January 5th, 2010 - Tegan and Sara Show Review

Well, January 5th was two nights ago. It was also the night that Tegan and Sara kicked off their North American headlining tour with the first, of two shows at the Orpheum Theatre, which is beautiful by the way, in Vancouver, BC. This night was also the night that I got to tick off a goal on my to-do list before I die list. That was photographing Tegan and Sara! I do not know why that has been a goal of mine for awhile, but it was and I got to complete it, finally!

Now, the night started off with my waiting for the doors to open around 7:00 to get into the seated area. I say this, because we had to wait inside the Orpheum from the time the doors opened to get inside the building, but we couldn't actually go to out seats. Now, around 7:45, the first opening act went on stage. He was, Astronautalis, who is a one man hip hop/rap artist who is originally from Florida. His set was short, but was filled with greatness. Definitely recommend anyone to check him out.

Next up after him, was a two piece band based out of Australia. They were An Horse, whom are a huge up and coming band that are hitting the scene hard, with help from Tegan and Sara. Their set was a bit longer then the previous one from Astronautalis, but again it was very good from only a two piece band with Damon on drums/back up vocals and Kate on guitar and lead vocals. They are also touring with Tegan and Sara for the rest of the Canadian part of the tour, and if you are attending any of those shows, you have a lot to look forward too!

Now, Tegan and Sara were up, and finally playing their own headlining show at the Orpheum compared to the year before(well actually less, as it was in February), where they co-headlined with Broken Social Scene for the Cultural Olympiad. They started their 27 song set list, with a song from their new album, Sainthood, which was Arrow. The crowd was way into it, despite not standing up(I always feel weird sitting down at a concert). Tegan and Sara have come along way since they started, till now. Their set-list flew by, which was around 2 hours long. They then, played an encore which comprised of acoustic songs, except for the last one. They even played an acoustic version of Feel it in my Bones, which they made with Tiesto.

Full set list from Tegan and Sara's set:
Arrow
Don't Rush
The Ocean
Walking with a Ghost
I bet it Stung
Burn Your Life Down
Where Does the Good Go
Speak Slow
On Directing
Red Belt
The Cure
Paperback Head
Nightwatch
Soil, Soil
Knife Going In
So Jealous
Nineteen
Northshore
Alligator
Hell
Sentimental Tune
Someday
The Con

Encore:
Back in your Head (acoustic)
Feel it in your Bone (acoustic)
Call it Off (Acoustic)
Living Room

Here is a youtube video of Feel It In My Bones done from the show:



Now photos!











An Horse Photos:







Click them for bigger!

Peep my flickr for the rest!

Thanks for reading,
Ryan!

Lindsey Byrnes Interview!

Lindsey Byrnes is a great photographer, and she recently agreed to do a interview with me, and well, here it is!

Let’s start things off here by asking how are you?

How am I? Good question, I actually love that one, because although there are so many ways to answer that, 9 times out of 10 I simply reply with I’m really good! But I am actually doing great, Thank you for asking!

How did you get into photography?

I was working at High Speed Productions, Inc. in San Francisco and started shooting a lot of photos to document events that I was in charge of or trips that I took. So I would have something to show my bosses.

What was your first ‘good’ camera?

My first good camera was a Yoshica T4 Point and shoot. That camera is amazing, I love it and still use it all the time.

What is your main camera you use, currently?

I like to mix it up A LOT. It really depends on what I am shooting, where I’m going and how long I will be there that dictates what I want to use. I use Nikon SLRs , D70, D700, F100 I love Nikon although if money was not a factor I would have both Nikon and Canon.

Which do you prefer, film or digital and why?

I prefer film for some things and digital for others. I love film for so many reasons, the main one being the anticipation and delight I get from waiting to develop a roll. I have not been able to replicate film exactly when shooting digital but then again I haven’t been able to replicate digital with film…

What was it like getting your first photo in a magazine?

