There are many incidents that shape us throughout our lives but can you pinpoint one or more pivotal moments, without which things would have been so much different? Can you point the finger of blame and single out someone or several people to whom you owe this focal point?
Focus: to concentrate on a point.
Fifty years ago, at the age of thirteen I was listening to classical music, folk, light opera and early sixties pop, so a friend called David thought I needed educating in current popular music. He lent me a compilation of UK Top Twenty hits. When I returned it, he got a bit pissed off that I hadn’t liked the commercial pop tracks on it but did like two tracks from this crazy Dutch group instead. I probably did like some of the more commercial pop to some extent but it was “Hocus Pocus” and “Sylvia” that stood out.
From there, I started listening to other prog rock bands, heavy metal and many of their offshoots and connections, including metal, which I have got into more this century. Most of the friends I have made have been through having similar music tastes. It informs the way I dress, my hairstyle, my holidays (going to gigs and festivals) and the majority of pictures I take.
This year I decided to get pictures at festivals and events with some of the people that I know to commemorate this golden jubilee. I have included some pics from the tail end of last year too and a pic with the man to blame, Thijs van Leer (cover photo).
There are pictures with fans – Alex and Alex from Romania, María from Galicia and friends, Ann from London, Phos-fero (helping Espen sell his book of Satyricon photos), Carolina from Germany.
Pictures with my gig buddies Sylvie and Virgy.
Pictures with other photographers – Necroshorns, Ash, Hervé, Artur.
Author Dayal, sound engineer Cedric and DJ Dylan
Pictures with drummers and other musicians – Dan, Trident from Godking, Gareth with Jayn of Darkher (it looks like they have recruited a bass player and had publicity shots done :)), Corb of Syn-Ze-Şase-Tri (who played in my favourite band, Negură Bunget), Phil from Abduction, Nathan from Denali and Countless Skies.
And last and definitely not least, promoters and organisers Lill-Ann, Xysor and Andras.
Had David chosen a different album, from a slightly different date or from a different record label, what would have happened? Would I be the same me?
