So this afternoon I was downtown wandering the streets looking for interesting characters to photograph when I found one.

This is Anthony Sweet, it’s his first time in Newfoundland and he’s as laid back as they come. He mentioned that he plays music and asked me to add him on facebook if the pictures came out.

On his facebook profile was a link to his music.

Wow… You need to listen… I urge you to discover Anthony Sweet.

Anthony Sweet in front of his traveling van | Nikon D3 24-70

He said he’s going to do some busking downtown and maybe try to get a gig here and return in the future.

Messages from people he's met | Nikon D3 24-70

He invites people to leave messages on his van where ever he goes. Pretty neat idea, he even had one from a police officer in Quebec.

Anthony Sweet in St. John's, NL | Nikon D3 24-70

I had the fantastic pleasure of shooting just about every show during the the 2010 Wreckhouse Blues and Jazz Festival in St. John’s this past summer. I discovered a lot of good music and got to photograph a lot of fantastic acts such as Alex Cuba, Morgan Davis and Matt Anderson, to name but a few.

Also featured below are Banda Brazil, H’Sao, Dominic Mancuso, Rowdy Blues, Planet Earth, Lori Cooper, Treasa Levasseur, Rich Brown’s Rincethealgorithm and probably some I’m forgetting.

H'Sao performing at The Majestic

Alex Cuba performing at The Majestic Theatre

Click here to see the other 100 or so images from the Wreckhouse Blues and Jazz Festival

Our Lady Peace during the 2010 George Street Festival | Photo: Colin Peddle

Night one of the annual George Street Festival kicked off last night and it did not disappoint. Canadian rockers Our Lady Peace capped off a warm and muggy evening on George with a fantastic set that had the whole place rocking.

Check out the rest of the George Street Festival lineup.

Our Lady Peace during the 2010 George Street Festival | Photo: Colin Peddle

Our Lady Peace during the 2010 George Street Festival | Photo: Colin Peddle

Our Lady Peace during the 2010 George Street Festival | Photo: Colin Peddle

Our Lady Peace during the 2010 George Street Festival | Photo: Colin Peddle

Our Lady Peace during the 2010 George Street Festival | Photo: Colin Peddle

Click here to view even MORE photos from Our Lady Peace at GSF

Most of you visiting my site probably have no idea who these guys are but I just want to assure you that they’re the very definition of amazing. They use keyboards, drums, bass and something called a film synchronizer — the thing they’d use in the olden days to sync the video and audio of a movie together as one for playback — to great some of the freshest sounds you might ever hear.

Those of you who know me well, know full well just how broad and varied my musical tastes are. I listen to everything from Johnny Cash or Pink Floyd to Radiohead and Deadmau5 on a regular basis. This band, HOLYF#!K are one which I’d heard of before and glimpsed some of their music ages ago, but never really discovered until last nights show at The Rock House. It takes an awful lot for me to immediately purchase your album from iTunes… I bought Holy F#!K’s newest, “Latin” this morning and might purchase their others before supper. I’ve listened to it completely at least 6 times already.

Most importantly, they’re Canadian which is just great. Nothing pleases me more then being able to tell all of my non-Canadian friends about a really good Canadian band they should be listening to. The second most important thing to note is that they’re actually making music. Sure it might sound like a lot of their music is digitally produced on a computer — like so much other music is these days — but it actually isn’t. They use so many different tools, such as the film sync I mentioned, which makes their music truly original and every show is example of that. Look at the passion, enjoyment and wires in some of these pics.

www.holyfuckmusic.com/ <- You need to visit there and watch the video called “Latin America”. I promise your head and/or toes will be tapping less then 1 minute in to the song.

Here’s some pics from the show last night!

Tom Power from CBC Two's Deep Roots | Photo: Colin Peddle

When Tom Power from CBC Two’s Deep Roots is on hand, you know you’re in for a show.