This is going to sound weird, but I don’t actually remember the first photo that I got in a magazine. But I am sure that I felt the way it always feels, f-ing amazing! I love to see images that I shot in print form. It’s such an honour for an editor to choose my photographs or assign me to a job. I love magazines and contributing to magazines is so satisfying. I feel fortunate that I have been published. There are a lot of really talented artists out there that may never get that chance. I really just LOVE it and am thankful!

What style of photography do you enjoy most? Street, portrait, concert, action, etc?

I think I gravitate towards documentary style photography. I love capturing moments, real, candid, beautiful moments. Weddings are amazing for that, so are concerts and tours.

Who is your favourite photographer?

I have so many photographers that I look up to and admire: I look up to all photographers, there are so many! Of course Annie Lebowitz, Terry Richardson, David LaChapelle, and Floria Sigismondi are just amazing. Ryan Russell, Piper Ferguson, Autumn DeWilde, Luke Ogden, Tobin Yelland, Joe Brook the list goes on and on and on and ...

What is your favourite photo that you did not shoot? And what is your favourite photo that you did shoot?

I’m not very good at picking favourites.

If you did not shoot photos, what would you do instead?

If I didn’t shoot photos I would probably be working in a travelling circus as a lion tamer.

What is your favourite lens to use?

I really love my 85mm 1.8

Outside of photography, what do you enjoy doing?

HA! that’s a broad question I enjoy all sorts of things surfing, music, watching movies, eating…

How did you become like, Tegan and Sara’s ‘main’ photographer?

Am I? That is a great title!

You also shot photos for 2 books in the series of books of they are doing, what was that like?

It was great! I was on tour with Tegan and Sara in the US and in Australia and have no complaints, I mean honestly I’m so lucky. When the ideas of the books came up and they asked me to work with them I was beyond excited. I was photo editing another book at that time (Off the Wall, Stories of Sole from Vans Originals) and I was really itching to get out and shoot more myself. Being out on the road is work but it’s so much fun that I don’t notice any of the other stuff.

Also, is there anything that you can ‘spill’ about these books that most people may not know already?

We are packaging all three books together. The third book is going to be different then the others, you will get to see the bands perspective through words and photographs

Any advice for people wanting to pursue photography further, or people just getting into photography?

Keep shooting!!!

Anyone you want to thank?

This is another list that would go on for days just to name a few: Tegan, Sara, my parents, Kerri Borsuk, Luke Ogden, Erin Dyer, Ryan Henry, Fausto Vitello, there’s more but I will stop there for now.

Thank you for being interested!

Thanks,

Ryan Rose!

Visit her site here!
Follow her Twitter here!

Char2d2 Interview

Char2d2 is a musician here, in Vancouver and is great! I recently got the chance to interview her and here it is!

Lets start things off, by asking how are you?

--Ryan, my dear, I am well, thank you. It's a rainy, spring evening and the wind and rain are blowing into my apartment through the cracked open window. I don't mind...it feels warm...summer is near. Plus, it masks the tears running down my face because of the Canucks horrible loss to the hawks tonight.

So you recently recorded your EP with Tegan Quin, what was that like?

--Yes, my debut EP titled "small vampires EP" was recorded with/produced by Tegan Rain Quin. It was an overall excellent experience and we hope to work together on the full length album in the near future.

What was it like...well, over the course of 3 days, we arrived at the studio at 10am, unless it was a day that I misunderstood the time, in which case I arrived at 10:30am, we followed well organized binders that Tegan fabricated...these were holding our tasks and secrets that we must remember...we recorded tracks...ate falafels or sandwiches, drank Red Bull, recorded more tracks, had stolen bikes offered to me, drank Red Bull, recorded vocals while wearing a leopard print rug, grew wings, realized Red Bull makes me crazy, got Tegan another Red Bull, then listened to all the tracks for 2 days and adjusted levels (aka mixing). It was a well-organized, 5 day, quick session of incredibleness.

What were some of the challenges you faced while recording it?

