Here's a new D-rad Tour Diary for you, which finds the gang in San Francisco!
Wednesday 16 December 2009
Thursday 3 December 2009
Disasteradio Tour Diaries #6
After an amazing show in Bishop, CA the Disasteradio camp encounter the post-apocalypse in the ghost town of Bodie, CA...
Friday 11 September 2009
"Itch Dear Wil" a short film for the Film Northants Competition
You may have seen the article we blogged out about filmaker Jack James. Well here's a short film of his which is being submitted for the Film Northants competition...
Wil is an isolationist, and as a result of lifes interference with his solitude, he decides to abandon society once and for all to live in ^^^^^^, in his tin bath. Its not long however, before Wil realises he is in fact not alone in ^^^^^^, his whereabouts have been sought out by a television signal, his employer and the utility companies.
Luckily, he wakes up to find a distorted vision of himself lying on the floor in front of him. Can Wil save Wil?
Itch Dear Wil presents a nightmarish environment in which the mundane aspects of life are now organisms within themselves, and they are organisms to be feared... The film was written, edited and animated by Jack James and features a collaborative original analogue soundtrack by Neon Mussolini (who appears courtesy of Little Power Records) and Jack James.
www.myspace.com/jackohblivion
www.myspace.com/neonmussolini
Wil is an isolationist, and as a result of lifes interference with his solitude, he decides to abandon society once and for all to live in ^^^^^^, in his tin bath. Its not long however, before Wil realises he is in fact not alone in ^^^^^^, his whereabouts have been sought out by a television signal, his employer and the utility companies.
Luckily, he wakes up to find a distorted vision of himself lying on the floor in front of him. Can Wil save Wil?
Itch Dear Wil presents a nightmarish environment in which the mundane aspects of life are now organisms within themselves, and they are organisms to be feared... The film was written, edited and animated by Jack James and features a collaborative original analogue soundtrack by Neon Mussolini (who appears courtesy of Little Power Records) and Jack James.
www.myspace.com/jackohblivion
www.myspace.com/neonmussolini
Monday 7 September 2009
LR Rockets DJ set tonight
If you didn't manage to catch LR Rockets at Offset over the weekend, they're playing a DJ set at The Social tonight in W1. I think there are also some NME DJ's playing a set too... I can certainly think of worse ways to spend the start of the week!
Friday 4 September 2009
LR Rockets at Offset!
Our very own LR Rockets will be playing the Offset Festival on Saturday!
The lads are also playing a warm-up gig in Barhouse at the Club NME in Chelmsford so if you're in the vicinity of either of those and you fancy getting your rock on... go check them out!
The lads are also playing a warm-up gig in Barhouse at the Club NME in Chelmsford so if you're in the vicinity of either of those and you fancy getting your rock on... go check them out!
Monday 31 August 2009
Introducing Jack James
The artist and filmmaker Jack James is a very dear friend of mine. We've known each other for quite a while now and it's fair to say that he's fiendishly talented in everything that he does and for those of you who don't know him I would like to introduce you...
"I’m Jack. I’ve been roaming around the place for 23 years now, currently residing in glorious Northampton, shoes used to be big here. They’re not so big now. I’m not entirely sure what happened, but whatever did happen, happened, and here we are.…I used to spend most of my time moving from town to town in a friends car making short quick blasts of noise at people for kicks and reactions; these experiments normally ended with bad reactions at me in the form of kicks. Painful. So I retreated from the live environment into that of a hermit’s one; I reside in the cellar of my home making films. Some people might call me a cellar dwelling film maker, I’m not sure how I’d feel about that…"
1. Can you describe your style to the uninitiated?
Colourful and noisy to the point of sometimes being a little nauseating. Think exploitation animation focused on horror.
2. What themes interest you and inspire your work?
Sociopolitical themes interest me. Submerging myself amongst the filth and seeing what’s stuck to me afterwards. I’m interested in dreams, alternative realities, personal stories, and the domesticated side of horror. The oppurtunity to tell a story with a sense of purpose, and the chance to manipulate peoples sensations and provoke a reaction through imagery. Mediums and materials also inspire me, I care greatly about textures and colours, so I allow space for improvisation within the materials. I try to treat the film set the same as I would a paint canvas.
3. What filmmakers and artists inspire you?
Im a huge David Lynch fan, David Cronenberg, Jan Svankmajer, Phil Mulloy, PTA, Darren Aronofsky, Terry Gilliam… ,but I also use paintings as a source of inspiration for works, in particular the work of Dana Schutz, and others such as Francis Bacon and Edward Hopper. I'm interested, statically, in the stillness of what appear to be heightened tension within personal or domestic situations. Whenever im working im also using sounds, sometimes I’ll animate to soundtracks, music or atmospherics. I like the score work of Clint Mansell, Howard Shore or Michael Nyman, I also like Kubricks and Carpenters soundtracks. I also listen to a lot of My Cat is an Alien.
