Artist At Home Portraits

Dear Rouge

Just a day after the release of their first album #blacktogold I was able to catch up with 2012 PEAK Performance Project British Columbia winners Danielle and Drew McTaggart of Dear Rouge. If you are wondering why there is a couple for the #artistathome photo well ......if you didn't know these two are also married. A thought that most people usually have is 'wow that is a a lot of time together' . When it came up in our conversation one thing they pointed to was the lack of gear at their apartment. They have a dedicated jam space close to their place and treat it like a place of work and try to make a stronger divide between home and work. Never fear though Danielle got a new sweet acoustic guitar for home, they just aren't crawling over cluttered gear which goes a long way for marital bliss. It turns out that after a month long cross Canada touring opening for the Arkells, one of the hottest bands of the year, Drew likes to relax and read an art history book while Danielle still likes to rock out at home ! We had a ton of fun with this one and it was a pleasure to spend the afternoon with these two who are just awesome people. Thanks guys !

Jon Bryant

Well it’s been a really long time in coming and a couple of false starts but I am slowly starting to fire up my #ArtistAtHome series again! It has proven to be more difficult to find the time to do them, which has made me appreciate the over 125+ features I have already done. I have been sitting on this one for some time now as I got together with this #ArtistAtHome, Jon Bryant back in March 2019. For those of you who don’t know Jon he is a transplant from Halifax who has called Vancouver his home for several years now. I first had the pleasure of seeing him perform last year when he played the VIFF Live showcase which featured BC Artists performing for international music industry delegates. His song ‘Paradise’ is a real earworm , with a unique musical style of haunting-ambient dream-folk and singer/songwriter roots - seriously I played the hell out it! On the day that I visited Jon at his home he had just received the album art for his latest release ‘Cult’ classic for which he also had a hand in designing as well. Thanks for the hospitality Jon !

Katie Rox

This #ArtistAtHome is the chief banjo plucker in Canada’s only all female country band Nice Horse. Please meet Katie Rox! While Katie grew up on a farm on the outskirts of Airdrie, Alberta her musical roots didn’t follow a straight line to Country Music. She was the original lead singer of the indie pop/rock group Jackalope and gained much popularity after playing the opening theme song in 3 seasons of Degrassi: The Next Generation. We got together the other week at her home in Vancouver with her husband Colby to chat over a couple glasses of wine and take a few photos. I have been fortunate to know Katie for a while now, before she went on a girls trip with some close friends to Hawaii that resulted in them forming the band just have fun. All of them had other projects on the go at the time but the ladies quickly established themselves as a fast rising act in the Canadian music scene, garnering a pair of 2019 Alberta Country Music Awards including Group of Year. I was interested to learn that Katie had for some time worked at Bryan Adams’ The Warehouse Studio here in Vancouver. It was here that she met legendary producer Bob Rock, who would later go on to produce a few songs on Nice Horse’s full length debut ’There Goes The Neighbourhood’ . Speaking of work, it always amazes me how many super talented people also need to have another job to help support their passion. Katie says that she is fortunate to have an employer that allows her to have a flexible schedule so that Nice Horse can go on the road and perform with such acts as Tom Cochrane, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Washboard Union and Paul Brandt. Lately Katie and the band have been working hard in the studio and are set to release a new single ‘Hot Mess’ on March 6 2020. If you happen to be in Zurich Switzerland next week you can catch their next live performance. Many thanks to Katie and Colby for their hospitality !

Desiree Dawson

Well I have to say I have been a huge fan of this #ArtistAtHome since she won the CBC Searchlight competition in 2016. This is Desiree Dawson and if you don’t know her music you should definitely check her out. Desiree has a soulful folk sound but she is not defined by any one genre, she can play and sing with just her Ukulele or bust out with an electronic dance track. I just love the variety she brings to the table. Some of you may have even had the pleasure of taking one of her restorative yoga classes she calls Shapes and Sounds, where the sounds of her voice, ukulele, quartz singing bowls and other healing instruments wash over you. We had a great visit and truth be told we did this photo in the summer after a fair bit of back and forth trying to get our schedules to line up. She had just moved into a new place in East Vancouver by way White Rock. It was worth the wait though! Desiree has recently released a new single called ‘All In’ that was produced by Chin Injeti and Ashleigh Ball You can see the video here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9q_6ylGkxM4&fbclid=IwAR1LDiloIeT2tsBEYltirrPFAFEA_jFx2SqhiE0ZK2DzItWn21yofLNL6Aw

Matt Layzell

One of the great things I have enjoyed while spending time with artists in their homes is chatting about where they find inspiration to be creative and some of the challenges they face in the process. Interestingly, inspiration can be found in the strangest places -yet so familiar. Case in point my pal Matt Layzell of The Matinee

August Wiled

Today's artist at home takes a slight departure from Vancouver's noise making homemakers (Thanks Shaun Verreault for coining the term !) and touches on one our lovely and talented Burlesque Dancers. This is August Wiled member of Pandora and The Locksmiths and a dance instructor at Vancouver Burlesque Centre. Honestly, she is amazing, she builds things, has a tool kit that would put most guys to shame, and can hang a curtain perched gracefully in high heels up on a stool with utter grace. Many thanks to her for her gracious hospitality and not only driving me to my next shoot but sending me on my way with a care package of homemade chocolate chip cookies !

