Moblogging

My official photoblogging stint over at Lifelounge is at an end now. You can see my efforts over at Lifelounge or in this Flickr set.

I feel like a sellout writing about the phone too much, but it's pretty nifty. It ain't no iPhone though.

That picture is of my new Straight Arrows 7" record. I don't even have a record player, but it's a nice memento.

I ordered it from the new Polaroids of Androids store. I heartily endorse their product and/or service. And they didn't have to give me a free phone to say that.

Levity Records launch

This evening was the launch of the Levi's Jeans sponsored record label Levity. The first and so far only signing, Kiwi band Cut Off Your Hands played at the event held at the National Art School.

It's an interesting marketing and music business initiative. Levi's paid for the recording of Cut Off Your Hands new EP, Blue on Blue. It was recorded in London with Bernard Butler producing, something that would have been nigh on impossible without the financial backing of Levi's.

The band still own the recording and in return appear in some Levi's advertising and have the EP released on the Levity label. The band get some very handy financial assistance and publicity and Levi's improve their brand with a reputation as a grass roots music supporter.

With the music industry in decline we're bound to see more initiatives like this.

Jerry over at Who The Hell wrote more about it and has a stream of one of the songs off the new EP.

Levi's are on to a good thing with Cut Off Your Hands. They're a great band, write catchy upbeat tunes, look good and are one of the hardest working bands around.

They played SXSW and a bunch of shows in the US, they then went to the UK and did another round of shows and recorded. They came back to Australia and just finished a tour with Young and Restless. Next they do a 17 date tour of New Zealand, playing the major cities and every sleepy holiday town in between. They're then back to Australia on tour with Teenagers in Tokyo in August. Then probably again in December. It makes me tired just thinking about it.

Dappled Cities Fly and Red Riders tour photos

Last week Dappled Cities Fly and Red Riders co-headlined a sold out show at The Metro in Sydney. I took pictures.

It was quite an occasion, one which marks a high point in the rise of each band.

Sydney bands tend to start their lives by playing a gig at a smallish venue like The Excelsior or The Hopetoun, if they graduate from that they may play at Spectrum, Candys or The Annandale. The next step might be The Gaelic Club and if they've really got things going for them, The Metro.

After that it's a game of diminishing returns. If you move on to The Enmore or the Hordern Pavillion or even the Entertainment Centre, it's not so fun to watch anymore. The Metro holds about a thousand people, which is about the biggest size to still feel intimate and comfortable. It's a well designed room which has seen some incredible gigs in it's time.

Once a band can sell out The Metro it's a bit of a hallmark moment in their career. And so it was for Sydney bands Dappled Cities and Red Riders.

After triumphant sets, both bands came back on stage to cover Guns'n'Roses November Rain. It was awesome. Sean has video.

I'm not sure what's next for Red Riders, but Dappled Cities are soon to migrate to the US. They've got support tours lined up with Tokyo Police Club and The Fratellis. Exciting times.

You can read Tim's tour diary of their last trip to America when i briefly crossed their path.

Not to be forgotten was fabulous supporting act Belles Will Ring. They're about to embark on their own tour soon.

New York finale

And to put my USA pictures to rest here's my photos from New York.

I love New York so much. Every time i visit i have the most awesome time and meet so many great people. One of these days i'll get off my arse and move over there.

After the R&R of Vegas New York was back to more partying. Lots of late nights and lock ins.

Now i promise no more travel pics from months past. That puts an end to posts about my American adventure.

Las Vegas pictures

I'm still trawling down memory lane and have just uploaded my gallery of photos from Las Vegas.

Vegas came directly after my 10 days in Austin and was like a recovery from the hectic times at SXSW.

Most would come to Vegas to gamble and party but i spent most of it in bed, watching Lost and kicking about the house.

It was a welcome respite. I already did the Vegas partying/gambling/wedding thing two years ago.

I was lucky enough to have friends to stay with, Nat and her hubby Anthony. I was very thankful for their hospitality.

V Festival Sydney

While i'm posting old stuff, here's some photos from V Festival in Sydney.

The lineup was pretty stellar - The Pixies, Jarvis Cocker, Beck, Pet Shop Boys, Groove Armada, Gnarls Barkley and lots more.

I shot it the same day i arrived from a 16 hour plane trip, so it was all a bit of a daze.

Bobby reviewed it for Drum Media.

SXSW photos part 2

Now the final part of my SXSW photos.

On day 3 we have The Aussie BBQ, Airbourne, Beasts of Bourbon, The Good The Bad and The Queen, The Bravery, Saul Williams, Mink, The Horrors and Perry Farrell.

On day 4 we have Iggy Pop, Paolo Nutini, Malajube, Tokyo Police Club and Tom Morello. I was totally exhausted by day 4 so didn't take as many pictures as other nights.

It was amazing seeing Iggy Pop again, but i was gutted i didn't make it into the photo pit. There's so many accredited photographers at SXSW that they don't all fit in the pit for the popular shows. So i watched from the crowd and snapped some shots from there. Danny North, Kris Krug and Chad Wadsworth were all in the pit and got some great shots.

If you can't tell from the pictures, i had a stellar time at SXSW. Austin is a great city, i hung out with awesome people, saw great bands and took pictures the whole time. Twas the good life.

SXSW Music Part 1

I'm only about 3 months late with posting these pictures, but here's some photos of day 1 and 2 of the SXSW Music Festival.

There was some great acts including Bloc Party, Amy Winehouse, The Presets, The Pipettes and plenty more.

Day 1 includes photos of The Young Knives, Yo Majesty, Razorlight, Pete Townshend, Children Collide, Expatriate, Mumm Ra, Macromantics, Lily Allen, Jamie T and more.

Day 2 includes photos of Youth Group, The Presets, The Pipettes, The Fratellis, The Dears, The Bravery, Bloc Party, Amy Winehouse and more.

If you consider that i saw just a tiny fraction of the bands who were playing on those days it gives you an idea of the breadth of acts on show at SXSW. Well over 1000 come to Austin for the four days.

June 9, 2007

June 7, 2007