ryan macdonald PHOTOGRAPHY blog » Musicians

Angus + Kenneth + Calum – Mabou’s MacKenzie Boys

Ryan — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 04:47:22 +0000

I had a quick session with Angus, Kenneth and Calum MacKenzie following the Piper’s Ceilidh during Celtic Colours. After the finale, we beelined to South Haven to my old piping instructor’s house, and had a quick chat with her grandmother to ask if we could borrow her barn for a few photos. She thought we were a bit crazy, but laughed and said fine…as long as I would take a few photos of the boys in front of the barn on her camera. Not only are the MacKenzie boys super multitalented musicians, they’re among the funniest people I know. Like any good trio of brothers, they were pestering each other the entire session and laughing at the expense of the others (mostly Kenneth). The boys released an album, “Piob Is Fidheall” last year and it’s really great! They kindly allowed me to use a track for my year end slideshow and if you haven’t heard them play yet, make it a priority as they’re pure talent!

The Fretless – String Quartet

Ryan — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 21:32:02 +0000

In November I had a session with The Fretless. They’re a brand new string quartet comprised of super-talented members Ivonne Hernandez, Karrnnel Sawitsky, Trent Freeman, and Eric Wright. They were meeting in Victoria to record their debut album, and since they come from Vancouver Island via Boston, Saskatchewan and Los Angeles, it made sense to have their promo photos taken while they were all in the same city. It was a freezing day, but we managed to stay warm with hot soy beverages and laughter…lots of laughter. If you head over to their website, you can hear a few tracks they recorded. I was sent three tracks to preview last evening, and it’s really good so I’m looking forward to hearing the whole album! Don’t be confused when you see the name Mile Zero…that one was on the drawing board for a while, but they are now officially ‘The Fretless‘.

The Worry Birds – Halifax Folk Band Photography

Ryan — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 07:15:29 +0000

A few images from a session with The Worry Birds at York Redoubt in Halifax, NS. Band members Zach Smith, Adelle Meagher, and Bhreagh MacDonald were so much fun during this shoot and kept park visitors entertained with their tunes. They’ll be working on their album during 2012, so keep your eyes peeled for the release!

Ivonne + Trent + Karrnnel + Eric – Sneak Peek

Ryan — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 04:32:42 +0000

I had a session yesterday with Ivonne Hernandez, Trent Freeman, Karrnnel Sawitsky, and Eric Wright. They’re a newly-formed string quartet, recording soon, and you’re going to want to hear them! More to come down the road once I get caught up on these family sessions.

The Worry Birds – Sneak Peek

Ryan — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 03:23:19 +0000

Had a session full of laughs with The Worry Birds in Halifax, NS. More to come.

The Outside Track – Folk Band

Ryan — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 18:31:50 +0000

I had a session with The Outside Track while they were teaching in Nanaimo at CeltFest. The band is made up of members Norah Rendell (Vancouver – vocals, flute, whistle), Mairi Rankin (Cape Breton – fiddle, vocals, stepdance), Ailie Roberston (Scotland – harp), Fiona Black (Scotland – accordion) and Cillian O’Dalaigh (Ireland – guitar, Irish dancing). They are incredibly talented and when they come together as a group, it will seriously blow your socks off. When I met up with them on the first day of the school, they had just flown in from all parts of the world, had spent the day teaching, and were completely exhausted! However, that didn’t stop us from having a load of laughs. I was fortunate to hear them play at the end of the week at the school’s final concert, and what a treat it was! If you haven’t had a chance to see The Outside Track perform live (you’re missing out!) you should really make a point to go to a show and say hi. They’re a really fun group of folks!

Ivonne Hernandez – A Sneak Peek

Ryan — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 04:22:22 +0000

One image from my session with Ivonne Hernandez this evening before she heads back out on the road on Sunday.

Andrea Beaton – Cape Breton Fiddler

Ryan — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 18:15:56 +0000

Recording her latest album brought Andrea Beaton to the Seattle area, so I met up with her for a session. I arrived back to Victoria a few days later, and was absolutely exhausted from laughing. We had a lot of adventures which may (or may not) have included: maneuvering the city on a sprained ankle, a chance encounter with a one-man looping band, pints of Magners, a dead rat, clogs, a mechanical bull, being questioned in an alley if we had a gun in her fiddle case, an ugly facial expression showdown, and lots of air-bass slapping. Louis-Charles Vigneau was around for the recording and most of the weekend adventures, and what a time we had! Keep your eyes peeled for a chance to hear Andrea or Louis play in your neck of the woods!

Ivonne Hernandez + Jeremy Walsh – Victoria Musician Photography

Ryan — Sun, 06 Feb 2011 01:44:36 +0000

No strangers to the Victoria music scene (and after performing together for many years) musicians Ivonne Hernandez and Jeremy Walsh have have finally recorded an album together! They finished in the studio a few days ago and the album has an anticipated release before April!

Seudan – Cape Breton Session, Day Two

Ryan — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 19:12:01 +0000

The Seudan boys came to my neck of the woods for the second day of shooting. I don’t believe there have ever been so many pipers playing on the North Shore. Allan MacDonald joined us down at Little River Wharf for a few photos and then we made our way down to French River. This would have been the original fishing wharf for many of the North Shore Gaelic Singers, my grandfather Tommy Peigi included. I know the singers would have been happy to hear the pipes down at the old wharf.