The Graphic

June 16, 2012

This date marked a very unique event at Kilburn High Road: what was gonna be remembered as the beginning of what can be a path as a concert/event's photographer. Let me further envolve you.

There I was, at home, after the shoot of an incredible film and a proper rest, looking at my room and my stuff and starting to organize everything for my forthcoming trip back to Porto, seing my family again, being in Porto, feeling the warmth and heat everyone around there, see the SEA and smell the saltiness in the air! All of this was going on my mind when I get a message from Laurent, inviting me to go to one of his gig's, happening at the 'The Good Ship' and photograph it' Even though he wouldn't be able to pay me for the job, we would let me in free of charge and pay a few pints.

I was about to leave London for a bunch of months. Had my backpack to be set up and the room cleaned and going out to photograph for a bunch of ours wouldn't stop me from not making what I had to do. Also, that was a part of London I hadn't been to so it was also an opportunity to see a bit more of the millons of corners of London.

And so I said yes.

Got a bit later than arrange because of the traffic in London, but also because I misunderstood the venue for another gig he was gonna throw at Camden Town. However, there was not much of a issue about that as the arranged meeting time was set for about two hours before the actual gig (for a few group shots).

As I finally arrived, and relaxed for a bit, the work started. Even though I had no predetermined idea of what kind of frames I wanted to get, it wasn't very hard to see that bricks would be a constant on the photographs I was gonna make. Quite easy to manage, a few shots were enough to make them happy. And if the client is happy, so am I!

At 9.30p.m. their gig started. Although I never had listened to their music, it wasn't to hard to know what kind of band or what gender of music they were gonna play. What I was surprised though, was the way they captivated the audience, when compared with the other bands playing there. And that, adding the photographer on stage, almost make the band feel superior (not necessarily better) to the other ones, in the sense that they are conscious about their position, as a band and know what their goals are; that there is someone interested in them rather than looking for someone to look after them.

Anyway, the pub was a bit odd, in terms of space, although I might say it is a good spot to throw some gigs and the photographs pleased the band, to the point when I was told that with the quality of the photos I was taking, it would be really easy to earn quite a lot of money out of it, which was a surprise for me, because of the lack of notion about the practiced prices.

A nice energetic venue and good time spent listening to some emerging music which we might have the chance of be listening on the radios, soon!

Wish you the best of luck!!



UPDATE: If any of you got interested on the band, please visit them on their facebook page The Graphic

The folk back

Like always, one has to go back home. After the end of the festival, I got a lift back to Angers but, even though the city looked very friendly, tiredness was way to much for me to adventure myself walking and finding a place to crash so, after a few messages, I got my train back to Tours and stayed with Carol for another two nights, of which I was able to see the city again but on this time, adventure for other parts that I didn't go before.

So much love in the air!!!

I really find funny the sac of potatoes, waiting to be picked up inside by it's beloved one ^^  

Also, because of it's size, being there for a second time allowed me a lot more time to sit on the cafes to read, draw and write for a while, while enjoying the beat of it's people.

Because of my time spent at the cafes, I had the most unpredictable episode ever! In the morning of my flight, I head to the cafe to kill some time, while having a wake up coffe, watching the city waking up, trying to learn a bit more of my very rusty french. Everything was running smoothly when a girl - around my age - came closer to me and asked me for what I thought to be a lighter. Went to my bag, looked for it on the pocked and, when finally with with and turned to her, she had left. However, there was a surprise for me: a lucky strike cigar with a phone number!
When I got notion of what had happend, I looked around, trying to understand if that was real or a   prank of some sort. But no one came, leaving me to the very moment of illumination: someone just gave me a phone number on a cigar!!!!
Truly indescribable!

Indeed a wow of a trip, and a yay of a accomplished one!

Even though a bit sad for be leaving France so early, I am really glad for making here, as this smal walk around opened a couple of doors for the incoming month's festivities!  ^^

It has been found!

And it is Folk Music!!

The road up to Damada was a very funny one, to say the least. Full of lifts - I got 5, not including the one straight to the folky festival! This happened because of my choice of taking the national road rather than heading close to the motorway thus allowing me to have a more relaxed, longer journey up in France.
The day of the hitch was a long, hot day. Even though I got my stops, it also had it's walkable moments and they were not few, nor little some times. It started right after the sun came up, and as the sun was half-way between sleep time and lunch time, I was arriving at Coulans s/ Gée.
The small little village, with long wide roads, thin tiny houses - very cosy though - were the stage for what was gonna be on of the most admirable festivals I've witnessed so far.
Following the signs, I ended up on this football field, now place for the many tents that would be placed there.
My tent though, wasn't there yet, as Lena was still on her way down from Rennes here. It was amazing though for because of this, I met an amazing, and big! group of dutch people with whom I spend a lovely time with and also got to know some very interesting things, such as other festivals were I might go in the future! hehe

Every festival I go it rain, but only for one day/night! Truth be told, I find it very odd

Green, hilly pastures, incredible, warm sunny weather. Horses, feeding of the healthy grass, showing off and making those walking pass looking at them in awe, this was the surrounding of this small grand gathering.

 

Lovely people, from many different countries - 12 at least, from my counts - bringing their own music background and dancing styles, blending at the sound of amazing music, some of which have inspired me for life, and an energy that makes you wanna dance all day and all night, non-stop; just feeling the music, reacting to what is being played - or sang.

by Yann Ontsa-Ontsa :)

Divided by both dancing and music workshops, during the day and balls following jam sessions at night, are that very ancient recipe for a whole day of intensity and good fun. Amazing dancing workshops, particularly the junction between musicians/professors that set the quality of them very high in the bar, giving me the skivvies when thinking about how the night balls would be like.

As the day would set, everyone would make their dinner and get ready for the big, long night of dancing that was waiting for us. Some relaxation before the gigs, more towards the end of the festival, due to tiredness and bad nights of sleep - to much dancing - we are all waiting for the music to come: pure magic and joy!

From the simplest cercles to the most elaborate valses, every dance had a tingle in it. Not one of uncomfortableness but rather a very intense and unbelievable felling that was running on my body. Nonetheless to say that, every night was full on of dancing, until the very last chord - appart from the second night when I went to the tent to get my camera and the tent took hover me hehe 

Every festival/folk gathering that I go to has a different mood to it. However, all of them share the same basic things: friendship, companionship, share, love for the food ^^ music, dance - obviously - and most of all, love!

Thanks you all!