA and Cesaria EVORA mean anything to you, that is. I will post the galleries up as soon as possible. Also, I have been working on a big project for the Grote Markt in The Hague (something of a Main Square, you know the ones with all the touristy, uncool bars, except that this one is not touristy and the bars are really cool, so...) and I will post a selection of the best photographs as soon as it is completed.

In the meantime, there are 6 galleries to check,
Danijel