So this WAS fun. We went down to Number 10 for a ministerial takeover where the ministers of the Ministry of Stories gave new roles (eg Minister for 90s R+B) to some MPs that were up for getting involved a bit. It was magical and the junior ministers were such fun and managed the situation so perfectly. Heartwarming.
Ekow Eshun at HofStB
Bug is a cultural collective, who last night hosted a thoughtful, energetic, expansive discussion about the hidden meaning of shoes at the House of St Barnabas. Ekow here lead the talk and I shot 50 guests' footwear on a plinth for projection during the show. Marc Hare's ten minutes were enthralling and I can see why the word charisma is never far from his name, when you search for him on your internet.
Ruen Brothers press shot
Lovely fellas the Ruen Brothers, I can tell you.
Marco Reus for PUMA
Hitting some more big names with PUMA, enjoying huge press coverage with it all of over Europe too. Prior to the shoot we were kindly treated to some hospitality at the Dortmund vs Schalke darby - a bloody huge local rivalry with the most astonishing atmosphere. It was like a banging gig, where Schalke were the Chilli Peppers playing a homecoming show to 78000 of their most extremely dedicated fans. Bloody magic, with currywurst.
Roman Weidenfeller for PUMA
I have never, ever, been colder on a shoot. The temperature plummeted in Dortmund (I blame the weather) and the snow fell and we set up and waited. Moan, blub, winge and gripe. Poor, poor me. But Roman was supercool and toughed it out with us, and we nailed some really strong shots. Shooting friendly people that believe in portraiture being participatory can really help out when the elements are trying to actually kill you.
Living the dream with Peace
Deep inside the experience, Peace are properly having it right off currently and I've been assured that wherever they are is exactly where the party is. Right there. Photographed here at some gig in a back garden sort of space and Usher was there. Huh? Yup. Don't ask me, I don't really understand much of this myself.
Skaters under a bridge
Hmm, awkward. To start with anyway. I was offered a baseball cap by these friendly, warm chaps and I said no, as I completely wrongly thought they'd plundered a shop they'd been playing at locally, only to find out it was like THEIR OWN MERCH. Non-music people be warned - THIS IS THE ULTIMATE DISS. Backtracking was futile and I had to wow them with some first rate snapsmanship to get them back on Tommy's track. Which I did. Afterwards, they offered me the cap again and I took it, merrily and not without a little relief. I hate bad vibes.
Follakzoid in Austin
Chilean cosmic rockers at sunset. All hair and good vibes and sonic atmosphere. Good for when you're feeling wide.
Slow Club at the House of St Barnabas
Just astonishingly good. The harmonies had people in tears (in a good way), just so well suited to the chapel. That said, not much has fallen on its arse in there but this was one to remember alright. New material coming soon.
I fucked up Parquet Courts for The Fly at SXSW
I did fuck this up. A proper shitty situation leading to an experience that could have been managed loads better with some simple communication. Parquet Courts DO NOT POSE FOR PHOTOS. EVER. So don't bother trying. Don't bother flying to Texas to shoot portraits of them, cos they don't do it. Rather reasonably I thought, I understand their position and when you hear their music live (which is really strong and supertight) their values make more sense in some ways but I just think any band that moves beyond playing in their garage, gets signed, gets a publicist, loves free clothes from the nice backstage brand people, is already dancing with the devil and there's little point working hard to fuck up a shoot when there's a hundred more lining up behind me. Read all about it here in Ben Homewood's well written account.
It's Nice That feature the newspaper
So It's Nice That have featured my newspaper, which is nice. Here's the link - do let me know if you can fathom the caption they wrote. I have very little clue what it refers to but I think it might mean they think it's not that nice.
Brian Cox at the House of St Barnabas
Speaking with Richard Strange at the 'A Might Big If' event at the HofStB, Brian Cox kept the chapel enthralled with Hollywood tales of a career that's spanned almost 50 years and has taken him a long way from Dundee. The shoot was perfect, a nice soft light in a lovely location with an incredibly gracious actor who responds well to light, like they all do really. It's just these musicians... More events forthcoming at the House, including their members club opening this year. I'm in on that for sure.
FWA Photo of The Day with AK
While I do find their content quite hit or miss, I still get excited when The FWA Photo Of The Day pick one of mine. An obvious hit. You should try it, go on. It's easy and makes you feel you're out there, cos it can be quite solitary sometimes huh.
Peace cover for The Fly
New issue out now! Peace are thoroughly decent chaps, very pleasant company plus their music ain't half bad neither. You wouldn't believe the crappy location and sticky carpet environs surrounding this shoot but the ringflash irons out all the rough spots always.
Yaya Toure for PUMA
Lovely shoot with Yaya. A great, supercool guy and strong imagery for PUMA editorial. More shoots to follow hopefully.
PLEASE DO THIS!
Really pleased to be involved with the wonderful 100 Project who raise funds for the Prince's Drawing School. I thought (well, hoped) as you're reading this that you might be into my work and therefore want to possibly own a unique print - a punt I know, but hey. It's on eBay but not for much longer. Please bid or tell your mates or get involved in some way, it'll make you feel good I swear. Cheers.
Grimes, uh huh
That's it. Probably, almost certainly.
Riders for Health Feature on CNN
A decent gallery and feature on Riders here. The greatest people doing the best work with the simplest solution. Please distribute!
So many shoots...
That I needed January off. Well, not quite but the end of year runaround for The Fly's (bloody brilliant) Bands for 2013 issue got pretty hectic. Ideas were bashed out quick and strong and Team Tom delivered wonderfully. Thanks fellas. Have a peep at the digi version here and gauge for yourself tho I guess. The King Krule shoot was memorable to say the least, low tide at Surrey Quays, him up to his Nikes in sludge and us wrestling with mini-Octas in gale force dunno but who gives a shit, they look spot on - to my taste at least. So thanks for reading my nonsense (my web stats say it's not just you mum) and here's to another bumber year ahead, for you too I hope. Off on hols and back soon. Nicely.
Vidic for PUMA in The Times
Man Utd captain at Trafford FC for PUMA. Cool guy and unlike most of the other footballers I've met. Great shoot too, with 2 changes of strip and 3 locations in one hour. Boom.