Tag: concert

Wherefore art thou, Richard Custer?

February 20, 2017 / Rick / 0 Comments

I’ve been here, but a bit inactive as of late. I’ve been a little inactive in writing as well as creating art. My activity has experienced an uptick as of late, but not really enough to have anything to put out there. The long of the short of it is that I’ve fallen into a bit of a rut with my work and am slowly climbing out of it. It’s taken (and is taking) a little perseverance, but I’m getting there. I also just read this article over at Medium.com, which seems to have kicked me in the ass a little bit (I’d say this post is evidence of that).

I’ve started work on a digital art piece that’s going to require a full year to complete. It’s going to take a full year because I can only add to it a small element each day. It’s not a choice, it’s just the nature of the project. I was inspired by a piece I saw on Twitter, where the artist used only a period of one month. I’m not sure how this will turn out aesthetically as it’s more of a personal piece, but I am learning something about myself from the piece and the process. Just what comes out of that new knowledge will remain to be seen. The piece will be unveiled after the beginning of February 2018 after I examine and make refinements to the individual elements for consistency. I may mess with the colors a little as well, but the elements and their placement will not be touched otherwise.

My friends in Desecrate The Faith have a new album, entitled “Unholy Infestation,” dropping in early March. I was privileged (and more than slightly honored) to be asked by them to do the photography for the album. This is one of the images I can show at this time:

From left to right – Tyler Shiery, Mike Caputo, John Hull, Coleson Cowden, Jonathan Bayliss

The other images for the album will be released with the album, but I’m very proud of the work I did for them. I was also able to sit in on the recording sessions with them. That in itself was a hell of an experience. I had an idea of how albums were made, but this really showed the hard work that goes into creating an album before the CD’s are ever made. Those photos can be seen here.

In terms of death metal, this album is going to make an impact on the genre’s landscape, and will be a model for other bands to follow. Seeing my name in the liner notes is already surreal, but given the impact I’m sure this album is going to have, the level of surreal (for me) is off the charts.

I’ve been reading a lot, though, and it has helped keep my mind turning through this rut. I’ve also acquired some equipment to help with another project on which I’m working. I just need to get off my ass and make use of it.

As for now, this concludes the latest update. I know it’s short by my blog entry standards, but never fear. I am currently structuring a new post that will outline some things I’ve been thinking about in relation to some of my concert images. Look for that within the next day or 2.

PS – If you’re into death metal, do yourself a favor and check out the first promo single from “Unholy Infestation.” You won’t be sorry.

Untaken – 27 September 2014

February 28, 2015 / Rick / 0 Comments

A few months ago I was at a music festival called “Building Temples From Death Fest” here in Houston. It’s an all day death metal show featuring bands from around the United States (and sometimes from outside our fair nation) that’s been going for 4 years now. I was there to photograph for my “Houston Metal Project” opus that I’m working on. There was a guy there who looked like he maybe had Cerebral Palsy. I’m not 100% on that but my guess is somewhat educated on the matter. Anyway, I was sitting outside, alone, and he came outside and sat near me. He said hello to me. I admit, I really didn’t want to talk to him at the moment (I really didn’t want to talk to anyone at the moment, I just wanted to get some fresh air), but I was friendly and said “hello” back to him and we struck up a conversation. He mentioned that he was from the Fort Worth area. I asked him what brought him to Houston. He told me that he came down just to see Internal Bleeding, the show’s headline act, and to get a chance to finally meet them. He talked about how he followed the band since 1991 (the year of their 1st album release) and how this was an exciting day for him. It made me think about how the band may have had a positive effect on this man’s life (he appeared to be around my age). It made me realize how important it is to be able to meet one’s own heroes. I honestly have never had the pleasure because I don’t really have any heroes. I mean, I’ve met my share of famous people and have gotten to have nice conversations with them, but never with someone I would label as a hero. I thought about taking an environmental portrait of this man who was really excited to be there, but I did not. I felt that if I did, I would somehow be taking some of his excitement away and keeping it for myself. Looking back, I am glad I made that decision. The excitement he felt was all for him and I wanted to let him have it all.

Rock and Roll Work pt II

November 8, 2014 / Rick / 0 Comments

The call for entry for the Rock and Roll show at the Minneapolis Photo Center has been answered. I submitted a total of 6 images to this show. In the end I chose 4 performance images, 1 of a stage set detail, and another of the equipment sitting on stage, waiting to be picked up. This was by no means an easy decision, as I have hundreds of good quality images in my archive (from thousands taken) and I had to narrow down to around 5. I say around 5 because the entry fee allows for 5 images, with each additional costing US$10 per image.

These images were chosen for what they represent in the heavy metal genre on the side of the performer. King Diamond, with his theatrical stage show, brings forth as much fury and power as any other more aggressive band. The inverted cross represents the adversarial nature of relationship of heavy metal (and all of rock music) and religion. Depravis Nocturna of Spectral Manifest brings forth his own fury while maintaining a strict focus. As the most important instrument, the electric guitar is easily the most universal symbol of rock and roll. Even when it is not being played, the potential energy is barely contained within. Jeffrey Nothing epitomizes the horrific nature of some of the subject matter of heavy metal. There exists a certain mystique to the rock and roll artist in everything from the lifestyle to the live performance. Aaron Meyers, with the lights seeking him out, maintains and projects that mystique from the shadows as he plays his guitar during an extended solo.

I want to greatly thank Stevie, Brenda, and Justin for their help in curating this entry. Without them, I would have had a very difficult time focusing (and even beginning). And Stevie gets an extra thanks for bringing this call to my attention.

I am under no assumption that all of these will get in, but at least 1 would be nice.

So I guess the waiting begins. It’s time to go live my life while the juror makes his decision.

Rock and Roll Work

November 2, 2014 / Rick / 0 Comments

I know this rare burst of blog-writing productivity may come as a shock to some. Every once in a while I decide something is worth sharing.

I’m in the process of answering a call for entry to a show in Minneapolis that is all about rock and roll. In fact, that’s the title of the show, “Rock & Roll.” The subject can be interpretive. It can be pretty much anything to do with the music, although I think promotion shots may not be welcome so much. On that I would need to ask, since one of the images on the website (taken by the juror) is what appears to be a promotional shot. This looks like it’s going to be an interesting show, nonetheless.

Currently I’m curating my images for the show, and hopefully will have a collaborator on that soon. Right now it involves picking through about 6 years of work in order to find the best images. I have come across some that I honestly forgot I took. I look back on some of these and can remember how I felt when I was in those photo pits taking those shots. I want to share some of them with you. These may or may not reflect the final images that I submit (I can submit up to 5, with the option for more should I choose to pay more). These aren’t in any particular order and is only a small sample of what I am going through right now.

Click on each thumbnail to view the larger version.