Ben Rogers

Got to spend a morning with Ben Rogers listening to some vinyl classics. Ben threw on Sunday Morning Coming Down which I had actually never heard - I know right ?! Ben is not only a great singer, songwriter and guitar player but is also an actor with a feature film called 'The Driftless Area' premiering next month at Tribeca Film Festival. All of that and he still finds time to create beautiful drawings and paintings, including the amazing album artwork for the Juno nominated The Harpoonist & the Axe Murderer release 'A Real Fine Mess'. His dog Ellie is a real sweetheart and likes to take a comfy spot on the couch when not vying for pats and belly rubs. Many thanks to him for being in #artistathome

Louise Burns

What an absolute pleasure it was spending the afternoon listening to sad country songs and discussing such gems as the therapeutic equivalency of having to let out a good curse F*ck! or chanting Ommm with Louise Burns Music. Interestingly, rumour has it the table she is sitting at has a storied past with a former Prime Minister of Canada. If you don't know her music you might know her as CBC Radio 3 host and Music Columnist for the WE | The Westender. Many thanks to her for being in #artistathome

Matt Rhode

I know who will not be getting a Christmas Card from the downstairs neighbours - it's this guy Matt Rhode, bass player in Bend Sinister. To say that we had fun during this shoot would be a severe understatement. We rocked the Huey Lewis & The News 'Sports' album, talked about his limited edition Dingwall Basses, growing up in Saskatchewan, touring, roommates and how cool it is to have hammock hanging in your living room. A great showman, with a distinct style he is a solid dude and ladies.......he is single.

Kendal Carson

The talent of this woman never fails to amaze me as she is one of the finest fiddle players in Canada and is also of Alan Doyle's band. We had a lot fun with this one, as she mentioned she loves to buy vintage style cocktail dresses but never gets a chance to wear them. Everything just seemed to come together in this room in her house, we even pulled out some of her suitcases to pay homage to the life of a travelling musician. So glad to have her in my artist at home series.

Shawn Hook

So happy to have this dude as today's #artistathome . He has had three simultaneous hits on the Canadian Hot 100, is an actor that guest starred on the TV show 'Bones', and is a certified Guinness Book of World Records Holder! This is Shawn Hook. We had a ton of fun on this shoot even if when we looked like a couple of neanderthals attempting to figure out how to change the filter on a Dyson vacuum- thankful nobody had any video of that Thanks Shawn!

JP Maurice

I first met JP Maurice in 2012 on the now legendary Tracks on Tracks Musical adventure on a train travelling from Vancouver to Toronto with 10 bands on board. What a time that was a certainly the experience bonded everyone that was on it. Since then I have seen him play countless times including a shaker at Guilt and Co last weekend. He is an amazingly talented musician, songwriter and producer. As you can see JP was repping the East Van Baseball league when I caught up with him earlier this week for this #ArtistAtHome. He just happened to be headed out to stay sharp at the batting cages before he departs for Europe on a travelling adventure with a few gigs thrown in along the way. We chatted about his involvement with Blue Light Studios in which he invested some of the winnings from his second place finish in the Peak Performance Radio contest and the Blue Light Sessions which are intimate musical performances held in the studio. In 2018 you might have seen his national TV debut as a featured artist on CTV’s The Launch, where he performed live in front of music industry titans and over 1 million Canadian viewers. Working as a producer for other artists and access to world class Blue Light Studios has kept him busy and he expects to release his forthcoming album Pressure Makes Diamonds later in 2020. Somehow we got on the topic of the Grouse Grind and interestingly for a longtime Vancouver resident JP has not done it! Maybe just maybe you might see him making the attempt this summer ! Thanks for your hospitality JP and safe travels to you and Pyper Geddes !

