I was thrilled to be able to be able to meet up with Vancouver alt rock/power pop stalwart Craig Northey of The Odds. Having photographed them live several times over the past few years I feel like these guys are now having a total renaissance. Ever seen them play? They rock as hard as ever! Even if for some reason you were't familiar with them, I'm sure you'd recognize at least a few of their songs.
Craig Northey relaxing in his North Vancouver home.
If you were lucky enough to be here during the Olympics, The Odds were the house band for the Molson Canadian Hockey House and also at the Canucks 2010-11 playoffs. Craig is always one to get behind a good cause, and one that he and the rest of The Odds are involved with is the Vancouver Adapted Music Society (VAMS). VAMS supports and promotes musicians with physical disabilities and puts on a concert which pairs VAMS artists with local performers for a night of music called The Strong Sessions. Craig is clearly moved by the experience and I have been there to experience first hand how wonderful and inspiring these collaborations really are.
When not performing with The Odds, Craig is busy at his home studio composing scores for television and film. When I sent him a couple of preview photos of our time together, he pointed out two items of possible concern to his rockstar reputation:
1) His elegant old slippers, which he refers to as 'comfortable lunar wear'. He even confessed to seeing shows at The Commodore Ballroom only to realize that he still had them on upon his arrival.
2) Nick Lowe's 'Labour of Lust' LP being clearly visible.
Most people would agree that the 1958 Fender Esquire nicknamed 'Boog' that he has owned for 23 years and plays everyday will tilt the scales back in his favour. You can hear that guitar on every episode of 'Young Drunk Punk' on CityTV/CBC. Many thanks to Craig for having me 'way up in North Vancouver'.
