There is a little story behind why I love Transvaal Diamond Syndicate (TDS) so much.
It was around November 2010 that I was going through a rough time in my life and I was almost falling into the pits of hermitage due to suppressive people in my life making everything very hard for me. My best friend, and co-worker, and I decided it would be best if we headed out to the Bertie Page Clinic (BPC) gig at Ric's bar rather than stay home, as Bertie Page Clinic always guarantees an excellent time.
I had for weeks been trying to catch TDS at the various venues they were performing at, as they were originally located in Rockhampton, but has always seemed to miss them. I had initially decided to practice live gig photography which proved to be very difficult at the time because I was still learning about light capturing and did not have the appropriate lens for the shadowy set up at Ric's (and I refuse to use flash for any live performance).
As we arrived I noticed that they were a two piece band consisting of only a guitar and drum kit. It still blows my mind how well these two instruments work. Their haunting yet get-your-tired-bones-moving tunes made me forget all my woes and I was so distracted by their sounds that I failed to concentrate on working the light. I was dancing around the now-packing itself up Ric's bar. They were drawing in people from outside with their loud, rocking blues.
Ever since then, I've maintained a strong focus on the live music scene and I have this strong aim, alongside film work and my professional creative ventures, to support the worthy aspects of the live music scene as well as venues that work so hard at keeping us Brisbane-folk entertained on a regular basis. I attend and photograph local bands (as well as interstate) not only for my learning, but to get people who are "stuck at home" or not fussed in heading out, visualising what they missed out on.
Unfortunately the photos of that night were terrible. Embarassing even. I have since practiced and learnt a lot, as well as purchased a higher aperture lens, so I have been attending plenty of their gigs to capture these musical masters in action. Below is a sample of what you missed of their set at The Jubilee Hotel for April Fools Masquerade on 01.04.11. They had a 1am slot and they played it like it was a packed 9pm slot. Every gig, no matter how sick they are (Tim, the drummer, was unwell and could barely sing but gave it his all) or tired, or how late it is, they give every gig like it's their best and biggest.
Sorry about the sizing, you can
see more here...These guys only keep getting better and are only doing more and more gigs. I would suggest every music lover to
download their new single Devil on my Shoulder as well as attend their next gig at The Joynt for $5 with The Beards as you will not regret it. One thing that TDS does that I haven't seen any band do before is get their audience involved in a conga drum jam. It is always a highlight to any evening and I suggest you attend their gigs just to watch these guys get random people from the crowd banging some conga drums like mad.
So I personally thank the guys at Transvaal Diamond Syndicate for something they really had no intention on doing to me, by getting my heart set on the live music scene. I think you've always been curious as to why I support you so whole-heartedly and now you know that it's because your music set my mind and heart at ease and got me loving music again. Do not stop, keep being yourselves!
I owe these guys a lot and it would help me repay them if you could download their songs and attend a gig or two. I reiterate, you will NOT regret it.
