Surrounded by teens copycat… The belt backward (the opening is on the back) eww, the colors in pastel tones (pink, green, black, black, and another version of black hehe), lip, eyebrow, nose or tongue piercing. Right now I feel old. Yup, im back in the rotonde of the Botanique one day after the sweet Loney, Dear made me go through thousands of sweet feelings… Tonite, French rock band « Second Sex » is coming to take the stage in a pretty emptied venue… Dunno really what to expect actually… But should have seen it comin’!

In front of me, one of the teen, you know, the one with Blue converse, robbie williams haircut and nailed belt (ok, i might have just discribed a third of teens, other third being gothics, and last one « dudes & gals that aren’t really sure on which side to go »). He’s saying « I’m sure it’ll be better than The Script and Jason Mraz ». WOW. Stop right here, i saw those 2 artists… Am i still a teen or f***** what? No support act is supposed to come, so we are patiently waiting.. This group has been the support act of the über talented Muse… That must mean something!! Little did I know at this time..

And this is going to be a short post… Days after, i just remember i lost 3.5euros (the half of the ticket price, the other one for what can be considered as actual nice pictures)

I couldnt tell right now what songs i heard that nite.. Some where in French, others in english, mostly talking about sex & women (like most of rock n roll some might say…), and no THAT many differences between tracks.. Total disapointment..

Im just having fun taking pictures basically, which is already a good thing true ^^ but well… No, not for me at all… Girls in the venue are going crazy but i just dont get it (pretty much the same reaction when i see Robert Pattinson « playing/being » Edward cullen in theatre. That’s just so not happening… Emptyness…)

Maybe the fact that the lead singer actually said at some point (gosh, that means i was actually focus on them right?? Eww)  » and tonite, after midnite, our friend here on the keyboard will turn nineteen!! »… Did i just heard nineteen… Ok let me switch directly to the other concerts of this month (miss kittin  & the hacker or les cowboys fringants, where i’m sure ill feel more stuff in a fifth of a song than the whole gig tonite…)

Dont get me wrong in here, i wish them all the luck in the world and a successfull carreer, but right now, i could as well hear the Einstein’s theory of relativity in ancient greek while looking at Matt Damon’s alltime marathon filmography (and come on, this is really boring) that it will talk more to me than the hour long experience i just had..

[and yes, this is rough, but see, sometimes i see bands that i shouldn't be proud of] What can I say other than that.. I’m really freakin’tired.. really.. coming out (no, not of the closet) of the Domino Festival week (amongs other The Whitest Boy Alive, Squarepusher, or Nico Muhly), and some other concerts… Nites are short, and physically, it’s becoming a little bit difficult.. But loving it, so what can we say against that hun?

As usual, all the set can be seen on Flickr

===

In my ears :  Sharko -Excellent (I’m your man)- ♫ »I’m special, excellent/You’re special, excellent/ Good in bed, excellent/I’m your man, excellent« ♫

How should I say that… That it’s a strange feeling, after seeing a good concert last summer in what started the all shabang (you know, the little sparkle that will ignite my love for concert and photos, and might explain why, a year later, i still have around my left wrist the pass for this festival), I’m going to go and see, live, « Bob & Lisa », who are the bassist and singer of « The Bellrays » (the group of this summer). Here, they will be in « blues » version, just the two of them on stage, acoustic guitar, one singer, and that’s it. First of all, she’s having such an incredible voice that it’s something that is worth seeing, but most and foremost, this will be my first ever photo pass for an official medium (in that case a flamish belgian webmagasine called DaMusic). And this is also why it’s a night to remember…

Ok, i’ve done a lot of gigs in the past months… and it’s not much to say.. I used to go with my small compact, afraid of what might happen to my daddy dslr… Then I tried to go in with my daddy camera, but was stopped early bc i wasn’t hidding it. Never understood, about being able to take nice pictures, and an army of compact that will blind all of the band for an hour with all the flashes.. Something just so not right when we think a little bit about it.

Anyways. Then came the moment I start following DaMusic on Twitter (if you have no idea what twitter is, a shame, it’s the future ), and they offered some places on a weekly basis. Had the chance to win two to go to see « Parts & Labor » in the Botanique. Went there, took pictures (doh!), and then to thank them, mailed them « thanks for the tickets, and by the way, I took some pictures! »

Long story short they answered « hey, no worries, they are nice » me « ur not looking for an extra photographer by any chance » them « well, make a portfolio and we’ll see what you can do » me « err it is on flickr » them « nice, there’s nice things in here, we might give you a small gig to start just to see if we could work together » me « no worries at all, small gig would be nice , oww, and i saw Eagles of Death Metal on Sunday, here’s the result, what do you think? » and so on and so on… and in the end, yesterday was my first photo pass for Bob & Lisa.

