The Damn Truth At Théâtre Corona

Everyone loves a triumphant return.  The Damn Truth spent most of last year touring overseas, including a couple of very successful tours of the United Kingdom.  Their popularity overseas has really taken off as they will soon be returning to the UK later this year to support the legendary Glenn Hughes, but before that, was a short little tour here on their home turf, highlighted by a sold-out show on Friday night at the Théâtre Corona here in Montreal.  The rest of the World does seem to be catching on, but the home town crowd has been aware of their greatness for several years now.  They certainly have a soft spot in my heart, to go along with a permanent spot on my playlist.  As an opening band, I got to photograph them at my second official concert an a rock photographer, and this is the second time that I have been able to photograph them as a headliner.  They don't do anything fancy, but they don't need too, they made the name with their music.  The Damn Truth are close to being royalty in the Montreal music scene.  The crowd loves them, but that appreciation is given right back.  Drummer Dave Traina even stopped by to visit those of us who had shown up early and were waiting for the doors to open outside.  Their most recent album was 2021's Now Or Nowhere, so you'd have to think there will be some new music to come in the near future, though it may have to wait on their continuing voyage to conquer the planet.  The first photograph was taken at f/3.5, 1/500sec, ISO 3200 at 24mm and the second photograph was taken at f/3.5 1/160sec, ISO 3200 at 35mm.  Here are several more photographs that I took of their performance.

f/3.5, 1/160sec, ISO 3200 at 35mm

f/3.5, 1/125sec, ISO 3200 at 70mm

f/3.5, 1/160sec, ISO 3200 at 24mm

f/3.5, 1/125sec, ISO 3200 at 50mm

f/3.5, 1/160sec, ISO 3200 at 28mm

f/3.5, 1/160sec, ISO 3200 at 24mm

f/3.5, 1/160sec, ISO 3200 at 38mm

f/3.5, 1/500sec, ISO 3200 at 24mm

f/3.5, 1/100sec, ISO 3200 at 24mm

f/3.5, 1/100sec, ISO 3200 at 50mm

f/3.5, 1/160sec, ISO 3200 at 27mm

f/3.5, 1/160sec, ISO 3200 at 31mm

f/3.5, 1/40sec, ISO 3200 at 70mm

f/3.5, 1/100sec, ISO 3200 at 31mm

f.3.5, 1/200sec, ISO 3200 at 28mm

f.3.5, 1/160sec, ISO 3200 at 24mm

f/3.2, 1/80sec, ISO 1600 at 24mm

f/3.2, 1/100sec, ISO 1600 at 24mm

f/3.2, 1/100sec, ISO 1600 at 70mm

f/16, 1/50sec, ISO 5000 at 24mm

f/3.5, 1/160sec, ISO 3200 at 70mm

f/3.5, 1/160sec, ISO 3200 at 24mm

f/3.2, 1/40sec, ISO 1600 at 24mm

f/3.2, 1/60sec, ISO 1600 at 70mm

f/3.5, 1/25sec, ISO 3200 at 24mm

f/3.2, 1/200sec, ISO 1600 at 70mm

If you'd like to find out more about The Damn Truth and their music, you can do so by following the link to their website.  If you'd like to see the photographs that I took of Harm & Ease, who performed earlier that evening, you can do so by following this link.  A big thank you goes out to band mananger Ralph Alfonso for getting me a pass to shoot the show.  As always, it is very much appreciated.  It's nice to see nice things happen to nice people.  The Damn Truth seem to have it all at the moment, but you still can't help bu feel that the best is yet to come.

Harm & Ease At Théâtre Corona

I'm always excited to have the chance to photograph a band that I have never seen before.  Since I've been doing this, more often than not the opening band ends up being a group that I really enjoy.  The odds once again were in my favour this Friday night as Harm & Ease took the stage at the Théâtre Corona.  Their story is quite interesting.  Two childhood friends bond over music, start a band and then fate sees one of them move to Argentina with this family.  Lots of plane rides later, the band fully formed in Argentina before finally making their way back up North to Toronto.  The rest, as they say, is history.  I believe that they made the right choice.  After gaining a large following in Argentina, they've gotten noticed up here too.  They released an EP last year, Camino Loco, and have been nominated for Breakthrough Group Of The Year at the 2023 Juno Awards which take place later this month.  From their website, Harm & Ease describe their style as channeling the rock & roll giants of the 60s and 70s and passing it through their modern filter, creating a sound that comes across as fresh yet familiar and steeped in the roots of classical music and songwriting.  They certainly had the Montreal crown swinging and swaying away and got me to visit iTunes to download some of their music afterwards.  That seems like a successful showing to me.  The first photograph was taken at f/3.2, 1/80sec, ISO 1600 at 24mm and the second photograph was taken at f/3.2, 1/250sec, ISO 1600 at 24mm.  Here are several more photographs that I took of their performance.

