captivatethem.ca

The Wicked Mercy

captivate — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 01:13:15 +0000

The Wicked Mercy is an Ottawa blues/rock band. With a focus on raw, unlathed power and dedicated, precise musicianship, they have quickly become one of our favourite artists. This page is a collection of Captivate’s ongoing coverage of the band.

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LIVE REVIEW #1

The Wicked Mercy wastes no time introducing the listener to their sound. Each show is unique and takes you on a completely different journey. One thing remains constant: raw emotion and the power of their sound. The opening number that night was the heavy Junior Kimbro blues stomp “Get Your Hands Off Her”. The riff is as classic as “The Band” but with brass balls and slick, driving rhythm that pets your ear drums as your throat gets dry.

The show goes on and lead singer Case’s voice takes over the room and the audience’s attention. Jimi Hendrix vocal+guitar harmonies add colour as he bellows out “God knows!…”

Next, the band throws the fans for a twist with Gypsy Eyes and drummer August’s machine-gun like snare beats leading the charge.

Now the band is really firing away and slows it down for a mean, dirty blues number called Take Chances. Case’s vocals are as unforgiving as catching your guy or girl kiss another behind your back. Dave Nado’s wah pedal solo bites like a rattle snake spitting venom.

Lost Boy is followed by a meat n’ potatoes funky Mo-town number called God Knows. It reminded me of the Sheepdogs meets the Allman Brothers, with a touch of James Brown.

“Running Away” is the first encore of the night. The opening chords vaguely remind you of “The Rooster” by Alice n’ Chains but the heavy driving stomp and vocals flow like the Mississippi. A psychedelic midsection of the song can only be described as acid trippin’ and groovy, while ending with a solo that would melt your underwear off.

“Skinny Woman” (an R.L. Burnside cover) ended the show as a crowd favourite. Case stepped up on harmonica duties in a song that just makes you want to get up and dance! Who knew a classic blues song could turn into a party rock anthem.

-Vergil Grancherov

LIVE REVIEW #2

The Wicked Mercy play a heavy rock’n'roll blues saturated with passionate urgency. A depth of feeling pulsates through ornate layers of nuanced instrumentation, the piercing voice of singer Case Bronson wailing and weaving its way through labyrithine themes of love and anger, heartache and betrayal, longing and suppressed pain. The impression created is one of beautiful violence, the violence of the heart opposing the world, and through music triumphing over the pain of both.

Herein is the glory of these songs; there is transcendence in them. Victory over all shadows overcomes the aggressive sorrow driving these songs, and a nirvana is attained, a sense of transient perfection hanging over the music like a halo of smoke. Definitely a band with a lot of promise, likely to be making big waves in the Ottawa scene in the near future.

-Anton Bueckert

Video content, live recordings, photos and press will continue to be added as Captivate Creative Studios coverage of The Wicked Mercy’s development continues.

MUSIC: Deadmau5 (unhooked) Live In Doha

captivate — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 19:39:45 +0000

Joel Zimmerman aka deamau5 doesn’t like being called a DJ. The dance music phenomenon from Toronto, better known as deadmau5, rolls his eyes at the description which he sees as a hopelessly outdated way of describing what he does. His sets are closer to live performances as he assembles tracks on the fly using cutting edge computer technology including software that he’s helped to write himself. “There are no CDs involved,” he explains. “It’s a technological orgy up there and I try and keep it more my music than anyone else’s. If people come out to see deadmau5 I want them to hear deadmau5 music.”

Now firmly established as one of the most innovative and popular electronic live acts globally, Deadmau5 has had an outstanding year. His driving foresight is constantly pushing the technological boundaries of his stage show. In May 2010 he unveiled the visual orgy of the cube stage and his highly anticipated L.E.D ‘mau5ehead’. The year climaxed with a 17,000 capacity sell out show at London’s Earls Court. He is the first ever electronic artist to headline the legendary venue. Additionally the dancefloor icon’s multi award winning albums have seen him achieve that rare balance, appealing to both the clubbing cognoscenti and musical masses.

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JOURNALISM: Doha Tribeca Film Festival

captivate — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 11:29:50 +0000

The Doha Tribeca Film Festival (DTFF) is a community-minded, five-day event that showcases the best of Arab and international cinema. Photographed for Antidote Magazine by Alexander Vlad.

