Finished cover design

In my previous post, I talked about my competition entry for the cover of Drum Media. Well, I've finished the design now, and here's the finished product:

Voting is up on summerfestivalguide.com.au in the BDO cover art voting section.

Go on, vote for me :)

Home again...and been keeping busy

Well my little foray living overseas has ended...and I travelled home via Japan. I love Japan...especially with their craftiness and a whole stack of other things that are too numerous to list. I will post some photos of that trip later (as I've been saying for the past year).

At the moment, been keeping busy with some illustrator drawings for a competition. These have taken a bit of getting used to, mainly as I dont have a wacom/bamboo tablet, and have been using my mouse...I really need to get a wacom/bamboo tablet..think it will be worth my while (as well as my sanity!). Anyway, the illustrator drawings are for a competition for Drum Media (a free local street press newspaper) for their Big Day Out cover. They have this competition every year, and I've been meaning to enter it but never been bothered. That is until this time round. One of the catalysts is that one of my favourite bands is headlining - Muse.

And so, I've been creating illustrator drawings of the band members. So far, I've finished Matt's portrait completely and I've done the head of Dominic.

Matt's portrait took a total of around 5 hours from start to finish...you can't really see the detail in his face from this image, but I did a lot of zooming in...his eyes were especially hard. I'm still not happy with the labaret area though.

Dominic's portrait is still not finished as its a work in progress screen grab...so he looks like a disembodied head at the moment. This one so far has been a lot quicker than Matt, around the one and half hour mark. I started his originally and then deleted all the layers because it wasn't looking right, and started all over again. I also had a different version of this photo where he had these ridiculous sunglasses on, and found this version where there was a clean shot of his face.

Now I just have to finish off Dominic and start on Chris...although I may have to find a different image of Chris as it looks completely different from the portraits of Matt and Dom, even though it's from the same photoshoot.

Ah well, no rest for the wicked :)

Planet Loud Galleries

I've been meaning to make a post specifically for my planet-loud photos but I really haven't got around to it (mainly cos I'm a slacker and I've been busy packing my life up into boxes). Anyway, here you go. All the links to the galleries for my Planet Loud photos. I'm still waiting for the Billy Talent and Architects/Never say die tour photos to go up, but those links will be posted soon.

Also, last week saw Muse for the first time in 2 years. Had seating tickets the first night and then GA/standing tickets the next night...and boy was it worth the effort to get to the shows...the stage set up is amazing with these LED towers and the imagery on the LED towers is amazing...which I've come to expect from Muse...I'll try and post photos when I get the chance.

Planet Loud links:
36 Crazyfists
A Textbook Tragedy
Architects
As I Lay Dying
Atreyu
Funeral for a Friend
Gwen Stacy
Horse the Band
Misery Signals
MUCC
Poison the Well
Save your Breath
Story of the Year
Telegraphs

enjoy...next time you hear from me will probably be in either Japan or back home in sunny Sydney!

Car envy

I am completely and utterly in love with this car:

and this car could quite possibly have overtaken my other favourite Ferrari, the F430, as my new favourite Ferrari...hmmmmmm.

and the website is awesome to boot...you can 'customise' your Ferrari...you can take a look at it here.

I'm in love....

Sydney the new Mars?

Quite glad I wasn't in Sydney yesterday (thats Australian time), as I would have been sneezing like there was no tomorrow...check this scene out:

(picture courtesy of Shaun Davies, ninemsn)

That is the Sydney Harbour bridge...hiding in a cloud of red dust. Apparently what happened was a intense low pressure system came through and picked up all the dust/red top soil from Southern NSW and gales forced it whipped it up and shoved it in the direction of Sydney. It was said to be more dense in particles than bushfire smoke...and that's saying something!

But man, how awesome does it look? Even if everything comes out looking filthy and covered in a fine layer of red dust.

More pics are here...amazing :)

'The last train home....'

I've been a fan of the Lostprophets since I first heard them on the start something album in 2004. But I have never seen them live.

Here's the scenario...I was browsing the Big Day Out acts cds in the old HMV mid-city centre, and saw lostprophets album in there, heard a couple of songs, remember their song being in the advert for an old TV show called Charmed...and thought about seeing them...then thought nah...I can see them another time. Fast forward to 2009 and I'm still regretting that decision not to see them (also regretted not seeing the thursday/poison the well side show....but that's another story).

And in October this year, I will finally get to see them live...just after they release a new single and before they release their long awaited follow up to Liberation Transmission.

When I looked up their website recently, I was bombarded with the most amazing artwork:

It's a bit hard to see there, but a bigger version is at the Lostprophets website. I think one of the reasons why I love this is because I love crows...I literally love that species of bird...I don't know why. I think it might be because they are graceful when they fly, or that they have a supernatural aura around them. I could also be completely wrong, as they could be eagles...