Sadie Campbell

Happy Monday everybody! And really how can it not be a good day when the lovely and talented Sadie Campbell is gracing #artistathome ??! Not going to lie here folks I forgot half of one of my lights at her place after this shoot! YOWZA !!!! Sadie is great sport and a super cool gal and we had a ton of fun with this one, despite mashing my knees into the high wooden stool I was perched on, while trying not to drop my camera and/or fall. It was all for the 'art' though She has a great philosophy about life and living it with freedom, passion and awareness. I was able to see her perform the other night and she has a voice that will make you stand up and take notice. She has been in the studio and will shortly be releasing a song with masterful collaborator Shaun Verreault, and she can't wait to share it with everyone. Sadie recently had her song 'Closer to the Edge' added to rotation on the LG 104.3 blues lounge and just released a new video to her song 'War' , that she dedicates to all the music makers and risk takers, those that don't give up their dreams or their art when the creative life gets tough. I am sure this will resonate with most of you. Check it out here http://www.sadiecampbellmusic.com/#!page4/cfvg Many thanks to Sadie for the excellent visit and heating this project up a whole ton!

Shaun Verreault

It is an honour to have Shaun Verreault be a part of #Artistathome. Truly a mesmerizing guitarist if you don't him you will know his band Wide Mouth Mason. There has never been a time seeing him play that he hasn't melted my face off. We chatted about keys to success in music and his reply could rightfully be applied to anything - it was 'just be awesome, be so undeniably good that people cannot but help be drawn to you'. Shaun continues to push technical boundaries with his utilization of 3 slides to play guitar. I do not know of another player that does this. Check out this link where he demonstrates this style - and hang on to your face http://youtu.be/svcR9F6GsS8 Many thanks to Shaun, Janine and their almost 3 year old Layla - (that loves it LOUD) for having me in your home.

Ashleigh Ball

Well it took a couple of tries to get together with today's #artistathome but honestly it was worth the wait. Despite having shot her band, Hey Ocean for years we had only ever said hello in passing. She can sing, rock the ukelele and kill the flute while standing in tree pose just like Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull. As if being in a great band isn't enough, Ashleigh, is also a talented voice actor for children's animated TV shows. Most notable among her credits are voices for 'My Little Pony' . This is Ashleigh Ball. She was the subject in the 2014 documentary by her friend and filmmaker Brent Hodge called A Brony Tale, which depicts the unexpected phenomenon of the shows popularity with adult males. It is really well done. We actually didn't chat a whole lot about music, although she has a pretty good vinyl collection. Ashleigh had 'Tea for the Tillerman' by Cat Stevens and we threw that on while talking about how he devoted himself to religion and gave up music after a near drowning incident. We filed that one under 'why ?'. Interestingly, she had a similar experience of losing an envelope on the ferry with her rent and grocery money in it, that was thankfully found by an honest stranger who contacted her to return it. As you can see she has quite a collection of items in her photo. The two standouts for you are probably the dude with the fly hair, who is actually someone she knows and was painted by a friend of hers. Originally the piece was purchased at a charity auction but the purchaser never picked it up so eventually the artist gifted it to her. The second item catching your eye is likely the giant stuffed squid that was made by a Hey Ocean fan. Many thanks to Ashleigh for a super awesome visit and for bantering about great lines from The Simpsons' Ralph Wiggum. I will end just like Ralph.....'My Cat's breath smells like cat food'

Jay Senetchko

Well it was a bit of a night last night hanging out with today's #ArtistAtHome. I can tell you not only is he an instructor at Vancouver Film School teaching life-drawing, perspective, composition and history, author of visual art textbooks and adult storybooks, a gifted painter and part of the Phantoms in the Front Yard figurative collective, but he pours some hella fancy drinks. I was greeted with an Espresso Boulvardier 1.5 parts bourbon, .75 campari, .25 sweet vermouth, 25 coffee, bitters (dash) a pinch of smoked hickory and finished off with a twist of lemon rind ! All stirred over ice and poured into a nice glass. Please meet my gracious host Jay Senetchko. I had met Jay at one of his art openings several years ago after being invited by our common friend Pennylane Shen and was really impressed with his grand canvases. In fact, one of his coolest exhibitions I have seen a couple of years ago called 'Industry and the Sleepwatchers' he built a replica of the prairie farmhouse depicted in his paintings on the empty lot down at Concord Pacific to house the show ! The series is a story about his grandfather's involvement in the Alberta oil patch and the positive and negative aspects of how the oil and gas industry affect domestic life. I had never heard of an artist purpose building the gallery for a show and then dismantling it all afterwards to be will be used by Sole Food Farms as packing sheds. Very neat. We had a great night listening to movie soundtracks on Vinyl starting off with Star Wars. In my opinion you can't go wrong with that one. It inevitably led to a discussion of the movie themselves and that's when the trouble started. Jay seemed not to care about the importance of showing how Anniken Skywalker turned to the dark side and became Darth Vader. Shocking ! I know. After that he put on one of his favourite soundtracks - Conan The Barbarian. Honestly, I have seen the movie a long time ago and the only thing I really remember about it was the sound of the head that Conan throws down the steps. It sounded like an old boot flopping down. Good Times ! Jay has been busy putting together new works for a show in the fall and currently has some pieces in a Phantoms in the Front Yard show at The Cultch. For more info on all things Jay Senetchko check out his website www.senetchko.ca ! Many thanks to Jay for a most excellent evening!

