A native Memphian, Dan Ball was a regular contributing photographer to The Memphis Flyer and Memphis Magazine from 1990 to 2004, while also freelancing for magazines and news bureaus worldwide. Dan has photographed many of Memphis’ biggest underground bands, including The Grifters, The Oblivians, The Clears, The Compulsive Gamblers, Tav Falco and Jay Reatard, as well as international artists such as Snoop Doggy Dog and Jeff Buckley. His work has also been featured in magazines like Mojo, Raygun and Maxim, countless blogs and films, and on many LP covers and spreads. Currently, Dan is still freelancing with a focus on developing personal projects.
Even though this column was planned to focus only on musicians, we couldn’t help wanting to know what’s turning Dan on these days:
1) Adam Curtis – Documentary Filmmaker and BBC blogger who deals with the human condition and Popular Culture in ways I’ve only dreamed of. If he said or did something, I would probably be inclined to agree or be impressed (respectively). You may have to scrounge around to find some of his films, but many are available in America on his blog and on You Tube.
-Adam Curtis Blog’s latest entry, “Between the Gutter and the Stars” the British music industry …
-A 10 minute Clip from Curtis’ experimental/musical documentary on American’s rise and fall, “It Felt Like A Kiss”…
2) Iron Leg Digital Trips – Podcasts Ever since I first heard Lux Interior’s (The Cramps) Mix-tape turned LP Forbidden City Dog Food in the 80’s, I’ve been obsessed with mixtapes. Iron Leg hosts an array of mp3 mixes with music from the 50’s thru 80’s that any mixtape or vinyl collector would envy. All podcasts are downloadable for free.
3) The Selvedge Yard – A blog that serves as a cache of photography from the golden age of cool. Photo spreads of icons such as Johnny Cash, Bettie Page, Steve McQueen and David Bowie sit next to photo stories with names like “History of Denim in Hollywood” and “Soul on Bikes | Black Chrome”. Many beautiful documents here…
