Bill Gray - 1 Snap Music! Founder Bio

Bill Gray (l) and Derrick “Mayday” May (r) at Be Club, Auckland, New Zealand, April 2010.

1 Snap Music! was founded in early 2010 by Bill Gray in order to present in a wilder, rawer, more visceral and artistic style of underground club photography generally not seen elsewhere.

The whole idea behind 1 Snap Music! is to present photographs that are truer to the vibe of a night at an underground club. Bill has found this vibe is often chaotic, powerfully sensual and gut wrenchingly direct. And, since no other photographer in the area was presenting the scene in it’s purest, artistic expressive form, Bill took it upon himself to do just that.

Bill Gray is a premier fine art underground club scene photographer currently living in Auckland, New Zealand whose work is constantly praised by those in the community.

Bill has photographed such notables as Carl Cox, Sharam, Ilse Violin, Shannon Ryan and Dan Aux, DJ Cash Money, DJ Norman Jay, Danielle Moore, Lord Bishop, Mystro, HavocNdeeD, Jillionaire, Hollie Smith, DJ Kentaro, DJ Pinch, Derrick May, MTron Bomb, Kevin Mark Trail, Riva Starr, DJ Zinc, Colin Mathura-Jeffree, Dam Funk, Mampi Swift & MC IC3, Yolanda Be Cool, Steve Aoki, Bag Raiders, Laidback Luke and many, many more.

Bill was born in the United States and is of Western African, Native American and Western European descent.

Bill’s interests include photography, art, music, fashion, technology, science, meditation, clubbing and, of course, fun, outgoing people.

From a very young age Bill displayed a high aptitude for science and art, and he won his first art competition at the age of five. Throughout his education Bill was always at the top of his class in art and science.

At the age of twenty-three Bill relocated to Los Angeles and served as a consultant to Warner Brothers Records for several years, as well as numerous other high profile companies in the Southern California area.

Bill served as a consultant to numerous government agencies and high profile companies in the Washington, D.C. area prior to relocating to Los Angeles.

Known for his no nonsense, yet relaxed and outgoing manner, Bill easily makes friends wherever he goes. He’s frequently seen around the various Auckland nightspots where he’s been known to rock the party until the break of dawn.

To contact Bill Gray, please call +64-(0)21-293-4353 or check out 1 Snap Music! on Facebook.

A Shift In Focus – Resetting The Website

Hi all,

I’ve decided it’s time to reset the this blog/website and weed a lot of material that is no longer my focus.

As you can see, over the past several months I’ve become more interested in photographing the wonderful entertainment, nightlight and underground club scene that Auckland has to offer. And, since I have such a love for doing this, I think that it’s time that the website reflect this purely.

I’m working on some new magazine affiliations that will hopefully allow me access to even higher profile events than the ones I attend now.

I’ve, also, got my eye on some new photography gear that will enable me to present even higher quality photos to you.

The gear I have in mind will fit within my low tech approach of ‘one camera, one lens, one flash’. I’m not really interested in the technicalities of photography and I couldn’t care less about what other photographers are doing nor how expensive or how flash their gear is. Just give me a good simple camera with a high quality sensor, a good sharp lens and a powerful flash, and I’ve got all I need to take a great photo - everything else is superfluous.

I don’t need diffusers or ring flashes that can and do cost hundreds. Give me a white plastic bag, tape, rubber bands and some tubing, and I can make my own in a few minutes. And, the results will be the same as someone who spent thousands on their setup. ;)

Kind regards

Shots Of The Day - Colin Mathura-Jeffree @ SPQR

Hi all,

Last Wednesday night everyone’s favourite New Zealand’s Next Top Model judge, Colin Mathura-Jeffree, celebrated his birthday with a intimate group of family and friends over at popular Ponsonby nightspot, SPQR.

I was fortunate enough to attend, even though I did arrive very late. By the time I got there either most people had gone home or were so drunk that having a conversation with them proved to be quite a challenge.

