Brita Brookes Photography

Lights, Valerie Anne Poxleitner is a Canadian musician, singer, and songwriter. Starting in Timmins, then Toronto and now based as a family in Vancouver she and her band have a huge following. From the bands web page: "If you’re new to Lights, no worries: you’ve picked a fine place to start. Little Machines represents a dream union of, and wallopingly self-assured expansion upon, everything the diminutive Canadian singer, songwriter and synth enthusiast has done before. Now y

Thanks so much to LIGHTS - what a fun, high quality and awesome concert. I was the back up photographer for tonights show and actually lucked out and got to cover it! Timing is everything they say. I found out about my assignment after the other bands played- so apologies for not getting those photos! The Mowgli's did an amazing set. LIGHTS had the crowd on their toes and at their fingertips tonight. This was a really memorable show.

July Talk rocked the roof off of Saint Andrew's Hall - the Shelter club this last Friday. Peter is part Latvian and I was able to chat about our shared Latvian heritage after the show to compare notes. I think it would be cool for July Talk to play in Riga- I KNOW the crowd would love them. And even more I'd love to be there in my mom's homeland taking the photos! I would invite a few friends and it would be great. Or even better at the Summer Music festival. THAT would rock

I was so glad to be covering this show for the Detroit Metro Times this week. This major talent from Toronto blew the minds of the crowd at the Shelter underneath Saint Andrews Hall. It's hard to describe this band in words- you really just have to go see them. It's deep voice, light voice, gritty and feminine - a mix of musicians who all work like a family- a improvisational stage like choreographed appearance without trying too hard. Pure bliss to see live- it's an addictiv

I just felt like posting another Lindy photo...I just dig Lindy's songs and style. I was lucky to see him in his showcase twice at the Folk Music Ontario Conference and that is a treat! Showcases are pretty much just the musician- no bells and whistles- no stage lights, no fancy set, no roadies, no fancy sound board! JUST YOU & a guitar! With that said, he told his room audience about some of the context for some new songs- a lot of politically influenced lyrics from some pre

Today's news was especially sad as I got to see Allen live just last year for the first time! And, his concert helped me come back out into the world after my mom had a heart attack. So, to hear of his passing today just made me think of his own family and the sadness they must be feeling right now. Sending prayers and peace to those grieving!

More from the Chucho Valdes concert- it was held at Michigan Theater in Ann Arbor. Here are the Afro Cuban Messengers who were posing for photo opps in the lobby of the venue. They were signing Cd's for fans and it was one moment when I wished my Spanish language skills were better. I saw "Mambo Marcy" in the lobby crowd and she was chatting away! Marcy is an accomplised ballroom dance teacher and she knows her Latin dance moves! Her group will be travelling to Cuba on a peop