365 Days, 365 Photos: 08/11/2009

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Cooper's Extra Stout was one of my favorite beers that I encountered in Australia during the summer of 2004. Imagine my surprise (and delight!) when I found out that Stone Brewery distributed it here in California.

365 Days, 365 Photos: 08/10/2009

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Swim Party played a show with Local Natives at Spaceland in LA this night, and, well, this is the bathroom wall of Spaceland. The show went pretty well, even though we played last. The next day was a bit rough.

365 Days, 365 Photos: 08/09/2009

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I met up with Stacey and George at the zoo after a delicious brunch (and a nap). All I have to say is, flamingos are WEIRD.

365 Days, 365 Photos: 08/08/2009

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I love when friends come to visit, especially when those friends like architecture and beer. We managed to get in an unofficial tour of the Salk on a weekend (perk of knowing someone who works there), and then spend the bulk of the afternoon at Stone Brewery. More photos below.

Outside Lands Festival streaming live on Youtube

Last year, I spent some time in the Bay Area covering the first ever Outside Lands Music Festival. It was a great experience (a festival where it isn't 100 degrees outside? Genius!). This year, I'm staying in town for Street Scene instead of heading up north, but was pleased to hear that the entire festival will be streaming live via their YouTube channel. Now that's what I call embracing new media.

Press release:

Aug 26, 2009, San Francisco, CA -- Another Planet Entertainment, Superfly Productions and Starr Hill Presents, in a partnership with the San Francisco Recreation & Park Department, today announced that YouTube™ will stream live the Outside Lands Music & Arts Festival to viewers in the US. The live webcast will be featured on youtube.com/outsidelands beginning Friday, August 28th - Sunday, August 30th. The festival coverage will include performances from Dave Matthews Band, Jason Mraz, Thievery Corporation, The Dead Weather, Silversun Pickups, Raphael Saadiq, Cage the Elephant, Atmosphere, among others.

The tradition of marrying music and technology continues to be a foundation of the Outside Lands Music & Arts Festival. "We are proud to feature Outside Lands as the first-ever live streamed festival on such a powerful and recognizable platform as YouTube," said Richard Goodstone of Superfly Productions. Created by Superfly Marketing Group in partnership with YouTube and The T-Mobile® myTouch™ 3G, the webcast will mark the first time YouTube has streamed a major event live on its website.

"Music and many of the artists performing at Outside Lands have always found a home and audience on YouTube," said Ross Hoffman of YouTube Strategic Partnerships. "We're thrilled to bring this incredible live music festival to everyone in our community who won't be there in-person to experience the show". In addition to live streaming directly from the festival, fans will be able to access an archive of selected performances and highlights on Youtube's Outside Lands channel.

365 Days, 365 Photos: 08/07/2009

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My dear friend Adrian bought me a DIY snap-together 35mm camera because he "didn't have time to build me an AT-AT iPod dock" (kind of like this) before he moved to South Africa. Substitute accepted, but don't think I've given up hope on someday having that custom-built Star Wars iPod dock.

365 Days, 365 Photos: 08/06/2009

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Shallow depth of field and the texture of my yoga mat.

Show Photos: Megafaun, Joel P West and the Tree Ring @ Casbah, 08/05/2009

Photos: Megafaun, Joel P West and the Tree Ring @ Casbah

Most of the crowd at the Casbah this night was there for the Bowerbirds, and I don't blame them. However, they were also treated to two stunning opening acts - Joel P West and the Tree Ring, and Megafaun.

I haven't seen Joel play live since an amazing experience at the Luce Loft in March. That was where I picked up a copy of his CD Dust Jacket (and you can do the same here, for the small price of a piece of creative work). Since then, I've spent a lot of time listening to the CD and soaking it in. So I was anxious to see him again live.

Unfortunately, that was a feeling that was not shared with the majority of people in attendance. A sold out show at the Casbah is normally a chatty affair, but this night seemed more so than usual. Or maybe it was just more noticeable in contrast to Joel's delicate song arrangements.

And maybe Megafaun learned something from this, because they sure knew how to grab the audience's attention - by charging through the crowd to the back patio and then back to the stage again during the first song. Their live show is rowdy and their music definitely rings of their roots in North Carolina, paired alongside echoes of CSNY.

They pulled out various instruments during their set, like a banjo and accordion. The drummer was front and center and made very creative use of his kit. The show was incredibly entertaining for me (despite almost getting bowled over by a guitarist), even though I had no knowledge of their music beforehand. I love when that happens.

