White Rabbits live at Union Transfer, Philadelphia

I’d first seen White Rabbits at Daytrotter’s brilliant Barnstormer5 tour when it rolled into Akron, Ohio last summer. It was the perfect summer evening event with five bands sharing the spotlight, and each equally but uniquely dominating the stage. When White Rabbits arrived (and I was several delicious beers in) I found myself temporarily putting down my camera (I only caught one photo). Not because I wasn’t enjoying them, but so that I could really soak in the show. White Rabbits filled the air with a thick electric blanket of sound as they lived up to the ol’ barnstormer name.

Of course I kicked myself later on and wished that I had gotten more photos that night. When I heard they were playing in Philly this week, I made sure Ady was going to be there, and that she would take photos. She was, and she did. Always ten steps ahead of everyone, a working professional who had already put in a 10 hour work day prior to arriving at the venue, she did it all half in her pajamas (anyone at the show catch a girl with a camera in a pajama top mostly hidden by a grandpa sweater? That was Ady). More words from her about the show to follow very soon, but for now you can check out the amazing set she captured and documented with her lens. Wish I coulda been there, too.

View the full photo set of White Rabbits at Union Transfer 3-6-2012 via Flickr.

Nick Lowe – live photoset from the Fillmore, Detroit 2011

Words by Shan, photos by Ady

It is with great pleasure and excitement that we finally present this set of photos Ady took on December 10, 2011 at the historic and very beautiful Fillmore Detroit (a former movie house built in 1925, my favorite kind of venue). Ady was on double duty in the photo pit this night for not only Wilco, but also their much anticipated opener, the legendary Nick Lowe, the spoils of which we now share with you.

Shards of Wooly Willy's beard (aka Nick Lowe's attentive audience)

Lowe was striking, visually as well as musically, and completely captivated the audience. I swear I felt every molecule of every person’s body stand up and give their full attention to his performance the moment he walked onto the stage, as if he were a magnet and we were the metal shards of Wolly Willy’s beard being pulled toward it. His presence was genuine, humble, and genius—a true gentlemen sharing his craft and talent, making us laugh, and visibly enjoying performing for a truly receptive and engaged audience. It was simply perfect. Which, of course was followed by the incredible set by Wilco (you can read about their performance in this post). Wilco/Nick Lowe Detroit, one of the highlights of 2011 (and beyond) for both Ady and I.

View the full photo set of Nick Lowe at the Detroit Fillmore December 10, 2011 via Flickr.

From the Vault: photo set – First Aid Kit 9:30 Club

From the vault, a small but very expressive batch of photos from their set as opener for Bright Eyes at the 9:30 Club in Washington, DC on September 4, 2011. All photos were taken by Ady.

First Aid Kit are two sisters (yeah!), Klara and Johanna Söderberg from Stockholm, Sweden. They have, since these photos were taken, gone on to release the incredibly powerful and lush full-length album, The Lion’s Roar, of which the title track you can sample here.

The other Two Sistas, (that would be Ady and I) will be attending another First Aid Kit show in the near future when they return to the states, so expect a full report down the line! Sista sista, yeah!

View the full First Aid Kit 9:30 Club set on Flickr.

Nick Lowe live at the Fillmore Detroit, 12/10/2011

Nick Lowe, who opened for Wilco for the first leg of their US tour to support The Whole Love, is a true classic, a musical genius—that’s all that needs said (if you don’t already know him, time to expand your musical knowledge, boyo!) Ady captured a lovely photo set (and has proclaimed him to be the most photogenic of all of her subjects to date). We’ll be sharing the best of the best of her photos shortly.

Drake Bell live at The Grog Shop Cleveland Heights, Ohio (photo set)

The ever expanding saga of Two Sisters and a Show, this time with a twist. It’s . . . two sisters and two daughters/nieces, and two sons/nephews in tow! The six of us had a great evening starting at the essential Tommy’s restaurant on Coventry (Brownie Monster!), followed by the much looked forward to 30 minute getting-lost-amongst-delightfully-bizarre-treasures session in Big Fun.

It was then time to make our way to The Grog Shop to top off the evening with a truly enjoyable acoustic set by Drake Bell. The kids were at full attention as that oh so familiar face—which over the years they have come to know via his comedic side as well as his music—arrived on stage, accompanied by another guitarist, Andy Alt, and Will Herrington on keys.

The audience demographic was wildly and nicely varied and Bell showed his musical chops via his own songwriting as well as giving us an accomplished tribute to the Beatles as he covered of a portion of the Abbey Road medley (Mean Mr. Mustard/Polyethene Pam/She Came in Through the Bathroom Window/Golden Slumbers/Carry That Weight), and a very beautiful solo version of “Blackbird.” It was great to see our kids get excited by the covers (they are well versed already!), and for those in the audience not yet familiar, Bell did a great job presenting such a unique yet classic representation of the Beatles that will hopefully broaden the musical horizons of the younger set in the audience.

Ady and I are both excited to have been able to introduce the kids to the world of live music via an artist that is genuine, talented and incredibly gracious, and to watch them be as inspired by music as much as we are. Music heads in the making.

View the full Drake Bell live at The Grog Shop Cleveland Heights, Ohio photo set on Flickr