Noah Walker

I think this installment of #artistathome could be one of my favourite photos! I first met Noah Walker when he was playing guitar with C.R. Avery. He can shred like nobody's business. A couple of years ago he organized an amazing show called BECKstravaganza where various #Vancouver bands each played one song from Beck's songbook. See him play in his other bands Kitty and the Rooster, PINEAPPLE ,The Broken Mirrors.

Melody Mangler

LEGS !.... I mean YOWZA! ......Yes it is true sometimes the #artistathome project can be really tough ! Thankfully visiting with Rebecca Franklin aka Melody Mangler was nothing but a treat. As you can see, not only is she absolutely stunning, but she is a very creative costume designer for herself and other burlesque dancers. Melody is the current artistic director of the Screaming Chicken Theatrical Society, a member of Sweet Soul Burlesque and co Founder of the Vancouver International Burlesque Festival (VIBF). It is fitting that her photo is posted today as this evening, is the final night of a three night stand for the VIBF at The Vogue Theatre and Melody is one of the featured performers. She has recently toured across Canada with C.R. Avery's show Some Birds Walk for the Hell of It and performed and taught workshops at the Capitol Burlesque Festival in Ottawa. It isn't all feather boas and high heels though, there is some serious physicality to her show, not to mention perils, like laying down on a bed of nails and having knives thrown at her. We had a really fun time with this and she has a great outlook on life in general -saying there is never the perfect time to do something, you just have to do it ! I couldn't agree more. Words to live by. Now go see her and the other performers at the Vogue tonight ! As luck would have it, last night I was walking past The Vogue and a woman had an extra ticket to the show and gave it to me. Yay! I was able to catch the last half and let me say it was awesome! My face was hurting from smiling and laughing so hard -it's a great show! Many thanks to Melody for the great visit !

Steve Bays

There are some good dilemmas to have as a photographer, the best one is having so many photos you like and choosing your favourites. I had this problem with Steve Bays pictured here in his home earlier this week. You might know him from his bands Mounties Band Hot Hot Heat and Fur Trade. I tell you I have been having a fantastic time lately getting to know these artists in a space outside where they perform. Many thanks to Steve!

Cobra Ramone

Interesting story behind today's #artistathome, originally she gave me a list of reasons why she didn't think it would be right for her. I wrote her and told this isn't about splashy apartments, it is about you. I care about every image I put out and I know we can make something cool. Thankfully I persuaded her to participate! It was only a few weeks ago I had heard rumblings about her band and I was introduced to its' Trevor Snakedust. I shot their show 2 days after meeting him. This is Cobra Ramone of Cobra Ramone Music, and yes, it is her name. We chatted about the image that is created in people's mind about what musicians in their genre, who have their look, is one that they are going to have tons of attitude. Let's put it on record. If you don't know them already, Cobra and her bandmates are all great people and super friendly:-) She couldn't have been sweeter even when she was brandishing the Elphin sword she got as gift to show me, she did it with a smile. We laughed and discussed whether it would be an appropriate weapon for the Zombie Apocalypse or not, personally I would rather go with a samurai sword. She says that generally she is a really shy person and after shows mostly likes to just chill out. It was a warm sunny afternoon on my visit. Cobra was a gracious host and fired up few Jack Daniels on the rocks (her drink of choice). A while back, for songwriting inspiration her and her boyfriend lived in Venezuela for almost 4 months. My jaw was on the floor when she told me about the level of harassment she faced there as a foreign woman and of violence in general..... The band just concluded their first tour in support of their new album 'Bang Bang' check it out here. Stream it here www.cobraramone.com/bang-bang/ I think #artistathome takes an interesting creative turn here as this is my first Tryptych. The idea has been percolating for a while and credit to my friend Brent McCombs for getting me to pull the trigger on it.

Craig Northey

I was thrilled to be able to be able to meet up with Vancouver alt rock -power pop stalwart Craig Northey of The Odds. Having shot them perform live several times over the past few years I feel like these guys are having a total renaissance, they rock as hard as ever. Ever seen them play? Even if for some reason you didn't know their name they have had a long list of hits that I am sure you would recognize. If you were lucky enough to be here for the Olympics, The ODDS were the house band for the Molson Canadian Hockey House and also for the Canucks 2010-11 playoffs. Craig is always one to get behind a good cause, and one that he and the rest of The ODDS are involved in is the Vancouver Adapted Music Society (VAMS). VAMS supports and promotes musicians with physical disabilities and puts on a concert which pairs musicians with a disability with local performers for a night of music called The Strong Sessions. Craig is clearly moved by the experience and I have been there first hand to see how wonderful and inspiring the collaborations are. When not performing with The ODDS, Craig is busy at his home studio composing scores for television and film. When I sent him a couple of preview photos of our time together he pointed out two items of possible concern to his rockstar reputation. 1) his elegant old slippers ' like comfortable lunar wear' according to him - which he confessed, has in the past forgotten he had them on and gone to shows at The Commodore Ballroom. 2) Nick Lowe's 'Labour of Lust' LP clearly visible. Most people would agree that the 1958 Fender Esquire nicknamed 'Boog' that he has owned for 23 years and plays everyday will tilt the scales back in his favour. You can hear that guitar on every episode of 'Young Drunk Punk' on CityTV/CBC. Many thanks to Craig for having me 'way up in North Vancouver'

