Photography at Concerts – Good or Bad?

In 1999 Elke and I went to a music festival in Munich, and she managed to sneak in a camera – a little point-and-shoot with actual film. Unfortunately, we were too chicken to make much use of it, so we have only a handful of photos, and none of them are particularly good.

Today, at most shows, it is officially not allowed to take photos. Still, since almost everybody has a high-quality camera on their cellphone, I haven't seen this enforced in a long time. As a result, most artists and venues probably have given up on controlling and monetizing all photos and videos taken during their shows.

But some artists still have issues with their audience taking photos and videos during a performance. For example, Elke and I were at a show of The Cult once when singer Ian Asbury launched a rant about people using their phones. Even though it was not directly directed at us, we felt insulted and left halfway through the show.

It is not even the copyright issue that bugs those artists; they feel entitled to have their audience's full attention while they play on stage. Some stop playing mid-song to start a lecture about being in the moment and not thinking about sending somebody live photos. Others force concert-goers to lock their smartphones into pouches for the duration of the show.

Maybe they are on a mission to break people's addiction to technology. Indeed, the urge to constantly record and share what is happening around you can spoil the moment. You probably would enjoy the action on stage with your own eyes more rather than watching it through your phone's screen.

On the other hand, when I pay for a show, I want to be able to take some memories home. As music bloggers, we need photos for our posts and this newsletter. Also, I like to record events in my life so I can reminisce about them later.

Some say that taking photos at a show annoys others, but so does passing around joints in a packed room. Going to a concert is signing up for a shared experience with strangers who may have different ideas of what is appropriate or not.

Like always in life, there is a middle ground, and as long as you don't overdo it, taking photos and short videos should be okay. That is why I hope artists who heavy-handedly enforce no-camera policies remain in the minority.

Song Pick of the Week

Listen to all our daily song picks on our playlists on Spotify and Apple Music.

Robyn Cage - The River

I met Robyn Cage several summers ago, when she was still living in New York City. At one point, the incredibly talented singer/songwriter moved back to Utah, where she’s still at. Robyn made herself a name with her glorious covers, most notably with Metallica’s “Nothing Else Matters.” On Friday though, she released a new original, “The River,” one that showcases her precious gift: fabulous vocals, catchy harmonies and poetic lyrics.

Robyn provides us with a glimpse into her life and explains how “The River” evolved. She says:

After my marriage ended, I went to the desert to write, feel, and begin to heal. I wrote this song sitting by the edge of a river in a red rock canyon, noticing all the layers in the stone carved by the water over millions of years. Love carves and shapes and changes us in beautiful ways, and I felt grateful for my love, even though it ended sadly. This song is meant to capture the poetry and the beauty of heartbreak.

Robyn adds:

“The River” is one of my favorite songs I’ve ever written. It means so much to me, and I hope you feel something when you listen.

I hope Robyn’s other magnificent songs don’t get jealous when I tend to agree? Besides, isn’t it a very good thing when an artist gets better and better the more time goes by? Find out for yourself and listen to “The River,” our Song Pick of the Day:

Connect with Robyn Cage here.

Wyldest – Hungry For You to Know

Three more weeks and the third Wyldest album “Feed the Flowers Nightmares” is out. In the meantime, here is the fourth single, a moving, slow-building song where Zoe Meade, the artist behind Wyldest, reflects on the complexity of relationships. She says:

“Human relationships are kind of like a game of tug-of-war; sometimes you’re pulling, sometimes you’re being pulled.

“We’re all just looking for other people who make us feel good. But in return (to maintain a healthy relationship) we need to be able to give back and be aware when we are not holding our end of the bargain.

“‘Hungry For You To Know’ is about caring for someone, but needing to push them away to ensure you’re not being pulled out of your own lane and can keep focussed on your own world. It can be deemed as selfish, but sometimes it’s important to prioritise yourself for the benefit of you and others.”

Listen to “Hungry For You to Know,” our Song Pick of the Day on your favorite streaming service, or watch the animated video by Tom Gaiger below:

Paper Pools – Portraits

“Portraits,” the new single by Paper Pools, is blissfully beautiful! Hazy, shimmering synths over gentle drums and mesmerizing vocals lure the listener in and make you dig the track from the first bars. Behind the moniker Paper Pools is the Los Angeles-based artist Allen Orr who says about “Portraits:”

This song was inspired by a psychedelic experience I had during the COVID lockdown. The title, “Portraits,” alludes to a friend of mine. She’s a wonderful painter, and we did mushrooms together. It was one of the more visionary experiences I’ve had. It wasn’t like anything I encountered during my childhood. So much organized religion, and especially Jehovah’s Witnesses, is formal and structured. What my friend and I experienced was more like a journey. There was a moment when I thought the two of us were twins in a womb. It felt like we had traveled from birth to death. Then there were other times when I was basically looking down upon myself. It was intense. I know I didn’t actually experience these things, yet they felt very real and turned out to be deeply meaningful.

