Photographer Paul Calver has come a long way from shooting photos of skateboarders in East Anglia, he’s now doing work for Rapha, Red Bull, Audi and Huck to name a few. A recent favourite has been his work for cycling clothing company Rapha during the Cents Cols Challenge, there are some breathtaking scenic shots in the series for them.

Have a look at his website and blog for more of his work.

I’ve been keeping an eye on the work of Ipswich-centric gig photographer Jenny O’Neill for a while now. She has an excellent eye for timing at gigs, and been fortunate enough to photograph some great bands from little known Ipswich artists to festival headliners for the BBC, IpArt, EADT and Evening Star amongst others. Her photos never disappoint, go check out her flickr or her website for more treats.

Recently stumbled across some of Rekha’s beautiful photos on Flickr, well mostly beautiful except this one which is a little scary. She’s a NUCA (or NSAD if you’re old school) graduate, has had work used by Tim Minchin on the cover of Single “Drowned” and also won a few awards including the New Blood award at D&AD. Rekha’s website is in progress but will no doubt be worth a look once it’s done.

Backside Lipslide - Chris Yeomans

Norwich Skatepark is not finished yet I have been informed, and that the police may be involved, so I would not encourage anyone to skate it before the fence is down.

Further update: Undesirables (rude boys?) have become attracted to the park now that people are skating it (even though they shouldn’t) and a JCB bucket was dropped into the bowl, which means it will need to be patched and take slightly longer than expected. It’s recommended everyone waits until the fence is down officially so to to attract further problems.

So word seemed to get around pretty quick that the new Norwich skatepark was skateable, with maybe 40 people on bikes and boards showing up on Tuesday night as the builders were leaving, so they left the fence open so the fence didn’t get broken by anyone climbing over it.

The park is probably 99% finished with all the concrete set and skateable, although it’s still a building site whilst they do the landscaping. This means you shouldn’t really be on it as we were told by a couple of people from the council, although they couldn’t really stop everyone once they were on there. Although some burly builders to arrive later on to give everyone the boot.

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It’s rare to see a band at the Norwich Arts Centre after seeing them twice at the UEA LCR, however for The Automatic I’ll consider it a treat to get to see them at such an intimate venue. Kick starting the evening with recent single Interstate which the vocal reminds me heavily of James Dean Bradfield. Quickly firing through old favourites such Raoul and Recover, along with a few new tunes. Monster appeared mid set to a rather lacklustre crowd response (shame on you Norwich). However set closer Steve McQueen was met with a much better response, so perhaps the young crowd are recently acquired fans.

Lets see The Automatic return soon to a larger stage and a fuller crowd, in the mean time we’ll enjoy the new album Tear The Signs Down.

View The Automatic photos on flickr here

Got to go and shoot photos for work the other night at this year’s NME Awards Tour, which featured The Maccabees (above), Bombay Bicycle Club, Big Pink and The Drums. I ended up also having to write a review as my journalist friend forgot that he was away on a training course all week, you can read my review here. it’s rather satisfying seeing your name in a newspaper, even when you have worked for one for nearly seven years.

Photos from the gig can be found on flickr

This is a rather delayed post, no excuse I know. Some of you may remember the Joy Formidable playing at the Norwich Arts Centre as a Christmas style gig, well there were fairy lights and Christmas trees galore. Well Joy Formidable, who I hadn’t heard of prior to the gig were really really good and I recommend giving them a listen as soon as you can.

Photos from the night can be found on flickr

This is the first in a few little articles with guys who have headed off around the country to study at university, leaving wonderful East Anglia behind for a few years. These are going to be a few skate photos and a short interview. This first one is with Jake “Doonar” Bidmead, who’s currently in London studying.

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Jason Perry - Holds court to over 150 eager fans

Last night saw ‘A’ return to East Anglia after a 5 year hiatus to play a warm-up gig at The Marquee before their UK tour starts on Saturday in Oxford. The night started with Lowestoft high energy rockabilly band Claw of Panther. Followed by Atlas and I who did well to get the crowd moving even if most were waiting in the bar for ‘A’. Brighton’s This City made the journey to Norwich to play with ‘A’ who they are supporting on the rest of the tour around the UK.

By the time ’A’ took to the stage the back room was absolutely jam packed, easily the fullest I’ve ever seen it. They then proceeded to play all the hits the crowd wanted to hear, despite the terrible PA system of The Marquee cutting and crackling. Would be great to see them back in Norwich again perhaps at the Waterfront or UEA where the sound would be better.

Click here for more photos on Flickr

Tommy May - Polejam

So after Tommy and Mike’s month spent in Barcelona earlier this year, it seems Tommy caught the Barcelona bug and decided to get a one-way ticket and find somewhere to stay for much longer. He’s now been out there for around three months simply skating around the city and cropping up on Brazilian shoe company blogs. I went out last week for a break from the British winter rain and to shoot some photos with him.

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