David Roberts

Well there usually has to be a first time for everything. So this is the first #artistathome that spends a lot of time working out of town and calls a 36 foot sailboat home while in VanCity. He sure can play the part of the old sailor with that - now trademark beard. This is my pal David Roberts of The Washboard Union. The boys in the band were down Nashville way, a few months back writing and recording some new material in Legendary Studio A of RCA Studios. Those tracks are just about set to be mastered. David played three of them for me while we drank a few Granville Island lagers lounging on the back of the boat. It is a little less twangy and little more pop-y and I can't wait till the album is done. While down in Franklin, Tennessee just outside of Nashville they were staying in a house that backed onto Woodlawn Memorial Park and Mausoleum that has a lot of the old country greats interned. They also had a chance to go out looking for old, and interesting washboards. Some of them can be 100 years old. David tells me you can tell the ones that were actually used for washing as there will be notches worn on the side where the board rested against the bucket. He also literally bumped in to Taylor Swift - although I don't think she wrote a song about it though Many thanks to David for having me aboard. This photo is also the first Diptych of the series. I thought what a great way illustrate shipboard living.

Shirley Gnome

I first had the pleasure of photographing today's #artistathome's show when she was a finalist and the eventual winner of Patrick Maliha's The People's Champ of Comedy Competition taking home the $20,000 prize in 2012. I was pleasantly surprised to see her emceeing part of the Vancouver International Burlesque Festival last week, after I was given a ticket by a really nice lady who had an extra to the show! Please meet Shirley Gnome. Plainly and simply, she is super f*cking funny, combining her musical talents with the raunchiest comedy and shameless renderings of sex and romance you likely have ever heard. No bodily function or act is sacred, but Shirley also manages to throw in some poignant social commentary into her songs. Be sure to check out her song-"Hooker" We had an interesting visit, with her indicating ' this '#artistathome' is in my pj's until I have to go outside '. Sitting in the living room that she shares with her roommates, it is easy to tell she has a great sense of humour, it is a shrine to every holiday with Christmas stockings and lights, hanging Halloween bats and the Easter bunny. We listened to some live Marvin Gaye on Vinyl and chatted about her upcoming tour. Thanks to Melody Mangler for connecting us !

Jasmin Parkin

I was thrilled that I was able to get together last week with the truly lovely Jasmin Parkin, keyboard player and singer in Mother Mother. Despite having photographed her band several times over the past few years we had never met so it was great to sit down and chat. Jasmin threw on some vinyl that I hadn't heard in years but totally loved. One of them was the Everly Brothers greatest hits. We talked about the timelessness of the songs but then laughed at the line in 'Wake up little Susie' What are we gonna tell our friends When they say, "Ooh la la!". Because as everyone knows 'Ooh la la' is pretty hard to live down! Jasmin says she isn't really a guitar player, but she did pluck out one of the four songs she said that she could play that her dad taught her ( I think she knows more than 4 ). Incidentally, the guitar seen in the photo is a gift from her dad who according to Jasmin likes to buy guitars and then eventually give them away. That particular guitar was signed by all of his friends at a party and then he gave it to her. In case you were wondering why the photo is taken from another room, her security detail wouldn't actually let me be in the same room as her No that isn't true. She actually could not be a sweeter person and we had a great visit. Thanks to her for having me over to her 'mansion' ....and to our mutual friend Dominique Stephane Fricot for introducing us.