*galleries currently under construction, but will be updated shorty!*

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MUSIC: Escapade 2010

captivate — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 16:22:38 +0000

Only once in a lifetime does a city experience such an industry changing event. The time you’ve all been waiting for is finally here. The world’s BIGGEST DJ headlining the country’s BIGGEST CELEBRATION of the year. The time has FINALLY come for the legend only known as TIËSTO to touch down for his first ever Ottawa performance in the Nation’s Capital on CANADA DAY. Just added to the lineup is #17 ranked DJ in the world LAIDBACK LUKE and the one and only CALVIN HARRIS!

TIËSTO GALLERY

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CALVIN HARRIS GALLERY

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LAIDBACK LUKE GALLERY

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ESCAPADE GENERAL GALLERY

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CAPTIVATE ESCAPADE PRODUCTION GALLERY

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Videos and much more extra content will be posted soon!

MUSIC: Bluesfest 2011 Highlights

captivate — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 03:43:53 +0000

The highlights from the 2011 Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest! This year our content is produced in association with our long-standing creative allies, Martyr Magazine and 6ix Degree Media, and will appear in various places in print and online.

Video Coverage:

Photography:

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Soundgarden (July 5, MBNA Stage)

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Tegan & Sara (July 5, Subway Stage)

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The Flaming Lips (July 5, Claridge Homes Stage)

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Bootsy Collins (July 5, Hard Rock Stage)

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Skrillex (July 6, Subway Stage)

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The Black Keys (July 8, MBNA Stage)

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Jim Suhler & Monkey Beat (July 10, Subway Stage)

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Dana Fuchs (July12, Subway Stage)

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Buck 65 (July12, Hard Rock Stage)

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Bluesfest Miscellany

JOURNALISM: Oman

captivate — Fri, 06 May 2011 06:55:44 +0000

Here’s some of the fresh imagery from my adventure in Oman. This is just a taste of one of the most beautiful, untamed, charming, natural and bewildering places I have ever seen. It is a hard land that produces hard people, and seeing a civilization carve out prominence in the roughest mountains is more impressive to me than seeing a states purchase wholesale culture and erect skyscrapers out of the desert.

Make no mistake, Oman is a real civilization, a real people. The generosity, sincerity and backbone is everything that is right with the Gulf region.

Also, here is a short video, entirely shot and edited on the iPad2, about packing for the Oman excursion.

And the stills gallery:

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MUSIC: Bluesfest 2010 Highlights

captivate — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 12:46:55 +0000

What a Rush! Here are some of the highlights of last years Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest, including The Flaming Lips, Joan Jett, Rush, Metric, Iron Maiden and many more!

The galleries will eventually be split by artist, with added journalistic content from Remi L Roy and Cormac Rae, so keep checking back!

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JOURNALISM: Qatar

captivate — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 09:23:28 +0000

A first glance at the Gulf state of Qatar; both the luxury and curiosity. As the world’s fastest growing economy and future host nation of the FIFA World Cup, Doha is a symbol in the region on how to get multiculturalism right. Shot by Alexander Vlad for Antidote Magazine and 6ix Degree Media.

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MUSIC: On Tour With Congorock

captivate — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 13:48:07 +0000

Motion and stills from a multiple city college tour with Lecce-based Italian house star Congorock.

The tour video:

And the tour stills gallery:

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FASHION: Parispolice Rules The Night

captivate — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 15:44:14 +0000

We were approached for a gig by a new client, seemed straight forward enough. Show up, light and shoot one musician for a promotional campaign for a clothing line. Usually I pack according to what I’m shooting, but because of minimal info, I panicked, and brought the whole arsenal of location lighting with me. Upon arrival, my crew was greeted by a gaggle of models, MUA, video-documentarian, style team and the direction of the shoot had mushroomed from a one-subject promo, to the whole dang clothing line. Good thing we had extra lighting.

For most of the shoot, I used four Speedlites with various Honl Photo light modifiers, but brought out a fifth for effect and some fill when the client wheeled a motorcycle on set. For most of the shoot I had two strobes doing main/fill combo for subjects, one rim/hairlight, and one blasting hard shadows accross the graffiti wall.

The whole experience was massively unexpected, but I haven’t had this much fun with mixed-light in a while. Be prepared! Gigs don’t always go as planned, but I will never complain about a small shoot turning into a big shoot. Go with the flow, and don’t be afraid to push out of your comfort zone–you never know what you’re capable of creating–but always take the moment to update contracts to reflect the unexpected changes!

Gallery:

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