Photographer, bass player and consumer of cheese sandwiches.
I love raucous punk gigs at night and the solitude and quiet of early mornings spent in the wilderness. Sometimes without even sleeping in between. Because I'm always on the go, I have become very skilled at napping in scenic locations and I could probably make a pot of coffee with just a tin can and a match if it I had to.
I have played bass in several Calgary punk and metal bands (The Rigormorticians, Mr. Happy & The Remains, Mutation Farm, Fist Kitten and The Hormones to name only a few) before relocating to Revelstoke in 2024. Having recently joined another band (name TBD although the working title is hilarious and you can ask me about it in person) I'm looking forward to continuing my progression into middle aged mediocre bass player desperately trying to hang on to some semblance of relevance and former glory.
My experience playing in a band and being stage has helped me develop a keen understanding of crowds, strong opinions on live gig photo etiquette and a new found appreciation for gas stations that stock reasonably healthy to go food options. What that means for you is that I have become a courteous and intuitive live gig photographer. My band photos have been described as "raw and honest" you can have a look at them here
I love finding interesting compositions in difficult locations which is probably why I'm drawn to areas of photography that many others find too stressful or frustrating. Whether it's chasing a frantic singer under dim stage lighting, or climbing a mountain in the dark by myself only for the sunrise to be a bust for the third weekend in a row, I pride myself in being able to rise to challenges with a sense of humour and if something goes wrong I can laugh it off, knowing that it will probably make for a good story later on. If stories aren't really your thing, head on over to my gallery and if you see something you love, I do have prints available.
Preferred drink: Craft Beer or Coffee depending on the time of day
Current Favourite Author: Joe Simpson
Current Favourite Local Band: Bogue Brigade (Edmonton)
Current Grilled Cheese Sandwich Obsession: Brie, sundried tomato, red onion
Past Exhibitions:
2013 - Exposure Photo Festival - Upcoming Artist Finalist
2013 - 6th Degree Collective Group Show at Dickens Pub
2014 - "Home" - 6th Degree Collective Group Show (pop up)
2015 - "Underground" - solo show at Verns
2018 - "Prairie Photos and Pints" - solo show at Prairie Dog Brewing
2018 - "Rachel Notley's Art from the Unknown" (Edmonton) - Group show
2019 - "Where in the World is Llisa Bastard" - solo pop up show series at various City of Calgary Parks
Selected Press:
Five Events to See in Calgary Herald - Exposure
You can find me on the socials
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/llisabastard
Facebook: Llisa Bastard Photography