4. What gear are you currently using? Please talk about your studio also…
My studio is a moulding cellar. There’s nothing quite like it. I’ve worked in three cellars now, and the one I'm currently residing in may well be my best. For sets I use anything I can get my hands on, I’d say my ethics are relativly D.I.Y, props are shifted from one aniamtion to another, and I’ve had the same set of walls for the last four animations, albeit altered slightly. I create my beings from kiddy putty, latex, the scalps of young ladies and NHS prosthetics. In terms of cameras, I favour the Nikon d80 to make up most of my shots, and a canon xl1 for bits and pieces. In terms of editing, about 4 months ago my laptop blew up in my face, but the lovely people at Threshold Studios offered me a workstation so I’ve been lucky enough to edit there.
5. What sort of projects have you been working on lately?
Recently I’ve been doing a lot of post work on Itch Dear Wil, but in the meantime I have written the next film and began making sets and people – my main focus will be the development of this piece, as well as working towards a documentary with Neon Mussolini.
6. What is your best film yet in your opinion?
To say I’ve made a film that I’ve been satisfied with as yet would be……lying. Elements of my films have worked really well for me, but pieces as whole, thus far, haven’t completely came together for me as I’d have liked. ‘Itch Dear Wil’ feels the most complete, but I’m aware of the holes within the film. I’d like to put a bet on the fact that there will be a momentary sense of achievement when the next one is complete, but I’d also like to follow that bet with their later being an overwhelming sense of disappointment and self loathing.
7. You’re also heavily involved with the musical composition accompanying your work; do you have any musical plans for the future?
I have big plans for the next animations sound, I think collaborating with Neon Mussolini was the best possible direction for the sound to take within my work, and as a result we should definatly be collaborating again on the next film. In terms of general music, I’ve been writing some sleazy disco songs with Neon, as well as some work with Lee Whiteaway of Frisco Farr/Aotea tour driver fame.
8. What do you find frustrating about the world of film (and/or art)?
I have an endless amount of frustrations attached to the medium, I think given my personality, if I didn’t I wouldn’t be making films. I find inspiration within frustration, the two go hand in hand for me, so I could write an endless list of things but I’ll narrow them down to the sad state of affairs modern day horror currently finds itself in. Most recently we, as an audience, have been subjected to a self indulgent, shallow and meaningless onslaught of torture porn films. Americans are relying on casting young teen nobodies, and showing as much of their bodies as they can, and relying on well placed loud noises for scares. There’s no longer a sense of subtlety or subtext. It’s been a long time since we’ve had a horror film made that has surpassed the genre, and became an entity within itself; a film celebrated outside of the context of horror. When you think of a horror classic, I think of things like Don’t Look Now, The Shining or The Exorcist, these have essentially been horror films regarded as cinematic classics. And the reason why is a good story, with a good strong subtext, a strong cast and a strong director at the helm. I don’t want to see Eli Roth destroying the body of a young teenage girl for no reason (if you search for Eli Roth attempting to justify his films you’ll find a multitude of conflicting, dumb and ill explained answers – if your film means nothing then don’t pretend it does to give yourself more credibility) I want to see William Freidkin directing Ellen Burstyn through a struggle against the up rise of youth. That’s not to say a good horror film needs a well known cast or massive budget, Tobe Hooper made the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre which a bunch of nobodies, but he had a strong idea, remarkably avant garde forward thinking sound structure and the perseverance to provoke these unknowns into giving strong and realistic performances. TCM didn’t fall back on gratuitous nudity or even violence. All violence was implied, the only detailed use of violence upon humans is Leatherfaces misuse of his chainsaw on his own leg. So basically, I’ve not seen an amazing horror film in years, roll on the day PTA gets a horror script in his hands. Unfortuanetly, big studios give budgets to directors who are willing to allow the story to make way for gratuity – whatever gets the audience in seats. Either that or hand them a film from 30 years ago and ask them to ‘reimagine’ the movie in todays terms. Fucking ridiculous. Horrors are quick fix cash cows. There’s no longer a sense of creativity or imagination within these films. I find that a massive issue within films today.