It was all good though.

I even gave Colin a birthday kiss on the lips – no tongue was involved - which he seemed to quite enjoy! ;)

Kind regards

Shots Of The Day - Dâm Funk (USA) @ Fu Bar

Here they are, peeps – my best shots from Thursday night’s Dâm Funk @ Fu Bar gig!

I hope you enjoy viewing them as much as I enjoyed taking them.

Holla!

Dâm Funk (USA) @ Fu Bar Photoset Preview

Hi all,

Just a little taste from the Dâm Funk @ Fu Bar gig which ended a few hours ago. All I’ll say about it right now is that Dâm put on one hell of a show.

Please be on the lookout for more photos from the gig shortly!

Kind regards

Shots Of The Day - Special Session @ Old Skate Factory

Here they are – my best shots from the Special Session @ Old Skate Factory gig.

Enjoy!

Shots Of The Day - Detroit Techno @ Cassette #9

Hi all,

Here are my best shots from The History of Dance: Detroit Techno gig that jumped off at Cassette #9 last Saturday night.

I didn’t get there until really late that night so a lot of the crowd had ebbed by then. Also, I was really tired, so the photos aren’t up to my usual standards nor are there as many as I normally present for your viewing pleasure. However, I do hope you enjoy them regardless! ;)

Kind regards

Shots Of The Day – DJ Zinc (UK) @ Ink/Coherent

Aight, people! You know the drill anyway. However, in case you don’t, here are my best shots from the DJ Zinc @ Ink/Coherent gig.

It was another crazy, off-the-hook night and me and my crew had massive fun!

I think I finally made it home about 9:30am the next morning, a little worse for wear, but with a huge smile on my face! ;)

Kind regards

Special Session @ Old Skate Factory Photoset Preview

Aight, peeps! Just a little taste from the Special Session gig, which was held at the Old Skate Factory on K’rd.

The gig was about as underground as it gets. And, because of that, quite a few people there did not want their photo taken. It was all good though as I always respect the wishes of the person, and if they don’t want to be photographed, I apologize for bothering them and move on to the next subject.

Little tired now so I’m going to sleep. Keep it locked though!

Detroit Techno @ Cassette #9 Photoset Preview

Aight, peeps! Just a few preview shots from 'The History of Dance: Detroit Techno' gig that jumped off at Cassette #9 last night.

Not much to say as I’m tired, tired, tired and need to go to bed!

DJ Zinc (UK) @ Ink/Coherent Photoset Preview

Alright, people! Massive fun was had last night at Ink/Coherent with DJ Zinc performing a killer set for us all and me and my crew getting up all sorts of shenanigans. ;)

Just as a little taste of what went down, above are a few photos for your viewing pleasure.

Please be on the lookout for more snaps from the night to follow!

Kind regards

Upcoming – DJ Zinc (UK) @ Ink/Coherent (Audio)

Friday, 7 May 2010
DJ Zinc at Ink & Coherent, 268 Karangahape Road, Newton
Doors open at 10pm. Tickets $25

promoter says...

Ink and Coherent are proud to bring you DJ Zinc on Friday May 7th

One of the most revered drum and bass and jungle djs on the planet, DJ Zinc has reinvented himself and at the same time crafted a whole new genre of music called Crackhouse which takes the deep bass sounds of jungle/drum and bass over house beats to create music taking the world by storm.

This will be the show of the year DJ Zinc playing to strictly limited numbers at Coherent with huge support from Churchill, Fisken, Dick Johnson, Nick D and more.

Source/Mukuna.co.nz

Zinc July CrackHouse Mix by DJ Zinc

DJ Mix – Derrick May (USA) on BBC 6 Music 6 Mix (Audio)

Hey y’all,

My main man, Mr. Derrick “Mayday” May, has presented a new DJ mix on BBC 6 Music 6 Mix.

