30/08/2020
These have been the hardest photos I’ve ever worked on. As you know Mike Noga passed away this week. He was a talented singer and musician and all round nice guy. These photos come from his gigs at Annandale Hotel and The Factory Floor in Marrickville. I remember that Factory Floor gig like it was yesterday. I was so anxious about going but then Mike started talking about how he was having a panic attack and it made me feel less alone, because when we have anxiety or depression we feel like no one could ever understand, when in truth they do because they may be experiencing the exact same thing. Mike made me realise that in his own nervous self-deprecating humorous way.
The last words I said to him was ‘if you're ever in Sydney, I’ll come to a show’ and that will never happen, ever again. And that just tears me up inside.
So, all I have is these photos and the memories they conjure. And his music of course, that will live on for generations.
Let’s just remember the good times. The way his music made us feel. The calmness of his acoustic shows, his songs you’d get so wrapped up in that you’d forget about your problems for a short time. His in between song banter. Those amazing clothes that you never thought you’d pull off as well as he did.
We’ll miss you Mike.
