Snapshots are my favourite form of photography. Perhaps this has come about from trying to capture my cat on film (he is notoriously difficult to shoot), but I think it’s because of how snapshot photography makes me feel. I can usually immediately summon the situation, the people, and the feeling of any moment that has been snapped, plus the candid nature of both the subject and the photographer is on show. My Dad has said the same thing in the past – “Scenery is nice, but I always take second and third looks at the photos with people in them.”

These are some of my favourite snapshot photos that I have taken, photos that would end up on my desk when I worked in call centres, along with a couple of favourites that my friends took.  I can look at these and immediately remember where I was and who I was with.


I didn’t take this one, I was too nervous to go up to Patrick from Motor Ace to ask for his photo.  My friend Amy has more courage than me!
(Motor Ace Farewell Gig as The Perseverance Hotel)


Jane borrowed these sunglasses from the boy whose reflection is in the mirror.
(Parkville)


Not picture, the tambourine shaped bruise Bad Laura inflicted on Jane’s head
(Geek! at Laundry)


Nick and Zac accurately representing 3AM
(coming from The Tote Hotel going to Pony after The Wellingtons farewell fundraiser)


This photo made me feel like a rockstar photographer, and I do believe it’s still printed up on some fridges around Brunswick
(The Hovercrafts at The Rob Roy Hotel, the second time I saw them, ever!)


Steve (and Alannah).  This one is an example of what the photo says about the photographer, I used to go out with this guy and I always thought that this photo made it really obvious
(arriving at Pony after The Wellingtons farewell fundraiser)


Flash! Jane!  It was either this photo or the one of my brother falling down
(Houseparty at The Rad Pad)


Red Hot Leonie!  This photo, and another one a little lower down, have not been edited digitally.  This was a gig at Revolver, where the band projected 3D films onto the wall and sold 3D glasses, with the red and the blue lenses.  So we were mucking around with that.  (One of the photos actually ended up being used on a band poster later on!)
(Johnny Rock at Revolver in 3D)


Franco och Tash i Vegas.  I didn’t take this one, but was one of many who agreed it’s a lovely shot
(It’s Vegas Baby at The Rad Pad)


The coolest couple in indie rock, Johnny and Kasia
(Johnny Rock and The Limits at Revolver in 3D)

Last night was The Wellingtons album launch for their third record, ‘Heading North for the Winter’, at the Northcote Social Club. Being so tied up with the trivia night, I’d almost forgotton about it until Zac went on a Facebook reminder blitz. I booked my ticket (amazing and scary what you can do from a mobile phone. I’m blogging from it now) and then freaked out a little because I was going by myself with no time to round up a gang.

I used to go to gigs alone a lot, especially gigs by bands like The Wellingtons, The Hovercrafts, and probably more associated bands. I knew everyone, so it wasn’t so scary. If you turn up often enough, people will want to know about that girl. Anyway, we’d drink our weight in Carlton Draught, dance, go to Pony, drink more beer, and then do it again next weekend at the next gig. At best, that kind of life is unsustainable for most, at worst, downright destructive.

I was driving last night because I had to work today – I’m a Bardot shop girl now! – so there were no shenaningans. But everyone was there and, most importantly, the band were excellent. The stage was setup with little birdie mobiles to match the cover art of the new record, along with plastic vines along the mic stands. They played all the new ones and a couple of oldies, plus some covers, one of which was ‘Always Something There to Remind Me’. Zac still that impossibly cute thing of thanking the crowd after a song before the’ve had a chance to cheer. This habit was better summed up later when we, the crowd were paying so much attention, no one was talking between songs. It’s a weird thing, but it’s great if you’re the headline act!

Kate is also getting better and better as well. I love the songs she sings lead on, they are not as obvious as Zac’s, but have these lingering melodies with chord progressions that are more classic rock inspired, rather than power pop. That difference doesn’t affect the coherence of a set, in fact, it adds to the story told. I also think that with Kate’s threads she needs a ‘Nylon’ cover or something.

So maybe there was no spiking birthday lemonades with double vodkas, staying until closing time, and dancing like mad fucks at Cherry or something, but the band were grouse, everyone looked good, and isn’t that what hanging out in Northcote is all about?

xoxo Nyssa on the 15th November, 2009 | no comments
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