Making Waves

As of this past weekend, Soundwaves Studios of Union, NJ, is one year of age and naturally, they threw a party. This event was an all day indoor/outdoor battle of the bands headlined by the very popular, Cash Cash. Every band that participated showed genuine heart, enthusiasm, and excitement to share the stage with a national act. Soundwaves is quickly becoming a household name throughout the Jersey music scene. Their facility is classy, their engineers and staff are friendly and capable, and their love for creating music goes beyond just recording and rehearsal space. The studio does live Hi-Def DVD recordings, music lessons, and they host a recording camp for those interested in learning the ropes. Be on the lookout for Soundwaves and expect big things. Other artists in attendance were The Weakend Warriors who also documented the event via photograph, and the very talented Michael Graziano of Wolf Tone Illustration. Feel free to tag and steal all of my photos, but I ask you sincerely to make sure that everyone knows where you got them from. LINK ME! <3

Danny Hynes

"My career is going better than I ever hoped, and it feels like I'm not doing anything." This man breathes creativity on a daily basis, and usually gets paid for it. Danny Hynes: animator, illustrator, musician, and as of late, puppeteer. You can catch his professional work on a late night television cartoon known as "The Venture Brothers," where he is titled character designer and can be attributed for the clothing and maturing of Hank and Dean Venture for most of the upcoming fourth season; one of many tasks. I was given a chance to sit with him and talk about his more recent personal endeavor, creating puppets. Drawing and animation was and will always be a first love for him, but after schooling and working with it for so many years, he explains how he can never look at a cartoon or computer animated program the same way. Moving on to another artistic outlet is a natural step after conquering the first few. From cutting and dying his own fabrics to scripting, performing and editing video with friends, Danny is taking puppeteering full on DIY, learning new things daily through experience and hard work. When looking at his creations and realizing his progress, he modestly asks himself, "How did I get here?" After being enthralled in a life of endless artistic imagination, and being constantly surrounded by real hard working artists of the same or greater merit, it isn't hard to answer that question. He keeps a personal blog where he often posts his drawings and other imaginative explorations including some videos of his first puppet, Rupert. What's next for Danny? Maybe a rumored Major Lazer cartoon? Check the credits as they roll by. This experience was fun to say the least, and I hope the photographs make you feel the same way.

The Ugly Club

This is more of a realization than a reinvention. The Ugly Club has revamped their setlist with a steady theme throughout. The original EP titled, "Sing What You Want," was the first songwriting project of then fledgling guitarist, Ryan Egan; although no stranger to the stage, singing for The Command Radio for many years. Becoming proficient with the guitar and putting together a band and an EP within a year, Ryan quickly became familiar with the songwriting world. The record comes off as a sampler of rock songs from a talented group with obvious performing skills and craft, showing their ambitions through their musical influences. However, the new arrangement displays more of a direction and image than the first set of demos could. Keep up with The Ugly Club and look for upcoming shows. Judging by their past work efforts, you can probably bet on a new EP sometime this year. Pictures from their most recent show are here. The venue had strict rules of 'no flash' and a three song time limit for photographers, though it made way for some fun photoshop work and an outdoor 'session.' Also in attendance was Mr. Joe Tirado of The Positive Collective and Formatic Clothing, who I was able to grab shots of with some band members. Enjoy.

Formatic Fest: Summer '10

I showed up to The Waiting Room in Rahway as Ezrakh was taking the stage. Expectations were high for Chocolate Bread's CD release and a performance by the esteemed GDP; the crowd was packed. The Third Annual Formatic Fest was a gigantic success. GDP's presentation along side Pistol and a friend from Australia, Tigermoth, was powerful and magnetic. I got a chance to buy him a shot, purchase a t-shirt and ask for some photos with the good dudes of Formatic Clothing. I'm not so sure he's a fan of the camera in his face, but I had to ask. What kind of photographer would I be if I didn't? He was cool about it and animated as you might expect. Shortly after, Chocolate Bread performed their new record, "...until my mind stretches," in it's entirety with a few other unrecorded gems tossed in the mix. The size of the band and the limited space on the stage forced guitarist, Matt Moges, to play inside the hot whirlwind of the lively crowd; brave man. Regardless, this is a show that they, or anyone else who was there, will not soon forget. I seriously suggest that you check their myspace for a way to get your hands on their new record. Enjoy the photographs and check everything I've linked in this post. Support genuine creativity. Also, a big 'thank you' to Mr. Daniel Delle Donne for printing me some cards. As soon as he has a site I will link it.

...Until My Mind Stretches

Gentlemen with a certain character, certain attitude and swagger; this is Chocolate Bread. Back in April, I was given the opportunity to photograph them during their recording sessions. I do not believe that I have ever seen a young rock band as organized and prepared. The days that I attended, everything flowed like water. The ideas were all there and everyone knew their place. All of this music was carefully spun into what we know as "...until my mind stretches," the debut full length record from Chocolate Bread. It is a style that can really only describe itself. They can begin a song like "Salvation" with the pose of a serious folk track, then seamlessly and tactfully transition into pop-rock, complete with trumpet and guitar lines that love to get stuck in your head. Lyrically, this band is unstoppable. The words are original and extremely well written; no whining or excessive girlfriend talk. Intelligent phrasing with hip-hop confidence. They get down anytime, any place and throw the wildest parties that I can never remember. Until the record is officially released, you will have to settle for some demos here. The photos from the studio are here. Ronald Giameo made a classy video of the opening track, "Wet Feet," which you can watch here. The CD release party will be July 25th at The Waiting Room with my favorite NJ rapper GDP, hosted by Formatic Clothing. You know that I will be present, pleasantly shameful and camera wielding. See you there.

Philip & The Nasty

A couple of weeks ago I did a ‘photo-shoot’for my friend, Philip. Not much of a shoot, more like showing up to a hot studio at midnight to hang with some drunkards and take some pictures. His music is best known as P-Nasty or more recently Philip & The Nasty, combining a lot of folk and punk rock with a dash of beginner blues; sloppy, enjoyable, heartfelt rock and roll. Philip’s song writing capabilities and over all sound have obviously become more apparent to him over the past few years, calling himself out and titling his album “C’s G’s & F’s.” Check out some demo’s here. See the rest of the pictures here.