Chicago loves Sick Puppies, so it’s always a treat when they make the trek from Australia for a show.

Despite having run into Sick Puppies at Angels & Kings before, I’ve never seen them live. I was missing out, because they are fantastic. Sometimes it’s hard for a three-piece to both entertain and make music that sounds full, like a recording, but they did both. Very talented, and from what I’ve seen of them at A&K, and heard, they’re also super nice, which always makes me like a band even more. (more…)

I’ll take a little break from music photos to share a few free resources that I use daily and have made my life much easier.

The first is Dropbox. Dropbox is a file sharing site/program that allows you to just “drop” files into a folder on your computer to share with others. The files you drop into Dropbox are given a unique link, which you can then share with others. I use it for almost all of the files I need to send to clients, and also use it to share files between computers.

The main reason I love it is that you don’t have to connect to open an FTP program, connect to the FTP, then upload…. the time I save being able to simply put a file in a folder that sits on my desktop is amazing. The other reason it’s amazing is that your files are accessible anywhere… even if the computer you’re on doesn’t have an FTP program, or you don’t have the link for the file, Dropbox has an interface online where you just sign into your account and can access your files. Try it out here!

The other resource I use constantly is Signature Confirm. Signature Confirm is an online contract-signing service. You create your own contract and then email it to your client via Signature Confirm. The client can then review the contract and electronically sign it. I especially love Signature Confirm for my live music work because, so often, it’s practically impossible to meet up with the band before or after the show to get a signed paper contract. Getting the contract signed online before the show makes the day of the shoot much less stressful. You can sign up for Signature Confirm here.

I hope my little informative interlude has helped point you in the direction of some fabulous resources. If anyone else has any online services that they use and love, let me know!

Continuing in the theme of my last post, this set is also from Q101’s Twisted concert series. Manchester Orchestra and As Tall As Lions also performed the same night. (more…)

The Used is one of those bands that everyone knows. They’ve been around forever, and had several hits… even if you’re not a fan, I’m sure you know at least one song.

In fact, I remember back in 2002 or early 2003, listening to a certain member of The Dog & Everything (a local Chicago band) sing “The Taste of Ink” during a hot summer load-out after the LaGrange Bandshell show. It’s odd that I remember that, but I think that’s when I actually started listening to The Used.

It’s those kinds of bands, bands that have been around so long that you have memories built around them, that are exciting to shoot. The Used was no exception. (more…)

Gold Motel opened up for Butch Walker, which is a hard spot to be in. How do you impress Butch Walker fans, many of whom believe that Butch Walker is the ultimate in live performance (and I might be included in that statement)? However, Gold Motel was good, and I heard a lot of the audience members also saying that they enjoyed Gold Motel’s set.

Singer Greta Morgan might look (and sound) familiar to you. She was previously in the popular Chicago band The Hush Sound, and after they went on hiatus, she formed Gold Motel. Gold Motel has a similar sound, but a bit more laid back and throwbacky (don’t you love making up words?). It was a good choice for an opener for Butch, and I can see them playing together again.

If you want to check Gold Motel out, visit their Myspace. (more…)