Everyone has an idol. Mine is Jonny Greenwood. This is easily my favorite photo I’ve taken to this day. I became a fan of Jonny early on during the Pablo Honey years - mimicking his guitar playing style. I learned the importance of details. Those little touches one puts into a craft that may get overlooked at a glance but really matter when it comes to creating a fuller more beautiful picture. Thats what I love about his instrumentation. And that’s what inspires my creative output everyday.
I’d seen the documentary ‘Pussy Riot: A Punk Prayer’ and always was in awe of the commitment this band put into their art as a means to inspire and bring about change. Meeting Nadia and seeing Pussy Riot perform was a stark reminder to me of how we take our civil liberties for granted in the United States.
Ari’s music was my first introduction to Neo Soul - which I discovered accidentally as a product of a photo shoot for a clothing brand. I took this photo of Ari just before she appeared on a J. Cole track which led to her rise. I count myself fortunate to capture such a personal side of an artist who has gone on to massive success.
Frank’s creativity and playful musical arrangements are a big inspiration for me. His performance at Panorama Music Festival in NYC was the first time i experienced 360 degree stereoscopic sound at a festival show. His ability to make a crowd of 50K people feel like they were hangin’ in his living room for an intimate performance was just awe inspiring.
This photo was taken right before Bob Moses’ first performance at NYC’s Central Park Summer Stage. Jimmy and Tom have been an incredible muse for my creative output as a photographer. Having had the opportunity to travel with them for multiple years and document the many milestones in their career. To experience first hand how their music and spirit embody the nurturing ability of a community to unite people has been profoundly inspiring to me.
I met Chai at baggage claim at JFK airport in NYC. Co-incidentally we had both performed at SXSW. Austin was the first stop on their first U.S. tour. It’s rare to come across a Japanese band - bur an all female Japanese band? I I like how Pitchfork described them: “A Japanese Rock Band Redefining What it Means to Be Cute.”
Few times I’ve photographed THEY their fans always light it up. The first time I saw them perform I was amazed with how engaged their fans were. It’s amazing to see an artist stir a fire in their fans. The community and camaraderie THEY inspire through their music, message, and live show is absolutely contagious.
J. Roddy is from Richmond VA. The town where I cut my teeth as a indie rock musician. I’m amazed at the D.I.Y ethos, tenacity and staying power of the Richmond scene as it still continues to inspire unique and soulful musical acts. This photo was taken at Brandon Crowe’s house during an annual music festival he hosts in his back yard. The headline act ‘J. Roddy Walston & The Business’ ended up not playing because the police showed up and broke up the party.
I met Abby, Ali, and Victoria at Lollapalooza 2016 - because of a tip from my band mate and drummer at the time. It is refreshing to see an all female band rock so hard harnessing the energy and sonic presence of bands I followed from the 90’s like L7, Pixies, and Hum.