Last night at the Majestic was a big tick in my life box — a big ‘yes that was a good day’. Alex Cuba’s style and showmanship was astounding and surprising to say the least. My ears were smiling throughout the entire show and my I’m fairly certain if the Dos Equis Guy had a best friend, it could only be Mr. Cuba.

The show opened with The Dogberries performing their brand of contemporary jazz with a hint of folk. I must admit, they too were very pleasing on the ears and their clean style kept the Cuba awaiting audience very happy.

The Dogberries at the Majestic | Photo: Colin Peddle

Alex Cuba at the Majestic | Photo: Colin Peddle

Alex Cuba at the Majestic | Photo: Colin Peddle

Alex Cuba at the Majestic | Photo: Colin Peddle

Alex Cuba at the Majestic | Photo: Colin Peddle

Alex Cuba at the Majestic | Photo: Colin Peddle

Alex Cuba at the Majestic | Photo: Colin Peddle

Alex Cuba at the Majestic | Photo: Colin Peddle

Standing applause... except for that guy. | Photo: Colin Peddle

After the standing applause was applied by the patrons, Alex Cuba decided to do “one more”… this quickly turned into a few more. I think he played for another 15-20 minutes, just during the encore. We all know that “sultry” has been a recurring theme during this years Wreckhouse Festival but it can’t get more sultry then having [attractive] girls from the audience come dance on the stage while you’re playing.

Alex Cuba did just that.

Alex Cuba at the Majestic | Photo: Colin Peddle

Alex Cuba at the Majestic | Photo: Colin Peddle

Alex Cuba at the Majestic | Photo: Colin Peddle

Click here for the rest of the photos from The Dogberries and Alex Cuba

Bill Brennan with Banda Brazil at The Majestic | Photo: Colin Peddle

A late start for me, but better late then never. And what a great way to start things off then with Bill Brennan and Banda Brazil at the Majestic. Not quite the capacity crowds reported by Darcy and Melissa at the Fat Cat, but those who did attend were subjects to a fantastic show.

Here’s a secret: I’ve always had a fondness for Brazillian music and I know all of the “words” — sadly I don’t speak Portuguese — to Sergio Mendes & Brasil 66′s song Mas Que Nada. Frankly, I’d argue it’s one of the best songs ever, which is why it pleased me to no end when Bill Brennan and Banda Brazil sang it… and I sang along with them.

Jeff Dyer | Photo: Colin Peddle

Dana Parsons | Photo: Colin Peddle

Bill Brennan and Banda Brazil were so good some (attractive) girls showed up to dance. How nice!

Dancers at Banda Brazil | Photo: Colin Peddle

Kelly-Ann Evans w/ Bill Brennan on Percussion | Photo: Colin Peddle

Next up, I was lucky enough to gain access to the Fat Cat. By this time, it was at capacity and I had to use my best smile to be allow in, if just for a few moments.

Treasa Levasseur at the Fat Cat | Photo: Colin Peddle

Now, the word “amazing” gets tossed around a lot these days, very unjustly in most cases.

Tresa Levasseur is amazing. I’m just going to say that right now. You need to visit her website, buy her CD, give it to your significant other and enjoy it – if you get my drift.

Treasa Levasseur at the Fat Cat | Photo: Colin Peddle

James Robertson on the Electric w/ Treasa Levasseur at the Fat Cat | Photo: Colin Peddle

Downtown St. John’s was humid and warm, with a subtle hint of Bourbon Street. I expect and hope Friday night will be sticky and sweaty with 10 times the people, making the atmosphere all the more New Orleans-esque — I don’t think they could pick a better week to do a Jazz and Blues festival in St. John’s.

The Scene | Photo: Colin Peddle

If you’re not getting down to see anything from the Wreckhouse Festival you’re doing yourself a serious injustice. Some of the greatest talent in blues and jazz are in town this week and even if you’re not one to actually listen to blues and jazz on a regular basis, like myself, seeing it live is a whole other story.