Friday 24 September 2010

'The Ruskins' @ Koko (supported by 'The Joker & The Thief')

Its been a while since i strolled down Camden Town, and upon doing so, this fact struck me as a bit of a shame. Its a superb example of Londons ability to accept everything and offer even more.



Hopping off the 253 from Stoke Newington, i bounded into a rather jovial stride down the high street, roughly aimed towards Koko. There was good reason for this positive disposition, as i had heard nothing but good things about both the bands i was due to take pictures of and was glad about the fact that my ears were going to me penetrated with something that wasn't of the electronic genre. Now i must state here, my love for said music knows no bounds but, as with everything, a change from the norm is rather nice occasionally.



First up, 'The Joker & The Thief'. This trio is made up of two old school friends of mine, Justin Gartry (guitar) and Dan Grabiner (vocals, drums and other random pieces of percussion), accompanied by Josh Elliot (Saxophone and accordion), were hands down one of the best live performances i have seen in a long time. Now, i am by no means an aficionado when it comes to this genre of music, or be it any for that matter. However their blend of rock, indie, folk, blues and god knows what else, struck me as original and inspired, especially their rendition of 'All along the watchtower', Bravo lads.
Now We come to the main act of the evening, the band for which i had been summoned to capture in action with my unique skills and ability, I give you 'The Ruskins' ladies and gentlemen.



With a mixture of indie, ska and folk music, they were just the sort of up beat vibe that the crowd were craving for after their tasty starter. Eamon the front man on vocals, with Dave on drums and Ricky on bass (and lets not forget some truly unforgettable MC'ing from Mr Marcus Adams), had the crowd, right from the word go, eating out of his palm. You really got the feeling that the crowd would quite literally jump on que for the man, and they did just that.



With more (stage) invasions than the Roman army the band stood their ground and played on, all i can say is, why these guys aren't signed after all the good press and reviews they have had, i simply do not know!



Have a flick through the flickrr link below for the full album of the nights events and please note the pictures above on this page are in chronological order i.e the first two are of The Joker and The Thief etc.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/51731306@N06/sets/72157624902007873/

Wednesday 22 September 2010

London Fashion Week 2010 & 'Angel Jackson' Afterparty

Over the last few days i have been assigned to one of the years most important dates in the fashionistas calendar, London Fashion Week.



With shows across london from Somerset House to the disused Euro Star Platform at Waterloo it is the fashion world as a whole strutting its well heeled and bejewelled stuff in our humble city.
I must admit given the press and aire of importance given to the event over the years I was mildly unimpressed by what I came across.



It was, as it essentially should be, simply a place where people interested in clothes and such can come together, admire each others work and comment where necessary. In this respect the bitchiness and pompous nature that we have come expect from this industry does not harbour itself in the people who really matter, the designers. It is however very clearly evident in the people who seem to attach and feed off this industry, though genrally better looking and dressed to the nines, these people have more in common with a leech than you would expect.



My feelings aside, as is similar in many warps of life one cannot survive without the other.
During the few days that i attended, i was surprised to find myself peering at stalls and being genuinely impressed with what i had seen, and no this wasn't just in the lingerie section.....though mostly!



The 'Angel Jackson' After party was a huge success with all sorts of weird and, lets not forget, wonderful people. With enough free pink champagne to floor even the hardest of exhibitionists, everybody had a smile on their face. Congratulations are most certainly in order.



Here are a few pictures, and a link to the album in full, enjoy!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/51731306@N06/sets/72157625011671588/

Tuesday 7 September 2010

Morning London!!

I shall not say how or why i was to find myself wondering along the embankment of the Thames in the small hours of the morning, but the fact is i was and as per usual i was camera in hand.



Being the spiritual heart of the city, the Thames has always been very special to me as it is to many Londoners. It was this wistful idealism of the river and the city that i have tried to capture here.



Here are just a few pictures from that early morn.
Battling with the low light, i used what was naturally there to create some romantic effects, in the shake of the camera, the natural colours and maybe a bit of tweeking in Lightroom/Photoshop.