Merry Ho Ho From LM Photo

Last Night I Met an Angel-A Review of the Julie Doiron, Ladyhawk, Constantines Call the Office Blowout

After a long break from the hallowed ground of the live music venue, I returned to form Friday night with a long anticipated trio of Canada's heavy hitters conveniently wrapped up in a handy little package and spit out from the beautifully tarnished stage of London's iconic Call the Office.
Ladyhawk was a completely fresh experience, with only a MySpace briefing and a recommendation from a friend to crutch my ingoing bias. Their avid fans where quite obviously in attendance and the front of stage quickly became a well packed deck of cards, my jack of spades wedged between the stage, wall and some fun loving (and pissed) girl from Fanshawe:-) Hitting there stride about 2 or 3 songs in, these guys genuinely rocked, bassist Sean Hawryluk a spitting rendition of early 90's J.Mascis Dinosaur Jr, t-shirt and all. Not taking shots at the look alike contest, lead singer and guitarist Duffy Driediger freakishly reminded me of Sublime guitarist Eric Wilson, sweat and all. Joking about how C.T.O. had been negligent adding an 'e' to Ladyhawk on the marquis out front (Ladyhawke is a New Zealand outfit led my sexpot singer Pip Brown), they definitely laid to rest any misconceptions over who they where, playing a searing set and reeling in those not already converted into there lyrical world of fuzzed teen angst.
I had seen the Constantines on 2 separate occasions in the past, the virgin flight being from the main stage of Hillside in there hometown of Guelph, where they kicked my ass so much that I added a powerhouse image of crazed bass player Dallas Wehrle to my small personal gallery. Taking the stage around 12:30am, they wasted no time in getting down to what they do best, opening up a sonic fire on the pressed and already well fed awaiting audience. Dallas sporting a full face winter mask, which he wore for most of the show. As always, the Constantines where anything but a mystery, ripping through their ever growing retrospective, timely and poignant anthems. With Kensington Heights, they have taken it up another rung and become one of Canada's most important bands and if Friday night's 10th anniversary show is any indication, the boys from Wellington County aren't stopping anytime soon.
On a night as solid as this, it is hard to pick favorites, but Julie Doiron, formerly of legendary East coast Noise-Grunge-Rock-Avante purveyors Eric's Trip and Wooden Stars, who took the stage first and blew me away with her shear energy and a power chord jabs a la Neil Young (the entire evening actually had a Crazy Horse rocker vibe sitting stage left, but then again, this is Canada, eh:-)). I had never seen her live and expected a much mellower vibe, after extensive listening to 2 of her studio albums, 1997's Loneliest in the Morning, and this year's college chart topper I Can Wonder What You Did With Your Day. What I got was a girl in her late 30's that worked the stage with shear exuberance, style and power that made you think you where looking at a 20 year old Julie encapsulated in the heady days of the early 90's, giving the audience everything she had. When she played, the exuberance and pleasure she took in she gave out, her show wonderful, rough and ecstatic, each song finished with a grateful thank-you to not only to the audience, but the headlining bands with the nuance of a girl not jaded by years of touring and the storms of career wanes and prominence, with her years on the road roughly 10 years their senior. Working her own merch table with the enthusiasm of a fledgling bar act and during both the Ladyhawk and Constantines set she turned into fan mode, either crammed behind the monitor leaning fans, or singing and dancing side stage and taking the stage with the Constantines. Julie Doiron, as a person and as a musician was the star that stood out for me, not just for her stage hip, but for what she represented, a sketch of music for the love of music, a beautiful ageless spirit dressed in dusty boots black nylons and plaid skirt, her long pigtails swinging with an urgency lost in today's commercial jungle. Amen to that:-)

