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BRUM CREATIVES DOES RIFFS
hile studying Media and Communication at Birmingham City University from 2005/2008, one of my mini goals after I graduated, was to be in a position to shoot the front cover of a music magazine. Although I’ve assisted other photographers on cover shoots for NME and Q, and although the Riff’s journal is not currently on wider national release, I’m considering my cover shoot with them a goal achieved. Thank you to the Riffs team for inviting me to shoot Anna for the cover.
Over the last few years I have been working on Brum Creatives, a personal project focusing on creative professionals from Birmingham.
Working on Brum Creatives is highly enjoyable. Not only do I get to shoot an endless stream of interesting local talent but I’m also gaining access to some amazing locations whilst building a body of work that I’m incredibly proud of. IAN DAVIES
These include a variety of Brummie musicians; Selwyn Brown of Steel Pulse, The Beat’s Ranking Roger, Pop Will Eat Itself and Bentley Rhythm Ace’s Richard March, UB40’s Brian Travers, Neil Jones of Stone Foundation and younger generation talent in Call Me Unique and Xhosa Cole. Other sitters include, Comedians Joe Lycett and Jasper Carrott, Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight and Michelin Chef, Glyn Purnell.
Amerah Saleh
Amerah Saleh is a spoken word artist, workshop facilitator, host, project co-ordinator and outspoken human rights supporter. Amerah won the Art Award at Youth 4 Excellence and become the Overall Youth 4 Excellence Award Winner in 2015. Amerah champions the Birmingham poetry scene and her writing and performance has been stunning audiences for quite some time. She is an artist who mixes passion with fiery intelligence and an uncanny insight into what it is to be a human.
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Rhino & The Ranters
Rhino and the Ranters is a Cow-Punk Gospel Blues band based in Birmingham. This portrait of lead singer Ryan Webb was used by The Night Owl, a soul/retro club and live music venue in Digbeth, to promote the band. Flier Design: Adam Williams, Creative Director at Bread. 10
CallMeUnique
CallMeUnique is a Brummie singer/songwriter heavily influenced by jazz, soul and jazz scat-singing. She combines this with modern rap and soulful lyrics. She has opened for a range of international artists such as Beyonce and Nicki Minaj.
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Neil Jones
Neil Jones is co-writer and lead singer with Paul Weller produced and championed soul band, Stone Foundation and is originally from Sutton Coldfield. Their recent album, Street Rituals (produced by and featuring Paul Weller) realises Stone Foundation’s vision of a vibrant modern UK soul band, the kind who can play with the best of the genre’s American legends including Bettye LaVette and Stax’s William Bell while never losing their own distinctly British identity – the sound of Memphis, via the Midlands.
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Selwyn Brown
Steel Pulse formed in the Handsworth area of Birmingham in 1975. Selwyn Brown joined in 1976 and was present on their 1978 album Handsworth Revolution, a record that is considered hugely important in the evolution of British reggae. Over a 41 year career with the band, winning a Grammy Award in 1986 for their album ‘Babylon The Bandit’ and having toured the globe headlining some of the biggest reggae festivals in the world, it’s probably safe to say that Steel Pulse are considered reggae royalty. They’ve recently had a gold star placed on Broad St in Birmingham to mark their success.
Pete Hammond
Pete Hammond was the drummer from Birmingham-based post-punk band, Au Pairs. He is now part of Rhino and the Ranters.
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Rachel Mayfield Rachel Mayfield is a singer, writer and mixed media artist from Birmingham. She fronted indie rock band Delicious Monster in the 1990s, and now performs solo. She also curates exhibitions and creates film and art installations. Her short film, All Lovers Could Be Love featured in the BFI love season in 2015.
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Xhosa Cole
Xhosa Cole is a rising star in the Birmingham jazz scene. Xhosa collaborates with a range of musicians. His music is influenced by urban life, Birmingham architecture, jazz, folk melodies, African-Caribbean and South Asian rhythms, and contemporary urban genres.
Based at his Birmingham studio, Ian Davies produces striking imagery for a range of commercial, portrait, marketing and PR and event assignments. Ian is a graduate of Birmingham City University. Clients include Jaguar Land Rover, Bacardi, Global, Emo Ltd, NHS, Prostate Cancer UK and NHS amongst many others. Ian Davies Photo Š 2012 - 2018 | All Rights Reserved 18
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