Here’s what BBC Music 6 has to say about it:

6 Mix celebrates the May Day weekend with a brand new mix from techno pioneer Derrick May. Derrick - best known for his 1987 dance anthem Strings of Life under the name Rhythim Is Rhythim - has been an iconic name on the techno scene for over twenty years, DJing worldwide to a devoted fan base. Hailing from Detroit, Michigan, May's work - alongside fellow DJs Juan Atkins and Inner City's Kevin Saunderson - has provided the catalyst for a number of producers worldwide. In his latest 6 Music show Derrick plays a selection of tunes which have influenced and inspired him including tracks by Brian Eno, Peven Everett and Model 500. There's also a brand new 'Mayday' club mix featuring hot new material from his label - Transmat Recordings - and a selection of tracks of Derrick's favourite album of 2010 so far; Gil Scott Heron's 'I'm New Here.'

Now, you can listen to Derrick’s new mix via the link above or, if you’re feelin’ a little naughty, you can download it if you look around the Net a little bit for it. *hint, hint*

Kind regards

P.S. Here’s a track listing I just found for Derrick’s mix:

1. Gil Scott-Heron — Where Did the Night Go
2. Luke Hess — The Way
3. Brian Eno & Mobius — Foreign Affairs
4. Cyberton — Alley Of Your Mind
5. Model 500 — Nightdrive
6. Gil Scott-Heron — The Crutch
7. Seun Kuti — Fire Dance
8. Orlando Voorn — Power Of Beauty
9. Kenny Larkin — Unknown
10. Acoustic High End Research — Acid Child
11. Anthony Shakir — Arise
12. Matthias Meyer — Infinity
13. Kapuchon and Benny Rodrigues — Reel
14. Cesar Merveille — Chocopop Jazz
15. Ibex 360EP — 360 (Dub mix)
16. Glenn Underground — Afro
17. GummiHz — One Groove & Synth
18. Karizma A Mind Of Its Own — The Ganni
19. Robert Bosco — Club
20. Ben Klock — Viscoplastic
21. DVS1 — Searching
22. Karizma Feat.Taylor McFerrin — Georgia
23. Joakim Lone — Meeting Blue Ice
24. Orlando B — Melancholy
25. Jona — Secret
26. Autotune — Dirty
27. Gil Scott-Heron — Your Soul & Mine
28. [unknown] — Sexy & Strange
29. Tr — Naive Track
30. Viscoplastic — Unknown
31. [unknown] — White Label
32. Peven Everett — I Can't Believe I Loved Her
33. Salvatone Eneda — Bruschetta
34. Flamuri — I Populat
35. Untitled

Shots Of The Day – Riva Starr (Italy) @ Be Club

Hi all,

Here they are - my best shots from Riva Starr @ Be Club taken on the night of April 30th.

It was a crazy night and Riva and the rest of the DJs really got us all going!

There are so many stories I could tell you about what went down that night. However, I wont because I’d rather not embarrass anyone, including myself. ;)

Kind regards

Riva Starr (Italy) @ Be Club Photoset Preview

Alright, peeps! Just a little taste of what went down last night at Be Club with Riva Starr.

Please be on the lookout for more photos from the gig!

Upcoming – Riva Starr (Italy) @ Be Club (Video)

Friday, 30 April, 10PM

Riva Starr (Italy), Dick Johnson, Daniel Farley, Maya & Vanya, Mark Emerson, Beat Mafia

Be Club, 8 Commerce Street, CBD

GENRE: house
Featuring
Riva Starr (Italy)

With support from
Dick Johnson
Daniel Farley
Maya & Vanya
Mark Emerson
Beat Mafia
Ditto* Live

promoter says...

Riva Starr IS the sound of chunky, jackin' house in 2010 and this is his debut NZ performance — which makes for an unmissable opportunity to say "I was drunk, at Riva Starr!"