--There weren't too many challenges. As I mentioned, Tegan's binders helped us to stay on track and to be efficient with a short amount of time. It was hard on my friends because I disappeared for 2 weeks, during pre-production, while I was rehearsing/preparing to record. But all went very smoothly.

When is it expected to be released?

--I should have copies in my hand in one month. The end of May, or first week of June. I'll keep you informed of the exact date.

Photo by Lindsey Byrnes.

What are some challenges you may face as a ‘new artist’?

--One thing that I like to do is to leave a personal comment on each of my new myspace friends' pages. Suddenly I got a few hundred new myspace friends all at once so it's been a challenge to leave them all a personal message. I'm getting there. I only have about another 200 messages to leave...ha! But I love it. I love my new friends/fans...they're lovely. I find it hard to complain about anything related to music and playing or making music. I feel very grateful to get to do this.

Who are your musical influences?

--I grew up listening to Johnny Cash, Abba, the Beach Boys, the Beatles, Roger Whittaker (a pan flute player)...my parents loved this kind of music. But I was from a strict home and wasn't allowed to listen to the radio until I was 12 years old. So, when I was 10 years old, I saved up my allowance, told my mom that I was going to buy new My Little Ponies with it, but instead, I bought a tiny, battery-run radio that I slipped underneath my pillowcase. I fell asleep listening to the radio every night. This was when the radio was great...it was people like Bjork, R.E.M., Joy Division, U2, the Cure, etc. And I loved it. This music affected me. It was so precious. Lately, I've been listening to a lot of Radiohead, the National, Iron & Wine, Cat Power, Antony & the Johnsons, and Lykke Li.

What got you into music and wanted to continue with it and progress and start to record?

--I always wanted to sing. My mom says that I sang before I spoke. I was a very shy child and so this was only my secret dream. In my early 20's I started playing guitar...my guitar teacher encouraged me to sing and then insisted that I needed to pursue music as my career. I went to school, obtained my Bachelor of Music degree and formed a band. I've always loved music. My latest, solo project was put into motion when Tegan offered to produce it. I asked her if she was serious and if so, let's do it! She was serious...we did it.

What kind of things do you enjoy outside of music?

--I like to read, write, sew, run, walk, talk about time travel & past lives, watch indie films, go to Paris, communicate with my heart that I left in Paris, drink good coffee, watch roller derby, watch hockey with my friends. And I love yam fries.

How do you think social media sites(Myspace, Twitter, Facebook, etc), and the rest of the internet help new artists with getting more known?

--These sites are great. They help friends and/or virtual friends communicate and share their lives with each other. Music is a large part of many people’s lives so they share this with their friends. I am so grateful to my friends online, who have shared my music with their friends and are helping to spread the char2d2 love around.

What inspires you to make music?

--I get this feeling that I know I'm going to write. It's sort of a tingly feeling and I can physically feel that something is coming. Then, I write and it's a bit like tapping into something that is just slightly beyond reach...I feel like a messenger sometimes. But life inspires me... and love inspires me greatly. Or heartache. All good times to make music.

If you were not making music, what do you think you would be doing instead?

--Adopting fancy babies from foreign countries.

When you played your first ever show, were you nervous and what kind of fears came with playing your first show and how did you overcome them?

--I was very nervous and still get quite nervous. But it's a feeling that I enjoy...it's like butterflies when you're newly in love and your love walks into the room and catches your eye. *butterflies* I love it. My biggest fear is forgetting my words. I do this often, but I've learned to learn my words better, or to make up new words in the forgotten words place so that nobody knows. And before each show I cast a spell over the audience so that if I forget the words badly, they still love me and throw their panties, roses and yam fries at me. Okay, that last part doesn't always happen. Okay, it hasn't happened yet, but I'm still perfecting the spell.

If you could tour with any band, who would it be and why?

--I would love to tour with Tegan & Sara. I have great respect for them as people, musicians and their work ethics. It would be great to tour with any band composed of great, fun, talented people.