9. What can we expect from the future from Jack James?
Expect the unexpected. Anything can happen tomorrow. Jehovah’s Witnesses are calling every other day and I’m getting pestered by the Jesus Army on a regular basis also, they’re views and arguments are engrossing, so chances are I’ll either join them or kill them. Church or prison beckons…
www.myspace.com/jackohblivion
www.youtube.com/user/jjjaotea
"I’m Jack. I’ve been roaming around the place for 23 years now, currently residing in glorious Northampton, shoes used to be big here. They’re not so big now. I’m not entirely sure what happened, but whatever did happen, happened, and here we are.…I used to spend most of my time moving from town to town in a friends car making short quick blasts of noise at people for kicks and reactions; these experiments normally ended with bad reactions at me in the form of kicks. Painful. So I retreated from the live environment into that of a hermit’s one; I reside in the cellar of my home making films. Some people might call me a cellar dwelling film maker, I’m not sure how I’d feel about that…"
1. Can you describe your style to the uninitiated?
Colourful and noisy to the point of sometimes being a little nauseating. Think exploitation animation focused on horror.
2. What themes interest you and inspire your work?
Sociopolitical themes interest me. Submerging myself amongst the filth and seeing what’s stuck to me afterwards. I’m interested in dreams, alternative realities, personal stories, and the domesticated side of horror. The oppurtunity to tell a story with a sense of purpose, and the chance to manipulate peoples sensations and provoke a reaction through imagery. Mediums and materials also inspire me, I care greatly about textures and colours, so I allow space for improvisation within the materials. I try to treat the film set the same as I would a paint canvas.
3. What filmmakers and artists inspire you?
Im a huge David Lynch fan, David Cronenberg, Jan Svankmajer, Phil Mulloy, PTA, Darren Aronofsky, Terry Gilliam… ,but I also use paintings as a source of inspiration for works, in particular the work of Dana Schutz, and others such as Francis Bacon and Edward Hopper. I'm interested, statically, in the stillness of what appear to be heightened tension within personal or domestic situations. Whenever im working im also using sounds, sometimes I’ll animate to soundtracks, music or atmospherics. I like the score work of Clint Mansell, Howard Shore or Michael Nyman, I also like Kubricks and Carpenters soundtracks. I also listen to a lot of My Cat is an Alien.
4. What gear are you currently using? Please talk about your studio also…
My studio is a moulding cellar. There’s nothing quite like it. I’ve worked in three cellars now, and the one I'm currently residing in may well be my best. For sets I use anything I can get my hands on, I’d say my ethics are relativly D.I.Y, props are shifted from one aniamtion to another, and I’ve had the same set of walls for the last four animations, albeit altered slightly. I create my beings from kiddy putty, latex, the scalps of young ladies and NHS prosthetics. In terms of cameras, I favour the Nikon d80 to make up most of my shots, and a canon xl1 for bits and pieces. In terms of editing, about 4 months ago my laptop blew up in my face, but the lovely people at Threshold Studios offered me a workstation so I’ve been lucky enough to edit there.
5. What sort of projects have you been working on lately?
Recently I’ve been doing a lot of post work on Itch Dear Wil, but in the meantime I have written the next film and began making sets and people – my main focus will be the development of this piece, as well as working towards a documentary with Neon Mussolini.
6. What is your best film yet in your opinion?
To say I’ve made a film that I’ve been satisfied with as yet would be……lying. Elements of my films have worked really well for me, but pieces as whole, thus far, haven’t completely came together for me as I’d have liked. ‘Itch Dear Wil’ feels the most complete, but I’m aware of the holes within the film. I’d like to put a bet on the fact that there will be a momentary sense of achievement when the next one is complete, but I’d also like to follow that bet with their later being an overwhelming sense of disappointment and self loathing.
7. You’re also heavily involved with the musical composition accompanying your work; do you have any musical plans for the future?
I have big plans for the next animations sound, I think collaborating with Neon Mussolini was the best possible direction for the sound to take within my work, and as a result we should definatly be collaborating again on the next film. In terms of general music, I’ve been writing some sleazy disco songs with Neon, as well as some work with Lee Whiteaway of Frisco Farr/Aotea tour driver fame.