And once again, a show where I didn't manage to shoot the headliners. Bowerbirds sounded amazing, but the show was packed, and after Megafaun, I gave up my front row spot to take a breather on the patio (which is actually where Megafaun ended their set).

365 Days, 365 Photos: 08/05/2009

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Some graffiti I've noticed on the ground of the stairwell between where I work and where I park my car. I think it's a heart inside of a cube, but maybe you have to view it from above to see it that way. Maybe you have your own interpretation. Maybe it's nothing.

Maybe it's a future album cover. Any takers on that one?

365 Days, 365 Photos: 08/04/2009

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Bubble level with a flash behind it. I bought a power drill the day before, and managed to install some level shelves (and build a new Ikea desk) all by myself. Yay for power tools!

365 Days, 365 Photos: 08/03/2009

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Same building as this one. Oh what a difference some clouds can make.

Show Photos: Blind Pilot @ House of Blues, 08/02/2009

Photos: Blind Pilot @ House of Blues

There's always something that goes wrong at the House of Blues. That's the reason I don't shoot there that often, despite the great lighting. This time, I had high hopes - the employee at the ticket window procured my photo pass and tickets in record time. But of course, when I walked downstairs before the show started, there was no photo pit set up.

Now, I know that most venues I shoot don't have photo pits. I'm fine with that aspect. However, those venues NEVER have photo pits. And sometimes the House of Blues does. I can never predict when they will and when they won't. Usually I'd just show up to the venue early and stake out my spot up front. But most venues don't start shows as early as the House of Blues does (or serve drinks as expensive as the House of Blues).

All this to say, House of Blues, you somehow always manage to make my job harder than it should be. And that's why I don't shoot there that often.

But I wasn't about to miss Blind Pilot the second time around in San Diego.

They were opening for Gomez, a band that I should have gotten into during college, but didn't. So yeah, I was there for the opening band only. It happens. Especially when it's a band whose CD you haven't been able to put down since you picked it up. I highly recommend checking them out if you are a fan of mellow, somewhat melancholic indie rock, as I've been known to be.

They put on a solid show, especially with the added band members. In fact, my only complaint is that their live renditions of their songs stuck a little too closely to the album versions. A weak complaint, but I always like to see bands do something a little bit different live. That's why I pay for the show, right, instead of listening to the CD at home?

That being said, it's not a complaint that will keep me from seeing them in the future. And I'm definitely looking forward to hearing some new material as well.

The show was a part of the Red Nights series. Red Nights is a non-profit organization that aims to eliminate AIDS in Africa through the distribution of antiretroviral medication. The next San Diego show in this series is Ingrid Michaelson on October 3rd, and you can buy tickets here.

365 Days, 365 Photos: 08/02/2009

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Apologies to my vegetarian friends for posting two pork-related photos in as many days. This was taken at a going-away pig roast for a good friend that I've known since my first few months in San Diego.

365 Days, 365 Photos: 08/01/2009

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I bought a wok from Ikea for all of $7, and then had to make some pork cashew stir-fry. It turned out to be much better than I expected.

365 Days, 365 Photos: 07/31/2009

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Closing out July with a self-portrait (w/straight hair).

Show Photos: Wild Light, Mason Proper @ Casbah, 07/30/2009

Show Photos: Wild Light and Mason Proper @ Casbah

Stellastarr* had two great bands opening for them this night. The first was Mason Proper, a fantastic band from Michigan. Unfortunately I missed most of their set, due to a goodbye dinner for a close friend. But what I heard and saw convinced me to check them out again the next time they make their way to San Diego.

The second band to take the stage that night was Wild Light, who opened for Tapes 'n Tapes back in January. Just like they did then, they put on an energetic show that made quite a few fans out of the audience members. I expect they'll be headlining their own tour sooner rather than later.

Unfortunately, no photos of Stellastarr*, because the venue was quite packed and the lighting really low.

365 Days, 365 Photos: 07/30/2009

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Taken at the Turf Club, on one of P's last nights in town.

365 Days, 365 Photos: 07/29/2009

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Rudimentary version of light painting: a long exposure shot of my lit-up cell phone spinning in a circle. It's a nervous habit I have, and when I caught myself doing it, I decided to see how it would look on camera.

365 Days, 365 Photos: 07/28/2009

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More ocean. Can't say I didn't warn you.