Scissor Sisters - Any Which Way [TOP]

One of Austin scenesters' favorite gripes is how we don't get enough national recognition and that for as much coverage local bands get from the coasts, Antone's might as well be in Dallas and Emo's in Waco. (OK, maybe it's not that bad.) But judging by the May 2007 Spin magazine, which hit newsstands this week, we're going to have to find some other complaint. From cover boy Britt Daniel on down, Austin is all over this issue like a cat on a june bug. TCB, frustrated by Houston Astros pitchers' inability to keep the Philadelphia Phillies off the bases, cataloged every last Austin reference, shout-out, and allusion Monday night, including a few that might surprise you. Cover: Britt Daniel next in line for bathroom!Also: Lollapalooza, co-owned, managed, and programmed by Austin-based C3 presents, which you may have heard.And: Jeff Tweedy recorded Uncle Tupelo's last and Wilco's first albums at least partially in town.

Scissor Sisters - Any Which Way

For a fuller explanation, read a general introduction to theConsumer Guide, which will be a permanent installation on MSN Music,with updates occurring the first day of every other month. The mostconvenient place to check out more examples of the ConsumerGuide--I've reviewed more than 13,000 albums in this format--is at myWeb site.

The Hold Steady: Boys and Girls in America (Vagrant)Sasha Frere-Jones has nominated the Mountain Goats, and now theDecemberists come to mind even though their songs are fictive ratherthan reported/recollected/observed, but for me the nearest parallel tothis band is the Drive-By Truckers. Both bands match the descriptionsthey stuff into their traditional narrative structures to a specificrock tradition: Skynyrd-Allmans for the Truckers' songs of the South,Springsteen for Hold Steady's new generation of shadows in thebackstreets. That said, this album lays it on too thick--all rightalready with the keyb flourishes, which suit their mawkish new emolabel all too well--and declines the thematic burden of "SeparationSunday." As stories, on the other hand, the songs could convinceanyone that kids have a hard time--without giving whiners any sort ofgo-ahead to throw their lives away. All accomplished without directlyreferencing ye olde rock-and-roll lifestyle--unless you count"Chillout Tent," in which two strangers freak at a festival and liveto make out about it. But that's about fans, not bands. This band isfor the fans. A MINUS

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Thanks for the concert photography tips. And thanks everyone for the awesome suggestions. My best music photography sessions have been in small venues where I know the artist, which is of course is not the norm. But I certainly get the most from those experiences.

I just recently tried shooting bands in bars. When I got home some of my photos seemed washed in the stage lighting (so to speak). I looked up an article online about led lighting. I am thinking the photos were overexposed which caused the color bleed? Could you provide some insight?

10.Lighting in general is bad at live venues, but that is because the stage is the centre of attention and that is normally lit up pretty well. Yes sometimes that light may be red or blue, but it is still good light which allows fast shots to capture clear moments.

14.If you can get away with it, get a good position after the three songs and just be ready for the big moment later in the show. The moment the singer jumps into the crowd, everyone will be focused on them and as every other person with a camera will take a picture you can even sneak a flash in, which may be essential as the crowd are unlikely to have any light on them at all. Generally as long as you are not constantly taking shots, and as long as you are let into the main crowd with your camera, you can get some decent shots without annoying security.

15.Security are your friends. Chat and joke with them (pick the right ones though, some are just miserable bullies) and they will keep out of your way. They, like you are there to work and there is a camaraderie of sorts which you need to manipulate. Just make sure you play by the rules and they will generally help you out, maybe even give you an extra song if no-one else is there to tell you to stop.

Obviously it's also fun here in London Studio where we develop the game. The SingStar team works on the same floor as the EyeToy team, so it's a little bit crazy with people screeching like banshees and flailing their arms like they're possessed. I can't imagine another development studio which would be quite so weird to work in. 041b061a72