Christmas Savings With Christmas Certificates

If a portrait is something you, or your family has been talking about doing for the last while, now is a perfect time to act on those emotions. Capture the moment with Lucid Musings' exclusive "Family Art Location Sessions" in 2010 with a certificate on the tree for Christmas morning. With purchase you have a wide open slate to book the season and date you want anytime during next year. Be it one of Lucid Musings' edgy and fun "Spotlight" Graduation (in their sophomore year) and Glamour sessions, a crazy popular "Summer Sunset Session", or a spirited romance forward Couples session . One family or an extended generational gathering of many, portraits are Lucid Musings speciality and each one is unique and bound to leave you talking, and guaranteed to give you memories for years to come. From December 7th to December 12th, get a certificate and not only retain the 2009 rates, but get an additonal 30% off. If this doesn't give you that little push to finally get behind the lens, well....then...give me a call at 519-284-0858 and I will help you along...:-)

Christmas "Fast Track" Deadlines at LM

Christmas is on the fast track and photos and framing take time, so to ensure the perfect gift is under your tree before Santa comes knocking, here are the guaranteed deadlines for 2009:

Canvas: December 4th
Framing: December 11th
Fine Art Prints : December 14th
Custom Enlargements: December 18th

As always, special requests and requirements are handled with the client in mind to give you a "Gift with Image" :-)and late orders are often not "too late", so give me a call with any last minute panics:-) Customer satisfaction and quality timeless results are always priority. Make your day...the LM way..."Make it a Gift Certificate"

Winter 2009-2010 One-on-One

"One on One" classes begin this week...spaces are still available for winter 2 day/4hour crash courses for beginner photographers. Full 4 week course also running again in April 2010. Learning with LM....."Make it a Gift....Certificate":-)

Due to popular interest, I have decided to offer private one on one tutoring in the shoulder/off season to aspiring photographers wanting to better capture those images that look so much better in your mind than on that digital display of your camera. A compressed, distilled and refined version of my Spring/Fall group sessions, http://lucidmusingslight.blogspot.com/2009/08/course-announcement-starting-september.html this course will is a great opportunity to get up close...and personal...with your camera:-)

Cost: $125.00 plus GST
What: Fun learning experience..
Where: My studio and beautiful Perth County
When: Flexible dates and times
Who: Me...and You
Why: Why Not?
How: By calling 519-284-0858, or 1-866-680-0858

2009 "Front and Centre" Installment 2

Although Lucid Musings made the decision in 2009 to make weddings a more "exclusive" portion of the photo palate of services, focusing on more portraits and expanding my lifestyle outlets, I still love the opportunity a wedding gives. The precursor to every wedding is the engagement and in the photo world the engagement shoot. No wedding day stress, denim casual and time to spare, what the engagement couples session lacks in elegance it makes up for ten times over in real, relaxed unpretentious fun and romance...a behind the scenes look before the show begins:-)

2009 "Front and Centre" Installment 1...

2009 was, is and destined to be an amazing year for me here at Lucid Musings Photography. A year of minor downs and major ups, 2009 took me all over Ontario and parts of the U.S. trying to secure the story in a moment, provide captures for commissioned clients, and get promotional and lifestyle for advertising agency projects and a number of Inns. From the Little Inn in Bayfield to the YMCA in Sarnia and Chatham, from Sir Sams in Haliburton to the Shaw Club in Niagara on the Lake, travel was certainly on the agenda. What was also on the agenda was a true push to give families and individuals a portrait with a twist. Tailoring back on weddings in 2009, I made the business decision to become a "portrait specialist" and it seems to be working. Although the year still has 2 1/2 months to go, with the amount of work I feel honoured to share from this memorable year, I thought I had better get started...let the show begin..."2009 Front and Center" with Lucid Musings...starring many smiles, more laughs and even more memories...:-)

Fall Sessions

Yes, it is October and it sure feels like it! That being said, October is one of my favorite months with the fresh, sunny days, clear, moonlit early evenings, leaves under foot, colours of orange, red and yellow shining under the haze of a streetlight. Sweaters come out of storage, hockey is on TV, the harvesters haunt the fields by day and night and visits to the hidden gems of summer take on a new face of solitude. Seasons in Canada are something we treasure and fall is on the top of many lists, especially for the art of the family portrait. Lucid Musings looks forward to working with many families, some back for their second and third outings. Things are booking up fast again this year, but there are still limited spaces available. Call 519-284-0858 or 1-866-680-0858 to book some memories:-)

