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Shane Collins

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The Okanagan’s been my home since I was born. Life has taken me across the planet several times and through that transient lifestyle I developed a journalistic style to my photography and to my writing. My influences would be that of James Nachtwey, Annie Lebovitz, Ashley Maile, Hunter S Thompson, Leonard Cohen, Tom Waits, Tom Robbins, Wes Anderson and Charles Bukowski. The world outside this incredible valley, its cultures and its mystery is what’s kept me working and trying to save my money, so I can keep getting back into the world. That’s the way it used to be. Covid has opened my eyes to the land I call my home and there are so many tales to tell right here in BC. From tales of the impoverished to the neglected to those who overcome adversity, to the spirit to overcome fear, the power of storytelling has never been more relevant. I’ve always been a storyteller. There’s a tale worth telling in every neighborhood. I just happen to write about what happens to me along the way and I’ve kept them close to my heart, hoping one day I’ll have an outlet so I can tell those stories the best way I know how; by writing them down. From adventures of long ago, both here or maybe far away, future interviews with musicians, artists of all kinds, the coverage of events, the people I meet along the way, whatever I get up to I intend to have you as my guest as I go back in time and dig up the bones of those old adventures or chase down new ones. Through the alchemy of storytelling, you can come along with me if you like. Before Covid-19 I was really coming into my own photographing live shows; punk rock bands, hip hop showcases, tattoo portraits, rock climbing adventures, Femme Fatale burlesque performances you name it, the phone was finally beginning to ring. Then Covid showed up like a hurricane and I guess it wiped us all out in one way or another. I have a real bone to pick with Covid-19 and if I can share some stories for our readers to enjoy, I’ll do that and when we can return to live music and to foreign travel and we can safely get to working on mending what’s been damaged I tell you I want to be ringside like Joe Rogan commentating on Covid getting its ass whooped. I want to see it tap out and watch us overcome this hardship, raise our collective hands triumphantly and move on into whatever new normal is waiting for us. I’ll be there and through my eyes, just like the boss man, Hunter himself, I’ll do it in Gonzo fashion and bring you kicking and screaming along with me. So hold on tight and dig in. It might not always be pretty but I won’t call it all ugly, neither. That’s for you to decide. My name is Shane Collins and I hope you’ll read along with me and our team here at Gonzookanagan.com

Dare to Dream

Dare to Dream Photo credit and copyrights to Shane Collins & Gonzo Okanagan My footsteps echoed down the narrow hallway as I walked toward the backstage...

Denim on the Diamond 2022

Denim on the Diamond 2022 Photo credit and copyrights to Shane Collins & Gonzo Okanagan As the summer began its countdown, thousands of concert goers poured...

Coffee in Kelowna: Melissa Dinwoodie

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Coffee in Kelowna: Melissa Dinwoodie Story by Shane Collins Photo credit and copyrights to Shane Collins & Gonzo Okanagan To begin. How to begin? It’s a perplexing...

Coffee in Kelowna: Leila Neverland

Coffee in Kelowna: Leila Neverland Photo credit and copyrights to Shane Collins & Gonzo Okanagan Lightning ripped across the blackened sky last night. I was out...

Oh the sweet, sweet sounds of summer

Oh the sweet, sweet sounds of summer Photo credit and copyrights to Shane Collins & Gonzo Okanagan How’s everyone doing out there? The summer has flown...

Golf. Music. Community.

GOLF. MUSIC. COMMUNITY. Photo credit and copyrights to Shane Collins & Gonzo Okanagan The summer showed up, just in time for Gonzo Okanagan’s 3rd golf tournament,...

It’s time to golf with Gonzo Okanagan

It's time to golf with Gonzo Okanagan Illustrations and Story by Shane Collins Copywrite Gonzo Okanagan I keep looking up to the sky these days. Heavy, bloated clouds...

Rockin’ out on Rowcliffe

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Rockin' out on Rowcliffe Photo credit and copyrights to Shane Collins & Gonzo Okanagan The spring weather of 2022 has been having some sort of bipolar...

Born to Act: A conversation with Kim Coates

Born to Act: A conversation with Kim Coates By Shane Collins I had received a phone call from Carly Fawcett and she informed me that she...

Worth It: Tallying up the costs of the live show experience

Worth it: Tallying up the costs of the live show experience Photo credit and copyrights to Shane Collins & Gonzo Okanagan Let’s face it. The costs of...