Either way, I've loved the artwork for the lostprophets albums (with the exception of Fakesoundofprogress)...and I can't wait to see what they come up with...from what I've read, Ian Watkins (their lead singer) does a lot of the artwork himself.

And that's another reason to keep buying albums!

Hooray for CD/Vinyl sleeves!

Happy birthday to me!

Yay for me...just had to put a separate post for this :)


I would prefer cheesecake (of which I am currently eating...stuff the diet for the day! hehe), but cupcakes are just as good!

Tea, Geometry and Music

The weekend that just passed I had dubbed culture weekend. Well, Saturday anyway. This was due to a couple of things - first, I went to a vinyl toy signing (my first!); second, I went to an exhibition by one of my favourite street artists.
1. The vinyl signing

This was for the launch of Matt 'Lunartik' Jones' new toy - tea in a cup.


(image courtesy of Derek Bremmer's Flickr)
 
I love this toy because it combines two things I love - Tea and vinyl toys. Matt, was incredibly nice and sweet. I'll post photos up of my Tea's when I get the chance.
 
2. Exhibition
I went to the Elms Lesters Painting Rooms near St Giles Church on Saturday to have a look at an exhibition by a couple of graffiti/street artists - Dalek and Delta. 
 
I've been a huge fan of Delta (aka Boris Tellegen) ever since I saw his work in the CD booklet and DVD extra for Linkin Park's Meteroa album. He does these amazing geometric patterns and grids that Linkin Park's Mike Shinoda describes as satelites.
 
It kinda reminds me of Mondrian's work with its grids, patterns and blocks of colour. Also reminds me of computer/arcade machines...funnily enough, he did create the outer casing for one.
 
and the music part of this? Well yesterday was Muse Night on BBC radio 1 and they played the Teignmouth homecoming shows on BBC red button last night. So I've been listening and watching Muse for the last couple of days. Happy Birthday to me!

Back from Edinburgh...

Back from the quick-ish trip to Edinburgh for the Fringe/Comedy festival...was stacks of fun and a lack of sleep was had...mainly because I caught the megabus up which consisted of the following things: 1. lack of sleep; 2. lack of comfort; 3. a man was snoring really really loudly a row across; 4. it was boiling in the bus and freezing outside; 5. it was a BUS!!!!

But the worst thing was that we got into Edinburgh on 4 hours or so of sleep, stowed our luggage for a few hours so we could go on a free walking tour, checked into the place that we were staying in, and then headed to the first of 11 (including the military tattoo, a 24 hour show - yes you read right - and another couple of shows we added on) - jon richardson at the pleasance courtyard. Was brilliant as usual...anyway, here's a run down of the shows and the review I'm going to give them.

Monday 17th
1. Jon Richardson @ Pleasance Courtyard - always a funny guy, and I completely sympathises with his gripes because I have similar likes and dislikes. I didn't know who he was until last year, my sis is a huge fan of his radio show, so I'd only heard snatches of what he was like.
2. Lloyd Langford @ Pleasance Courtyard - one of the comedians I didn't really know about before going to the show. Again, my sis is a huge fan of comedy and she got the tickets to this show. Funny funny guy, and I loved his stories about his squeamishness.

Tuesday 18th
1. Mark Watson's Last Ever 24 Hour show @ Pleasance dome/Pleasance Cabaret/George IV theatre - Yes that's right a 24 hours show. He's done 7 so far. I've only heard about them previously, and my sis had streamed bits and pieces of his last one in Melbourne. And I must say it was so much fun - a new time zone was created, there was a triple jump competition, a mission was created to get Bono from U2 or the proclaimers to make an appearance, comedians dropping in all the time, comedian Sammy J going to the airport to inform the public of New Scottish time, and the singing of Christmas carols at the end of each hour. So much fun, so little time.

Wednesday 19th (besides recovering from the 24 hour show)
1. Tom Basden @ Pleasance Courtyard - another comedian I have never really heard of, but was actually a little bit of a surprise. Kinda like a UK version of Dimitri Martin, but with not as many slides and more songs.
2. Edinburgh Military Tattoo @ Castle Esplanade - not technically part of the fringe, but we had to do this. The flat we rented looked up to the castle, and we heard the fireworks every night that the show was on. And lucky for us, they had a group called the Top Secret Drum Corps from Basel in Switzerland. These guys are AMAZING. Look them up on You Tube - seriously.

