In preparation for this blog becoming more geared towards my business, the majority of my posts will now be taking place over at PrettyAwesome.co.uk, my shiny new blog for all things cool on the web. Feel free to pop over and take a look around. The new site should be up here shortly.
Three new sets just uploaded to Flickr of a great show at The End in Newcastle on March 12th 2009. Casio Kids, The Answering Machine and Flashguns all turned in superb shifts, and the photos turned out well too!
Casio Kids - The End, Newcastle - 12/03/2009
The Answering Machine - The End, Newcastle - 12/03/2009
Flashguns - The End, Newcastle - 12/03/2009
Just got back from an absolutely storming gig at The Cluny. The Datsuns quite simply tore the place to shreds. Support came from Black Spiders, who were decent in a slightly cock-rockish way, and The Chevrolites, a band who I hadn’t heard before, but who I will certainly be keeping an eye out for them. Click the photo of each band to see their complete photoset over on my Flickr page.
The Datsuns - Newcastle - 11/02/2009
Black Spiders - Newcastle - 11/02/2009
The Chevrolites - Newcastle - 11/02/2009
The reggae legends headlined the Boss Sounds Reggae Festival this past weekend, and put in a quality performance. Special mention must also go to The Pioneers, who just about managed to steal the show. Shots from the Sly & Robbie set are up on my flickr now if you fancy taking a look.
Click here for Sly & Robbie on Flickr
Sly & Robbie - Carling Academy Newcastle 18-10-08
Inspired by Ernest Hemingway’s famous six word story (“For sale: Baby shoes. Never worn.”) Ol over at coldclimate.co.uk is looking for six word story submissions through a new online app he’s put together. I’ve thrown a couple into the mix, so why don’t you give it a go? http://www.coldclimate.co.uk/6words/
Newcastle’s music scene at the moment is fit to bursting with cracking young bands, but High Rise Diaries have to be one of the best. I had the pleasure of seeing them this evening in The Cluny, the city’s premier small venue. Take a look at some of the pics on my Flickr, and here’s a little sample.
High Rise Diaries - The Cluny - 02/02/08
There’s something inherently wonderful about a well made piece of graffitti. The anarchistic beauty of the form has the ability to enthuse and anger in equal measure, and to an extent that no other artform can hope to match. There is a wonderful piece which has just popped up outside the Mushroom Works gallery and studios in Newcastle Upon Tyne, England, which ticks all the boxes, and is a little bit of a gem in one of the ugliest parts of the city.
Drop me a line if you see any good examples, and I’ll get them featured.
Sorry to anyone that has been wondering if I’d fallen off the face of the planet – the good news is that I haven’t. Very busy? Yes. Dead? Thankfully not. Work has been unbelievably hectic, and I have a few new commissions lined up, which will hopefully keep the wolf from the door a little while longer.
One thing I must let people know about is a band I saw last night by the name of The Ballarats. Coming from my hometown of Newcastle, and riding high on the indie-punk wave, this lot are certain to go places. Their live show was the most exciting I have seen in a long while, and when they finally start bothering the UK charts, I promise I will not say ‘I told you so’.
Check ‘em out: http://www.myspace.com/theballarats
After reading Khoi Vinh’s piece (As Seen In Magazines) over at his excellent Subtraction blog, it made me think about why I do what I do. Vinh remarks that “there’s nothing quite like seeing your name in print”, and I am inclined to agree. There is an immense thrill to opening a publication, and seeing your name staring back at you. The combination of the intrinsic validation of one’s work by whichever editor chose to publish it, and the plain, simple truth that if it is printed, the intention is for people to read / view it. Your own name is proof that you are good enough. To me that is worth more than anything in the world.
I am driven by achievement. I make no bones about it. I constantly strive to break new ground, and improve myself. Seeing my byline is a way of checking off these achievements. In the past year or so I have graduated from online publications which no-one reads, to print media that few people read, to print media which is widely read in the local area. Next month, for me at least, will come the ultimate validation, when the German edition of Rolling Stone prints a selection of my shots from the Maximo Park homecoming show at Newcastle’s Metroradio Arena. I know one of these at least is going to be a full page image, and I am excited by this. Rolling Stone has always been the bible as far as music journalism and photography goes, and the thought of my name appearing in its hallowed pages, less than two years after my first bylines appeared on eGigs.co.uk, is quite simply exhilirating.
Well here we are, I finally have a space on the world wide web that I can call my own. So, welcome, happy to have you here. Hope you like what you see and I can entertain, inform or educate in some small way.
I guess a little about me wouldn’t go amiss. My name is Tommy, as of this second I am 26 years of age, and I am a freelance photographer and journalist based in Newcastle Upon Tyne, England, specialising in live music. It is a job I love, and one which I would not swap for the entire world. Music is a massive part of my life, and was most certainly my first love.
So hello. Feel free to drop me a line with your suggestions. It would be great to hear from you.
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