Dustin Bentall

You all know Dustin Bentall as a musician but he is also a skilled leather craftsman making wallets, bags, purses etc under the name b.b gun leather. Here he is playing in the shop at his home for the latest photograph in my artist at home portrait series

Wil Mimnaugh

So yesterday's #artistathome ended with me being over on Vancouver Island with Shawn Hall. Well, being the good guy that he is, we loaded his car with my gear and he drove me up island 45 minutes to Qualicum Beach,, to the home of today's featured artist - Wil. If the name of his website doesn't give you some indication of how hard he plays the guitar, then nothing will. 'ibreakstrings.com' Known for his amazing live shows ,he had just returned from a tour opening for the legendary Burton Cummings, so the timing of this island foray couldn't have been better. It was pretty cool to introduce these guys to each other, as they had never met before. Honestly, it was great to just sit back and listen to these two amazing musicians banter about familiar venues and life on the road. Although he wanted to stay, Shawn had to get back home to his boys, but it was hard for him to leave as we were having such a great time. Wil and his wife Caroline, who is also his manager, were so kind to me. The beers were flowing as they prepared a lovely steak dinner, and we eventually got around to taking some photographs in his studio room. It was decided early on, that since there was little time to do the shoot and make the last ferry, that I would just stay the night in their guest bedroom and they would drive me to the ferry the next day. I was so appreciative of their hospitality, not to mention the chance to talk and get to know each other on that level was awesome. I have always respected his amazing talent, and it was quite something to be in the space where he actually records some of his demos. I even got to preview some of his new songs and some of his commercial work. Wil not only had the official song of the Calgary Stampede's 100th anniversary but his song 'Roam' is used on the award winning ' Travel Alberta-Video' that has over 4 million YouTube views and continues to be shown on TV. It was pretty close to 2am by the time we shut it down. We got up, had some great coffee and breakfast and continued to talk about everything, not just music. One thing that struck me, was when he told me about the toughest interview question he felt he was ever asked, which was something like ' what does it feel like to be carving out a living in an industry that notoriously has the majority of it's odds stacked well against you especially nowadays? ' And he told me that it kind of caught him off balance, as he never actually thought of it those terms before. It's a labour of love, there is no certainty; of fame, of money, of anything really – I am just in it for the ride (with my gal, of course). It’s bloody scary and thrilling, dark and bright, wondrous and wicked. It’s a roller coaster ride. That’s why his latest album is called El Paseo – it means ‘The Ride’ in Spanish. Many thanks to Wil, Caroline, and Shawn for a weekend I will never forget.

Tyler Bancroft

Today's #ArtistAtHome is one of the founding members of the Juno Award winning Vancouver Indie Rock band Said The Whale. Please meet Tyler Bancroft. It was good timing getting together with him last week just prior to him leaving for a song writing retreat at The Banff Centre, in Banff Alberta with fellow bandmate Ben Worcester. The two of them will be tucked away in one of the artists cabins found at the centre for the next little while writing the next Said the Whale Album. He was really excited about headed there, having had success in writing material there in the past. Tyler says he can get so immersed in the songwriting process that he can forget to eat and taking time to prepare meals tends to disrupt the process. The advantage of staying at the Banff Centre is the cafeteria prepares excellent food that allows them to grab something and get back at it. Tyler has also recently taken a position at 604 Records project managing several other local bands and he really enjoys applying his experience in the music business to get things done to help his fellow musicians. We threw some tunes on but one of the speakers was malfunctioning on his stereo, to which he jokingly apologized for the quality of them. It did raise an interesting point of discussion when it comes to artists mastering their recordings and trying to find a satifactory balance as music is played through so many devices, catering to one may come as a detriment to quality of enjoyment for others. Many thanks to Tyler for having me over, can't wait to hear what they come up with for their next album. Be sure to check out there website for all things Said the Whale at www.saidthewhale.com

David Vertesi

Well I know there are nearly 3,000 people out there that know who this rather fine if not a little 'grumpy' looking gentlemen is judging by his Instagram followers. I am of course speaking about Gary (@hisnameisgary) the cat. Seen here with a member of his staff who is responsible for all of the routine housekeeping chores and whom Gary, from time to time, indulges their (clearly failed) attempts to entertain him. Looks I caught one of these moments! I had a chance to visit Gary in his East Vancouver home a few days ago but due to the language barrier I gradually just ended up talking with his employee David Vertesi. David tells me that Gary is pretty nice but doesn't pay that well, so he has to play in band called Hey Ocean, have a solo career, manage other bands and be one of the chief organizers of the best charity concert event in Vancouver the past 4 years in row called SingItFwd, in support of the Saint James Music Academy. David is just really passionate about making our city a better place to live and fundamental to this idea is instilling the passion for music in young people. Children then grow up to have a greater appreciation for the arts, making it easier for people to have careers in the arts. We also chatted about other related topics like the limitations of the current - direct to artist grant model and how it might be more helpful to artists to provide funds to the support infrastructure (venues, recording studios, etc) that would allow artists to reduce their costs to access these services. It is a pretty complicated topic to say the least. Another really interesting initiative that David is currently working on is the creation of a 'Mural Festival' along the Main Street corridor that would combine the arts in the style similar to RIFFLANDIA FESTIVAL - Having a main stage with top headliners for a free show on the Science World grounds and then having all of the many venues in the area host shows. The dream is to bring it to reality in the summer of 2016 and I think this is an awesome idea! Two hours went by so fast with chatting that we eventually got around to taking some photos. Many thanks to David and Gary for the excellent visit.

