20 May 2010:

Last time it was about 15 degrees.  We huddled in the back of a running tour bus, sitting in a dark parking lot.  This time, nothing but sunshine, warm summer air, barking dogs and singing birds.  The seasons are part of Colorado’s charm, I suppose.  This marks the second time we’ve filmed Andrew Belle, but if you give me the chance, I’ll take you up on it every time.  Simply put, the guy does not disappoint.

Andrew was in town for a quick show and we met beforehand to capture one of our favorite songs:  All Those Pretty Lights.

Photos from that night’s show can be seen here.

Andrew is on tour right now!  Check out his website (AndrewBelle.com) for more information.

1 February 2010:

The concept behind French pop band Nouvelle Vague is genius in its simplicity.  They take classic punk / rock / cult hits, and reinvent them as new wave (or ‘nouvelle vague’ in French) songs.  Sometimes it’s more of a bossa nova, sometimes it’s completely undefinable.  It’s more than a cover, though, as they almost seem to conjure the song up from the ethereal void that songs materialize from without inducing an eye-roll from even the most cynical music lover.  What I mean to say is, hearing these songs in such a different light leaves one with a refreshing hint of the song they used to know, like a distant memory; like the original songs were a distant memory for these musicians too, and they let it flow through them again in this form.

Started by producer/arrangers Olivier Libaux and Marc Collin (who you’ll see playing guitar and melodica, respectively, in this video), the songs are sung by a revolving cast of unfailingly gorgeous women.  On this tour, they’re lucky enough to enlist the talents of Karina Zeviani (international model and singer for Thievery Corporation), and Helena Noguerra (beloved French singer and actress).  Onstage, these two truly captivate the attention of the entire room.  Actually, it doesn’t matter what room they’re in, you can’t miss them.

Enjoy Nouvelle Vague performing the cult classic “Blister in the Sun” backstage, just moments before walking onstage to a packed room of fans.

Thanks to Marc, Olivier, manager Christophe, drummer Spencer Cohen, the lovely Helena, and the stunning Karina, for performing for Ecce.  Nous adorons les Nouvelles Vagues!

Check out a few concert photos and freeze-frames from that night here.

For more info on Nouvelle Vague, including current U.S. tour dates, check out nouvellesvagues.com.

10 December 2009:

You know what they say: There’s no place more intimate than the back of a tour bus.  So no better a place for us to get in from the cold and up close with Andrew Belle and two of his songs.

Andrew had recently joined Ten out of Tenn on a short Christmas tour.  Ten out of Tenn is a wonderful group of songwriters that rotate during their show performing a couple of their own songs while the others help with accompaniment.  This results is an entire set of smart, beautifully written songs.  If you like indie songwriters, it’s like getting a taste test of 10 brand new ice cream flavors (and then you go out and get 10 new albums after you end up loving them all).  Anyway, I highly suggest checking out each and every musician in Ten out of Tenn.

Alright, back to Andrew.  So we had planned on having Andrew perform under a street light near the Bluebird Theater.  It was in the 30s though, and low-light shooting isn’t always as wonderful as you think it will be in your mind, so I was happy when Andrew invited us to do it on the Ten out of Tenn tour bus.  We shrugged off generator noise and fairly low lighting in the back of the bus as a trade off for an intimate performance most fans only dream of.

On “Static Waves” Andrew is joined by Katie Herzig, Matthew Perryman Jones, and Andy Davis. “Ladder” features Jeremy Lister, Matthew Perryman Jones, and Andy Davis.  Click on the pictures to launch the streaming HD player for each song.

By the way, if you’re ever asked onto a band’s tour bus as a guest, don’t accidentally steal one of their coats when packing up your equipment.  Now I have to reset the “__ days without stealing a coat” counter on my wall.

Photos from the Ten out of Tenn show that evening can be seen here.

If you like what you hear, make sure to check out 10outoftenn.com and andrewbelle.com!

I met Sam Bradley at the Fox Theatre when he was finishing up his sound check for that night’s show.  It was below freezing and not really all that welcoming of a night.  Colorado usually has very mild winters (though I keep telling visitors this, they don’t believe me).

With the cold limiting our desire to be outside, we ventured to Pearl Street Mall (the nightlife of Boulder) to find some spots for Sam to play.  We quickly found a deserted patio behind a restaurant, complete with a fireplace to warm our hands and some intimate mood lighting.  We got comfortable and chose a corner of the patio.  My crew had never heard Sam play before, so they were really surprised when he poured out his heart with the emotional song “Too Far Gone”.  Sam’s genuine performance was punctuated by the cold and emptiness of the space.  Beautiful, serene, intimate.  It all just… fit.

Next we ventured around the corner and into the basement of a bar to find a warmer space to play the next song.  An old brick dart room in the back corner provided the perfect setting for “No One and Me”.  Hundreds of people had left their mark on the walls of this room, written with chalk or dart-tips.  Sam left his own mark with a heartfelt private performance that we are more than happy to share with you.

Lastly we headed back out into the cold onto the nearly deserted Pearl Street Mall for “Passport”, a fun song complete with strip clubs and “lines of confidence” (you’ll see what I mean).  There were a few brave souls out in the cold, and a small crowd gathered to enjoy the performance with us.  It was great to finish up our Off-Stage Shorts with some traditional buskering (minus the panhandle, of course), and wonderful to hear a song I’d never heard before, belted out into the thin Colorado air by a talented musician.