The first time I was actually going to enjoy a live concert, enjoying taking pictures out of it, and seeing those pictures on an actual website that is not mine. It soon will be the case. And this is more than enough to make me smile. So here I am, asking for my photo pass at the desk, they got my name *yay* time to get in the « rotonde » (where I saw Parts & Labor, Woodpigeon, Girl Talk).

And so here they are. Those 2 musicians, who are playin’ together for more than 20 years now, arriving late in front of the gate of the place -not open at that time-, passing nicely in front of everybody with a smile. This will be a strange nite for sure. The doors opens « Sorry, but we usually ask to stick the photo pass to your clothes » « owww, no problem ‘mam » I answered. And so I went it. Never saw the place as empty as this. Damn it. Weird to see that even where there’s talent, people aren’t really answering.

So.. I don’t really know how to be in the « non crowded » rotonde to take pictures.. Sat down with everybody on the stairs? nice, but too far, prefer closer framing. Let’s see nonetheless during the gig how things are going. They’re arriving on stage, with outfits matching of nice flower ornements. And here we go, simple and efficient, 2 mics, one acoustic guitar, and a wonderful voice.

Cliquer ici pour voir la vidéo.

I know just a couple of songs to be honest, but I know how talented they are, and it’s more than enough for me. This blues/soul voice with just a guitar, a good rythmic, and a quiet/confy place, no need for much more… I’ll start really byt not trying to be that intrusive, everyone being sat on the stairs of this beautiful gig place.

In the end of course I came closer, crouching next to the stage to have at least some kinda close up shots. But really it’s sweet, it’s rhythmic, they are 2 but sound like half a dozen and give us goosebumps on some tracks (damn the voice of Lisa is just… *Brrrr*)

Just a nice memory, my first ever concert where I’m actually allowed to take pictures (but well, I didn’t mind taking non allowed ones at Bloc Party, Franz Ferdinand etc… hehe). But I don’t know, it’s just the exact same pleasure to go and see artists I actually wanted to see, taking pictures, and see them spreading on another website. It’s just amazing. Hope I’ll be able to do more concerts like that. Rumor has it that if talent is there, it should happen. Not always conviced usually. But on this case, hope the say will be true

And they are really very nice after the gig, selling tees, cds, buttons on the stage, sitting on the border. Me « can you sign this, it’s my first ever photo pass, and I’m glad it was this concert honestly » lisa « oww, how sweet, thank you very much ». Really, I urge you to come back to the basics, how much a guitar and a nice voice make you travel far away, how much a look can say so much more than words, same for lyrics… just a very nice and warm feeling.

===

In My Ears : Jason Mraz -Sleeping to Dream-  ♫ « I’m dreaming of sleeping next to you /I’m feeling like a lost little boy in a brand new town./ I’m counting my sheep and each one that passes is another dream to ashes /and they all fall down./And as I lay me down tonight, /I close my eyes, what a beautiful sight./Sleeping to dream about you » ♫

Saule (translation could be « willow tree »), a Belgium singer, singing in French. (Yes, I know it might seems obvious, but it’s not, the Flamish singer singing usually in English… because it’s just easier to sell discs I’d say…). How did I hear his name… To confess I had no clue at all who he was, but during an evening of drinks, I talked with the girlfriend of a friend about my concert pictures, or at least that I was going to see quiet a lot of people [That was and is still so true.] So I said I didn’t know much Belgium names other than the « big bands » of what can be considered as the new belgium school of rock (Ghinzu, Deus, The Tellers, Puggy etc…), they came with the name of Saule and Sharko. So well, when I saw the name Saule going to the Bota, I’d say let’s trust them and see what the « lyrics’ belgium scene » (if that makes any sense at all) as to offer. Gotta say I was really happy to have seen him, maybe won’t be the last time either!

Support Act was Clare Louise, who was on stage with an other guitarist and a cello. And it was kinda celtic music. I swear, didn’t expected it, but well, of course I liked it ^^ You know you’ve got sometimes moments in your life that just stays in your DNA, for very various reasons usually, but well, when it comes to the celtic tiger, i’m obviously always a big fan… And hearing those simple ballads reminded me of nights in Temple Bar (the « going out all night long » part of Dublin), yeah, I know I always talk about it, but it’s just because it’s nice memories, and it’s moments where I really changed between being a teenager and being a grown up, because I’ve discovered so many stuff, so much about life, people, feelings, the beginning of what I really am now.

And so they where, tuning their guitar on stage « doesn’t seem quiet right, let us just tune our guitars because it seems out of tune, give us a sec’ « … It was strange because the voice she had when talking was really less « nose-ish » than when she was singing: appealing, quiet, reminded me of contemplation and silent moments in front of a lake, looking at some falls, or just in front of a modern art piece. Relaxing is just the right word. But the voice is sometimes strange because I’m missing this « open throat & nose » moments, here it’s really round and warming though.

