I just saw Jessie Baylin for the first time this week. Her first album was a bit country, however there were 2 songs on it that I was (and still am) OBSESSED with. I went to the show just to hear those 2 songs (which she sadly didn’t play), but instead she blew away with her new material. She went rock!! Okay… mellow, 50ish soul rock… but its still ROCK and not country. I had no idea she had even changed her style, and was even rocking some leather skinny jeans.

I really liked this new collection of songs, they went with the vivid lightening perfectly. Jessie did seem a bit uncomfortable while performing again (and I’m sure Seattle’s quiet crowd wasn’t helping), but I loved it. She was obviously very happy to be up there again, and to be finally playing her new album for everyone.

The bonus on top? The Watson Twins! I’ve known about them for quite a number of years, but had never seen them either. At least they played my favorite song (Their cover of The Cure’s, “Just Like Heaven”).

Turns out Jessie is also a TOTAL SWEETIE! I went up to say hi after the show at the merch table (which I HARDLY ever do anymore). As soon as she saw I didn’t have anything to sign, she gave me a poster aww!

As for her new album? I love it… I finally got around to picking it up this morning, and have had it on repeat all day. Now that I know the new material so well, I can’t wait to see her again…

I didn’t take a large number of photos, but the few that I got are here:
http://longistheday.com/concerts/jessie-baylin-seattle-2012/

I didn’t end up shooting more this year, in fact I shot less. My year’s mission apparently, was to learn how to put the camera down and enjoy the moment instead…. (at the rate I’m going, this will probably be a yearly lesson). Some shows are for shooting, some are for enjoying the music, and some are for PARTYING… which is what Brandi’s 2012 NYE party was for

Now don’t me wrong, I DID still bring a small camera to the NYE show (I am a photo addict after all). But I stuck to mostly shooting video for a friend (who couldn’t make the show).

Star Anna and the Laughing Dogs 12/30/11

My weekend started a this show, thanks to the urging of a good friend. Wow, this band was great! Anna seems a bit shy, but she can hit her rock poses like a pro. Due to the sold-out club, I didn’t have much a view, but was able to get a few photos.

For Star Anna fans, this is what her setlist said:
Devil • Time • Hawks • Ghosts • Stumble • Restless • Burn • Joy • 5 Min • Judy is a Punk • Alone • Crooked • Wolves

I’ve been obsessed with this song ever since the show…

Brandi Carlile 12/31/11

I’ve been going to so many shows, that its not even about just seeing the band anymore. Getting to see my Brandi friends has an equal appeal. This show I had the extra bonus of getting to bring a dear friend along, who got to meet everyone for the first time. Even without a drink in my hand, I think I had the biggest grin in the place. I didn’t need anymore more in life, than to just to enjoy being where I was… and I did.

For Brandi fans, the setlist alone should give you a tip of how great the show was

Setlist
Intro – jeb/josh solo, then alli on drums
Dreams
Closer to you / I’ve just seen a face
What can I say
Until I die
Before it breaks
Dying day
Heart young
Save part of yourself
Promise to keep
Looking out (solo)
Raise hell
Down on the corner (creedence clearwater cover, with opening band Ivan and Alyosha)
Turpentine
Story
Pride and joy
countdown to midnight…
Auld lang syne/ I wanna be sedated
Highway to hell
? hmm.. was there another song here ?
If there was no you
Cannonball (damien rice cover)
Hallelujah

In a funny twist of fate, I did happen to meet a photographer that not only needs a website… but can help me get with a publication as well. So who knows, maybe this will be the year that my photography takes off. Happy new year everyone.

“Pink and White” has always been one of my favorite songs. We shot the video footage for it right before she moved away from Seattle. Instead of working on the video in her absence, I forgot about it. It wasn’t until a few weeks ago that I even watched what we took.

Our original idea was to have indoor/outdoor shots…. but once I was re-watching it, the room shots alone were plenty to work with. That picture in the corner? Its related to who the song is written for. All the shots of brenda on the couch? A lot of that was done while we were talking, and trying to come up with a plan.

I used my Canon 5D Mark II for the filming, along with a 1.4 aperture lens. Using manual focus, with such a narrow depth of field ain’t easy! I then used Sony Vegas software to do the editing. Technical flaws aside, I’m pretty proud of it… It was a fun little project, and made for a great christmas present

In a funny twist of fate… not only is Brenda back, but we’re roommates! We are already talking about doing another video (once it gets warmer), and visually incorporating the lyrics.

This is the 3rd time I have seen Rachael…and wow, she’s looking/sounding great. The band sounded lush, her singing delivery was passionate, and the occasional jokes were just enough to remind me to pick my emotional heart off the floor.

The set had an “Asian/wintery theme”, and was bathed in blue lights/yellow lights all night. The setlist was a perfect mixture of old/new stuff. Highlight for me? “Sunday Afternoon”… god I love that song… I’m absolutely addicted to her “Elephants” album right now, and hearing that song live was even more powerful than hearing it blaring in my living room.

