They Really Are Angels
Since I’ve already posted something about JEFF The Brotherhood and since they performed on the last night of the Next Big Nashville music fest, I’m going to continue working in reverse-order and now post something about Friday night’s headliners at the Exit/In, The Black Angels.
Rather than a review, this post is more of an account of one of the highlights during my visit to Nashville. For a complete review of Friday night’s show, check Darrin’s post at Page 300.
Go ahead and play this song and continue reading… it’ll add some much needed ambience to this post.
The Black Angels – Doves [Play]
I have this big fancy camera and barely know how to use it. Taking pictures in low-lit venues when coupled with musicians in motion can be difficult. While trying to get some pics of The Black Angels, another guy with a big, fancy camera came up to me and said he was having problems getting good shots. He asked what settings (I’m assuming shutter speed, aperture, etc…) I was using. Somewhat panicked, I uttered, “hot and fast dude… hot and fast!” I hope he took it as a sign to use his flash and a faster shutter speed.
Thanks to Photoshop, you can sometimes take a blurred photo and make it entertaining by getting jiggy with it. Here’s a picture I took of Angel’s lead singer Alex Maas playing the tambourine. The original photo wasn’t very good but now it’s kinda psychedelic, just like The Black Angels are:
Before The Black Angels took the stage (and after I had drank about five beers) I asked Mr. Security Man if I could go backstage to the green room and take a few photos. Mr. Security Man looked at my media badge and said, “I don’t see why not.”
I turned the corner and there was Alex, pacing back and forth in the doorway. He didn’t see me. I snapped off a picture and while getting ready to take another, I sensed someone standing next to me. I turned to my right and drummer Stephanie Bailey was standing there, smiling at me. She waited while I took another photo of Alex.
When it came time to play, Alex came out of the green room and saw me pointing my camera at him. He did a funny little waver-and-slide in my direction and the camera clicked. He then held out his hand and introduced himself. He asked who I was shooting for and I told him The Opening Acts (dot com). He remarked how it was a cool domain name to have. Kudos to Carl!
The point I’m trying to make is The Black Angels have been one of my favorite bands for the past few years and although I’m getting older (and less star-struck) meeting Alex and having Stephanie smile at me made me love the band more -if that’s even possible.
Here’s a few more photos I took of the band that night:
It was hard to enjoy the show while focusing (literally) on photographs. Next time I’ll have a better lens and a stronger flash… and I’ll also hopefully have another cool experience with an equally cool band.
Tyge also blogs at The Neon Lounge.
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That shot of Alex in the doorway is fucking fantastic.