Roll It! Take it! Media, LLC: The News!

Hi,
since I'm spending alot of time out of town this summer, I'm picking up more and more reading material on my days off.
Here's two books I'm reading at the moment that I'd recommend.


Hope you had a good Spring and are ready for Summer.
Be well,
Ken

Last Sunday night I had the honor of directing the video coverage of the Rage Against the Machine Reunion at Coachella in Indio, CA.
It was definately a career highlight for me, and if you want to get an idea of what the event was like take a look at the clip below, as well as other video audience members shot on that night. Enjoy.
-Ken

Here's the latest clip added to the Roll It! Take It! Archive on YouTube.com.
It's the almighty Garbage performing "Special" in Milwaukee on May 5, 2002.
Enjoy!

It's was a busy December to round out the year. I finally managed to find some time to post some of my work on YouTube.
Many people ask me question about what I "do", or how I "do" it and posting examples on YouTube seemed likethe best way to show the world.
I'll be updating the clips there at least twice a month.
Check it out at:
RolI It! Take IT! on You Tube.
The final week was spent at Smart Studios in Madison mixing the next Tangy cd. At the moment we're going to call it "Sorta Like Very Ultra" because that phrase easily reflects the music contained within the cd.
We took some pics, and as I get the code sorted out I'll post them.

In the meantime have a great 2007.
Stay tuned!
-Ken

It was a wild summer! Directing at Summerfest, Lollapalooza, and the Austin City Limits Festival was a gas.
You can see some of the fun we had in the Photo Gallery.
You can read about some of my exploits in a new article
written by Rob Thomas of The Capital Times.
The Cap Times is the *other* major paper here in Madison, and has been nice enough to cover some of my other productions in the past.

Big thanks Rob, and thanks to all the folks I worked with this past summe who made it such a great time especially to folks at Capitol Sports and Entertainment in Austin, and the guys at Third Wave Productions in Chicago.

Next up is sports, sports, sports...plenty of football, hockey, and basketball in the schdule!
Thanks for stopping by and stay tuned!
-Ken

Some of my work as a video director at Lollapalooza is now archived at the "AT&T Blueroom" for you to check out.
I was lucky enough to direct both sets by The Racontuers and Ben Kweller. You can click on those links when the media player launches to view 3 cuts from each artist.
Enjoy!
-Ken

"Your brain will talk you out of many things.That's why you go with your gut"

"Take a chance! If you stand still you only get older"
-Robert Evans
Big week this week with Lollapalooza, I'm ready. Been watching the game tapes, and I just found out we're using only the baddest digial expando broadcat truck in the country. Ladies and gents, here's my home for the next few days...
Definately a step up from the "nice rack" at Sumemrfest.
As if that's not cool enough, there's some kick ass music as well, ending up with the Red Hot Chili Peppers on Sunday.
Can't wait.
be well,
Ken

Video producer here is on a roll By Doug Moe
IT HAS been quite a year for Madison video producer/director Ken LaBarre. He gained a daughter, nearly lost a leg, and spent an intense week in Texas in September capturing on video bands like Coldplay and the Black Crowes at the Austin City Limits Music Festival.
Click HERE to read the rest of the article.

Big thanks to Doug for inclusion in his wonderful column.
Stay tuned!
-Ken

It's off to Milwaukee this weekend to direct at Summerfest!
The fine folks at Mindpool Productions have been hired by Miller to provideo IMAG video support for the Miller Oasis Stage as well as the Marcus Ampitheater. So for the next 8 days or so I'll be directing at the Oasis and running camera at the Marcus.
The first three night of my schedule are going to be a hoot with The BoDeans tonight, David Lee Roth tomorrow night, and Los Lonely Boys on Sat. night.
No idea who I've got on Sunday, I'mnot thinking that far ahead!
I'm looking forward to seeing all the bands, but DLR is my fave from the old days. I saw the original, and best VH lineup in Denver in '84, and I've seen video of Dave's act a couple of years ago. I'm looking forward to the hits, the kicks, and the wise cracks as always!
"Look at all the people here toniiiight! or "One break...coming uuuup!"
Can't wait.
-Ken

That's right, this past Tuesday saw the release of the Austin City Limits Festival 2005 DVD!
This is my first commerical live music release as a director which is very exciting and very gratifying.
The ACL folks are top class, and this DVD shows it. Greatrvideo and audio, as well as tons of extra "behind the scenes" featurettes.
My favorite performance has to be Bloc Party. I really dug their music, and thought our crew shot the hell out of their performance. Great band.