8. What do you find frustrating about the world of film (and/or art)?
I have an endless amount of frustrations attached to the medium, I think given my personality, if I didn’t I wouldn’t be making films. I find inspiration within frustration, the two go hand in hand for me, so I could write an endless list of things but I’ll narrow them down to the sad state of affairs modern day horror currently finds itself in. Most recently we, as an audience, have been subjected to a self indulgent, shallow and meaningless onslaught of torture porn films. Americans are relying on casting young teen nobodies, and showing as much of their bodies as they can, and relying on well placed loud noises for scares. There’s no longer a sense of subtlety or subtext. It’s been a long time since we’ve had a horror film made that has surpassed the genre, and became an entity within itself; a film celebrated outside of the context of horror. When you think of a horror classic, I think of things like Don’t Look Now, The Shining or The Exorcist, these have essentially been horror films regarded as cinematic classics. And the reason why is a good story, with a good strong subtext, a strong cast and a strong director at the helm. I don’t want to see Eli Roth destroying the body of a young teenage girl for no reason (if you search for Eli Roth attempting to justify his films you’ll find a multitude of conflicting, dumb and ill explained answers – if your film means nothing then don’t pretend it does to give yourself more credibility) I want to see William Freidkin directing Ellen Burstyn through a struggle against the up rise of youth. That’s not to say a good horror film needs a well known cast or massive budget, Tobe Hooper made the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre which a bunch of nobodies, but he had a strong idea, remarkably avant garde forward thinking sound structure and the perseverance to provoke these unknowns into giving strong and realistic performances. TCM didn’t fall back on gratuitous nudity or even violence. All violence was implied, the only detailed use of violence upon humans is Leatherfaces misuse of his chainsaw on his own leg. So basically, I’ve not seen an amazing horror film in years, roll on the day PTA gets a horror script in his hands. Unfortuanetly, big studios give budgets to directors who are willing to allow the story to make way for gratuity – whatever gets the audience in seats. Either that or hand them a film from 30 years ago and ask them to ‘reimagine’ the movie in todays terms. Fucking ridiculous. Horrors are quick fix cash cows. There’s no longer a sense of creativity or imagination within these films. I find that a massive issue within films today.
9. What can we expect from the future from Jack James?
Expect the unexpected. Anything can happen tomorrow. Jehovah’s Witnesses are calling every other day and I’m getting pestered by the Jesus Army on a regular basis also, they’re views and arguments are engrossing, so chances are I’ll either join them or kill them. Church or prison beckons…
www.myspace.com/jackohblivion
www.youtube.com/user/jjjaotea
Friday 28 August 2009
D-rad tour update #46
Tomorrow is the final show for Disasteradio's "Visions" world tour and it's a homecoming show at Mighty Mighty in Wellington, New Zealand!
If you're in town, check it out because I have a feeling it shall be explosive!
If you haven't picked up the "Visions" album, pick up your copy through iTunes:
Vice Magazine said, "The only good music to come out of Wellington... EVER" and New Zealand's largest readership music magazine Real Groove gave it the "Album Of The Year" title.
If you're in town, check it out because I have a feeling it shall be explosive!
If you haven't picked up the "Visions" album, pick up your copy through iTunes:
Vice Magazine said, "The only good music to come out of Wellington... EVER" and New Zealand's largest readership music magazine Real Groove gave it the "Album Of The Year" title.
Thursday 27 August 2009
D-rad video from Off Festival!
Disasteradio hit up Off Festival this year and we've got a little video for you from it here:
Tuesday 25 August 2009
Paper House Remix
You may remember that I mentioned a sensational new song that Neon Mussolini is currently working on- called " The Paper House". It's still in development, French Horn and trumpet sections were recorded this weekend in fact, but Dan Fridholm...
... a musician I've known for some time now, who has some real slick skills, has done a remix of it. The remix is real strong . Poppy, radio friendly and reminds me more than a little bit of Prince in places!
If you've got the time, I suggest you cruise over to his myspace page and check the track and his other songs out (which are equally special):
http://www.myspace.com/danfridholm
... a musician I've known for some time now, who has some real slick skills, has done a remix of it. The remix is real strong . Poppy, radio friendly and reminds me more than a little bit of Prince in places!
If you've got the time, I suggest you cruise over to his myspace page and check the track and his other songs out (which are equally special):
http://www.myspace.com/danfridholm
Friday 21 August 2009
UH OHs Tour Update #11
Tomorrow night, UH OHs are playing the Tilting Sky Summer Party at the Arts Centre, Norwich. I believe they are playing an acoustic set too, which should be pretty exciting seeing them play in unplugged...
Monday 17 August 2009
D-rad tour update #45
I was in the studio with Neon Mussolini on Friday so I didn't get a chance to tell you about the gigs Disasteradio was playing over the weekend. D-rad hit PONY in Melbourne, Australia on Friday...
... and Edinburgh Castle in Melbourne on the Saturday...
Here are some vid's of Disasteradio in action to make up for it!
Truckfest:
D:QLIQ, Luxembourg:
... and Edinburgh Castle in Melbourne on the Saturday...
Here are some vid's of Disasteradio in action to make up for it!
Truckfest:
D:QLIQ, Luxembourg:
Wednesday 12 August 2009
New Neon Mussolini track!
Neon Mussolini is always upping his game. It's a consistant growth that never fails to impress, shock and alarm me a little. I just don't know how he keeps raising the bar!
Well NM has done it again. There is a brand new demo uploaded on their myspace page called "Paper Houses". It's a sort of homage to an old Associates song, but it's doing something very different! I think the music is the best yet. It's intelligent, detailed and expertly constructed synthesis with some beautiful chimes. The vocals are also I think the best yet. I can't wait to hear the final version of this one.