SET LIST (according to the paper):
Even if I don’t • Letter Read • Starlight • The Way it Seems To Go • Stick Around/Miles on a Car • Sunday Afternoon • I Don’t Want To Be Your Mother • Be Be Your Love • Full On/What if I Leave/Duet • Worn Me Down • You Won’t Let Me • Dealbreaker • E: Reason Why

With her, she brought along Butterfly Boucher as her opening act (and bandmate). I know who she is (is from Australia, and plays with several people like Sarah McLachlan), and have even seen her live before (such as with “Ten out of Tenn”), but I’ve never really paid attention to her solo work. She ain’t bad! Maybe not the best songs I’ve ever heard, but I sure do like HER. Her live energy is top notch. She attacks her music so aggressively, that I was almost surprised that she was such a smiley, friendly person when she came off the stage.

So how did Katie do?? AWESOME. Armed with 5 other bandmates (including Claire and Jordan), they played every song off the new album “The Waking Sleep”, as well as a few others. The band was TIGHT, lots of layers, and lots of instruments were used to reproduce the sound of the album… it sounded great. I wouldn’t mind seeing this show a few more times, just so I could take it all in.

SETLIST:
Shovel – Lost and Found – Wasting Time – Make a Noise – Sumatra – Oh My Darlin’ – Forevermore – Free My Mind – Best Day of Your Life – The Waking Sleep – Gypsy girl – Hey Na Na – Hologram
E: Midnight Serenade – Closest I Get – Daisies and Pews – Way to the Future

Tonight she did mainly her older songs (guys like me, freeway, save me, wise up…), but she threw in a few surprises as well. One of them being 2 new songs from an album she is going to start recording next month (she hopes it will be out early next year). She also did a cover of Joni Mitchells, “Free man in Paris” (she was part of a Joni Mitchell tribute at the Hollywood bowl last week, and laughed about how she blew the intro to that song in front if 18,000 people. She didn’t bow it tonight ).

For the encore, She brought out musician John Rodrick to do a Simon and Garfunkel song, “Keep the Customer Satisfied”, for the encore (that sure got the crowd going). And then did a revamped version of “cigarettes and red vines”, it’s played slowly now. (For all I know, she has been playing it this way for years…)

As far as zoo shows…. Not sure how much of a hit she was with the audience. But she def had some die-hards in the crowd…. I made sure that I was recognized as one of them. I may not see her as often as I use too, but I don’t love her any less.

The Weepies were the opening act.

I’ll be spending the remainder of summer, working on my web design and taking a break from photography. Frankly, I think I need it… as much as I love taking photos, it separates you from fully experiencing the show (it does for my anyway). I’m kinda looking forward to just being a fan for a little bit…. besides, it can be hard to dance with a camera tugging on your shoulder.

That said, Meiko just announced a show here in a few weeks… my break may not be as long as I thought it would be, lol.

“Talented” doesn’t even begin to describe this woman.

My favorite part of the evening? When she remixed her older hits, and layered the guitar tracks over throbbing club beats. Haha, it became a dance club in there! I’ve always loved it when musicians would “change up” their older hits, but this takes it to a whole new level

The day before the show, Meiko got added to the bill!! Yea!!! She’s one of my very favorites, and I’ve seen her multiple times. I feel like I got a “2 for 1″ deal, since I would have happily bought tickets for her as well. Meiko played several songs from her new album (which she hopes will come out in Sept), as well as stuff from the first album (I will never tire of that “shitty apartment” song, lol).

In a funny twist of fate, my friend and I helped Meiko find her car after the show It was late, it was dark, and as we were walking around with her rolling suitcase… fans would spot us on the street and end up joining the search party, lol! The whole thing was pretty surreal.

KT’s SETLIST (According to the paper):1)Glamour Puss 2)Uummannaq Song 3)Stoppin’ the Love 4)Otherside of the World 5)Patience 6)Scarlet Tulip 7)Little Favours 8)Black Horse 9)Hold On 10)Madame Trudeaux 11)Alchemy 12)Fade Like a Shadow E: 13)Suddenly I See 14)Through the Dark

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“Gave it all I had, but it was not enough
It didn’t make me strong, it didn’t make me tough
Its just, stupid love”

Cheers to that…

It was during all these shows that I got into concert photography. I would happily sneak in my bulky point-and-shoot FILM camera, get my few rolls printed and scanned, then post the pics on the fan site I had at the time. (I guess I can give Ani credit for creating my web design passion too.)

So how was it to attend the show?? Surreal.
Even after all these years, I still have her moves memorized. I still know the lyrics. And I still look up to her drive.
The show had a good mix between old songs, and new songs and the crowd is just as loyal as I remember them.
Animal Prufrock (from Bitch and Animal) was the opening act.

PHOTOGRAPHY NOTES: Besides getting to FINALLY shoot Ani with a proper camera, this is also my first time getting to shoot at the Showbox. A photo pit?? cool! Oh…we can’t switch sides? damn….

We had the first 3 songs to shoot, and let me tell ya, that time goes FAST. I’m not use to having so much LIGHT at a show, so by the time I got my bearings and was finally getting into it… time was up.

Not my best pics, but not the worst either. But honestly, it pics don’t even matter to me. It was the experience that I’m going to remember the most.
Good to see you again old friend.

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