The Dead Zone

As we have made the turn from March in to April, I think it is safe to say that the worst of Winter is probably behind us.  True, there is usually one last snow storm that takes people by surprise by mid-April, but that snow rarely stays for more than a week.  However, before we get to the blooming flowers, green grass and trees full of leaves, we need to get through that little dead zone on the calendar.  It's the time of the year where most, if not all, of the snow has melted away leaving behind a muddy mess of earth and fallen leaves from the year before.  It's not the prettiest of things to look at, but it can still make for some nice photographs.  While out for walks with My Lovely Assistant and the Next Generation, I always make sure to have my camera with me as looking around at things helps keep my eyes sharp.  It also allows me an excuse to hang back a little bit during those walks as I tend to be a little bit slower than they are.  As I tell the Next Generation, Dad only has one speed, and it isn't fast.  While on one of those walks, we went through a large park as the sun was just starting to lower in the sky.  As we got to some large trees, I thought it was just the right location for one of those 'dead zone' photographs.  It was taken at f/16, 1/50secm ISO 100 at 24mm.  Mother Nature will soon be getting to work and things will be much more colourful in the weeks to come.  Maybe we'll head back this Summer to have a look.  Then again, it will be rather hot by then, won't it.  Maybe we'll wait and go back in the Fall as the leaves begin to fall again instead.  Sounds like a much more comfortable plan.

Theory Of A Deadman At Théâtre Beanfield

“Let the music smother me, whole weekend recovery, dancing on a Friday night.”  Our Monday night concert review opened with a quote, so it seems only fair that our Friday night show gets one as well.  This lyric from The Darkness also very fairly describes the atmosphere inside of Montreal’s Théâtre Beanfield.  Theory of a Deadman were in town and the sold out crowd was ready to party knowing that there were two days ahead to recover from their rock and roll excess.  Theory of a Deadman brought their Unplugged Tour to Montreal and they went all out with the effort.  Appearing on stage by walking down a set of stairs to a decorated the set meant to look like a 1980’s style basement.  I’m not going to lie, they nailed the decor to a T.  Right down to the wood paneled wall that we had at my house growing up.  They mentioned that they ran out of place for the bar, which got a chuckle from the crowd, but they were pretty common in 1980s basement, and yes, we had one of those as well.  Though it was easy to get distracted by all of the decorations, neon signs and mismatched furniture, once the music began, the crowd was immediately rocked back to the present. This was my first live Theory Of A Deadman experience, but what an experience it was. Though the show was billed as being acoustic, it still rocked as hard as any other concert I have been too.  After the band settled in to their seats, they began with ‘Gentleman’ and the party had begun.  Singer Tyler Connolly retreated to one of the previously mentioned recliners at the back of the set after explaining where some of the pieces had originated from, but quickly returned to his feet, circling his band mates for ‘World Keeps Spinning’.  What followed was a collection of their greatest hits that covered several albums and had the fans cheering for more.  The band mentioned that the tour served as a little bit of fun between albums, so I guess it is pretty safe to guess that some new music will be coming from Theory of a Deadman shortly.  Their latest, Dinosaur’, was released two years ago and they have never gone more than three years between albums so it wouldn’t be a surprise to find out a new album will be appearing soon.  In the meantime, this Unplugged Tour is great fun for the band and fans alike.  Everyone wins.  All of the photographs were taken at f/3.2 while using various different shutter speeds, ISO setting and focal lengths.  Here are the rest of the photographs that  I took of Theory Of A Deadman as they performed on the Théâtre Beanfield stage.

 

If you would like to find out more about Theory Of A Deadman and their music, you can do so by following the link to their website.  If you would like to see the photographs that I took of Jeff Martin, who performed earlier in the evening, you can do so by following the link.  Much thanks goes out to Jackson Carignan of In De Goot Entertainment and Christopher Gonda of V13 Media for getting me a pass to shoot the show.  As always, it is very much appreciated.  Theory Of A Deadman are due to wrap up this acoustic tour shortly, but with a new album on the way, Theory Of A Deadman will certainly be hitting the road again soon.  Don't miss them when they end up playing near you.

Jeff Martin At Théâtre Beanfield

Opening the evening at the Théâtre Beanfield a short while ago was some Montreal royalty for a special solo acoustic set.  Though he may be from Ontario, Jeff Martin of The Tea Party has been an honourary Montrealer for a good many years now, even having spent a few years living in the city.  Sitting center stage, he regaled the crowd like musical royalty.  Part storyteller, part musical shaman with possibly a dash of pirate thrown in there as well, there are very few characters that are as soulful and unique as Jeff Martin.  He played some great songs from the deeper parts of The Tea Party catalogue as well as telling stories about those songs and some of the live experiences that inspired them along the way.  There was also a small message for a certain President inserted into the lyrics of John Lennon’s ‘Imagine’, a brief portion of which was played during ‘The Kingdom’.  To go along with his Tea Party catalogue, Jeff Martin just released a new solo album, 'The Seven Deadly Sins'.  All of the tracks are based on the seven deadly sins and it's sure to be a great listen.  Jeff Martin has one of those voices that pulls you in and grabs your attention.  You hang on every word of the stories and feel that passion of the words being sung.  A true superstar who never disappoints when he is on the stage.  All of the photographs were taken at f/3.2 while using various different shutter speeds, ISO settings and focal lengths.  Here are the rest of the photographs that I took of Jeff Martin while he performed on the Théâtre Beanfield stage.

If you would like to find out more about Jeff Martin and his music, you can do so by following the link to his website.  If you would like to see the photographs that I took of Theory Of A Deadman, who performed later that night, you can do so by following the link.  This tour has come to an end, but Jeff Martin is sure to be back on the road again soon.  Be it solo or with The Tea Party, if Jeff Martin is on a stage, you want to be there for the show.  Don't dare miss it if he comes to a town near you.