It's all in the timing... Becca & Dougie with guests
This is Colin Usher, drummer, musician, music industry man

Colin Usher (pictured above) is a photographer, designer and digital media specialist based in Nérac, Lot-et-Garonne, Nouvelle Aquitaine, South West France, situated between Bordeaux & Toulouse… in the North Gascogne region.

With Julia Douglas, he is co-creator of Studio Faire, writer, artist residency and creative studios in Nérac.

He specialises in portraiture, editorial, & property for estate agents.  

He has worked with many publications including The Face magazine and The Scotsman as well as theatre companies such as The Traverse Theatre, The Royal Lyceum, Terry Beck Troupe, Philadelphia and Dundee Rep Dance Co.

Much of his work has been used for album covers, promo & press materials as well as featuring in various publications over the years.

Usher Hall Flash Test
Colin Usher playing live supporting The Proclaimers in Scotland with Ten Storeys High

Colin has been a drummer since the age of 10 and professional for many years working in broadcasting environments, live and in the studio. 

Christina Burtner (Pika) from Washington

Having lived in South West France for over 8 years now, Colin has carved a niche locally as an estate agent photographer. He can regularly be seen heading off to a chateau or a stunning character property in the Gers, Lot et Garonne and Tarn departments.  Buying a home in France? Colin gives FREE advice on the ins and outs of the process. Find out more…

The blog is a photographic diary as well as a place to introduce retrospective highlights from Colin’s 30+ years in the media.

Colin is available in South West France. Bordeaux, Toulouse, Dordogne, Lot et Garonne, Gers.

Based in Nérac, Paris, Amsterdam and London are within easy reach.

Commission enquiries
e-mail: colin@colinusher.com
or call +33 (0)6 34 56 10 70 (France)

 

Now releasing music as Mister Colins using his Teenage Engineering samplers and drum machines… from the Mister Colins site:

Over the winter of 2023/4, he discovered the KO-33! by Teenage Engineering, a micro sampler and drum machine that fits in your pocket.

  

Realising that he could now create full tracks with this wee machine and a microphone pointing at his Banjo, Colin got started turning his banjo jams into tracks with beats and chops.

His debut instrumental ‘Becca, Drop It’ came out on August 24th 2024 and was followed very shortly after by ‘Hey, Dougie’, both tunes inspired by the two labradors in his life.

 

Once hooked on Teenage Engineering’s methodology & innovation, Colin grabbed himself a K.O. II (EP-133) and has been getting to grips with its ridiculous sampling power and having fun compiling and releasing new tunes.

 

It's all in the timing... Becca & Dougie with guests

Colin’s Blog

Brigid Collins Artist Site Goes Live

Brigid Collins Artist Site Goes Live

I've spent a few months working with the artist Brigid Collins on her new site. This has been a very welcome activity in these strange pandemic affected times. Her work is not just stunning... I find her work greatly inspiring and thought provoking. This has been a...

The Future’s So Bright, I’m Off To Buy Shades

The Future’s So Bright, I’m Off To Buy Shades

... we hope! Happy New Year to you and best of fortune and health for the coming year. Although it was a very strange 2020, myself & Julia had a rather busy and enjoyable year here in South West France, enjoying this lovely home that we are lucky enough to live in...

Continual Learning During Second Lockdown

Continual Learning During Second Lockdown

Learning to play the banjo has been a real eye opener during this second lockdown.   As a life-long drummer, I never grasped the form of scales and keys.... I never had to!   Finding the right teacher has been essential. For me clawhammer Banjo is also percussive and...

Launched a site to share inspirational tales

Launched a site to share inspirational tales

WAVEBACK Project I’ve been toying with this concept for a few years now, trying to decide how to share some important moments in my life to try and help others, to say thanks, but most importantly to give a little back. I thought about writing a book. Went off the...

It’s the end of lockdown as we know it!

It’s the end of lockdown as we know it!

You can take our lives but you'll never take our freedom! Well, actually, a forced lockdown here in France was almost total revocation of our freedom to move, freedom to travel and freedom to work as we knew it. Here at Studio Faire in Nérac in SW France, we endured a...

And, we (were) off to a great start for the new season

And, we (were) off to a great start for the new season

We've just begun our third year here at Studio Faire in Nérac, South West France. The 4 month break over the winter gave us time to reset, renovate, decorate a bit further and set our goals for 2020. The first week has be a fantastic one, we have welcomed 3 astounding...

Recently shot & edited by Colin in Nérac

Deepa Paulus from New York plays ‘Kayda’ on tabla.
Shot on location in Nérac whist on a 10 day artist residency at Studio Faire.

CHUTES! Colin’s Summer 2017 Exhibition in Agen, France. 

From the Exhibition CHUTES!
From the Exhibition CHUTES!
From the Exhibition CHUTES!
From the Exhibition CHUTES!
From the Exhibition CHUTES!
From the Exhibition CHUTES!
From the Exhibition CHUTES!
From the Exhibition CHUTES!
Performing Arts Studio Scotland (PASS)
Performing Arts Studio Scotland (PASS)
Performing Arts Studio Scotland (PASS)
Performing Arts Studio Scotland (PASS)
Performing Arts Studio Scotland (PASS)
Performing Arts Studio Scotland (PASS)

All detail & imagery is copyright © Colin Usher.
Tel: 06 34 56 10 70  E: colin@colinusher.com
SIRET: 8235 4941 500029