The Wind Broken Stones

I love what I do.  This weekend, with the help of Nick Lachance, I had two great shoots with musicians. Today's post will focus on The Wind Broken Stones, an amazing band just about to release their debut album.  For those Stan Roger's fans out there you'll recognize their name as a lyric from 45 years. 

Their music is truly something to behold.  Though I usually like to personlize my thoughts on their music, the bands own description is perhaps the best way to understand what they are about

the band is a collection of seasoned musicians from dramatically different backgrounds. This is the place where folk meets hard core; where classical precision meets the loose soul of a campfire. All of this floats above a foundation of passionate songwriting and complex vocal harmonies. The songs can at times be gentle and poetic and other times fierce and desperate. The Wind Broken Stones live in the untraveled space between dream and nightmare and weave their live shows back and forth over that line. 

The Wind Broken Stones chose sunrise for the shoot.  One of the real moments of anticipation for me is when my clients get to see their images.  We were all excited by the end results. At the risk of sounding like a member of the intelligence services, I'm not at liberty to share the best captures from the shoot because they will be used for their new album, the dust jacket, and for other promotional materials.  But I can share the ones they have released.

Here is one from the wee hours of the morning, a time when the light is magical as it dances across the landscape

Given the tight schedule of the band, we combined the sunrise shoot with an all night studio session starting at about 10pm Friday.  I wanted colourful and crisp images to contrast with the natural sunrise images we would be capturing later.  We spent at least an hour with each band member.  Since we are all good friends the level of comfort is not an issue but large lights and the studio setting is always intimidating at first.  Within minutes though, every one of them slid into their role and their true personalities came to the fore!  Let me use the studio captures to introduce the band:

Lead singer and guitarist Jarod Parlee from Quispamsis, New Brunswick

Lead Guitar, Kick Drum, and vocals - Jason Moir from St. James, Manitoba

Their Amazing violinist Chelsea Wright from London, Ontario

On Bass and vocals Luke Henderson from London, Ontario

On the Mandolin and behind the Mic, Katie Toy from Windsor, Ontario

Some of you will remember that I did some work with Jarod on his solo album Winter Take All.  It remains one of my favourite projects.  Some say it's difficult to work with friends on a business level but in almost every way our working relationship is only enhanced by our friendship and mutual respect.  The projects where I'm given more artistic freedom are really inspirational.  I can't wait to work with them through the process of developing their CD and in the future as our artistic careers continue to collide.


It was amazing to work with this group.  They are such a driven musical force and from the final album masters I've heard, you would be doing your ears a serious disservice if you miss this release. 

On July 16th, The Wind Broken Stones will be sharing the stage with Juno Award winners The Irish Descendants.  Be sure not to miss them at Norma Jeans in London.