Thursday 20th
1. Adam Hills @ Assembly Rooms - Australian comedian that I've seen on TV a countless number of times and I think it is pretty close to my fave of the festival. How fast he is with comebacks and the way he interacts with the crowd is what makes it so enjoyable. Plus he's just so damn likeable.

Friday 21st
1. Mark Watson's The Hotel @ Queen Street - this was really really good. Part performance, part comedy, part improv; it was a little bit of a surprise package. When we were looking up tickets we found out that originally it was only supposed to be on in the afternoons at 4.15pm, but the demand was so high they put on extra shows at 6.15pm. Its bascially a disfunctional hotel that has some weird and wonderful pieces and you explore it all on your own. Apparently, its coming to Brighton and London, so go and see it if you can.
2. Jason Byrne @ Assembly Hall - Previously, I'd only seen him do the Melbourne comedy gala on TV, so I wasnt really a big fan, until I saw him with Adam Hills in Adam, Jason and Friends - and he was hilarious! Completely not what I had expected, and this was definately the same with his solo show. Slightly bonkers and crazy stories about his youth were hilarious :)

saturday 22nd
1. Sammy J's 1999 @ Underbelly - This was one of the shows that we originally didnt plan on seeing but I'm glad we did. I'd never heard of him previously, and only see him at Mark Watson's 24 hour show, so I didnt know what to expect. This is a musical of sorts, with a 15 year old Sammy J in high school. Complete with songs and some slightly disturbing dance sequences, it was absolutely hilarious. Definately an unexpected little piece of hilarity.
2. Rhod Gilbert @ Pleasance Courtyard - this was the one show that was a big disappointment. I had expected more from him, but it was all shouty ranting and raving and although parts were funny, he kinda went on a little bit too much about certain things - mainly the reviewers.
3. David O'Doherty @ Pleasance Courtyard - Another comedian that I'd only seen on galas but was actually hilarious. I thought that his show was going to be all about silly songs on his casio, but it turned out to be mostly stand up with a few songs dropped in. Great little show in a really strange venue.

Sunday 23rd
1. Mark Watson's Earth Summit @ GRV - this was great. It was a lecture on the environment (when you boiled it down), but delivered in a comedic manner. Huge fan of Mark Watson's, and knowing that he's been trying to do his bit for the environment lately through some of the stuff that my sister has been reading by him. This presentation made me realise how bad Australia is in relation to environmental issues. He made me open my eyes
2. Dan Atkinson @ Pleasance Courtyard - Another angry young man, but not as annoyingly shouty as Rhod Gilbert was. And another comedian that I had never heard of before. He was at Mark Watson's 24 hour show as well, and this show was about his anger at the stupid people that call up radio talkback shows.
3. Night of comedy for Ray hosted by Michael McIntyre @ Assembly Rooms - Another great night because all the comedians were doing this for a great cause and because there were no reviewers the comedians were letting their hair down. It was a VERY long show but was absolutely hilarious.

I think I've missed a show or two there (cos I know I saw someone else the same day that Adam Hills was on).

Photos will follow....

The Grammar of Ornament

A few weeks ago, I went to the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) with my sister as the weather wasn't looking too great, and I'd been meaning to go here for a while now. It's described in the guide books as 'England's attic'. And I have to say they have it pretty much spot on. It is MASSIVE. There is so much stuff here that it's not funny. And it's hugely inspirational. There's everything from iron work (keys, locks, fences) to ceramic plates, musical instruments and even a room full of hanging persian carpets. Pretty amazing stuff.

There were two things that I absolutely loved there.

The first was a room that had all different periods of furniture, and right down the end they had Art Nouveau posters, handles and chairs. I love art nouveau, and I was left starting at a particular chair that I wish I could own.

The second thing was a room that I walked into that had a whole stack of prints and books in cabinets. These belong to a guy named Owen Jones. They are the most amazing designs I have ever seen. He was an architect working in the 1800s, and he wrote an amazing book called 'The Grammar of Ornament'. But that's not the best part. The prints on the walls were all these designs that he had copied from the Alhambra in Spain. Amazingly intricate geometric designs in all shades of the rainbow. Some were unfinished, and all were hand drawn. You could even see the pencil marks.

I was absolutely in awe and amazed by the skill of this guy. I love symmetrical and geometrical designs and this guy was a goldmine. I only wish I could get a copy of his book from 1856 (of which a copy sits in the V&A and which I was studying with amazement). Hopefully, I'll be able to find a reprint or something of it.

If you want to draw inspiration from it, have a look here. There's also some amazing plates here on the V&A website.

Album artwork

Muse have released the artwork for their new album, 'The Resistance' and I quite like it. It reminds me of the artwork for Origin of Symmetry...question is whether the singles will have similar artwork, or completely different like on 'Black holes and revelations'.

