amber
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I just couldn't do it, not even with help...it just couldn't be a Top 10. It almost killed me to narrow this to 13. But here's my super-self indulgent post.
In no particular order:
1.
Andrew McKeag of The Presidents of the United States of America, Seattle 3/15/08
This guy is pure (sorry Dale) DILF.
2.
The Donnas, Seattle, 2/23/08
I just like the movement. The photo was much better than their music, IMO.
3.
The Swell Season, Coachella, 4/25/08
Just look at his face...don't you feel the love he has for her? Just gorgeous
4.
Evan of "Awesome", Sasquatch Music Festival, 5/25/08
I like the blur of Evan and the clarity of the trumpet. Plus, Evan is one of my favorite rock "boyfriends"
5.
Ben Gibbard (Death Cab for Cutie) and Zach Rogue (Rogue Wave), Portland, 6/26/08
You all knew there'd be a Death Cab shot right? But seriously, doesn't it show the affection the two bands obviously have for each other?
6.
Robin Pecknold of Fleet Foxes, SubPop 20th Anniversary Bash, 7/12/08
This shot almost makes Robin not look homeless.
7.
Chromeo, Seattle, 7/26/08
When I pressed the button, I had one thought..."money shot". I was pleased that I did manage to get the photo when he pointed right at me. :)
8.
Franz of The Hold Steady, Seattle, 7/26/08
Craig Finn isn't the only dramatic one in the band
9.
The Blakes, Bumbershoot, Seattle 8/31/08
How could I not love a sweaty, rough, hairy and intense rocker?
10.
Peter Hayes, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Seattle, 9/7/2008
This show and this guy were both just completely sexy. Maybe that colors the photo for me, but I still like the way he's leaning back and focused.
11.
Oliver Ackermann of APTBS, Monolith, 9/13/2008
The strobes and smoke just seemed to emphasize that Oliver is rather fragile and shy, despite the power of his music.
12.
Dead Confederate, Seattle 11/19/08
High ISO and low light often make for lots of "noise" in the photo. In this case, I think it made the photo and reminds me of how Dead Confederate's music makes me feel.
13.
Ben Gibbard, Oakland 12/11/08
You all knew there'd be another Death Cab photo, right? But I love the clarity of the shirt and the play of the shadow and light on the cloth. The blur of the instrument just makes me smile
So...there they are. Hope you like them.
My top 10...not albums, not songs and this year, not shoes. This time I’m going to profile my top 10 shows I saw in 2008.
This year was a banner year for me. I had multiple shows every month, hit 5 major music festivals, and shared so much live music with so many of you, my e-family and Music Nerd Friends. It was tough to narrow the list to 10, but I did and while tomorrow my ranking of them will probably change, I even will list them from 10 to 1.
And so…amber’s Top Ten Live Music Experiences of 2008 are:
10. The Blakes at Bumbershoot Music Festival, Seattle 8/30/2008.
I had been hearing of these boys for quite some time, but thought they were a hip-hop trio and so never caught their live act since that’s not my thing. I was wrong…not about hip-hop, since I still don’t like that genre, but about The Blakes. When I saw them play at Lollapalooza I was suitably impressed but they blew me away when they played their set at Bumbershoot. Pure, hot rock and roll with attitude and sullen sultriness…perfection.
9. The Hold Steady, Showbox SODO, Seattle 11/21/2008
I don’t know if their performance was all that or if I just love these guys so much that they will always hold a place in every Top 10 list I will ever make. This show was fabulous and fun, with Craig Finn telling us his stories, backed by the best bar band, just reeking of Americana. I pre-func’d for this show, as should be a requirement for any Hold Steady show, and was plied with whisky during, so I certainly wasn’t all together able to focus clearly. What I do know is that a grand time was had by all.
8. Harvey Danger’s 10th Anniversary Extravaganza, The Triple Door, Seattle March 6th and 7th, 2008
OK, I may be cheating a bit here, since this was actually 2 shows but they were bookends and you just couldn’t enjoy one without the other. HD is a local favorite of mine and lead singer Sean Nelson holds a special place in my heart, most especially because he never hesitates to stop and talk with me and the fact he sees me all over Seattle hasn’t scared him yet. These 2 shows were unique and great because the band played all their songs in chronological order, from start to finish, including deep cuts and covers and even a Christmas song--in March. It was extraordinary and was special also in that my 8 year old daughter, Bella joined us. She loves her some HD too.