I have uploaded my current booking calendar to help:-) Recommended seating times are morning or late afternoon, but special requests are always accomodated:-)

Lucid Musings Retrospective-Celebrating 5 years

An overdue look at the first five years of Lucid Musings' family portraiture. All of these pictures where sampled from late spring 2004 until the beginning of 2009. It been a long road, with lots peaks and valleys, but looking back, I really feel good about my path I have paved. A lot of long days and 7 day weeks have given way to the realization of passion as a living, an opportunity few get and I count my blessings everyday. Enjoy:-)

Stonetown Music Festival-A Young Cause for All

It’s so hard to get old without a cause
I don’t want to perish like a fading horse
Youth is like diamonds in the sun
And diamonds are forever

So many adventures couldn’t happen today
So many songs we forgot to play
So many dreams are swinging out of the blue
We let them come true...Alphaville

(following is the letter to the editor I wrote, printed in todays (September 2) St. Marys Journal Argus)

A week ago Saturday, my good friends and owners of The Harvest Bakery made a vested attempt to create a musical “buzz”, by gathering a selection of local musicians, both young and established to put forth the first “Stonetown Music Festival”. Being in the know from the first spark to the realization on the 22^nd, I was fully aware of the hurdles they had to jump to accomplish what they did and as a result of this hard work, feel commendation is due to them, not snide digs about the lack of tourists, closed businesses, screaming vocals and an over-amped bass.

To be fair, one can argue that the pool of St. Marys live acts that performed on the 22^nd varied from good to fair to passable, and that the acoustics on Water street left something to be desired, but that is not the point. Rather than looking at it’s glass half full shortcomings, as any virgin attempt has, we should all be looking at its positive future potential and the underlying message behind it that John Leberg, and anyone in his camp seems to be overlooking. What we have is an attempt by the younger populace of St. Marys to give local musicians of all ages and genres a platform to express their musical talents, for today and tomorrow in a festival format and a permanent band shell. In a town that has always been a big youth sports town, I feel this spotlight that is now shining on the non-sports oriented young talents should not be turned off but brightened.

Community support for this inaugural event was lacking for most of the 7 hours I spent happily supporting the efforts of the group of under 23 year olds running the show, some just in there teens. This lack of support needs correction both behind and in front of the stage. With the right people, the right funding, and the right organizations we can create something that really matters. Music was, is and always will be, meant to be played and experienced in a live outdoor venue. The conjoining of music, arts and community is well documented and yearly tapestries have been woven from this patchwork.

The successes are well realized, from Hillside’s sold out 3 day green haven on Guelph island, to the legendary Mariposa in Orillia’s Tudhope Park, from the local and free multi-cultural splash at Sunfest to the long running Home County Folk. Let us step up and join this youthful enthusiasm for freedom of expression, forget the “not in my backyard” backwardness and open our eyes and ears to the possibilities, many suggested in the most thought out and objective of citizen letters written on this issue, by Tom Sproat and Rachel Petrie. Once again 2 young members of our community intelligent enough to offer a much more liberal, well thought out proactive piece while leaving out personal attacks, something the opposition unfortunately seems unable to do. Then again, one should thank Mr. Leberg for raising this issue as he has really inadvertently planted the seed that will hopefully someday see music, in all its fantastic forms become a permanent part of summer in St. Marys, because, at the end of the day, music can not only lift one’s inner spirits, it can add spirit to any town, or city wise enough to embrace it, nurture it and give it legs to stand on.