Chin Injeti

Well, it took a long time, a couple of months in fact, of persistently circling back with this #ArtistAtHome to find an opening in his schedule to make this happen. When you are an ultra-talented producer with Two Grammy Awards, a multi-instrumentalist and founding member of a JUNO winning band you are in demand. He has worked with the biggest names in music like Eminem, Pink, Nas and Busta Rhymes. He is constantly on the move between his studio in downtown Vancouver and New York and L.A. It really came to down to the wire on this one as we were only able to get together this morning for this shoot. I am super proud to have such an amazing talent to feature for the 100th consecutive day of #ArtistAtHome. Please meet Chin Injeti ! I was fortunate to have a long discussion with him after he recently spoke and performed at a special music themed PechaKucha Night Vancouver at The Vogue Theatre. What was amazing about his talk was that he didn't get up and talk about all of the awards he has won and all of the superstars and 'up and comers' he has worked with. Instead he spoke of 'Gratitude' and how truly thankful that he was for the life he has. It has not been an easy road, having been born in India and contracted polio which left him wheelchair bound for most of his early life. He was grateful to his amazing parents that moved their lives to Canada to give him a better life and chance for treatment. Lessons learned in the struggle to overcome his illness have suited him well being an artist. He learned anything is possible if you work hard and he credits that work ethic as instrumental to his successes. We chatted about the struggle and the sacrifices we both have seen in the lives of people pursuing their dreams. It isn't easy and he says he gets anxious if work slows down. He wants his kids to have the same opportunities as the children whose parents have regular jobs and it drives him on. I have talked to many artists about what it is like to be opening for a major act, and he told me a funny story about getting to tour with James Brown for three weeks when Chin's trio, Base is Base was still together. Despite being the opening band for Brown, they had yet to meet him and it was nearing the end of the tour. They actually had to call somebody to arrange a meeting. As he tells it, when the time came for them to meet James Brown, they entered a room filled with Brown's band on one side and a bunch of women on the other side looking very disinterested. An assistant walked the length of the room to where James Brown was sitting, with hair curlers on, under one of those domed hairdryers getting his nails done. 'Mr. Brown – the kids are here to meet you. ' The kids ? He replied. 'Oh right -yes...The Kids.... send them over ' (Kids being Chin and his bandmates who where in their 20's) Apparently, Brown got up with curlers in hair, said hello to the three of them, exchanged a few pleasantries and says 'let's do a picture !' With curlers still in his hair the four of them posed for a shot. No sooner had camera clicked when Brown says ' Ok – get the F@ck out ! ' Such can be, these brushes with superstars. Many thanks to Chin for squeezing me into his schedule! For all things Chin Injeti check out his website at www.chininjeti.com

Shawn Hall

Every once in a while you come across an amazing story of true inspiration and community amongst musicians. To make it even better it is wrapped up in one of the most memorable experiences I have had since beginning this #ArtistAtHome project. Now today's feature artist has been a supporter of my work since we met a couple of years ago, and he is a dynamite harmonica player and singer and the other half of the duo The Harpoonist & the Axe Murderer. His name is Shawn Hall. He had not only just returned from the JUNO's after their album ' A Real Fine Mess' got a nomination for 'Blues Album of the Year' but also sat in with Colin James for shows in Vancouver and Nanaimo where Shawn now lives. When I asked him about the doing the portrait I mentioned the only way it was going to be feasible would be for him to pick me at the ferry and take me back after the shoot and he replied immediately and said 'yes of course no problem'. He picked me up off the noon ferry with his boys and took me for lunch at his partner's cafe 'The Bees Knees' in Nanaimo where she makes delicious sandwiches and baked goods. While setting up for the shoot at his home, Shawn shows me this worn vinyl album by Sonny & Browne and says 'This record is the reason why I am a blues musician today' Years ago he soaked up everything to do with that album and I mean everything including who co-produced it. This knowledge would later set up a magical experience many years later when HarpAxe was playing the Salmon Arm Blues and Roots Festival in the summer of 2013. It was midnight in the lobby of their hotel when Shawn overheard a gentleman trying to check in and it was overbooked. Mo Rogers was his name and Shawn turned around to say ' THE Mo Rogers that produced the Sonny & Browne Album in 1973 ? It is because of that record that I am here playing this festival today!' It was the start of an amazing weekend for Shawn hanging out with Mo picking his brain about the blues. A month later Shawn received a personal copy of that album from Mo with the following inscription in marker, on the inside sleeve " To Shawn. Blues is truth and you are a part of a great tradition. Sonny inspired you and now you inspire others. This is the power of the Blues. Peace, Love and Blues. M. Rogers 8-29-13" Now if that isn't F@cking cool then nothing is! Stay tuned to find out how the rest of my time on the island turned out. It was pretty awesome too. Many thanks to Shawn. Peace Love and Blues !

