June 2013
To Mick:
Today I was jolted awake. I was given the worst possible news anyone could receive. My friend Mick is gone. My world is shattered. My friends (most of whom he introduced us to each other) all lose our balance knowing that we held each other up… and with one of us gone, we lose the solidarity we had knowing he was there for us, no matter what happened, no matter what was going on, as we were there for him. When I started this whole photography thing (and at the time, i assure you, it was a “thing” at that point) He believed in me SO much. 18 Visions was the first band I worked with, literally every time they came around, and Mick was the one who coordinated all the shoots we did. My first book “Bring The Noise” - my first book of music photography basically had 100 band photos, and id say 10% were mick or 18 V. When I needed someone to write a forward, Mick was the first person I asked, and he wrote an INCREDIBLE forward for my book which became our first major project together. We then did my first calendar ever, which was the MickDeth calendar - something we were both SO proud of, A collection of our work together, which we were both so stoked on. Like an older brother, he would constantly suggest people i NEEDED to meet, because they were “rad as fuck!” and in turn hes introduced me to most of my amazing friends. (Jessie, Chris, Hanna, Dfid, Kylekore, James, and SO many more). Many lost track after 18V went under. He has a beautiful son named Jude with the love of his life Ashley, and faced the duality of trying to remain a rock star and transition to becoming a father and provider. It was a struggle for a long time, but he finally got there. Everyone was SO proud of him. The same pride he took in us, his friends, his family of misfits, that he put together. Now they face this with out him, and for that I could not be more heart broken. He was a beacon of strength when anyone around him needed it. He was our rock. He was our jagger! I am so grateful for every second, every memory, every moment we got to share together. I reflect on these gifts youve given to us, as i lay awake on a couch of a person i met when you first had her stay on my couch… i reflect on your music, these incredible life long friends, everything that you are is a gift to us. Thank You Mick. I love you and ill miss you SO much. <3
