Location:  Edmonton Alberta Canada, River Valley, Louis Mckinny Park

Venues: St. Sava Serbian Church, Meridian Banquet Hall

Here are a few images from the day.

On to the post.

Today is the first post for the “100 People Project”. This project was created as a way to expose ourselves to as many new people as possible in a really fun, creative way. It is also a really great way for us to learn about all the different people in Edmonton and to see what kinds of creative, interesting things people are doing. This project will feature 100 people over the course of a year, 2 people per week. We look forward to meeting and collaborating with all kinds of inspiring people and taking some really awesome shots! To find out more about what this project involves go here. If you would like to be one of our 100 people or know someone who might be interested please send them here to find out more or here to fill out this form to join in on the fun.

One in a hundred! As the inspiration for this project it is only fitting that Lyra Brown is our very first post! I first saw Lyra at the Edmonton Fringe festival playing music in the gazebo for CKUA. Her music was captivating and “chill” enducing. Sam and I both stopped to listen and tried to make a point of remembering her name in hopes of purchasing her music at a later date. Of course after a long day of fringing we had both forgotten her elusivley simple name. Thankfully a couple years later we ran into her music online and have been enjoying it ever since.The idea for the 100 people project was born as I was listening to “Pretty Baby” and so naturally Sam and I crossed our fingers and contacted her. Lyra is not only a talented songwriter and performer but also a beautiful model and a true joy to photograph.

A little background. Lyra is a singer/songwriter from Edmonton. She recently turned 18 years old and performed in her first ever real bar. In 2008 Lyra opened for Emily Haines (Metric) in Toronto. Lyra is a fresh, new sound in Edmonton we’re sure you’ll be seeing more of her soon! We asked her a few questions.

Who or what inspires you?

What’s going on in my life, my friends, and my family, happiness, grief, and other music for sure. Also, nature and asking myself questions.

Where do you find your inspiration?

It has to do with the mood I am in. If I am letting myself be inspired that’s where I find it. If I’m resisting inspiration, I find I do that a lot, I’ll just totally deny my creative side. Being creative is too much effort and too much work and you’re not good enough. If I let myself just go with it and just do whatever, that’s kind of what drives the inspiration.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Living it out.

Describe your music

It’s unpredictable, it’s weird, it’s funny, it’s confusing and it’s thoughtful.

Where can people buy your music?

I sell self-made EP’s at shows. Soon I will have a record released but come to a show and I’ll get you a CD for sure. (To get a taste, go to her http://www.myspace.com/lyrabrown)

What do you do for fun?

I like to read and take baths. And I like to just dance while I do dishes to music. I like dishes, dishes are fun. I like to sing at work and freak people out. (She work’s at Pack Rat Louis as a hostess)

What would I find in your refrigerator right now?

Coffee cream, milk that I don’t drink and Juice that sucks. Water, usually the water jug is empty but I love water and it’s the best kind. Wraps, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, tzatziki, some old soup in a container and HONEY MUSTARD. It’s really important.

What is one thing people can appreciate about you?

That I am honest and accepting, not judgmental

What advice would you have for an artist just starting out?

Keep yourself grounded with the people that truly love you and know you. Don’t be too quick to trust people. Really ask yourself what you want. Write it down. Once you get that secure there will be more chance that it will happen.

Describe your perfect bite…

Bite? This is great. Ok, 2 slices of whole wheat or rye bread, honey mustard on both sides and a little Dijon. Then I’m going to put on some tomatoes, some Swiss cheese, sometimes. Cucumbers, lettuce, sprouts. Load on the honey mustard even more. Some more Dijon and that’s my sandwich right there.

Are you vegetarian?

No, well yes part time.

So you have meat cheats?

Yes, if there’s vegetables and meat I’ll just eat vegetables, but if there is only meat, I’ll eat it.

Last words?

Do what you love and always be honest with yourself.

Next up is:
Natacha Homerodean

Natacha is also a singer/songwriter who heard about the 100 People Project from Lyra. She came out ready for some fun. She has an upcoming show at Avenue Theatre for the Edmonton Show Feb 18-19 2010. Be there.

This mustache reminds me of Mario Bros.

Who are you?

A daughter and an only child and a singer/songwriter.

Describe your music.

My music is very simple but quiet and chill.

Briefly describe your music making process.

It takes me a long time to write a song because I have a tough time writing lyrics. I usually do the music first and then write the lyrics to go along.

What’s the most embarrassing thing that’s happened to you on stage?

Oh my gosh, I was playing at a high school 3 months ago for a pancake breakfast fundraiser. The roadie dropped my guitar and it broke. The neck just snapped 2 minutes before I was supposed to play. It sucked and it was so embarrassing and I didn’t know what to do. My friend saved the day and brought me another guitar.

I noticed you have a camera with you, can we see some of your work?

It’s just something I like to do as a hobby, [I mostly shoot] my friends and shows and anything that looks cool. (You can see some of her photography here)

What inspires you?

Who, what, when, where? My friends, every day experiences, and what I’m feeling in here[pointing to her heart]. And maybe from nothing at all too.

Describe your perfect bite.

Well I did work at Subway for 2 years so I’m also a sandwich expert. So this is how it goes. You get some good rye bread and you load it with veggies. Jalapeno’s are a must. Cheese sometimes. Dijon mustard and every vegetable in the world. Banana peppers, Sproutskies. Alfalfa. And you just slam it on rye bread with mayo.

Where can people buy your music?

I’m working on a CD but it’s not available for sale yet. You can hear her music on MySpace.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Busking in metro stations [laughter].

We hope you know more about the 100 people project now and will want to participate, did we mention, it’s FREE?

This photograph was taken by Kirsten an amazing photographer from New York City who was along for this shoot, if your going to New York and you want a portrait
session while there. Kirsten would be more than happy to help you out. You can get in touch with her through using our contact form at the top.

Here’s our personal favorite of the day…those eyes could rob a bank!

Don’t forget to leave them some comments.

So now you’re wondering “what do those balloons say?” And “what is the meaning behind it all?” Well, for this shoot we asked them to write one word that comes to mind when they think of one another. Tiara wrote “Love” which is very fitting for these two but Jose cheated and wrote “Devastatingly Beautiful”. Who can blame him though? Not us.


We ended  the shoot with Jose playing a little guitar to Tiara on the bank of the North Saskatchewan river. Jose said he plays on and off but whoa… the man is amazing!

Friday, October 23rd Harvey had an appointment to get his 4 Wisdom Teeth removed at the oral surgeons office in Edmonton. This day has been a long time coming. We’ve had to play out every possible scenario for a month now! He is really nervous! It’s his first time “going under” and I think that is the worst part for him…worse than the pain even! He was loopy and wobbly and confused and whiny for three solid days! This weekend has been full of relaxation for him and constant, vigilant supervision for me (honestly it’s been like watching an infant)! Harvey promises to return all your emails on Monday and if he has already replied (despite my best efforts to encourage relaxation and recuperation) and it seems odd… please forgive him, he’s on pain medication.

Oh yeah and the first thing he requested after waking up…gravy! Piping hot gravy (yes he actually said “piping hot”). And no, just in case you’re wondering, it’s not on the list of liquids you can drink after surgery. Go figure.

-Samantha

One last thing, don’t forget to check out the NEW video at the end of this post.