Here’s some pictures i took of Gareth Liddiard, the frontman of The Drones who has just released a solo record called Strange Tourist.

They were taken at The Cricketers Arms to accompany a story in Time Out Sydney. It was on a day full of press Gareth was doing at the pub. Back to back interviews and photo shoots. 

In my 10 minute slot i fit a few different set ups. One behind the bar, lit by my speedlight, another upstairs with a softbox, and a final one lit by a window.

It was all pretty straight forward, the only minor problem was Gareth couldn’t stop smiling and giggling. An odd look for a man whose music is characteristically dark and morose. So there were moments we had to pause so Gareth could compose himself into ‘serious’ mode.

But this is all a roundabout way of moving on to my pal Andrew Ramadge‘s story on Gareth and the recording of his album in the ‘online novella’, The World According to Gaz.

It’s a 10,000 word, 46 page tale of Andy’s journey to meet and interview Gareth while he was recording Strange Tourist in a house in the country. He spent two nights at the house while the finishing touches were made to the album.

In an age where so much entertainment journalism is clipped together from press releases, artist bio’s, wikipedia searches and ten minute phone interviews it’s refreshing to see a more considered and unique approach. It’s original in both its publishing format and content.

It’s not often journalists are given such generous access to artists, and it’s not often reported in such a candid fashion.

So take some time and have a read of The World According to Gaz.