He's remixed absolutely everything from Major Lazer to The Doors. With last year's smash "I Was Drunk", his album If Life Gives You Lemons Make Lemonade and Beatport chart toppers such as his remix of Malente's "I Like it" and Reboots "Enjoy Music" Riva Starr is an unstoppable machine in 2010 both in the studio and behind the decks!

You simply don't want to let this one pass you by — whether you're an overground or underground dance music lover, you're in for a treat. Source/Mukuna.co.nz

Shots Of The Day – Hit It and Quit It Revue @ Khuja Lounge

Hi all,

Here are my best shoots from last week’s Hit It and Quit It Revue which was held at Khuja Lounge.

Kind regards

Shots Of The Day - Thursday Tea Party @ Cassette #9

Hi all,

Here are my best shots from Thursday Tea Party @ Cassette #9.

Not much to say about this one as I have a serious backlog at the moment. So I don’t feel like writing much. Also, the photos are about as ‘straight’ as you’ll ever see from me as I don’t even have time to do my usual post-processing magic on them.

Kind regards

Thursday Tea Party @ Cassette #9 Photoset Preview

Hi all,

Last Thursday evening, after the Kevin Mark Trail gig at Kfm 106.9, I happened to stumble into Cassette #9 looking for something interesting to do. Well, little did I know that their ‘Thursday Tea Party’ was jumpin’ off and that a lot of people there were decked out as pirates and whatnot!

Anyway, yeah! It was such a fun night that I wound up staying until closing and then hung out with friends and crew of the club until a bit after Sunrise.

Please be on the lookout for more photos from the night!

Kind regards

Shots Of The Day – Kevin Mark Trail (UK) @ Kfm 106.9

Hi all,

Here are my photos from an evening with Kevin Mark Trail at Kfm 106.9 last Thursday.

As I mentioned earlier, Kevin performed a quite good acoustic set for us all, and most people there seemed to really enjoy it. While I’ll admit that sort of music isn’t really my thing I did enjoy my evening none the less as well.

Kind regards

P.S. I’ve embedded a video of one of Kevin’s live acoustic performances as an example of what went down at Kfm 106.9 that night.

Shots Of The Day – Ghetto Vibes Int @ Africa Bar

Alright, peeps! Here they are, finally! My best shots from Ghetto Vibes International at Africa Bar.

All and all, it was a nice night, even though some fool got upset that I was going to take his picture and decided to punch the wall to show his displeasure. Not to worry though because I called security on him and he was quickly escorted out, then the rest of us enjoyed our evening in peace.

What can I say? I guess some people can’t handle their liquor! ;)

Kind regards

Kevin Mark Trail (UK) @ Kfm 106.9 Photoset preview

 

Hi all,

Just a little taste from an enjoyably intimate acoustic performance given by Kevin Mark Trail at the Kfm 106.9 studio last Thursday evening.

Please be on the lookout for more photos from the evening.

Kind regards

Shots Of The Day – Derrick May (USA) @ Be Club!

Alright, people! Here they are, my best shots from the knockout Derrick May gig at Be Club last Thursday night/Friday morning.

I have more photos of Derrick himself. However, I need to clear them with his agent first before I publish them.

I didn’t get very creative with the post-processing on the photos this time as I have a backlog and people keep asking me about them – like they paid me for them *ahem*. ;)

Kind regards

Upcoming - Kevin Mark Trail (UK) @ Kfm 106.9

Date:    Thursday, April 22, 2010
Time:    7:30pm - 11:55pm
Location:    Kfm 106.9, 208 Karangahape Road, Newton, Auckland (upstairs)

Kevin Mark Trail with support from the Mercs and Hui-a

An intimate gig for Friends and Whanau

British R&B / soul / reggae / hip hop singer-songwriter Kevin Mark Trail will play an intimate one night only gig at Kfm 106.9 next Thursday 22nd April.