Seriously, if you get the chance, check it out and let us know what you think:
www.myspace.com/theneonmussolini
Well NM has done it again. There is a brand new demo uploaded on their myspace page called "Paper Houses". It's a sort of homage to an old Associates song, but it's doing something very different! I think the music is the best yet. It's intelligent, detailed and expertly constructed synthesis with some beautiful chimes. The vocals are also I think the best yet. I can't wait to hear the final version of this one.
Seriously, if you get the chance, check it out and let us know what you think:
www.myspace.com/theneonmussolini
Tuesday 11 August 2009
LR Rockets @ Madame Jojo's
LR Rockets are playing at Madame Jojo's world renowned burlesque club in Soho tonight...
Come along, maybe the boys will do a sexy dance for you!
Come along, maybe the boys will do a sexy dance for you!
Monday 10 August 2009
Summer Sale!!! Plus UH OHs on BBC Radio
We're having a little Summer Sale for you here at Little Power. Here's what we've got for you:
Language single: £2
Neon Mussolini EP (in a beautiful digi-pack too): £3
LR Rockets single: £2
If you're interested in picking up your copies of these please use the links on our myspace page or if myspace is still blocking them, just drop us an e-mail and we'll get the cd's to you!
Also, UH OHs were on BBC Radio 6 again yesterday. Tom Robinson played "I Cant Wait" again on his show. To listen again, just follow this link:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/6music/shows/tom_robinson/
Language single: £2
Neon Mussolini EP (in a beautiful digi-pack too): £3
LR Rockets single: £2
If you're interested in picking up your copies of these please use the links on our myspace page or if myspace is still blocking them, just drop us an e-mail and we'll get the cd's to you!
Also, UH OHs were on BBC Radio 6 again yesterday. Tom Robinson played "I Cant Wait" again on his show. To listen again, just follow this link:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/6music/shows/tom_robinson/
Friday 7 August 2009
Language Press
Our oldest band on the Little Power family roster, Language, is in this monthes Attitude and Artrocker magazines. Nice work chaps!
D-rad tour update #44
Disasteradio is playing at the Creepy Teepee Festival in Kutná Hora on Saturday... which is in the Czech Republic (I had to Czech that myself... bad joke)...
Interestingly Kutná Hora is famous for the Sedlec Ossuary, which is a Roman Catholic chapel which contains approximately 40,000- 70,000 human skeletons which have been arranged to form decorations and furnishings for the chapel...
Interestingly Kutná Hora is famous for the Sedlec Ossuary, which is a Roman Catholic chapel which contains approximately 40,000- 70,000 human skeletons which have been arranged to form decorations and furnishings for the chapel...
John Allen Stephens at the Meridian, Texas
First up for this weekends couple of international gigs is John Allen Stephens. JAS is playing The Meridian in Houston, Texas tonight...
Thursday 6 August 2009
Friday 31 July 2009
D-rad tour update #42
Tonight D-rad is playing the Met Lounge in Peterborough...
and Sunday finds Disasteradio at the Standon Calling Festival...
... last years Standon Calling was truly awesome (though I have to say the Japanda's should have won the costume competition), but how many festivals are set at a 16th Century mansion estate.
and Sunday finds Disasteradio at the Standon Calling Festival...
... last years Standon Calling was truly awesome (though I have to say the Japanda's should have won the costume competition), but how many festivals are set at a 16th Century mansion estate.
Thursday 30 July 2009
John Allen Stephens at Super Happy Fun Land!
Our newest kid on the block, John Allen Stephens, is playing Super Happy Fun Land in Houston, Texas tonight...
D-rad tour update #41
Disasteradio is back in the UK and playing at Please Please Club at The Basement in York...
Wednesday 29 July 2009
LR Rockets DJ set!
LR Rockets have a DJ set at Club.The.Mammoth at The Star of Bethnal Green tonight...
... If you're in town, why not come along and see the boys spinning some tunes!
... If you're in town, why not come along and see the boys spinning some tunes!
Monday 27 July 2009
"Our Friends" out now!
Frisco Farr's three tracker, "Our Friends" is out today exclusively via iTunes. You can pick up all three tracks for £1.58- now that is a bargain.
The tracks are:
1. Wilson
2. Magpie
3. Lovvers
Friday 24 July 2009
LR Rockets at 1234 Festival!
On Sunday, LR Rockets are playing 1234 Festival in Shoreditch Park...
If you're in London and you want a host of amazing music, you know what to look for.
If you're in London and you want a host of amazing music, you know what to look for.
D-rad tour update #39
On Saturday Disasteradio is playing Truckfest in Oxford...
and Sunday Disasteradio is at Indietracks, the IndiePop Festival in Nottingham...