Click the buttons below to launch each segment in streaming HD video:

That night after filming, we were lucky to be able to see Sam Bradley’s show and take a few photographs.  With his full band backing him up, they gave a polished and energetic set that was a pleasure to witness.  Sam showed us his introspective and emotional side, as well as his fun and lighthearted side.  We’re very grateful to Sam Bradley for sharing a piece of himself and his music with all of us.  Thanks for coming out, Sam!  If you have a chance to see him live, don’t pass it up!

Photos from the show are here!

Be sure to check out sambradley.com!

17 November 2009:

It was a frigid late November day when Elizabeth & the Catapult contacted me and said they wanted to go up Mt. Sanitas trail to play some music.  A few hours later, we were trudging through the mud and snow carrying instruments and camera equipment.  A short hike led to a clearing with a great view of the city below.  We rushed to set up and make use of the fading daylight (the sun passes behind the mountain at about 3:30pm at this time of the year).  What followed was three great performances in the brisk mountain air from Elizabeth & the Catapult, a Brooklyn-based indie pop band featuring the wonderful voice of Elizabeth Ziman.

“Race You” is a catchy, quick song with a strong hook (you’ll have it stuck in your head for days).  It really shows what a fun band they are.  “I Don’t Wanna Grow Up” is a charming Tom Waits cover that far, FAR outdoes the original (IMHO), and “Porcelain Lady” is a serene duet between Elizabeth and drummer Dan Molad on guitar.  Here you’ll find Elizabeth’s voice really shines.

Click the buttons below to launch each HD streaming video:

All in all, it was a great shoot, and despite a malfunctioning camera, new audio recorder, and bitter cold temperatures, we managed to chronicle these beautiful early winter performances.  Later, we caught up with them at their show that night at the Fox Theatre, and enjoyed it thoroughly.  Thanks to the band for an unforgettable performance up in the snow as well as in the theatre down below.  If they’re coming to a town near you, GO.  You won’t regret it.

Photos from the show can be seen here.

Be sure to check out elizabethandthecatapult.com!

After catching Dead Confederate on stage at the Fox (see that video here), I was able to coax them outside into the warm windy night to try their hand at an acoustic song.  It was the last show of the tour and they were understandably exhausted at this point, so I was happy with whatever they decided to play.  When a stranger named Kippie unexpectedly joined in for the song, things got interesting.

All in all, it was short, sweet, and entirely in the moment.  But that’s all we ask for in an Off-Stage Short.  I hope to do many more of these pieces with musicians in the future.

26 September 2009:

A mild, yet windy night on ‘the Hill’ in Boulder, I came to the Fox Theatre to enjoy something far from mild: Dead Confederate.  I had discovered them a few weeks earlier and become intrigued with their powerful sound and intoxicating songs.  Hailing from the southern-rock-mecca known as Athens, Georgia, they have managed to capture in song a melancholic rawness and intensity that I have to believe Kurt Cobain himself would love (lest I use his name in vain).  Post-grunge is certainly alive and fairing well in the hearts of DC.  I knew they would be great to see live and I wasn’t wrong.  Opening for the legendary Meat Puppets, Dead Confederate was able to pack an unbelievable amount of energy into their 45 minute set.  They shook the walls, they shook the audience, and my head was pounding (in a good way) by the end of their time on stage.

Here are two songs from Dead Confederate live on-stage.  Afterwards, Hardy and Walker stepped out front to improvise a song with a stranger named Kippie.  Be sure to check out that improptu Off-Stage Short here.

18 June 2009:

We arrived at the Pikes Peak Center Studio Bee and found it packed with people.  Nearly every seat was taken and there were 20-30 people standing in the back.  I had no idea Loverleigh had such a following.  When Loverleigh started and I began to shoot, I quickly learned what made them so special.  With a unique blend of cello, guitar, and drums, they brought a style of music that many had never even considered before.

We were blessed with perfect lighting (the kind you just don’t get in the usual sketchy clubs).  I knew as I recorded it that this was some of the best looking video I had ever shot – a great feeling for me.

Guitarist/singer Mike Stephens brought his usual emphatic voice to the songs, and guitar that ranged from piercing harmonies to atmospheric noise (my personal favorite of the set is ‘Crawl Away Already’).  If only the audio engineer hadn’t had the guitar down so low on the mix.  Celloist/singer Lisa Snow also shined, as the two play off eachother (and trade off singing) throughout the show.  Her cello cuts through the harmonies, laden with FX, to add a new and interesting twist to indie music.

As always, Chris Combs once again showed why he’s often considered to be one of the best drummers in the state.  His intricate rhythms and timing go far beyond ordinary drumming, and his skills are second-to-none.  Don’t miss any opportunity to see a band lucky enough to have him.  You won’t regret it.

With their songs packed full of energy, emotion, and impressive talent, they wove an intricate and beautiful show together.  We present to you five songs from that show – great proof that Loverleigh is a band to watch (and listen to) this year.

Click on each button for a different song:

Hope you enjoy.  Be sure to check out more Loverleigh at myspace.com/loverleighmusic

-Devon