Featuring on the first single, Pathway, from Nathan Haines most recent album Heaven and Earth guests will have an opportunity to listen to Kevin's own work.

He has released one album so far, Just Living, which spawned three singles, "Perspective", "D Thames" and "Last Night". Kevin rose to fame, by appearing on two tracks on The Streets debut album Original Pirate Material, including the hit single "Let's Push Things Forward".

Thanks to Tohu Wines for your support.

Kfm 106.9 has been broadcasting a quality sound for a discerning ear for the last six years which fuses reggae, dub, downbeat, lounge, soul and funk. We are a low frequency station which promotes social consciousness and genres not championed by our mainstream counterparts.

The engine that powers Kfm106.9 is a community of fifty DJs who volunteer their time simply for the love of music. We broadcast from the cultural and artistic hub of Auckland’s CBD, Karangahape Rd. We began our humble beginnings in a tiny studio in St Kevin's Arcade and now have our own place which encompasses a Tea Shop, Ta Moko Studio, Art Gallery, Community Space and of course Kfm.

Source/Kfm 106.9

RIP Gifted Unlimited Rhythms Universal (Video)

Revered rapper Guru, born Keith Elam, has reportedly died after a year and a half long battle with cancer.

It’s indeed a sad day for all of his family, friends and fans, of which I am one, and Guru’s presence will most certainly be missed in this era of phony gangster posturing and self aggrandizing vocal diarrhoea that weakly attempts to pass itself of as true Hip Hop.

Remember… Guru stands for Gifted Unlimited Rhythms Universal!

Kind regards

Shots Of The Day – A Colourful Guy and MTron Bomb @ Be Club!

Hi all,

Featured above and below is a shot of myself and a friend, MTron Bomb, taken after the Derrick May gig at Be Club on last Thursday night/Friday morning.

Personally, I think the shot turned out so great that I just had to feature it.

I mean, really? I’m hot, she’s hot. What more could you ask for? ;)

Kind regards

P.S. I'm a nicer looking version of Eddie Murphy, or so I've been told, and Melissa is a nicer looking version of Annie Lennox, according to me! ;)

Deep and Sexy 4 – King Britt (Video)

Shots Of The Day – AKO Fight Night 7 (Ultimate Challenge)

Hi all,

Above are a few snaps I took at AKO Fight Night 7 recently. I was there as a guest of a musician friend, Ilse Violin. Therefore, I was mostly focusing on the entertainment segments of the night and not the actual boxing itself.

Kind regards

Shot Of The Day – Ilse Violin @ AKO Fight Night 7

Hi all,

Featured above is a photo of dear friend of mine, Ilse Violin, taken during her performance at AKO Fight Night 7 a weekend ago.

Kind regards

Ghetto Vibes International @ Africa Bar Photoset Preview

Too Close – Pete Rock & Deda (Video)

Just some Old school East Coast Hip Hop, from the innovator Pete Rock, that I’ve been grooving on while I edit photos. I thought you might enjoy it!

Shots Of The Day – Erbal Blend @ Kfm 106.9!

A’ight, people!

Finally, I got these snaps from the Kfm 106.9 Erbal Blend gig edited and uploaded!

I hope you enjoy the photos as much as I enjoyed taking them.

Kind regards

More Self-portraits!

Derrick May (USA) @ Be Club Photoset Preview

Shot Of The Day – Derrick May (USA) and Bill Gray @ Be Club!

Hi all,

I’ve just now returned home from witnessing the awe inspiring performance of Derrick May at the Be Club!

When I say Derrick knocked ‘em out the box I’m not kidding and I can assure this isn’t some PR bullshit as I have no interest in promoting Derrick or the club he played at.

The photo above was taken around 5AM this morning after Derrick had finished his set and he asked me to take a snap with him without my glasses. He took his off too, in all fairness, and it was both a pleasure and an honour to photographed with such a musical legend as him.

