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Author & Punisher |
Thinking back over 2014, and what a year it was. Early on:
Author and Punisher,
lionfight,
Otep... then later,
Bret Michaels and
Blackjack Billy.... So much music! As a photographer, sometimes I listen as much with my eyes as with my ears at concerts. At the end of this post, you'll see why. But first, here's my summary of the year that's about to come to a close! (And if you want to scroll back through the year, use the archive link ---> over there on the right!)
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Adam Granduciel, The War on Drugs, TBD Fest, 2014 |
MOST LISTENED-TO ALBUM, at least in the last quarter of the year:
The War On Drugs, Lost in the Dream. After seeing them for the
first time at TBD Fest here in Sacramento, I was lost in the album. The subliminal notes from Dire Straits, Bob Dylan; the opening of Red Eyes so reminiscent of the
opening of Dry Land... and the most sublime transitions in Suffering that just turn my heart inside-out, and the so-danceable and intense An Ocean Between The Waves. How could this fail to become one of my most-listened to albums? Then there's competition with
Gemini Syndrome's LUX, which continues to be one of my most-listened-to albums of recent years... and
Marillion's Sounds That Can't Be Made, But both of these were released prior to 2014, so what will 2015 bring?
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Ivan Moody of FFDP (Five Finger Death Punch) and Alison Toon of Toon's Tunes |
BEST FESTIVAL, difficult choice, as each festival covered this year was unique and very, very memorable. From
Cropredy in England with flags and rain and
Marillion to
TBD Fest in a dusty Sacramento construction site... all were wonderful experiences. But
Aftershock always stands out, and this year was immensley memorable for the chat with
Ivan Moody of Five Finger Death Punch. (Photo credit Karli Hughes.)
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Steve Hogarth (H), Marillion, Cropredy festival, 2014 |
BIGGEST REGRET: Not seeing
Gemini Syndrome live this year. However,
I did get to spend some time chatting Brian Steele Medina... and will be there next year, somewhere, somehow! Also... not making it to
Knotfest, as I had to be somewhere-else at the same time. Maybe we can fix that in 2015?
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Fans waiting for Five Finger Death Punch, Aftershock 2014 |
GREATEST CROWD:
The People Of Aftershock, of course!
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The Soft White Sixties at the Assembly, Sacramento |
BEST DISCOVERIES: A whole list of music new-to-me, including
The Last Internationale,
The Red Paintings, The War On Drugs, and, way back in April,
The Soft White Sixties. They are phenomenal and I really, really want to see them again in 2015. And don't forget
Sacramento's own The Three Way!!!
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Rob Zombie at Aftershock 2014, Sacramento |
MOST DIFFICULT TO "SHOOT": Other than the usual local low-light venues, which are always ridiculous, I have to rate
Rob Zombie's show at Aftershock the most tricky to photograph. Not only was the lighting difficult, I was squished between two speaker stacks and two videographers who blocked the view of the stage. But... you just work with it!
BEST INDOORS LIVE PERFORMANCES: one of these might just have been at the very end of the year... those of you who wrote your lists before the end of December might have missed
One-Eyed Doll!
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The Three Way, March 2014 |
MOST-ENJOYED LOCAL BANDS: Sacramento has a lot of talent, a lot of performers, and a lot of bands who are weekend-warrior-locals. Some of whom really stand out, probably because they constantly work at their music, learn and grow: (and for me, most important: they sing on-key!) It will be interesting to see what happens in 2015, as some of my favourites have lineup changes, some are touring, some have albums out. Check out especially
Zeroclient.
The Three Way,
Fair Struggle,
A Mile Till Dawn,
The Alpha Complex,
FallRise,
Journal.
MOST-ANTICIPATED FOR NEXT YEAR:
Marillion weekends! Aftershock 2015!!! And--hopefully will make it there in 2015--
Knotfest!!!
LEAST CHANGED IN FOREVER:
Steve Hackett. He must have a portrait in the attic.
FAVOURITE PHOTO OF 2014: This one of
Nic Astacio, lionfight. And it explains why I love photographing performers... of any kind of music, and often with the most inapropriate lenses for the lighting conditions. Because of moments like this.
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Nick Astacio, lionfight, Sacramento 2014 |