The support act finished, the roadies are bringing some elements on stage, the mic seems reaaaallly close, good, probably not shy to be that close to the crowd (of course there is no fence, it’s not a mosh pit style concert, so no one should be harmed or over excited). And so the « pleureurs » are coming on stage, Saule is sometimes touring alone, but is on stage with his « weepings » on some gig, here’s one. Like 5 others musicians to help him create his own little world on stage for 75 minutes.

Cliquer ici pour voir la vidéo.

The stage is already something by itself, fluffy and plush style, very very nice and so here he comes, and I was really impressed, something like 2 meters high, has « well builed » as me, kinda curly hair, ok, let me get back 4 or 5 meters so that I can have you through the lens of my camera! The concert was launched, very quickly into the mood, moving a little bit, shouting, clapping. God knows how much I’m not that much into music « new french lyrics style » that consists of lyrics that are really well written usually, and on a minimalist music (piano, guitar, drums, who knows…). So no, it’s really not the thing I would have wanted to go out and see live.

But Saule is working really well, he’s freakin’ happy to be here, mixing between tracks from his first album « Vous êtes ici » (2006) and his new one « Western » (2009). The audience is really from various ages, style etc… Fun to see that talent can bring so many people from so many different parts of Brussels, and that’s what’s probably the best thing about the Botanique (the gig place), the artists coming are coming from so many different kind of music that this place is just filled with people willing to know more about those new musicians.

♫ « S’il m’était donné/ De pouvoir punir Sidonie/ Toute la journée/ Je l’obligerais à enfiler/ Des perles de baiser/ De la tendresse en collier/ Les enfants à problèmes/ Voudraient simplement qu’on les aime » -Sidonie- ♫

And so the tracks are nice, the musicians really good, and all playing different kind of instruments, there’s really talent on stage. Different guitars for Saule, according to the kind of tracks he’s playing. « Tonite, the bota goes on fiiiiiiiiire come on!!!! ». I’m even impressed because they are making a cover of « Folsom Prison » from Johnny Cash, the only song of the whole set that I knew all of the lyrics But well, once again, it’s because Cash, it’s Cash
♫  » I hear the train a-comin’, /it’s rollin’ round the bend./And I ain’t seen the sunshine, /since I don’t know when. /I’m stuck in Folsom Prison, /And time keeps draggin’ on. /But that train keeps a rollin’, /On down to San Anton’.  » -Folsom Prison Blues- ♫

Cliquer ici pour voir la vidéo.

Some nice moments with the « Nanana » song, with the whole crowd singing « nanana », the moments where « on the first album, there was a song names « saule », and now on the 2nd album, here’s « Saule 2″, he’s back »
♫ « Le vent souffle et se déchaîne/Sur nos cœurs de porcelaine/Certains appellent ça le blues/ Le coup d’cafard ou le spleen/ Y a toujours bien eu un mot/ Pour vous décrire la déprime/ Et moi, je dis que je suis saule » -Saule 2- ♫

Cliquer ici pour voir la vidéo.

Totally out of the line, maybe what we love about him, is that he’s also having a lot of fun on stage, and the crowd gives him the smiles back as well. Definitely someone I will want to see another time, that will not make me feel ever Belgium, but well, why not try to give a 2nd thought about all what Belgium as to offer me… We’ll see…
♫ « Pour faire l’amour, il faut être deux/Minimum/Que l’ partenaire sourit un peu/Minimum/ Plus on le fait moins on s’ contente/ Du minimum/Du premier du mois jusqu’au trente/ C’est l’minimum » -Minimum » ♫

Cliquer ici pour voir la vidéo.

 And as usual, all the pictures on Flickr.

 ===
In my hears : Lenny Kravitz -I belong to you- ♫ »You are the flame in my heart/You light my way in the dark/ You are the ultimate star/ You pick me up from above/ Your unconditional love/ Takes me to paradise/ I belong to you/ And you/ You belong to me too/You make my life complete/ You make me feel so sweet« ♫

Now that I’m up to date with my pictures (yeah, only 5 days behind the actual event did I posted the pictures… ewwwww), maybe I can start blogging again no? or yes, or not, or maybe… not enough time… as usual.. But enough to talk about the concert from the Puppetmastaz I saw @Botanique in Brussels. Puppetmastaz are actually.. errr.. puppets (doh!) who are on stage hip-hoping on an electro music… Oh yeah.. it sounds weird, but it’s the whole deal you have to take, you will actually see puppets fighting, singing, riming, flowing, an impressive gig for the beginning of this year!!

