Memphis. My home away from home. A glorious bar in Potchefstroom where my passion for music was fueled. Coming from a small town - not quite as John Deer as Vryheid, but I've got to admit, not far from it - I never really had a chance to discover the music SA has to offer. My total exposure was MK, and lets face it - a live show is so much different. MK introduced me to the already big musos, but Memphis allowed me to discover the unknown ones for myself. This sanctuary, a haven for all the unique freaks I love calling my kindred spirits, is where I saw his work for the first time - Sean Brand, a true living, fucking legend.
I'm going to take a short break from my smrinking to tell all you lovely people about my other passion - photography. Studying in Potch last year, I visited our lovely little gallery while a Sean Brand exhibition was on display. Being an exceptionally bad photographer, I was absolutely dumbfounded. This man is a fucking genius.
I recall one photo in particular, a moment where Francois van Coke stands still, the screaming crowd at his feet, the moving clouds painted above. Awestruck. I must have this photo. And of course I bought it then and there, took it to Kodak, blew it up to A3, & hung it centered in my small art studio. And there it hangs till this day. A constant reminder of the brilliance that is discovered in these moments, the art that is photography.
Quite something isn't it?
This photo inspired me. On my way back from campus, instead of heading to my awkwardly painted flat, I went to Game. I bought my darling Niki - a Nikon D3000 - my first camera. And there it started. I still suck uncompromisingly, but I see no end for my new-found passion. I'm addicted. Addicted to capturing moments in time. Maybe one day I'll let you see some of my work, but for now it's a private obsession.
In the not so far future when I'm being chased out of my office at the Rolling Stones South Africa building to go and attend yet another music festival with Niki in my bag, when Memphis wants to hang my pictures on their walls, maybe then I'll give you a sneak peek.
But for now I'll admire from afar as Sean Brand is living the dream. Combining my two passions - music & photography. And I hate him. Want ek kan nie ophou kyk nie.
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