What do you hope people will take away with them when they hear your music or see your live show?

--I would hope for them to feel inspired, and/or feel happy/peaceful even through the sad parts.

What are some bands you think people should check out?

--Non-Girly Stuff For Girls...Parisienne hotties...www.myspace.com/nongirlystuffforgirls

Fighter/Lover from Toronto...lovely boys...www.myspace.com/fightorlove

The Wintermitts...local Vancouver darlings...www.myspace.com/wintermittsmusic

Anyone you want to thank?

--My mom, dad, Jesus, Buddha, cheap flats in Vancouver's downtown Eastside, Tegan, Soizic, Cameron, Ashley...everyone who puts up with my non-crazy/craziness on a daily basis.

Any last words?

Peace out, homie, my dear. xo

Thanks,

Ryan!

No, thank YOU, my dear.

You can check out Char2d2 here!

Canadian Bands/Artists You Should Check Out!

Alexisonfire

Arcade Fire

Broken Social Scene

Bryan Adams

Cancer Bats

Casanova Playboys

City and Colour

Classified

Death From Above 1979

EM

Emily Haines and the Soft Skeleton

Evaporators

Feist

Josh Martinez

Junior Boys

Land of Talk

LIGHTS

Lover Boy

Metric

Neil Young

The Pack A.D.

Protest the Hero (watch for upcoming interview!)

Rush

The Saint Alvia Cartel

Sam Roberts Band

Silverstein

State of Shock

The Stills

Tegan and Sara

Ten Second Epic

Tragically Hip

Trooper

Wintersleep

54-40

Super Awesome Bands You Need to Check Out!

Against Me!

Airbourne

Alexisonfire

Allison Weiss

An Horse

Anthony Green

Arcade Fire

Blink-182

Broken Social Scene

Circa Survive

City and Colour

Cold War Kids

Copeland

Death Cab For Cutie

Death From Above 1979

Dropkick Murphys

Emily Haines and The Soft Skeletons

Feist

Fleet Foxes

Flogging Molly

Hesta Prynn

Kaki King

Land of Talk

Less Than Jake

LIGHTS

Lykke Li

Maps and Atlases

Matt and Kim

Metric

Modest Mouse

New Found Glory

Northen State

Paramore

Ra Ra Riot

Rachael Cantu

Robert Plant and Alison Krauss

Sam Roberts

Silverstein

Taking Back Sunday

Tegan and Sara

Ten Second Epic

The Answer

The Bird and The Bee

The Gaslight Anthem

The Get Up Kids

The New Pornographers

The Sounds

The Stills

Them Oceans

Tom Gabel

Uh Huh Her


Now get listening!

Interview: Shaun Huberts.

How’s life?

Life is good, thanks for asking!

What got you into playing the bass guitar?

Well, at the school I went to, it was mandatory to play the ukulele for two years in grades 4 and 5, but since I was kind of the teachers pets, she let me play the one bass guitar… that’s basically what got me started until my parents bought me my first bass on my tenth birthday.

What was your first bass?

My first bass was a ¾ scale Samick bass. It was a small bass, but I was tiny back then so it worked perfectly. Oh and it was a tobacco sunburst color, meaning it was awesome, haha.

Any weird or funny touring stories?

Funny stories? Well there was the time when I got food poisoning and then passed out while at the urinal… and I may or may not have peed on myself… but aside from that? No.

How did you get into playing bass for Tegan and Sara, and what is that like?

Ted and Johnny 5 and I grew up together and started our first band together when we were 13, so ultimately they got me the job, and Tegan and Sara trusted them that I could do it so that’s how it worked out for me, and I’m very happy.



If you didn’t play bass in a band, what would you be doing?

Hmmm, good question. I used to want to be an architect? I took mathematics in University but realized that wasn’t totally what I wanted either. Some sort of business is what I’d be doing… I want to be an entrepreneur!

How did you know music was the thing for you?