... oh yeah, that's the Indietracks train!
and Sunday Disasteradio is at Indietracks, the IndiePop Festival in Nottingham...
... oh yeah, that's the Indietracks train!
Language gigs for the weekend!
On Saturday Language is playing International Hi-Fi at The Garage in London...
and on Sunday Language will be at the 1234 Festival aftershow party!
and on Sunday Language will be at the 1234 Festival aftershow party!
UH OHs Tour Update #8
Tonight UH OHs are playing at Science & Magick at the Voodoo Lounge in Stamford...
Wednesday 22 July 2009
Introducing James de Ara
James de Ara is probably the best photographer I know. More than that, he's also probably one of the nicest guys I know too. Over the last year my relationship with James has developed from a working relationship into a solid friendship and for those of you who don't know him, I would like to introduce you...
"My name is James de Ara, 23years old, I live in Kings Lynn in west Norfolk and I’ve been taking photographs since I was about 15. I started out taking photographs at school to go with my art projects and then pursued to a 2-year college course in photography. Since then it has become a huge part of my life and I currently work full time in a photographic lab alongside my photographic projects. I have also spent a lot of time in the past year or so working closely alongside Josh for projects on his label, Little Power Records."
1. Can you describe your style to the uninitiated?
Traditional, Honest, natural, documentary, emotive, these are the things im aiming for. I want to take photographs with feeling, which also says something about our little world
2. What themes interest you and inspire your work?
I’m very much interested in people, places, culture and the way that we live. At the moment locally and ‘small town life’ is something that im generally documenting for better or worse. Im inspired by the world around me, things that stand out to be unusual, pretty or ugly, moods and feelings. I don’t really care too much for high profile fashion or celebrity images. Photography to me shouldn’t always be flattering but express an account on life. Im interested in society and the differences between social classes. I want to continue to explore this and travel further a field to dig out the little blatant things that people seem so unaware of.
3. What photographers inspire you?
Nan Goldin, Dianne Arbus, William Eggleston, Martin Parr, Richard Billingham. These people have all created very powerful and personal work without following the conventional route.
4. What gear are you currently using?
I recently bought a ‘Nikon D300’ with 18-70mm zoom, which was a huge upgrade from my last digital camera. I still shoot a lot of film though and picked up a really nice ‘F100’ last year really cheap. My Grandad gave me my first camera almost 8 years ago which Im forever grateful for. It’s an old manual ‘Nikon FE’, which is my most precious camera and I love to bits. I have 2 manual ‘ais’ lenses for the camera: a 50mm 1.8 and a 24mm 2.8. I also have a spare AF 50mm lens. I have a ‘Nikon sb600’ flashgun, although quite often im using natural light. I have a ‘bronica etrs’ 6x4.5 medium format camera with a 75mm and 105mm lens. A lovely little pocket ‘fuji f31d’ digital compact, a ‘yaschica’ t5 compact film camera, which has a surprisingly sharp Carl zeiss lens, and a ‘Polaroid 600’ instant camera. I also have a ‘13” MacBook’ for editing digital images on using a combination of ‘adobe lightroom’ and ‘adobe Photoshop’. I’m currently saving up for some more decent prime lenses and a MacBook pro, but its never ending!
5. What sort of projects have you been working on lately?
Lately ive had a few big changes in my life and im currently in limbo sorting things out, but ive spent a lot of time continuing my on going documentation of Hunstanton. I’m quite fascinated by the strange nature of this place which seems to be set back in time. People flock to the seaside in the summer for a relaxing day out. I aim to capture a little beauty along side the bleak, kitch and bizarre nature of this town.
6. What is the best photograph/series of photograph's you've taken?
Im quite pleased with a photograph I took for a college project a few years back that was meant to depict under aged drinking in an uncomfortable way:
Recently I did a serious of photographs on the seaside town of Happisburgh, I took a series of portraits of the local people along with some dark and gloomy landscape shots. This work was exhibited at the ‘eastern open 09’:
7. If you could take a photograph of anything/place/person in the world, what would you photograph?
This is the hardest question I’ve had to answer because im not that methodical in my photography. Often I think of a general idea and go out and look for it. If I had no boundaries I’d like to go some obscure places all over the world. I would like to be able to photograph the prime minister in his own home with family and do a series on the lives of politicians, but it would be a tough one!
