March 21, 2010, 11:11 pm

Most of the music venues I go to are either 21+ or have a separate area for the boozers. Sometimes at shows I’ll see kids standing outside hoping to hear some music or meet the band. It makes me smile because I used to do the same thing. I feel sorry for them then go inside, order a drink, take some photos and feel grateful that I don’t have to stand outside anymore. The Cool Kids played at the Roseland on March 8 and I photographed it for Willamette Week’s Local Cut. It was an all ages show but the underage crowd made it memorable. They were so excited to be there and knew all the lyrics. During the last song the band let them go up on stage. Afterwards, the kids hung around to get autographs and had the Cool Kids sign everything from their ticket stubs to their sneakers. It was adorable.
March 9, 2010, 3:50 am

I spent this afternoon in my studio listening to Sparklehorse and covering the windows with tin foil. It was a test run for a larger scale pinhole camera project that I’m starting. After blocking out most of the light, I made a small hole in one panel and was able to see an image projected on a white foam core board. It wasn’t dark enough for the image to reach the walls, but like I said, it was a test run. I ran across the street to Portland City Liquidators to find miscellaneous items I could photograph the image with. I found a lamp shade and a box. The photos below are of a two different boxes, a white board, the materials and the view from the studio faintly projected on those items. By the way, pinholes project the outside image upside down.
March 7, 2010, 9:57 pm

R.I.P. Mark Linkous
March 4, 2010, 7:54 am
It’s the year of the Tiger! February has been a busy month and after posting six photo sets tonight, I’m starting to feel caught up. Other things that happened this month included a trip to the coast, fixed a french press, met an akita puppy, turned a year older (March 1!), music!, hikes, rain, love, life, made GIF animations that I don’t know how to post on here, dreamed about having giant hands and a 2D/3D project in the works with my friend Stephen. Enjoy.
February 24, 2010, 7:05 am
Taryn Johnson is a performer and dance instructor in Portland, OR. If you’re into dance then you’ve probably seen her on stage or have taken a class with her.


February 22, 2010, 6:46 am

Music Millennium turned 40 and the Dharma Bums reunited for a show in their honor. They were suppose to be the big breakthrough band of the Pacific Northwest but instead Nirvana, who used to open for them, exploded. The show was highly charged and meant something different to everyone who was in attendance. Music aside, I was excited by the involvement this show had with my circle of friends and the bliss demonstrated by frontman Jeremy Wilson. Fresh Young Fellows and Derby opened.
February 15, 2010, 5:47 am

Every weekend at Lola’s Room inside the Crystal Ballroom or on the bouncy main floor, VJ Kittyrox hosts the 80’s Video Dance Attack. A couple of weeks ago I had the pleasure of photographing their Valentines Day event. It was an entertaining evening and felt like a prom for 30-40 year olds mixed with a younger queer dance night and maybe a wedding reception. Music videos are projected on three giant screens while the crowd dances along. Couples make out behind curtains and dark corners, and single men stand awkwardly in line for another beer while adjusting their wigs.
February 8, 2010, 5:12 am

On February 5th, I photographed the Album Leaf with Sea Wolf at the Doug Fir. I’m a big fan of both bands but the Album Leaf has a special spot in my heart since they’re also from San Diego. I think that Jimmy LaValle is brilliant. He’s always been a key player in the music scene down there while I was growing up. You can see more photos including some of Sea Wolf at Melophobe. Despite what the review says, I thought the show was beautiful.
February 4, 2010, 4:43 am

Its amazing how a couple of days can quickly turn into a month. Like many other photographers, I’d rather be out shooting than working on the computer so my attention span is constantly shifting to the newest photos taken that day. At the end of January I went to the Living Enrichment Center in Wilsonville, OR to explore the compound and photograph a metal band. My favorite part of the adventure was the underground tunnel that lead you to the site of the old Dammasch State Mental Hospital. The children’s nursery was pretty cool too and might have been a little spooky if the graffiti hadn’t been so ridiculous. It was a lot of fun so we spent a good amount of time there. At the end of the day we were all satisfied and feeling a bit sick from the toxic mold in the air.
January 29, 2010, 2:13 am

Shepherd Book is Portland’s newest two piece metal band. On Monday afternoon we decided to check out a Megachurch and rehab compound thats been abandoned for the past five years. What we found were the remnants of an old cult, toxic mold and penis graffiti on almost every wall. Band photos below, penis graffiti to follow in the next couple of days.