I had a great night and I just loved seeing all my friends, both old and new, at Be Club.

Please be on the lookout for more photos from the night in the days to come.

Kind regards

Shots Of The Day - OoGuN (Nigeria) @ Cassette #9

Hi all,

Sorry for the delay in uploading these. However, a brotha does have a life outside of clubbin’ and snappin’ and I try to live that life to the fullest! ;)

As you can probably tell from the photos, we all had a good time that night! Cassette #9 hosted a good party and OoGun spun a great set!

Unfortunately, the club was hazy that night, and because of that, a lot of light bounced back from my flash into the camera, ruining the exposure. A lot of the shots didn’t turn out the way I expected and I had to trash them. Sorry about that, but until I can figure out some way to cut through haze with the flash that kind of thing will happen.

Kind regards

Upcoming – Derrick May (USA) @ Be Club

Start Time: Thursday, April 15, 2010 at 10:00pm

End Time: Friday, April 16, 2010 at 3:50am

Location: Be Club, 8 Commerce Street, Auckland, New Zealand View Map

Be is honoured to announce Derrick May. A pioneering force in the birth of Detroit Techno, May will be performing one night only with special guests Recloose and Nick D.

SET TIMES

10pm - Nick D
11pm - Recloose
Midnight - DERRICK MAY

Door Sales only $10 - come early don't miss out!

If one name crops up again and again in discussions of techno, it is that of Derrick "Mayday" May. Alongside Atkins, Juan, Craig, Carl and Saunderson, Kevin, May is regarded as one of the kings of the Detroit sound. Inspired by Yello and Kraftwerk, he began to make electronic music with Atkins and Saunderson while studying with them at Belleville High, Detroit. Recording either as Mayday or Rhythim Is Rhythim (occasionally in conjunction with Carl Craig) and generally on his own Transmat Records label, he went on to carve out a new vein in dance music that synthesized the advances of the electro movement with the more challenging end of the House movement - a music that defined "techno". Early cuts such as "Nude Photo" (co-written with Thomas Barnett) and "The Dance", both on Transmat, were inspirational to many. However, it was the release of "Strings Of Life" in 1987 (co-written with Michael James) with its wide appeal to the house music fans of the 80s & 90s, simultaneously brought May his deserved acclaim and Detroit techno to European club-goers.

May went on to cut three tracks on System 7's debut album, before Network released Innovator: Soundtrack For The Tenth Planet in 1991, a six-track EP that comprised some of May's definitive moments to date. In the same year, May was responsible for what Carl Craig has called the finest remix ever, Sueo Latino's "Sueo Latino", itself a reworking of Manuel Goettsching's epic "E2-E4". It was followed in 1992 by Relics, a double album of Transmat's finest moments, heavily featuring Rhythim Is Rhythim, which coincided with a re-release of "Strings Of Life" on the Belgium label Buzz, this time in a drumless version reminiscent of May's "Sueo Latino" remix. More recently, Transmat has been revived following its signing to Sony. This has resulted in the long-awaited release of Rhythim Is Rhythim's 1991 recordings, "Kao-tic Harmony" and "Icon", and the Japanese (and subsequent American) release of a comprehensive Derrick May retrospective, Innovator, which contains all May's work for the Transmat label including remixes and tracks released for the first time.

Source/Be Club

Been Busy!

Hi all,

Last week/weekend was really busy for me! And, as a result, I’ve now got hundreds of photos sitting on the hard drive waiting for me to edit and upload them. I’ll get to them but in my own time though. ;)

I skipped a couple of fashion parties so I could focus on music gigs because that’s what I prefer and enjoy more than hanging around the fashion crowd. While I love fashion and dressing well, I have absolutely no love for the industry itself.

Please be on the lookout for photos from OoGuN at Cassette #9, Erbal Blend @ Kfm 106.9 and the entertainment segments from AKO Fight Night 7 - Ultimate Challenge.

Kind regards