Rick Buckman Coe

Today's #artistathome is a really cool genuine person that believes in the power music to shape the future and is a tireless supporter of the oceans, land and people. This is Buckman Coe. Needless to say we hit it off immediately. Rick has spent two of the last three years writing and a year of producing his latest album called Malama Ka 'Aina which means 'respect the land' in Hawaiian. I got to preview some of the new songs including a touching one about someone he knew that drowned after saving another's life - powerful tune. He had just bought a new amplifier so I was treated to hearing him play a few tunes on the electric guitar. We ended up downing a number of Jamesons with a ginger mix that I have to say makes a mighty fine drink and I never got out of his place until well after midnight. A great night getting to know him.

Lola Frost

Tom Landa

Honestly one of the nicest and most genuine musicians I have had the pleasure to photograph and get to know is this guy Tom Landa of The Paperboys and Locarno. He is also the organizer of this years Vancouver World Music Festival happening in April and is set to be a great time. Thanks Tom for being a part of my artist at home #portrait series.

Zach Gray

I first photographed today's #artistathome Zach Gray when playing with his band The Zolas at The Vancouver 125 celebration in Stanley Park in 2011. The following year he was one of the musicians on the epic Tracks on Tracks rock N roll train experience that remains one of the best experiences in my life. Zach and his friend and fellow musician adrian glynn rocked Hello Kitty PJ's for casual hanging about the train cars one morning and sat with some unsuspecting passengers for breakfast. I am sure they were thinking .....uuuuum OK ? But the guys won them over. These days Zach has been busy finishing up the latest Zolas record and planning for an upcoming tour. We had a great visit and discussed among other things the delicate art of bringing contraband (flasks, etc) into a show and the time I tussled with a security guard at a Bruce Springsteen concert after said contraband was confiscated. Good Times ! Thanks Zach !

Colleen Rennison

Now I have had the pleasure of photographing the next woman in my 'Artist at Home' portrait series for more than a few years now as a performer. She is an actress and one hell of a songstress, this is Colleen Patricia Catherine of No Sinner.

Scott Smith

Well Friends - I honestly can't believe it has been 90 straight days presenting at new #artistathome everyday! It has been such an amazing time. Everyday, spending time with great people and getting to know them better. Getting to know YOU better. Thank you for inviting me into your homes, without you letting me into your lives there would be no project! It is fitting in many ways that today's #artistathome harkens back to some of the first shows I photographed out here and one of the starting premises of this endevour- To capture artists away from the venues we are accustomed to seeing them. I have photographed him several times over the years playing with Rich Hope, and he is stellar guitarist, a true ringer for lots people around town including Barney Bentall & The Cariboo Express, Ridley Bent, Leeroy Stagger, and Bocephus King. He has been touring as the band leader for country star Aaron Pritchett and makes everyone he plays with sound better. Please meet Scott Smith. As he tells it he is one of 5 Scott Smith's that are on file for renting gear at Long & McQuade - Vancouver. So everyone - this is THE Scott Smith I was able to catch up with him, just a couple of hours before he was heading out to play dates in the interior and Alberta. As you can see his basement wall is a roll call of show posters of bands he has played with over the years. We chatted about longevity in the music business and he seems to be in a happy place with a combination of live shows and studio sessions. His schedule allows him to spend lots of time at home with his young boys, who haven't quite caught the musical bug, but when they do, they will have an awesome teacher. It was a long time in coming but Scott finally put together a truly solo project ' Just A Season' a couple of years ago. I haven't had a chance to check them out live but gave me a copy of the CD and I have listened to it several times and it is great. I have a real soft spot for music that is part twang, rock, folk and country. He brought in many of his favourite awesome players to bring it to life, several of whom I am happy to say have been featured here including, Kendel Carson, Geoff Hicks, Rich Hope, Erik Nielsen, and Michelle Faehrmann. Many Thanks to Scott for the excellent visit ! Check out his stuff at www.justaseason.ca.

Kuba Oms

This dapper guy is Kuba Oms . He has a new single out and I suggest you give it a listen. It sounds as good as he looks (and that is pretty good!). Many thanks to him for participating in my artist at home portrait series.

Dan Moxon

Today's #artistathome is one of the most powerfully energenic musicians in Vancouver. Daniel Moxon of Bend Sinister can rock the house! This past January his perfomance at #SingitFwd was outstanding. On a stage crowded with amazing singers his parts of Queen's -Somebody to Love at #SingItfwd has been one of my tops so far this year. It was great getting to know a little better and hearing about his interesting side business Dan's Vintage Finds. Thanks Dan!