I heard for the first time about the Puppetmastaz like 4 or 5 years ago, at that time, I was buying « Trax » (yes yes, buying a monthly issue, papermade, the whole shabang!), That was my pre-Uk-Irish period, and I was hearing wayyy more electro than now (I said electro, not techno.. Meaning listening to stuff like Laurent Garnier, Miss Kittin etc etc), and I saw an article about those puppets that where giving a message while MCing on stage… thought it was weird, but heard an album, and was actually really nice and fun!

Then a couple of years ago came my work on the French Studio in Luxembourg on « 9″ (I urge you to go and see the trailer if you haven’t yet). There, Will (a damn good animator, responsible for a part of « Burning Safari« ) wanted to go and see the Puppetz as they were coming for a gig in Luxembourg, obviously sold out :/ But well, the idea remained. Finally, last summer, at « Les Ardentes », a Music Festival in Liège -Belgium-, I saw the end of a set of the americano-germano-canadien Mc crew.. And that was quiet something!!!

Yeah, I saw the end, because, before that, was playing « The Kills », and this time, I had my Daddy Camera with me, so I was able to shoot really nice photos of this gig, and at the same time was starting the puppetmastaz… I had to make a choice. Months later, I don’t regret, because I was able to see them this week « in a whole gig ».

So, what can puppets live can look like. First the stage, a 1,60meters high board with a hughe « puppetmastaz » on it. No supporting Act, and then, comes the deep bass. This gig is actually at the « Orangerie », the biggest room of the « Botanique » in Brussels (the one where I saw Yoav a couple of Months back), it’s about 300 people at the most, but SoldOut nonetheless. And here comes on stage Midi mighty Moe, a red Worm, with a destroyed Voice.

And here we were, the soul purpose of the puppetz. Deliver a message to the Humans. Join the movement, Revolution is coming, Puppetz time is close, bring on the Puppetz Nation. (i’m sure that now I’m probably filed by the FBI for words like « movement, revolution, nation » no? :p ). And that’s what’s just great about this crew. Yes, music & lyrics are great, but they just put it in a rhetorical way that just make you think a little bit.

Cliquer ici pour voir la vidéo.

They keep explaining how puppets will soon be all over, and so be aware of that Humans. But behind that, as long as the show is going forward (and people jumping on it as well), the message is clear, even Puppets who have at the beginning a more « democratic » way to do things, finally gets into a military tyrannic regime. And that’s where it’s great. Where they stop and say « c’mon, ur not gonna use bombs, ur turning into a Human here ».

And so it’s just a lot of fun! A teddy bear chasing Mr Maloke with a Chainsaw, the 1st puppet in Space, loads of little scenes like that. But in the end, they are telling ourselves that they are puppets, and they know it, but just think a little bit about all of that. Now, I can’t promess I won’t see them again, because puppeting while singing is just harshly difficult, for that, a lot of respect. But it’s just a whole lotta fun. 2 puppets on stage. One is a dog « everyone makes woooof wooooof » the crowd ‘wooof wooof ». The other is.. a fluffy stuff « na na na dude, everybody makes meaaaoooooowwww » « meaaaaooowww ». And starts an « old school » tarck, midi mighty moe… and the place went crazzzzyyyy… (sound is loud, but worth going to hear at the 4th minute to see the interaction with the audience)

Cliquer ici pour voir la vidéo.

Congrats to the puppet nation representant in the place as well (Puppetmastaz encourage people to come in with a Puppet, and there was like 5 ot 6 in the audience… I should have taken loooping :/  ). Well, the best is to see them live, ’cause they are touring a lot, especially in France, but damn it it’s good, we laughed, we sang, we moved! But there’s one who’s talking way too fast even for me.. I swear.. I understood some words that sounded like English, but gosh it was fast

The Guys even cam 3 time in front of the stage without the puppets, the rumor has it it’s not that often, so we were pretty glad this happend and even without the puppets, they are kinda jumping all around, wig on the head, sunglasses, scientific blouse ^^

Cliquer ici pour voir la vidéo.

Thanks @Carlo for enabling me to go there even if it was soldout, really appreciated!!!!. And then, I received a call, a sweet, nice, unexpected call. Someone in an other gig, I wasn’t there to see this other artist, but for a few minutes I was standing in that other gig place with that person. I was actually sat in the atrium part of the Botanique, eye closed, just hearing, listening, appreciating the music as much as the attention. Not much else to say… or so much more…

All the pictures can be seen in HiRes on Flickr as usual!

In my hears : Ayo -Piece of Joy-  ♫ « what can i do what can i say to make you happy again ? /what can i sing what can i bring to make you smile ? /what does it take for me to take these tears away from you ? /maybe i can give you a piece of my joy…. my joy« ♫