My mom’s an artist and my dad’s a doctor. My dad blames my mother for having too much influence on us, haha, because my brother’s an animator and I’m a musician. Music was a big part of our family growing us so I have always wanted to be part of music in some way or another. Actually it was my dad who wanted to start a family band, so I’ll blame him for encouraging me to play music!

What is your favourite Tegan and Sara song to play?

I love playing The Con as well as Back in Your Head. There are actually a lot that I like playing. I Was Married is also a favourite when we get to play it because I am playing a keyboard part, so I have to make my playing sound synth-y.

Since they are using the band for their newest record, what are you excited about this?

I love recording in a studio. Some people like playing live, and not in the studio, but I love both.

What do you prefer to play at; an indoor venue or outdoor venue?

I love an intimate indoor show, but playing at a large festival can be really fun also. If it is cold outside, DEFINITELY the indoor show! I have horrible circulation so I am always trying to keep my hands warm.

What things do you enjoy doing outside of playing music?

I’m a sports nerd, but tennis is my main sport right now. Oh and to keep with the nerd theme, I also like to read Popular Science.

Anyone you want to thank?

Sure?! My parents and friends and my beautiful wife for continually supporting me in all my ambitions!

Any last words or anything to say to finish this off?

Thanks Ryan for saying hi to me and reading my blog. Talk soon, Shaun

Thanks!
Ryan Rose.

V.I.A

I came across this site, and I think it's actually pretty neat.

Vancouver is Awesome.

Interview with Tegan, from Tegan and Sara!

Tegan is one half of the indie rock Canadian Duo, Tegan and Sara. I got the chance to interview Tegan. These questions are for fans, by a fan! Here is what she had to say!

How's Life?

Life is great .Thank you for asking.

Other then making music, what other things do you enjoy to do?

I love to read.

I know you like reading, what are some books you recommend for people to read?

A secret History - Donna Tartt

LIfe after God - Douglas Coupland

A wolf at the Table - Augusten Burroughs

Have you ever thought about writing your own book?

Yes. I write all the time. One day. We're putting together a Tegan and Sara Book for the Spring.

I've noticed at a show that fan's sort of "mob rushed" you. Do you find it annoying, and sometimes try and hide from them or saying no to people asking for photos/autographs? I know I would go crazy if that happened to me.

Not at all. The only time if bothers me is when I'm at dinner and only because I feel embarrassed.

Do you guys like to play/try sports? Like any, from biking to hockey.

We both ride bikes a lot. We play street hockey on tour.

With you guys touring all over the States the Australia, is there hope for you guys to come to Canada?

Not on this record sadly. We will be making a record really soon though and we will tour Canada as soon as we can!

Tegan at Under the Volcano in Vancouver

Got any new tattoos?

A few.

With all these Tegan and Sara blogs/forums, have you ever thought about coming into one and posting to answer some of these peoples questions?

No. Those forums are for fans not for Tegan or Sara.

Do you find it creepy that there is these Tegan and Sara blogs and forums?

Not at all. Its a great place for fans to congregate and share. We encourage them and help support them in our own way.

What is your favorite song you've wrote/played and why?

I love playing Nineteen, One Second and Call it Off.

What's the worst/best experience you've had with a fan?

I've had a few bad experiences but they are so far and few between. We have the greatest fans. They vary so much and they are full of cute stories and wonderful insight.

What inspires you to make music?

Love.

What do you think about people who download/torrent music and does it effect you? If so, to what extent?

I think that music has no dollar value. I think music is the most important thing in my life. I put everything I am into my records. It makes me sad that someone wouldn't want to pay for that considering how inexpensive music is these days but I don't spend any time judging or worrying about it. We have responsible budgets and make records for love not for money. The record companies are suffering though and that of course hurts the artist.

What/Where is one of your favorite concerts/performances you've played? Why?

It would be impossible to pick a favorite. We have a wonderful audience. Every night is great for different reasons. There are so many differences between each city and country....its interesting everywhere!