If you want to pickup a copy of the DVD you can order it from AMAZON.COM as well as your local music retailer.
Click on the "Buy" button on the right if you want to buy a copy through LaBarre.net.
If you do pick up a copy, drop me a line and let me know what you think.
Cheers,
Ken

This summer I'll be directing at Lollapalooza. Three days, eight stages, and 180 bands all on the lakefront in Chicago's Grant Park. Not to be missed if you are an music fan. There's definately something for everyone and this year's bill is pretty amazing. If you'e got tix drop me an email and we'll hook up on site.

Meanwhile I'm finally walking after 2 months of physical therapy. Not sure when I'll be hitting the soccer fields again, but it won't be long.
Can't wait.
Speaking of soccer, be sure to tune into ABC and ESPN to cheer on the US Men's National Team at the World Cup in Germany. It is the biggest sport in the world and our team needs plenty of support due to the tough competition.
As for other biz, I'll be putting video clips online soon of my work with various national and local artists.
Hit my guestbook if you have any questions.
Be well
-Ken

I have to pleasure of directing all of the home games for the UW Badger Hockey team so it's very gratifying to see them win the national championship.
Last night I directed the "Welcome Home"" ceremony at the Kohl Center. The show aired live on the local CBS/UPN affiliate, but you can see the whole thing right
HERE Big thanks to UWBadgers.com for the video.

In other news I'm recovering from ACL replacement surgery so my workload has been a bit lighter than usual. Right now I'm editing the 2006 Madison Area Music Awards, as well as a live concert video for Roadruner Records artist Last Crack. Look for clips of both on the site soon.
Stay tuned!
-Ken

I've added some pix of some of the acts I directed at this year's Austin City Limits Festival to the site's phto gallery. To see them all, click on the "Photos" link to the right----> The pix are courtesy of the photo gallery at www.austincitylimits.com and you should check out the whole collection. There are some greta shots of some excellent acts there doing what they do best.
Enjoy!
-Ken

If you're like me you like to always keep up on what's "out there" in the music world.
One of the best gauges for what's up in the UK is a national music competition called "The Mercury Prize".
Rock, Rap, Folk, Traditional, and non-Traditional are all represented in this contest, and in the end the person who investigates all of these acts is the winner no matter who takes home the prize.

You may have only heard of one or two of these bands, most notably Coldplay, but the rest are equally as good and warrent closer examination. So fire up Itunes, head down to your local indie cd store, or fire up your fave torrent program and take a listen to all of these.

Antony and the Johnsons - I Am A Bird Now
Bloc Party - Silent Alarm
Coldplay - X&Y
The Go! Team - Thunder, Lightning, Strike
Hard-Fi - Stars of CCTV
Kaiser Chiefs - Employment
KT Tunstall - Eye to the Telescope
The Magic Numbers - The Magic Numbers
Maximo Park - A Certain Trigger
MIA - Arular
Polar Bear - Held on the Tips of Fingers
Seth Lakeman - Kitty Jay Did

Personally I recommend Bloc Party, MIA. The Go! Team, Hard-Fi, Anthony and the Johnsons, and The Magic Numbers but all of them are great.

One more thing:
If you do download to take a listen, make sure you BUY the cds you prefer to keep.
These artists, like anyone who works for a living, rely on people buying their work to feed themselves and their families. If you like them reward their hard work buy paying for the cds.

Enjoy!
-Ken

It's Friday and I think I've finally recovered from my great week in Austin, TX directing at the Austin City Limits Festival.
My family came along for the trip to see old friends while I worked, and this was the first trip we've ever taken where we had to make plans to escape a possible hurricane landing.Luckily Rita missed us, but it still hit Galveston which was not good for anyone on the Gulf Coast. Send good thoughts and a Red Cross contribution their way if you can.

As for the ACL Fest...
it was amazing. Highlights included Kasabian, Gov't. Mule, The Black Crowes, Bloc Party, Doves, Oasis, Wilco, Arcade Fire, The Frames, and Spoon.
If you want to go to a first class US festical that rivals the great UK Festivals like Glastonbury, Leeds, T in the Park, ACL is your best bet.
Four main stages, plus a bunch of smaller stages.
The only complication was the heat which was setting record highs everyday I was there. Major props to the fans who hung in there at midday to see their favorite acts rock out in the 108F heat.
One other cool thing about my job was the fact that I got to work with the cream of the crop of Austin's film and video community. A group of real pros. Personally very open and very solid their craft.
I can't thank them enough.

So now it's back to directing College Football. This weekend I've got a great Big Ten matchup with the UW vs. Indiana.
Also, the hockey season is just around the corner, and that's my bread and butter for the winter and spring.
Look for pix and updates here in the future.
Cheers,
Ken