Archive for ‘July, 2009‘

Client: Octopus Strategies
Project Details: Octopus Strategies brought me on board to shoot their latest corporate portraits. Thanks go out to Stephen Abbott, a mentor of mine and Octopus’ managing partner in Vancouver, for thinking of me for the project! Into social change? Give them a shout; they’ll help you grow.

I don’t know what’s with all of these electronic acts going live, but I’m not complaining; on Saturday, July 4th, 2009, Infected Mushroom tore down the Commodore Ballroom with one of the most twisted, unrelenting shows I’ve ever seen.

This latest tour takes Infected Mushroom out of their studio and into the limelight with the addition of a full band. The psytrance veterans mesh their signature sound with a heavy dose of progressive rock to create an experience not far from their 2007 album, Vicious Delicious. That being said, fans of their earlier work weren’t left disappointed; post-encore, original members Erez Eisen and Amit Duvdevani returned to the stage to play a 90-minute DJ set. It blew my mind, and I have a huge amount of respect for that level of dedication to the fans.

As a band and behind the decks, Infected Mushroom really shines on stage thanks to Duvdevani’s explosive presence; the man almost speaks more through his hands than his mouth. Constantly pacing and waving his arms, Duvdevani never let up for a moment, keeping the crowd on their toes all night long. Of course, charisma is nothing without the aristry; Eisen proved himself a million times over on the synth, squelching out the same beautifully complex riffs that brought Infected Mushroom international acclaim.

If I had to recommend one show this year, this would have been it.

As always, hit the Flickr set for the photos goodness!

I don’t ask for autographs; I never have before. I’m -really- shy about being a groupie, but given the opportunity to meet Andy Moor, creator of my favourite trance anthem of 2009, shyness wasn’t even a thought. Neither was politeness apparently, having chased him out of the DJ booth. (So sorry on that.)

There are a lot of great people in this world, but what impresses me most are those who show kindness. Andy patiently suffered my gushing while I scrambled for something to write on. Having taken forever, he wandered off, but made a point to come back to me moments later. I respect that a lot. Thanks so much, Andy. Means the world.

The autograph’s been scanned, printed, and sealed under my CDJ’s platter – a reminder of why I’m in music.

P.S. Show review? Sweltering heat and technical difficulties aside, UK trance legend Andy Moor packed the walls of Shine Nightclub in venerable Gastown, Vancouver. I know not a single person who left without a smile, even first-time trance listener Christopher Chow.

P.P.S. Faces is OUT RIGHT NOW on Audiojelly. Buy, buy, buy! Photos are up on Flickr! Visit, visit, visit!