7. Rilo Kiley, Showbox SODO, Seattle 4/10/2008
Another show made special by the addition of my little concert going buddy, Bella. The performances of Jenny Lewis and Blake Sennett were amazing and the whole thing was delightful. Since Bella is short, we got to the venue with enough time for me to claim a spot against the stage for us and this was where I discovered kids at concerts are rock star magnets. Bella got special attention from Jenny and Blake made Bell’s world when he handed her his guitar pick and closed her fingers over it. Driving home, a sleepy Bella mumbled "I like touching rock stars." Uh oh…
6. The Swell Season, Coachella, April 2008
Of all the wondrous sets of Coachella…and there were many that magical weekend in the desert…Glen and pretty Marketa dazzled me with their pure love of music, performing and each other. With all the other, louder bands, the quiet beauty of their music was just what I needed to hear, as the sun set over the California mountains. Just gorgeous.
5. The Whigs, Lollapalooza After Party, House of Blues, Chicago 8/2008
I had seen The Whigs in May at Sasquatch and completely enjoyed their set. When it came to choosing one after party to hit while at Lolla, my vote was for The Whigs. Relatively unknown and competing with other after parties featuring Flogging Molly, Devotchka, Brand New, etc, the others in our group agreed to select The Whigs and I started to fret that I lead them astray. I shouldn’t have worried. The Whigs brought it with gusto, enthusiastically playing their southern rock and giving us girls a thrill; Tim, the bassist is a cutie.
4. Stereophonics, Showbox Market, Seattle 9/21/2008
This was the surprise show for me this year. Not only hadn’t I heard of this band, I was simply blown away by their music, their performance, their fans and their bassist. Joined by 2 of my favorite people to see shows with (Mike who flew into Seattle from Indianapolis just for this show and my constant sidekick, Jaye), I had such an amazing time. These guys were astounding and the fact they wouldn’t let me take pictures (I snuck this one) was only slightly a downer. We all walked away with guitar pics too…I just love swag.
3. Death Cab for Cutie, Deck the Hall Ball, Seattle 12/9/2008 and Not So Silent Night, Oakland 12/11/2008
Another cheat. Two shows but they are tied together in my heart. Annie flew to Seattle for the first show and she and I joined hands to watch our adored Death Cabbies play the first 5 songs off their debut album, Something About Airplanes. This was a first for me, and I’ve seen DCfC…uh…several times. Then, 2 days later I flew to Oakland to repeat the adventure, this time on Annie’s turf. Same band, different set lists and same happy feelings. Annie is the best DCfC buddy EVER; she and I have more adventures in us, together; of this I am certain.
2. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Showbox Market, Seattle, 9/7/2008
I love BRMC but Jaye LOVES BRMC and it was her birthday. How could we not go? But even with that lead up we had no idea how INCREDIBLE THESE GUYS WOULD BE! Much was drunk…and I do mean much…but there aren’t words to describe the pure power of this show. Wow. Seriously. Wow.
1. Christian Kjellvander, my living room, 10/4/2008
Our very own Henry set up a series of Living Room Shows for his friend and Swedish musician, Christian and his wife, Therese. My show was their last on this tour and I was STRESSED. What if no one comes? What if Christian…well…sucks? What if we lose power? Stress, I tell you. I shouldn’t have worried. Although my husband and I had to clean like rabid dogs, the show came off without a hitch. We had easily 50 people attending, the food and wine loosened them up nicely and Christian and Therese wove such magic in our home. Some people have a holy man bless their home; we had Christian bless ours, with his gorgeous voice and lovely music. I feel like the notes are still here, soaked into the walls and sifted between the floor boards. It was the highlight of my year. 2009 will have to seriously bring it to come even close.
So…there you have it. Ten moments from my year that made me happy; approximately 20-25 hours that brought tears to my eyes, cheers to my throat, and made my heart beat along with every kick drum and bass. It was a really good year.
Comments
1) What type of camera do you use?
2) Are you on the Hold Steady message board?
these photos were taken with my point and shoot (a good point and shoot but still just a point and shoot) which is a Sony DSC-H9
and no...what message board and why?
I am so SO jel for your #2 show. I HAVE to see these guys at some point in my life!