 f/3.2, 1/100sec, ISO 1600 at 30mm

f/3.2, 1/125sec, ISO 1600 at 24mm

f/3.2, 1/80sec, ISO 1600 at 28mm

f/3.2, 1/250sec, ISO 1600 at 24mm

f/3.2, 1/320sec, ISO 1600 at 24mm

f/3.2, 1/250sec, ISO 1600 at 28mm

f/3.2, 1/320sec, ISO 1600 at 24mm

f/3.2, 1/400sec, ISO 1600 at 24mm

f/3.2, 1/500sec, ISO 160 at 31mm

f/3.2, 1/400sec, ISO 1600 at 24mm

f/3.2, 1/200sec, ISO 1600 at 50mm

f/3.2, 1/125sec, ISO 1600 at 24mm

f/3.2, 1/100sec, ISO 1600 at 35mm

f/3.2, 1/80sec, ISO 1600 at 24mm

f/3.2, 1/500sec, ISO 1600 at 70mm

f/3.2, 1/80sec, ISO 1600 at 70mm

f/3.2, 1/50sec, ISO 1600 at 24mm

f/3.2, 1/320sec, ISO 1600 at 59mm

f/3.2, 1/400sec, ISO 1600 at 24mm

If you'd like to find out more about Harm & Ease, you can do so by following the link.  If you'd like to see the photographs that I took of the Damn Truth later that night, you can do so by following this link.  They certainly made a fine impression on me and I'd wager a good portion of the crowd as well.  Good luck at the Juno's, and maybe we'll see them back here someday soon.

Feeding The Flame

I can't speak for everyone, but I have yet to meet a person who doesn't enjoy sitting down next to a crackling fire.  The personal highlight of our annual trip for me is always when the sun goes down and My Lovely Assistant builds up her fire.  It's a sign to bust out a cold cola, find a comfy chair and just sit back and watch the flames dance away.  I find that the best time to photograph a fire is near the end of its life.  There is still some flame dancing around the log, but the burnt wood can be better seen as well as the bright red embers.  I like to watch the flames and try to anticipate where they will be dancing next, and then focusing on that spot and waiting to get my shot.  You can do all of that, or just, you know, sit back and enjoy the fire.  The photograph was taken at f/2.8, 1/60sec, ISO 800 at 168mm.  Enjoy your time near the pit this Summer.

Summer Friends

As February gives way to March, the inevitable turning of the calendar means that we are getting closer to the warmer months, and I'm a little happy about it.  Now, don't get me wrong.  I still detest Summer and the oppressive heat that comes with it, but around this time of the year I begin to miss my little winged friends.  With all of our sunflowers in the back, we've become quite the meeting place for the local bumblebee population.  And, they like nothing more than to let me walk among them and take their photograph.  I hate the heat, but I do enjoy finding a nice spot in the shade and following those little guys walk around the sunflowers until they give me just the right pose.  The photograph was taken at f/3.2, 1/1600sec, ISO 1600 at 200mm.  I still reserve the right to complain and moan come June and July, but at least I'll have these little guys buzzing around while I try to keep cool.

Hearty Treats

Valentine's Day was last week, and I'm a little bit behind in the photography schedule.  Yes, there were some tasty treats that were purchased for My Lovely Assistant and The Heir Apparent to share.  The Crown Prince didn't really get to partake in the tastiness this year, but his sweet tooth will probably be treated next year.  I guess I could be described as someone with simple tastes, so despite all of the fancy chocolate desserts, it was My Lovely Assistant's Rice Krispie treats which I was most drawn to.  She shaped them like little hearts and added some little sugar hearts for a colourful bonus.  The Heir Apparent helped in their creation, so how could I not like them.  The photograph was taken at f/6.3, 1/160sec, ISO 100 at 70mm with some flash bounced off of the ceiling to make the colours pop a little more.  They were snap, crackle pop-ilicious.  I hope you all had some tasty treats as well.