“Portraits” can be found on Paper Pools’ EP It’s in Our Mind, together with the previous cuts “Turn On Your Lights” and “Evil.” The self-released EP It’s In Our Mindwill be out Friday, August 26th, and I can’t wait to spin it up and down! Listen to “Portraits,” our Song Pick of the Day:

Connect with Paper Pools here.

Elizabeth M Drummond – I Tried

In music and art, generally, effort and result are not necessarily correlated. There are many stories of songs that started with the simplest ideas that proved so effective that the end product was simply irresistible. In case of Elizabeth M Drummond‘s third single “I Tried,” the combination of her gentle vocals and intricate guitar play over a heavy beat is a winner.

Elizabeth says about the making song:

“This song started with a lo-fi hip hop loop which I played guitar over. I think I wrote and produced this song in its entirety in one day, which is rare, but also necessary for me in recent years. I will often abandon something if I don’t finish it very soon after starting. Again, this song is just a reflection of how I was feeling after coming out of a relationship that had run its course. I have to thank my dear friend Guy Tarento (Angus1) for pushing me to finish the song &; the production on my own. I would never have released it without his insistence.”

With “I Tried” she also announced her debut EP “Congratulations,” out on November 18 on Young Poet. Listen to our Song Pick of the Day on your favorite streaming service or watch the video below:

Liz Cass – Near Miss

Big synth chords and powerful, propulsive drums get me every time. They’re an instant nod to the sound of the 80s and a wistful but glorious reminder of what I enjoyed listening and dancing to in my youth. Liz Cass is on glamglare’s radar since her first two singles, “Human” and “Shaken” and with “Near Miss,” she’s offering us yet another magnificent masterpiece of her upcoming album. Her debut record The Words will be out October 21st via Ultra Records.

Asked about the new single Liz says:

“Near Miss” is about not wanting to give up on someone when they can’t figure out what they really want. When you’re not ready to let go but have that need to be able to look back and say you gave it everything you had.

And just like that, Liz hits the nail on its head. While she’s reflecting on her own experiences, the sentiment is, unfortunately, universal and we all have been going through such an experience at one point in our life, or even very recently. In the end, there’s nothing else we can do than to let go and move on. For our own good. Liz adds:

The song shows a different side to me and comes from a less melancholic place. I was in a better headspace when I wrote ‘Near Miss’ and wanted to reflect that with some really uplifting pop. There’s no more wallowing from me… At least for a while!

In the video, we see Liz upside down, flirting with gravity and reversed viewpoints, while reflecting on conflicting feelings and embracing change. The music clip is directed by Conrad Gamble and shot around Liz’s favorite East London haunts. Listen to “Near Miss,” our Song Pick of the Day, and definitely watch the video too:

Connect with Liz Cass here.

Kate Brunotts – I Can’t Help But Adore You.

Today, Brooklyn-based musician Kate Brunotts releases her debut album “Womb,” an eclectic collection of dark synth-pop songs about topics that have been rattling the country. Kate wrote and produced the album entirely herself and packs plenty of delightful surprises into the ten tracks.

Kate says about the album:

“Womb is a commentary on what it means to be a woman in today’s America. Eat or be eaten, be sexual or be sexualized, give birth or be defined by your decision not to do so– Birthing bodies are consistently defined by their fertility utility, rather than the nuance and depth that goes into being a full, living being.”

“Womb” is accompanied by a short film that Kate will present on her release show tonight at The Delancey in New York City. Our Song Pick of the Day is the second track, “I Can’t Help But Adore You,” below:

Lloyd’s House – Heather

Crunchy guitars, breezy synths and charming vocals build the foundation of “Heather,” the new brilliant single by Glasgow’s Lloyd’s House. “Heather” is catchy from the start and gets better and more intense as the track develops. Who knew that bicycle bells could be put to such excellent use? Lloyd’s House is the eccentric brainchild of Lloyd Ledingham, who says about his newest track:

I’ve always been into catchy melodies and hooks, but sonically “Heather”’s a bit more weird, a bit more crunchy. a lot more impactful. A big part of that is having recorded it with a live band.

Maybe that’s a new direction to explore more? Because “Heather” is exquisite! Lloyd adds:

It’s probably the most cliche emo thing to write about, but a lot of the themes in the song are wanting someone but knowing that you can’t have them. But trying anyway, because it’s the only option you have. It’s a lot of self pity, trying to find comfort in discomfort. Feeling like it’s easier to want someone that you can’t have than move on, process it and deal with it.

Clichés are okay, and artists take inspiration from the same topics and themes all the time, and that builds human connection and interaction. Listen to “Heather,” our Song Pick of the Day:

Connect with Lloyd’s House here.

New Albums on our Deck

In terms of music releases, the summer doldrums are officially behind us: lots of great albums came out last Friday, and we’re looking forward to a packed schedule until late November.

Here are the albums we are currently playing:

• Kate Brunotts - Womb: an NYC singer and producer, makes an important concept album.
• Laufey - Everything I Know About Love: the Icelandic singer takes you back in time.
• Paper Pools - It’s In Your Mind: engaging indie rock from Los Angeles.