8. Do any other factors play a part in your work (such as music for example)?
I would say that it can or it has done to some extent. I used to be massively into punk music at a young age, being that politically aware and critical definitely had an effect on the type of photographs I was taking and what I wanted to say, it had probably played a part in who I am today. Nowadays the music I listen to is much more abstract and sometimes helps inspire new ideas or even the way I edit colors in a photograph. Working on projects for little power records has been a lot of fun and valuable experience. Ive helped create album artwork for some of the artists and built a bond with them. I have been very close the artist ‘Neon Mussolini’ who is an amazing musician, we went to Berlin together late last year he has generally helped open my mind. I’m also very close with the band ‘Frisco Farr’. We all seemed to gel pretty well and ended up with a set of images we were all really happy with:
9. Have you any tips for budding photographers?
I think I should be the one receiving tips! But if I could offer advice it would be to always remind yourself why you started photography and keep hold of that buzz. Don’t compare yourself to bigheads around you because a lot of people have been doing it for years, found a niche, or are actually stuck in a rut with a lack of new ideas, even if they seem successful. I would advise not to become complacent, confidence is very handy but don’t get too comfortable as there are so many people doing photography right now. Most importantly set your own targets and progress doing what you love don’t let anyone tell you what you should or shouldn’t be doing because your passion and happiness is the most important thing. In terms of actually taking photographs Ive achieved the best results by persisting with a subject, and if you don’t have the opportunity to re-visit something then take as many photographs as possible (with time and care of course). Also one last thing, being polite and friendly to people goes a very long way. Build a relationship with your subject. (If I did these things more id be a much better photographer!)
10. What is your favorite photograph?
‘Nan and Brian in Bed, 1983’ by Nan Goldin.
It is hard to choose a favorite image but this one has everything I love about photography. Aesthetic warm light, composition, a story, captured emotion. The theme of this photograph is quite an uncomfortable one as this is a self-portrait of the photographer (woman on the right) after having sex in an abusive relationship. This is by no means a nice subject but there is something beautiful captured here. The moment caught is completely real; there is no stage, lights, or pose for the camera. Here the camera is a voyeur for a real life situation but close enough to feel part of the story and emotion. Whether you like it or not, this to me is real photography.
www.jamesdeara.carbonmade.com
www.flickr.com/photos/jamesdeara
"My name is James de Ara, 23years old, I live in Kings Lynn in west Norfolk and I’ve been taking photographs since I was about 15. I started out taking photographs at school to go with my art projects and then pursued to a 2-year college course in photography. Since then it has become a huge part of my life and I currently work full time in a photographic lab alongside my photographic projects. I have also spent a lot of time in the past year or so working closely alongside Josh for projects on his label, Little Power Records."
1. Can you describe your style to the uninitiated?
Traditional, Honest, natural, documentary, emotive, these are the things im aiming for. I want to take photographs with feeling, which also says something about our little world
2. What themes interest you and inspire your work?
I’m very much interested in people, places, culture and the way that we live. At the moment locally and ‘small town life’ is something that im generally documenting for better or worse. Im inspired by the world around me, things that stand out to be unusual, pretty or ugly, moods and feelings. I don’t really care too much for high profile fashion or celebrity images. Photography to me shouldn’t always be flattering but express an account on life. Im interested in society and the differences between social classes. I want to continue to explore this and travel further a field to dig out the little blatant things that people seem so unaware of.
3. What photographers inspire you?
Nan Goldin, Dianne Arbus, William Eggleston, Martin Parr, Richard Billingham. These people have all created very powerful and personal work without following the conventional route.
4. What gear are you currently using?
I recently bought a ‘Nikon D300’ with 18-70mm zoom, which was a huge upgrade from my last digital camera. I still shoot a lot of film though and picked up a really nice ‘F100’ last year really cheap. My Grandad gave me my first camera almost 8 years ago which Im forever grateful for. It’s an old manual ‘Nikon FE’, which is my most precious camera and I love to bits. I have 2 manual ‘ais’ lenses for the camera: a 50mm 1.8 and a 24mm 2.8. I also have a spare AF 50mm lens. I have a ‘Nikon sb600’ flashgun, although quite often im using natural light. I have a ‘bronica etrs’ 6x4.5 medium format camera with a 75mm and 105mm lens. A lovely little pocket ‘fuji f31d’ digital compact, a ‘yaschica’ t5 compact film camera, which has a surprisingly sharp Carl zeiss lens, and a ‘Polaroid 600’ instant camera. I also have a ‘13” MacBook’ for editing digital images on using a combination of ‘adobe lightroom’ and ‘adobe Photoshop’. I’m currently saving up for some more decent prime lenses and a MacBook pro, but its never ending!
5. What sort of projects have you been working on lately?
Lately ive had a few big changes in my life and im currently in limbo sorting things out, but ive spent a lot of time continuing my on going documentation of Hunstanton. I’m quite fascinated by the strange nature of this place which seems to be set back in time. People flock to the seaside in the summer for a relaxing day out. I aim to capture a little beauty along side the bleak, kitch and bizarre nature of this town.
