{ Practice Space }
As you drive down into the underground parking structure you begin to hear it, a low rumbling sound. It gets louder and louder as you descend into the garage until finally you find yourself in the midst of it all – pounding, echoing, reverberating. Welcome to the life of a collegiate taiko player. Due to a lack of practice space, UCLA’s Yukai Daiko practices in this underground structure weekly – arranging the drums on the asphalt, creating vibrations off the concrete walls, and setting off more than a few car alarms in the process.
Scott and I stopped by one of their practices a couple weeks ago to drop off some drinks (because what could make you thirstier than beating big drums in a parking lot?) and to check out their practice. This was the group where I got my taiko start and it lies very close to my heart. It makes me so happy to see these kids playing the drums with the same enthusiasm year after year. Not noticing the stark walls, the stuffy air, the deafening noise – but focusing only on their love of the art and their love for each other.
There was a birthday in the group so cupcakes were in order…
But these boys are too tough for cupcakes.
—
In other news, am looking forward to a fun opportunity this weekend! Hopefully will have an exciting new post for you Monday morning!
Tags: taiko, yukai daiko
June 4th, 2008 at
Hope you have a fun weekend also!
June 4th, 2008 at
It’s great to see such clear photos even though they were taken in a dimly lit garage! :P It’s also good to see these young people making time for the things they really love! ^^
June 5th, 2008 at
such an interesting location. All great photos but 7 and 8 are my favorite.
June 5th, 2008 at
Haha your new profile pic is a crackup.
June 5th, 2008 at
oh i still can’t wait to watch my next taiko performance! hopefully it’ll be soon… maybe one day you’ll see me bangin’ on some drums! now I can’t wait for monday to see your monday post!
June 5th, 2008 at
You played with Yukai? Cool :) I always used to wish that I had gotten into the collegiate taiko scene, you guys always look like you are having fun, and you’re never short of friends, lol.
June 5th, 2008 at
wow…i love your posts too. you pictures are not only brilliantly shot, they’re inspirational too!
June 5th, 2008 at
:) ADRIENNE!!!
beautiful pics as always… send them to danny:) do you mind if i link yur xanga in the next yukai email??? come to 1oth week if you can !!
June 7th, 2008 at
hahah that’s cool ..makin music in the garage =D
June 7th, 2008 at
wow they have to practice in the garage?!
June 8th, 2008 at
how cool is that!!!
June 9th, 2008 at
aahhh.. natsukashiii… the deafening car horns, the dirty feet, and the holes in the drums… glad to see some things don’t change….
but yay for the new shime!!!
MISS YOU
June 9th, 2008 at
nice shooting
if you’d like, you can borrow my 24mm f/1.4 for shoots like this. That thing’ll shoot in the DARK. =) [and at f/1.4, offers a TINY depth of field…]
June 11th, 2008 at
@dimsom –
you should really check taiko out! there are tons of groups in so cal if you’re looking to join :)
@turtlesandbeef –
thank you jana! will make a disc to give to danny soon!
@hypercarrots –
yup. they also practice in the wooden center, but since space is competitive there they spend a lot of the time in the garage!
@sparklzchiq –
miss you too! more photo-ridden xanga updates courtney! and email updates!!
@Eutychus22 –
ooh thanks! i’ve heard awesome things about that lens!!
June 16th, 2008 at
I wanna see a Taiko performance. When’s your next one?
June 18th, 2008 at
@jasminemariephotography –
We’re playing at the Ford Amphitheater July 12 & 13 and also at the OC fair for a few weeks this summer! Let me know if you’re interested!!
June 19th, 2008 at
@adriennephoto –
I’d love to shoot your team sometime. Unfortunately, we’ll be returning from our honeymoon on July 13th. :)