Without an H

Photography from south-east Asia by Jon Sanwell

Archive for ‘May, 2013’

Brian Wilson’s Brain

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And now for something completely different.

Last Saturday, I went to watch my friends in Brian Wilson’s Brain practice for some upcoming gigs.  The rehearsal room is a difficult place for photography as it’s pretty dim and crowded, but the yellow foam on the walls makes for a good background. I just managed to avoid stepping on any pedals, tripping over any cables and knocking over the drumkit, and came away with a handful of pictures that I like, as well as some which are too alarming to post here on a wholesome, family blog.

The band are (clockwise from top left) Ian, Hannah, Andrew and Rusty.  They sound a little like the Velvet Underground fighting with the Pixies and flirting with the Yeah Yeah Yeahs during a tropical thunderstorm.  If you’re in Saigon, you can see them play tomorrow, Saturday May 11th, at Bernie’s Irish Pub on Thai Van Lung.  The band promise free strawberries for everyone, but they might not be telling the truth.

 

Tracks

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Last weekend, while visiting Hanoi for a few days, I took a short walk along the stretch of railway track that leads from Hanoi station, over Long Bien bridge and out to the north.  I followed the tracks across the busy city streets near the station, then through a quiet neighbourhood, and above a local market.  Space is tight; houses open directly onto the tracks.  Trains are fairly infrequent so, as in any other Hanoi neighbourhood, people go about their everyday business in the streets outside their homes.

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As the railway heads gently up and towards the bridge, there is little room for the market stalls underneath.  Here, dog meat is being sold as a train passes overhead.

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Wayne and Frank were out looking for trouble.

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Other forms of transport are available.

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I stopped for a cup of tea…

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… which this nice man insisted on paying for.

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Unfortunately, I was too late for lunch; the com binh dan was already closed.

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Surrounded

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Perhaps it’s just me, but when I see a street food seller from this angle, surrounded by baskets and bowls of food, I think of a 70s rock drummer, Neil Peart perhaps, surrounded by an elaborate collection of drums and cymbals.  Anyone else see it?  Oh, just me then.