Ranting Details

Lazy Post of the Day: Adele's "Love"

Is anyone else drooling in anticipation for Adele's sophomore album due this February?  If you weren't already, check out the following performance of her second single "Someone Like You" and get back to me. 

Preview: The Becca Stevens Band

A few months ago I had the pleasure of shooting the luminous Becca Stevens, a New York City-based singer/songwriter.  We got some great shots working together in Riverside Park, but knew we needed to get back together so we could include the full band in some images for their upcoming album. 

Planning a shoot with one person is difficult enough to coordinate, but with five schedules involved it's nearly impossible to nail down a time.  Fortunately we were able to execute the shoot earlier this week (at a moment's notice) amidst the marble tables and plethora of couches at The Bourgeois Pig.  Here are a few of the shots!

 

Becca Stevens

This shoot was a long time coming; I first started coordinating with singer/songwriter Becca Stevens several months ago, but due to scheduling conflicts we weren't able to nail a date down.  Finally, last week, we journeyed out into the East Coast heatwave for a little early morning shooting in Riverside Park. 

Part of the difficulty of shooting in the city is access to locations (or lack thereof), so I'm always on a search for areas that can be transformed to look like something they're not.  I found just such a place in the middle of the park, where I could block out signs of the city and use the scenery as a way to reflect some of the nature influences that sneak into Stevens's fantastic songs. 

Be sure to check out her website, and be on the lookout for her upcoming album!

 

 

 

 

 

Late Blooming in the Mountains

For my second shoot of the week I journeyed up in the California mountains to photograph a band, The Late Bloomers.  Over the past few years this group has been making quite the name for themselves in the Pasadena area with their blend of folk and bluegrass, and they're gearing up to release their first album later this year.  It was a pleasure to shoot with them (even if they were teasing me a bit for my sideways camera techniques) and I can't wait to see them on tour when I come back to the area later this summer!

 

 

Danica Dora...The Puddle Explorer

This week, one of the busiest of the year, has already brought several exciting shoots and I'm not even halfway done!  One of the most exhilarating was a Wednesday morning session with the obscenely talented Danica Dora, a rising force in the music world whose blend of bluegrass-inspired pop is as refreshing as it is comforting.  We staked out a location in Riverside Park and started working at 6AM to ensure the proper light for the vibe over her upcoming debut album.  Here are some of the results: three shot on a Holga and one digital cohort. 

 

 

 

No Talent in the Room

Last night I stuffed myself into a corner and pulled out my zoom lens.  A rather typical Sunday night, to be honest, but this time instead of hiding outside of Anderson Cooper's Manhattan abode pretending I'm papparazzi (like I used to pretend I was Harriet the Spy), I was at the band rehearsal for the NewMusicalTheatre.com Launch Concert.

The unfortunate thing about this concert is there is a major shortage of talent in all areas.  I mean...Tony Award-nominee Kelli O' Hara?  Never heard of her!  Not to mention performers like Matt Doyle (Spring Awakening), Stephen Booth (Glory Days) , Emma Hunton (Spring Awakening), Betsy Wolfe (Everyday Rapture), Jay Johnson (Hair), Alex Brightman (Wicked), De'Adre Aziza (Passing Strange), Lindsay Mendez (Everyday Rapture), Natalie Weiss (Everyday Rapture) and Krysta Rodriguez (The Addams Family).  Not a decent Broadway credit in the bunch.  They'll be performing music by composers Pasek and Paul, Lowdermilk & Kerrigan, Nick Blaemire, Adam Gwon, Joe Iconis, and Ryan Scott Oliver, so it's sure to be just awful (translation: out-of-this-world amazing). 

Who am I kidding?  With a lineup like this, it's gonna be a night to remember.  Pick up a ticket and get down to Le Poisson Rouge tonight at 10 PM!

 

(Emma Hunton)

(Krysta Rodriguez)

(Brian Lowdermilk and Kait Kerrigan)

(De'Adre Aziza)

(Alex Brightman and Steven Booth)

(Betsy Wolfe)

 

(Director David Ruttura)

(Jay A. Johnson)

(Composer Ryan Scott Oliver)

 

(Pianist Adam Wachter)

 

(Emma Hunton and Matt Doyle)

 

(Matt Hinkley)

(Adam Gwon)

 

(Sheet music to Ryan Scott Oliver's "Twisted Teeth"--making its world-premiere tonight-- from our upcoming show 35mm)

Natalie Weiss Can Sing

Anyone who has been reading the blog for a while knows it's no secret that I'm a huge fan of Ms. Natalie Weiss.  I, like many others, first discovered her on YouTube several years ago, and have since had the pleasure to not only see her perform countless times, but to work with her on several photo shoots.  Most recently, I had the chance to photograph her Birdland solo-concert debut titled Offline (poking fun at her YouTube fame), which gave everyone a chance to witness how she's grown vocally (she's truly incomparable) and as an all-around entertainer.  Here are a few shots from the evening, as well as a video of her stunning rendition of "Big White Room." 

 

 

Ebersole's World

A few weeks ago I had the incredible opportunity to photograph Christine Ebersole's show at Cafe Carlyle.  It was a truly memorable evening, in which the multiple Tony Award-Winner performed a wide variety of work, ranging from a phenomenal take on "Stormy Weather" to more comedic songs, all which showcased her unrivaled range. 

 

 

 

 

 

(Ebersole and Elaine Stritch after the show.)

Lazy Post of the Day: Be Obsessed With The Noise

I really don't know what to say other than that I'm now obsessed with The Noisettes.  Today there was a feature in The Times on this British band, and I was drawn in by the lead singer's hairdo, so I thought I'd check them out.   I have spent the past three hours with their songs on repeat.  Aside from being GORGEOUS, lead singer Shingai Shoniwa has a voice that reminds me of a hybrid of India.Arie/Amy Winehouse/Adele/Santogold/Karen O./Beth Ditto.  Not bad people to sound like... 

Here's a live acoustic version of their single "Never Forget You."

And a cover of The Killers' "When You Were Young."

Lazy Post of the Day: Late to the Party

I know.  I know.  I'm late to the party known as Lykke Li.  This Swedish indie-rock darling, whose debut, Youth Novels, came out last summer, is a perfect mix of quirky vocals reminiscent of Robyn, and the lilting, emotion-fueled instrumentals of Feist's first album; I can't get enough.  For those of you who enjoy a taste before checking out the full album, here is a live performance from a television show in Holland of one of my favorite songs, "Little Bit." 

And just in case you need another, here is "Tonight."