What's one of the things you are really good at doing, other then making music?

I'm not sure.

What's one of the things you are really bad at doing?

I like to try everything....I don't think I'm bad at anything...some

things just don't come naturally or inspire me to work at it so I don't do it again.

Currently, what's one of your favorite bands/artist that you think people should go and check out?

Amanda Palmer. Against Me.

What is one of your favorite cities that you've been too?

I love Brussels.

What do you think about Myspace/Facebook?

I think Myspace is a great place to preview a bands music or look at tour dates. It certainly feels like its replaced the need to have a .com. That being said I am not on their personally and I don't have a Facebook page either. I believe I lost touch with people for a reason. The people I love I call on the phone.

Do you guys like doing all these interviews?

Yes.

On your myspace, you have photos of you with members of Metallica(one of my favorite bands). Care to tell the story behind that?

We played Bridge School, Neil Young's benefit this past year and Metallica were playing. We love them and so we requested a picture and a meeting and waited outside their dressing room until they came out! They did and it was great!

What do you think of people making shirts with your name/face on them?

We do it so we don't judge if someone can't afford to buy one we are selling or don't like our designs and make their own we're okay with that.

Do you think Led Zeppelin, The Beatles and other older bands like them have a huge impact on the way music is like now a days?

Absolutely. I loved Led Zeppelin growing up. I think my love for music inspired me to make music.

 Is there going to be another Tegan and Sara DVD?

At some point, yes.

What is one goal you want to do in life?

I want to continue on my path happily.

What is one thing you never wished you did?

There is nothing I regret doing.

When someone writes something bad about you on the internet, do you sometimes want to write something back to defend yourself?

No.

Do you think you'll ever make the big dollars and play sold out shows at GM Place or some place like that?

I doubt it. Ha.

What was your best experience with a fan?

Every experience is unique. We are so lucky. People bring us wonderful gifts and food and funny pictures and stories every day on tour. Its overwhelming. We feel incredible love.

What was your worst experience with a fan?

Nothing pops into mind.

Do you ever wish you owned a pet?

No.

Any really cool side projects to talk about?

I have a side project with Hunter from AFI. It's going to see the light of day at some point.

What was it like getting your first record deal?

Underwhelming.

Do you ever wish you lived closer to each other?

No. We see each other 200 days a year. A little distance helps.

Do you guys ever play video games for fun?

No. I did love Crazy Taxi when I was 18.

What is your favorite guitar to play?

Gibson Les Paul Studio.

Tegan and Sara "who's taller" at Under the Volcano in Vancouver

 Where is the weirdest place a fan has spotted you?

In a lake, an hour outside of Vancouver. I was in a bathing suit and felt horrified. Ha.

What is the weirdest thing you've had to sign?

I find it strange when people ask me to sign their jeans...I hate doing it because I feel like I'm destroying them.

Got any tips for people for when it comes to making music?

Play twice as much as you are currently.

Do you wish you've ever picked up a different career path?

No.

What is your proudest achievement in life?

My band.

If you never started to make/play music, what do you think you would be doing right now?

I have no idea.

Do you ever get sick of touring and being on a bus for long periods of time?

Usually by the end of a tour I'm ready to go home. But I'm addicted to playing music. I am ready to go back on tour after a few days generally.

What was one of your favorite concerts you've ever been too in your life?

Against Me!  Bruce Springsteen.

Tegan at Under the Volcano in Vancouver

Do fans ever randomly come up to you in the streets when you're walking about?

Yes.

Was this too many questions?

No.

Anything you would like to say/add or whatever?

Good luck. Thanks for listening. 

~Ryan Rose/Dotca 

                              Me and Tegan and Under the Volcano in Vancouver

All photo credit, except for the photo with me and Tegan go to Mike Swor. Good photos man! 

I'd like to thank Tegan for doing this interview, and everyone who helped me get it done!

Tegan and Sara's website

Tegan and Sara's Myspace