United States of Eurasia

Not sure if anyone has picked up or not, but I've been completely obsessed with Muse for the last few weeks...mainly due to the Ununited States of Eurasia treasure hunt.

For those that need recapping, it was a worldwide (well mainly Europe, Japan and Hong Kong and the USA) treasure hunt for these awesome looking USB keys (image courtesy of the awesome musewiki):



which contain an activation code to unlock parts of the song 'United States of Eurasia'. After the European/Asian countries unlocked their 'stations', they requested recognition by the USA, and of course its all been completed. And the end result is the first download off the new album 'The Resistance'.

NOW, this is a big song...starts off with a slow piano piece with some orchestra parts before breaking into a huge queen-esque build up. And the Queen comparison is pretty justified since its very similar...but it is still amazing. I can just imagine this song live and its sending shivers down my spine...and the great thing is that I will get to live this live as I've managed to get a ticket to one of their O2 shows in November. And, if all goes to the usual pattern of touring for Muse, it will mean that they will probably head to Australia either for the Big Day Out tour or at least do some shows - all of which I shall be attending.

So, if you've got the chance, head to the Ununited States of Eurasia microsite and get yourself an mp3 download of the song...mind you, you have to sing up...unless they have stopped sign up. In that case you're a little stuffed. I'm sure its up on you tube somewhere...but dont fret...I've found it for you:



All we have to do now is wait for September for the new album...which for me, after this little taster is a long wait!!!

laters,
evils

slacker...

Yes I know...I have been a big one. I haven't posted any photos, haven't shot any shows and haven't even updated!

I've decided that this blog is going to just generally be about all the creative things that I've done as well as some interesting things that I've discovered, as well as some cool shit that I've been looking at.

And the first think I'm going to talk about is the current treasure hunt that is going on for the new Muse album. They have a site up called 'The Ununited States of Eurasia', and its basically a treasure hunt around the world for a USB key that has a code to unlock parts of a track from their new album 'The Resistance'. So far, there has been 6 sites unlocked so 6 parts of the song have been loaded up. The current status is that they are awaiting someone to pick up the key from somewhere in New York city, so that the USA 'recognises' the USE :) It's pretty smart in the way that they have done it, and there are tickets to win for the person who unlocks the station - plus you get a pretty awesome looking USB stick.

And that's all in the lead up for their new album and tour...of which I have somehow managed to get a ticket for...the one band I wanted to see in the UK and I'm finally getting the chance...plus it's a chance to see their new material live before they eventually get back to Australia.

Also been getting into some designer toys lately. I've got my heart set on a lunartik in a cup by matt jones (see it here. He's a gorgeous little fella, and I've put my order in. Also, coverting one of these headphonies (in particular the C-Inked version), cos he's pretty special :)

Since my Visa is running out for working in London, I've been planning my inevitable return to Australia, and I've decided to go via Japan. I shall be going to some places where I didnt get to go to before...in particular Ikebukuro and its gachopan arcade that has 300+ machines.

Anyway, I need to go through all my photos and post some...cos I'm such a slacker!

Cheers,
Evils (the slacker!!!!)

my friends blog

my friend, sarah, has an amazing taste in music and she's one of my main sources for new bands and stuff thats interesting...anyway, i found her blog the other day...

A Danger State of Mind

check it out...

Architects @ Islington Academy

I had the pleasure of shooting an amazing band named Architects on last friday night at the Islington Academy...and mind you I was surprised by them. I'd heard of them from a friend back home who absolutely loved them, but I'd never got around to listening to any of their albums...and after friday, I've gotta go out and grab myself a copy of their album, Hollow Crown. Anyway, here are a couple of sneak peek photos from that shoot:











these pics will be up on planet loud soon (when the new website is launched) :)

Rediscovering old images...

I logged into my old photobucket account today...and saw all these images that I took back home in Australia...so now here they are again in their full glory :)

(Images: 1. Kelly Jones from Stereophonics, 2. Richard Jones from Stereophonics, 3. Ed Butcher formerly from I Killed the Prom Queen, 4. Shawn Harris from the Matches)
























I'll have to look through my harddrive to see if I have any other gems hiding away...

Busy busy busy...

Yes I know I promised that I would post some images and what not...but not having easy access to the internet is not a good thing. I will get some pics going soon.

Shooting Architects and Misery Signals in a few weeks and also going to see Kris Roe (lead singer of the Ataris) next week. Also going ice skating at Somerset House too. Enjoying some of the weather (when its not freezing and windy)...especially the one day of snow that we had about a week ago :)

Anyway, I'll post up the images I took at My American Heart, Taste of Chaos and my travels soon.

Cheers,
Evil ev