6. What is the best photograph/series of photograph's you've taken?
Im quite pleased with a photograph I took for a college project a few years back that was meant to depict under aged drinking in an uncomfortable way:
Recently I did a serious of photographs on the seaside town of Happisburgh, I took a series of portraits of the local people along with some dark and gloomy landscape shots. This work was exhibited at the ‘eastern open 09’:
7. If you could take a photograph of anything/place/person in the world, what would you photograph?
This is the hardest question I’ve had to answer because im not that methodical in my photography. Often I think of a general idea and go out and look for it. If I had no boundaries I’d like to go some obscure places all over the world. I would like to be able to photograph the prime minister in his own home with family and do a series on the lives of politicians, but it would be a tough one!
8. Do any other factors play a part in your work (such as music for example)?
I would say that it can or it has done to some extent. I used to be massively into punk music at a young age, being that politically aware and critical definitely had an effect on the type of photographs I was taking and what I wanted to say, it had probably played a part in who I am today. Nowadays the music I listen to is much more abstract and sometimes helps inspire new ideas or even the way I edit colors in a photograph. Working on projects for little power records has been a lot of fun and valuable experience. Ive helped create album artwork for some of the artists and built a bond with them. I have been very close the artist ‘Neon Mussolini’ who is an amazing musician, we went to Berlin together late last year he has generally helped open my mind. I’m also very close with the band ‘Frisco Farr’. We all seemed to gel pretty well and ended up with a set of images we were all really happy with:
9. Have you any tips for budding photographers?
I think I should be the one receiving tips! But if I could offer advice it would be to always remind yourself why you started photography and keep hold of that buzz. Don’t compare yourself to bigheads around you because a lot of people have been doing it for years, found a niche, or are actually stuck in a rut with a lack of new ideas, even if they seem successful. I would advise not to become complacent, confidence is very handy but don’t get too comfortable as there are so many people doing photography right now. Most importantly set your own targets and progress doing what you love don’t let anyone tell you what you should or shouldn’t be doing because your passion and happiness is the most important thing. In terms of actually taking photographs Ive achieved the best results by persisting with a subject, and if you don’t have the opportunity to re-visit something then take as many photographs as possible (with time and care of course). Also one last thing, being polite and friendly to people goes a very long way. Build a relationship with your subject. (If I did these things more id be a much better photographer!)
10. What is your favorite photograph?
‘Nan and Brian in Bed, 1983’ by Nan Goldin.
It is hard to choose a favorite image but this one has everything I love about photography. Aesthetic warm light, composition, a story, captured emotion. The theme of this photograph is quite an uncomfortable one as this is a self-portrait of the photographer (woman on the right) after having sex in an abusive relationship. This is by no means a nice subject but there is something beautiful captured here. The moment caught is completely real; there is no stage, lights, or pose for the camera. Here the camera is a voyeur for a real life situation but close enough to feel part of the story and emotion. Whether you like it or not, this to me is real photography.
www.jamesdeara.carbonmade.com
www.flickr.com/photos/jamesdeara
D-rad tour update #38
D-rad is playing The Golden Pudel tonight in Hamburg...
It looks like this inside...
...
It looks like this inside...
...
Friday 17 July 2009
D-rad tour update #37
Disasteradio is playing A.R.M. in Kassel tonight...
If you're not familiar with the Club it gets pretty banging. Here's the A.R.M. crowd...
Then D-rad is at De Onderbroeke, Nijmegan in the Netherlands on Sunday...
Lovely.
If you're not familiar with the Club it gets pretty banging. Here's the A.R.M. crowd...
Then D-rad is at De Onderbroeke, Nijmegan in the Netherlands on Sunday...
Lovely.
Thursday 16 July 2009
D-rad tour update #36
Guten Tag, mein Berliners! I will stop trying to talk German now, but Disasteradio is playing at the Bang Bang Club in Berlin tonight. I love Berlin and I'm more than a little partial to some D-rad, so if you're in the lovely Germania tonight, check out the Bang Bang...
Wednesday 15 July 2009
LR Rockets & Late Of The Pier?
I've got one gig for you tonight and it looks like one you should not miss!
LR Rockets are playing Proud Galleries in Camden tonight with Arrows Of Love and Molotov Jukebox (both fresh from Glastonbury). Also Late Of The Pier...
... these lovely chaps, are dj'ing. Does that sound good or what? So if you fancy some merry times head down to the old horse hospital on the Camden lock, which is now known as Proud Galleries to see LR Rockets and friends...
LR Rockets are playing Proud Galleries in Camden tonight with Arrows Of Love and Molotov Jukebox (both fresh from Glastonbury). Also Late Of The Pier...
... these lovely chaps, are dj'ing. Does that sound good or what? So if you fancy some merry times head down to the old horse hospital on the Camden lock, which is now known as Proud Galleries to see LR Rockets and friends...
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