Course Announcement-Starting September 21

It is with great excitement that I will be offering again my popular course for the digital photo beginner. In the spirit of getting those images you see in your mind, but have trouble realizing with your camera. A 4 session course, not only a follow-up to my level 1 'Into the Digital Age' which I offered in 2007, but a great starting point for any SLR camera (manual function/interchangeable lens) camera owner wanting to become more familiar with their camera and improve their photos. This course will get you using your camera on-location, help you visualize things in a new matter, give you projects that will get you out shooting independently and inspire open interaction. I created this brief, fun, unimposing and hopefully inspiring course in the belief that the digital camera is best learned if you get out and use it. The instant results a LCD screen gives and the freedom of a digital card to capture and capture again until we get it right has changed our opportunities to learn photography. With this in mind and my belief that learning is not only gained by ingesting information but by actually using this knowledge in an open forum that becomes knowledge itself. Get up, get out and join me this Fall for 'Into The Heart of The Photo'-you won't regret it:-)

What: Into The Heart of the Photo
4 session interactive course to better photos

Week 1 (September 21)

In Classroom instruction/discussion of:

-Manual Functions
-Depth of Field
-Metering
-Composition
(review for those who took level 1)



Week 2 (September 28-5:15pm-field trip)

Location Shoot #1

-Composition 'On Location'
...take what you learned in Week 1 and put it into action

Week 3 (October 5 5:15pm-field trip)

Location Shoot #2

-Candid Portrait Shoot and Low Light Fun

...will help you learn...

-metering
-Shutter speed and Aperture

...in a practical setting...

****Homework Assignment to be completed over next week and returned to LM studio by October 13 for grading, as there will not be a class on Thanksgiving Monday

Week 4 (October 19)

Back to the Classroom

-Photo Showing
-Review
-Open Discussion

Where: Stone Willow Inn (St. Marys) http://www.stonewillow.com/
When: classroom sessions 7-9pm, this time around, the location sessions will be earlier evening 'field trip' style shoots and, if everyone is agreeable, the immediately following Tuesday nights will be used if the weather is a complete wash-out. Mother Nature can be temperamental, so keep our fingers crossed:-)

...you already know the dates

How: To enroll, or for more details, email me Sean@lucidmusings.com , call me at 519-284-0858, or come in and see me at the studio 147 Queen St. E., St. Marys. Course fee is $160.00.

Sean

The Video Evidence...It Was Intense...Hillside 2009 Downpour

That was the little blue tarp I was kind of under, wedged far back right:-)

The Magic, The Monsoon and The Mud...The Story...Hillside 2009-Sunday

Sunday was a day I had been looking forward to since saying goodbye to a rainbow framed Hillside festival this time last year. An annual family pilgrimage for the last 6 years and celebrating 25 years on Guelph's idyllic island conservation on the Northern fringes of the city only last year, Hillside is a one-of-a-kind in Ontario. Providing the perfect blend of setting (save for the causeway, located on an island in the Grand River), good ethnic food (served on reusable volunteer washed plates), good local micro-brews (served in the legendary buy it-you take it-bring it back next year Hillside mug), great workshops (everything from copper jewelery making and karate meditation to Thai massage and one entitled "Getting the Sex You Want"-wonder the girl to guy breakdown at this one:-):-) ), great family area (my 8 year would be happy here the entire day making helicopters, homemade bread, tie dye and watching kid performers shake it on their mini stage). With all these elements carefully orchestrated, one would think take a rest, but no, Hillside's hundreds of volunteers and organizers also provide an environmental initiative unmatched, admired and in recent years created a pass it forward mandate, training other festival organizers to emulate their framework of free bottle-less water, green workshops, the aforementioned reusable plates and an aboriginal resting place with sacred fire right at its heart. The only thing that trumps this vested effort is the organizer's ability to bring together the best, brightest and most interesting musical artists from across Canada, with a sprinkling of international acts. The quality and list of past and present performers worth mentioning is much too long to show favoritism, with "The Island" hosting 1000's of bands past and present creating legendary jams, magic moments and memories never to be forgotten.

