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Instagram Randomness: The Road to Ultra Music Festival 2013
By Alexis Simpson This year I was on assignment to cover Ultra Music Fest in Miami, FL. I’m now back in cold Michigan and already missing the ocean, excitement, and sunny days. Over the next few weeks I’ll be recapping our wonderful trip to one of the biggest music festivals in the world. To start, here are some of the sights I saw in Miami and captured on my iPhone before the festival actually started. Working in these neighborhoods before the trip Best Tanning Lotions Ever Taking Sarabird to the Birdy Kennel This douche wore his robe to the airport. He going to Vegas to celebrate his bachelor party. He…
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Major Lazer @ Miami’s Ultra Music Festival 2013
I had been waiting for my chance to photograph some big balls. I had assumed my opportunity would come whenever I photograph The Flaming Lips, but to my surprise I got to photograph Diplo’s big big balls! I’ve been a fan of Major Lazer for awhile. Why? 1. The music makes you feel good. 2. Diplo is F.I.N.E. The marriage of dance music with reggae is genius. The track “Original Don” is perfection. Even the darkest goth can’t help but to wiggle to this song. Major Lazer has a new album out 4/15, so until then check out my photos from Ultra! http://majorlazer.com http://www.twitter.com/majorlazer http://www.youtube.com/MajorLazerVEVO PHOTOS F.I.N.E. PARTY SHAKE IT…
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Album Review-Jamaican Queens-Wordfood (Score-111%)
Genre-Alt/Indie Rock, INdie Electronic, Indie Pop, Neo-Psychedelia My biggest critique of this album is that I wish there were a few more tracks. MORE! I WANT MORE! Jamaican Queens, when not touring, are out on the town checking out fellow Detroit musicians’ sets. (Read their Twitter HERE, it’s entertaining:) Their sound is indeed their own, and makes me proud that a group from the Detroit are is putting out something so original, moody, smart and stylish. Here is my first impression review: 1. Water-I love this song. I can’t really imagine liking another song so much this year. I proclaim this the Song of the Year woo woo, and I…
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Tame Impala @ St. Andrew’s Hall 3/7/13 (Photos, Setlist & Concert Review)
By Alexis Simpson Kevin Parker and his Australian band’s music meshed well together as psychedelic stage lighting gave them all an androgynous glow for the sold out St. Andrew’s Detroit crowd. Parker’s elfin face and bare feet meant business as he led a syncopated set of intergalactic strumming and dreamy vocals. Their aura fit in well with the Detroit crowd who who was intensely feeling the music but vibin’ in a relaxed and chemically-induced way. Genre-Ephinany Pop Kevin Par Coeur – Guitar / Bass / Drums / Sing Jay Watson – Keys Dominic Simper – Guitar / synth Paisley Adams – Bass Julien Barbagallo – Drums Others – Other /…
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An Interview with Nay Nay Bane: Detroit Graphic Designer/Illustrator
By Alexis Simpson We had been desperately in need of a logo/branding, but I couldn’t come up with any ideas so I put a hold on it until recently. Our publication’s name is “Noize” because of the noise music makes and the noise found in low-light photography. I thought it would be zany to make my pet Umbrella Cockatoo our mascot/logo because she’s f’in loud. Drummer Matt Moy suggested the work of Nathan Bortz (Nay Nay Bane) which I had already seen on several local band flyers. I liked his art and liked the idea of using an artist that works with local musicians, so I contacted Nathan right away.…
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Black Veil Brides: Church of the Wild Ones Tour @ the Crofoot 2/22/13 (Photos & Setlist)
By Alexis Simpson I have never seen The Crofoot as crowded as it was last night for The Black Veil Brides. Girls were passing out way before the show even started. One of the best things about the Crofoot is the low stage and how close fans can get to the performers. As a concert photographer, you get to be even closer. Usually I’m a few feet away from a band, but at The Crofoot I’m within inches. I had been wanting to photograph Black Veil Brides for a long time because they look so dark and devilish. Photographing them was one of the more challenging shows I’ve shot in…
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Album Review: Ghost Vapors “The Valley of Ashes” (Score=91%)
By Alexis Simpson Ghost Vapors is a musical project formed by Brad Jendza and Steve Swanson. Brad was kind enough to send me a copy of their album, The Valley of Ashes, and I am quite pleased that he did. Overall, I really enjoyed the album and added it to my mass of music that I listen to on a daily basis. Furthermore, Brad Jendza is a joy to watch live so I’m always open to listening to his musical projects. Great original work! Here is my first impressions track by track review. Find it on iTunes HERE 1. Hang Up Your Guns-Any song that talks about “choking on mastodons”…
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Song of the Moment: The Bronx “Youth Wasted”
Punk band The Bronx teams up with playgirl.com to bring us a video for the ladies! Members: Matt Caughthran, Joby J. Ford, Jorma Vik, Brad Magers, Ken Horne http://www.thebronxxx.com
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William Control @ The Crofoot 2/22/13 (Photos & Review)
By Alexis Simpson Wil Francis is William Control, writer, singer, producer, performer, and overall artist. He is currently on tour with Black Veil Brides in order to spread the word of his electronic music project. He performance at The Crofoot was very well-received by the sold out crowd. This is admirable because despite hardcore BVB fans anxiously awaiting Black Vil Brides to perform, William was still able to hold their attention and gain new fans. There aren’t many touring bands right now that excel at his genre of music, so his live performance is filling a gap in our current music scene. Zach Oliva it was spectacular 13 hours ago…
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Emilie Autumn @ The Crofoot 2/16/13 (Photos)
By Alexis Simpson Emilie Autumn brought her Fight Like a Girl Tour to Pontiac, MI last night. Emilie fans otherwise known as Plague Rats dressed in lovely dark costumes and transformed The Crofoot into a venue more like Detroit’s City Club. Emilie and her beguiling Bloody Crumpets had on the most magnificent lingerie costumes with colorful feather headdresses, ripped pastel tights/leg warmers, and swanky bustiers/corsettes. There was no opener, so the show got off to an early start with Emilie taking the stage 5-10 minutes after nine. Vintage music played, stopped, and then came back on again as a precursor and tease before the first lovely lady took to the…