Otherwise, a very impressive list. The only shocker is that Snoden at Monolith did not make the list. You've made Corinne Lee sad. ;)
Alright, most of the bio posts I've read are more interesting than anything I can plug in here (tiger mauling! Nudity!) but my intrinsic self centered interest compels me to share...
I haven't ever lived anywhere other than Washington State and except for one school year at Washington State University, only on the western side of the state. While that sounds boring, I actually wouldn't change it; Seattle is perfect for me and always has been. I don't think I could ever live away from the water and be happy (although my horrible sensitivity to motion and the resultant vomiting keeps me off boats for the most part)
I was born in Port Angeles, a tiny, repressed, backwards town about 2-3 hours west of Seattle and 1000's of miles from Seattle's freedom and mindset. My father was a mill wright at a paper mill for over 50 years and my mother did tons of odd jobs after a rather bitter and vicious divorce. I was, thankfully, young enough that only the scrapnel of their warfare hit me, so my scars are few. I have 2 sibs (besides the ones I found here xoxo) who are considerably older than I, so I felt like an only child. My 19 years in Port Angeles were horrible and I rarely go back, even though my mother is still there. Bad things happened but worse could have and there are two things that I will accept from my childhood (the rest I toss back as unwanted) 1. I desired nothing more than to get OUT! and so I used my brain, keeping good grades and the plan of a college education to propel my butt out of there. It was a good plan and worked. 2. I met my husband, Danny, when I was 15, sitting next to me in chemistry class. Thank God for alphabetic order. He saved me from myself many many times over the last 20+ years.
After high school graduation, I attended 1 community college and 1 university before landing at the University of Washington in Seattle, where I eventually graduated from their pharmacy program. Danny was by my side through all these college changes and he graduated from the UofW also-twice actually, and is a pharmacist also. We had an on again, off again romantic relationship (although always together as the best of friends and companions) until 1993, when I discovered I was over 3 months pregnant...whoops. It took until I was bigger than a Seattle ferry boat, but Danny decided he was in for the count and when Brennan was born in February 1994, the father of the century was created. We didn't actually marry until November of 1999; I wanted to quit my lousy job and needed the medical benefits since Bella joined our family in February 2000. Yep, I was 6 months preggers at my own wedding. I wore red. :)
See...boring, right?
I've tried to be a typical mommy. I really have. But I will never be the normal mini-van, cookie baking, scrap booking soccer mom. Even early on a co-worker told me I looked strange holding my baby with a streak of maroon in my hair. She meant it with a snarl but I hold myself to a different concept. My children will not be repressed into a cookie cutter mold of what people expect from them. There are rules and expectations but I want to raise individuals. So, there! And I bet I am one of the only moms who doesn't have their kid turn down the music on the stereo when dropping him off at the junior high. :)
MINI DEETS:
I don't need much sleep. I have 2 speeds: stop and go. My favorite color is green. I don't like country music or hip hop. Mustard as a condement is only slightly better than mustard as a gas. Blech. I struggle with my weight and always have and it makes me self concious. I can be catty and sarcastic but also loving and generous and sometimes I don't know which is the flaw. I am extremely loyal and you can count on me but I expect the same from my friends. I am a horrible house keeper and am terrible with money.
Who I am now? And how it relates to MOG? Music (and collaterally, photography) is a huge part of my life. I am addicted to experiencing live music and go to quite a few shows, concerts, festivals and the like. I always have my camera/s with me. There's no place for me but the front of the pit and I often have bruises on my arms from the stage. My family is usually tolerant of this obsession and Bella seems to be following in my footsteps. This makes me proud more than scares me, although there is a little bit of both.
See...there's no nudity. No tigers. Nothing really to make me stand out. But I'm only 1/2 done with my life. I promise...especially with the help from my e-friends and family...that I can do better with the rest of the time I have left.
Coachella 2009 anyone?
Comments
You wore red at your wedding, how fantastic! I'd love to see pictures one day.
No likey mustard?! My whole world is crumbling...
Stop using the world boring here! Reading/talking about the lives our friends is NEVER boring.
xoxo!
(raises a glass) Here's to the women of bastard children club...unite.
Only 1/2 done you say...we better get you some guitar classes and start you rocking out.
Comments
I do! You're getting real good. Drop the day job!
Great shots, every last one. Wish that shot of The Kills could have made the list. That was a phenomenal moment, but these are certainly more artistically impressive.
this shot was in the top 18...but honorable mention?
I love the potential of this photo.