This year's festival was one of intense moments from the body trancing sounds of Xavier Rudd's didgeridoo to legendary "Universal Soldier" for Aboriginal rights, Buffy Sainte Marie, from the soothing ladder climbing Great Lake Swimmers to the all out feeding frenzy orgasm of The Woodchoppers Association and Friends. Our outing was limited to one day this year-Sunday-due to previous obigations and a trip my wife and son undertook to Newfoundland the week prior.
Upon arrival, I knew this was going to be a Hillside to remember, (they all are, really), with a long line of cars waiting to get in. Unheard of at Hillside, and a micro-mini version of the 21 hour jam on the interstate for Bonnaroo 2003, the reason was the regular parking lots had become non-four wheel car deathtraps from previous rains and the volunteers where scrambling to make alternate arrangements to get the 5000 plus happily parked in a place where they could happily get out at day end. After being asked advice from a stressed arrivee wanting to see his friend perform in less than 45 minutes, I thought just park it, forget the formalities, pull over and park it and go, go, go. Within 5 minutes it seems my advice rubbed off and the entire jam was almost entirely non-existent, with a mass parkfest underway and in Hillside style, no overbearing parking attendant blew his top. Hey, who knows, maybe they appreciated the idea, giving them time to recoup:-)
My first view of the festival grounds was one of a fondness I feel for no other music event in Ontario, save for the close knit, anything goes, non-family oriented Come Together Fest near Durham-the yang to Hillside's yin. I felt the community spirit immediately with the friendly welcoming smiles, open expressions and group hugs. We had indeed arrived again and the energy was hitting me smack on. The only difference this year was the field of dancing free spirits, intensely thriving to The Woodchoppers, half submerged friends cooling in the Grand River and children running and playing in a fit of laughter was back dropped by a large storm cloud approaching due West. Black as night, it didn't look good and it and the sudden breeze solidified it wasn't passing us by. The interim MCs comment "it isn't going to rain" was met by a retaliatory impressive shot of fork lighting and a tongue in cheek "sorry Jesus..I wasn't questioning you" and shortly thereafter an order to stay away from the main stage and all metal as the tarp team quickly hid all the electricals and equipment.
When the storm hit on Sunday, it hit hard and with no mercy, and even though I had taken cover under the mini tarp at the main stage the peak gusts and driving moisture soaked me top to bottom down my entire backside as I nestled my $3000.00 of equipment in the seemingly only quasi dry area. Chairs and signs went flying and the "H" in the Hillside marquee almost comically foreshadowed the aftermath, leaving a somewhat less welcoming "Illside" on the crest over the Grand River for a short period. The usually idyllic trance like walkabout turned into a pit of mud and woodchips and those with not enough foresight to bring the funky styled rubber boots soon shed the flip flops and sandles for bare feet.
Being through the best of the mudfests in the past, from the legendary Woodstock 94 as seen here in Green Day footage:

Watched a literal river of mud roll down the mountain at "Mountain Jam" in 2007 and spent a full 24 hours in, literally in:-) the mud at Bonnaroo 2004, where the pump trucks couldn't even properly access the port-a-potties. Here's a quick look, minus the smell:

Mud and music was something I have been seemingly intimate with and when standing in the ankle deep muck at Sunday's Hillside I reminisced about these past times and a smile came over my face. One reason for this was that I now figured I was batting about .700 for rain a one point, or another during my festival career, but the real reason I had to smile was the ability to appreciate the situation that a substantial storm puts events like these in. A study in resiliency, a short story in making the best of what is given, and an appreciation in the mandate that the show must go on. All involved accomplished this on all levels and the sun that hit the beach area and main stage late day shone a light upon their efforts appreciated by all of us who know, love and live for the experience that is the Hillside Music Festival. Take a bow and see you next year:-)


Waving bye...feet first:-)

The Magic, The Monsoon and The Mud

The Magic, The Monsoon and The Mud...Part Deux