James ArdenYork Acoustic have re-released their Boss Caine @ Bison Coffee videos on our sister site, oneandother.tv – read on for a behind-the-scenes account of the shoot!
After a series of late-night emails and whisky-fuelled bar meetings, 25 January 2012 finally came – the day of our scheduled shoot in Bison Coffee House and Vintage Store on Heslington Road; the first York Acoustic session outside the city walls.
A mere two minutes walk from my house on Wellington St, I strolled through the alleyways to glimpse Ben Bentley, our very talented stills photographer and all-round photo-wizard, gathering his equipment from the boot of his car.
Straining to recognise faces through the misty glass of the door, Ben and I crossed the threshold as the smell of fresh coffee entered the nostrils. By the window, two men were immersed in a game of chess (one of which, as it happened, turned out to be Tim Fox of Fox North Coalition, whom York Acoustic shot with in early March). After greeting Gavin Burke – Bison Coffee owner, ex-radio DJ and harbourer of musical knowledge – we made our way past the coffee pots, deer antlers and battered record player to the back room, where our second cameraman, the incredible Oliver Richards, was waiting for us. Shortly afterwards, the immeasurably talented Dan Lucas, aka Boss Caine, walked in, dishing out handshakes with one hand, clutching his guitar case in the other.
Surveying our Americana surroundings, we began to turn the room upside down, much to the intrigue of some student customers. To say I improvise when directing a shoot is an understatement, but I believe there is value in ‘going with the flow’; a philosophy that particularly suits the ideas behind York Acoustic.
Case in point: Ben’s light bulbs had blown, so instead of panicking we decided to use the various light sources found in the back room, as well as moving numerous candles from table to table. I feel the end result aptly captures the warm, vintage atmosphere of the room.
It really was warm, too. Having kept his hat and scarf on during earlier shots, I refused to let Dan take them off as the shoot went on. I sympathised, but continuity matters!
One caffeine-fuelled afternoon of magic later, we wrapped on both songs and went our separate ways.
For those of you who are yet to experience the songs of Boss Caine, I really hope our videos show you just how talented he is. With the husky vocals of a northern Tom Waits, his unique Yorkshire-brewed take on Americana, Folk, Country, Blues and Rock is a sight and sound to behold. Lost in Dan’s music, both Ollie and I constantly had to remind ourselves we were in the middle of a take.
Dan is currently recording his new album, so make sure to follow him on Facebook to keep up to date.
But enough from me – head over to oneandother.tv and enjoy the videos here!
