The MATTador.... another awesome artist featured...

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Life is a very complicated and intense phenomenon. Everybody I know finds the daily tussle tough lately, whether that be caring for a family, working crazy hours or running a business, the truth is I think, if life's too easy than surely there is something you are missing. This in mind I feel it is also very important to try and keep perspective, even though I am not very good at this at all! Every now and then I find it reassuring to take a step back and apply all my focus on something as incidental and a song. Three or four minutes of sparse mental engagement with the reality of reality can be amazing when the it is reminds you that life is good. This weeks song did this for me recently.

This song is written by the enigmatic and soulful Mr Dan Sultan. It's aura reminded me of simplicity in a time (for me) of intensity. It helped me to take that deep breath that removes reality for just a second. It put a smile on my face and rejuvenated my day, truth be told I totally rocked out to this and by it's end was totally convinced I was Dan himself!

Rather than dive deep into Dan's bio and the emotional drive behind his music, this week I want to keep it really simple. This is a good old fashion rock song driven by one of our countries most talented and underrated performers.

Loose yourself for just a couple of minutes a day, please enjoy ..............................................

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBd-dYRJKes

THe Music MATTador....

Kids, Greg Dries, Moods Photography

Jessica & Aaron, Greg Dries, Moods Photography

Images engage you on different levels for a host of reasons, what I love about these shots is the moments that we captured....

The kids giggling as their parents kiss, Aaron unable to resist getting his feet wet, such a boy thing, & Dad time..... so precious....

Greg Dries, Moods Photography

The Music MATTador, weekly report, Moods Photography, Greg Dries

This weeks featured artist is a big fav of mine as well, if you have not yet discovered this muscian, this introduction will be a fabulous incentive to have a listen

Kind Regards Greg

I'm so excited about this one Greg, I feel complete peace when I hear this music, it has truly moved into one of my favourite artists of all time - I'm talking top 3!

I have said many times already in my short lifespan as the MATTador that my love of a song and/or artist is based on one major factor, lyrics. I love to be challenged by a songs lyrics, often pondering in my semiconscious reasons that facilitate such imagery to be created. The ability of a lyricist to place a group of words in such a way the invokes thought, asks questions and drives the listener to place themselves as the leading character is truly what I love about music.

This artist does it completely differently!

Justin Vernon, front man for Bon Iver (French for Good Winter) is a genius. His first Album 'For Emma, Forever Ago' was released in July 2007 and too this day rates as one of my all-time favourites'. It was written and produced almost exclusively in a remote cabin during a Wisconsin winter, the astonishing thing is, his lyrics are mostly an after thought to his music, the basis of this music is feeling not understanding. Vernon wrote word-free melodies before listening to them repeatedly adding words according to the sounds of the syllables in each melody. He played all the instruments on the album and in his early performances it is reported that he handed out copies of the lyrics to his audience to help reproduce the vocal harmonies.

Bon Ivers' latest album 'Bon Iver' is one that I have been waiting for with more excitement and anticipation than any other in recent memory.

He describes his latest creation as a journey, not so much about describing certain places with words but rather creating a sense of place with music before finishing it of with lyrical harmonies that complement. I love this music not because of what it makes me think but because of the way it makes me feel, here's hoping it can do the same for you.

I encourage you to give these two albums more than one spin. If you think it is good today than I promise you, you will love it in time..........

This song is the first release from the second album 'Calgary'........... Please enjoy

(please use the best speakers you have available as it's true beauty is released with quality sound)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbJy1zeoDn4&NR=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfAS6nwYc9g - A little bonus for you all - one of my favourite songs of all time - 'Skinny Love' completely raw

Nain, Greg Dries, Moods Photography

Elegance, Beauty & Grace, are words that come to mind when you meet Nain, it was such a pleasure to have the opportunity to capture these images before she jumped on a flight back to Wales...

Greg Dries

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Calais & Tate: Greg Dries, Moods Photography

On Saturday we had the pleasure of spending the afternoon capturing these images of Calais & Tate, the location chosen was perfect & the light sensational.....

There are so many beautiful images, we thought we would share these few

The shots of John passing the leaf to Tate, is a beautiful exchange.......

Greg Dries, Moods Photography

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Michelle, David, Jasmin & Bronte: Portraits by Greg Dries, Moods Photography

Last weekend we had the pleasure of doing a few portrait shoots at Nth Burleigh, I love this location & the opportunities it offers... Here are a few images from Michelle, David, Jasmin & Brontes shoot... These girls rocked... Oh !! the parents were Ok too...

I love the way Bronte rested her hand on Jasmin's arm in the shot of the girls together, that little gesture made this image....

Hope you enjoy....

THe Music MATTador, weekly report, Moods Photography, Greg Dries

Wow.... I am loving this weeks featured artist.... thankyou MATTador...

Kim Churchill

I remember growing up not knowing exactly what I would become but wanted to make a difference doing it. I remember being 20 with fond memories albeit many of them hazy. Memories infused with feelings of fearlessness and intrigue, the whole world to explore and a whole life to do it. I was busy studying and getting my life sorted out, trying to figure out exactly what sort of impact I would make and how I could make it happen. Basically, like most of us there was no obvious plan, no one single 'talentl' that I possessed that I knew would define my life.

Imagine just for a second the opposite - At age 4 you are handed your first guitar, as a child you train classically for ten years and by age 16 you have already begun to master your art. Stir into the melting pot the difference between you and many other 16 year old musicians', the ability to write inventive and original peices of music, this my friends is the nucleus to something amazing. After school you pack up your gear and head around our vast country to play every available gig and busk on any corner that will see the passing of a pedestrian. Surfboard is packed for the ever elusive perfect wave, blond hair, blue eyes and all packaged into part time model good looks. Sounds pretty surreal yeah? Please say hello to Mr Kim Churchill -

Kim was born in Canberra, moved to NSW North Coast at a young age where surfing and music became his life. His exquisite ability to control the six strings of his guitar is beautifully unique, his classically refined art seems to entwine perfectly with his slightly experimental take on folk rock. He possesses an energy that I compare cautiously with Xavier Rudd, an energy that seems to fuel his desire to travel and play to the people consistanly with a full bag of emotion and passion each and every time..

Kim possesses a maturity much beyond his tender age, he delivers lyrics that guide the listener gently into thoughts of their past whilst cleverly prompting thoughts of the now. Kim is a storey teller, and like the best of those that have gone before him, there is more than one string to his bow. The infusion of harmonica, kick drum and piano combine in a way that seems effortless, overall a pure joy to listen too.....................

Please enjoy............................................................. The Music MATTador

Carla & Rhya: Greg Dries Moods Photography

I love the simplicity yet strength of these images, the image of Rhya surrounded by the field of flowers, & the beautiful moment captured of Mum & daughter enjoying each others company...