behind the promo photo with Alicia J. Rose
Hello babies. Let's keep rolling with this blog's celebration of promo photos, the bands in them, and the people who take them...
Molly Mary O’Brien
This time I had the pleasure of asking director and photographer Alicia J. Rose about her excellent photos of the indie pop band The Softies, who recently put out their first album in 24 years (The Bed I Made, on Father/Daughter Records).
s. moxley
Rose shot the cover of The Decemberists's Picaresque (!!!), directed music videos for artists like First Aid Kit and Bob Mould, and she's also a musician, playing in the Portland band Party Witch. I sent her some questions about the brilliant The Softies shots, which also showcase the work of another Portland-based artist, Nonamey...below...the answers...
[Molly Mary O'Brien] I would first love to hear a bit about your background as a photographer, and how you got started with music photography specifically?
[Alicia J. Rose] I started taking pictures of bands in the early '90s and just never stopped. I was booking clubs—the Chameleon in San Francisco primarily and playing music myself as noise accordionist Miss Murgatroid. The owner let me use part of the basement as a darkroom. So I would take pictures of my friends bands like Steel Pole Bath Tub and Tilt and print them in the basement of the club. Fun times. When I moved to Portland for a music distribution job, my friends were again in bands so the work happened very naturally.
However, when I got a medium format Hasselblad in the early oughts things really next leveled. I did something like 12 photo shoots with the Decemberists including their Picaresque album cover, and when I started booking shows at the legendary Doug Fir Lounge (RIP) I was surrounded with tons of artists so I became super prolific capturing the local scene and many incredible national and international artists along the way.
How did you get linked up with The Softies?
I’m pretty sure I met Rose a million years ago when she was in Tiger Trap during my San Francisco days, but it was Jen who came into my life more recently introduced by the wonderful Rachel Blumberg (Califone, ex-drummer of The Decemberists). Jen and I immediately hit it off—having been fans at a distance of each other for a while. We had a lot in common and bonded by laughing our buns off. A little while later she DM’d me that her and Rose wanted me to make (their first!!) music video for them, and the need for new band portraits followed.
What was the creative brainstorming / planning process like?
We initially met up in Rachel's living room in Portland while Rose was coming through, brainstorming the music video for "I Said What I Said." Turns out it was to be The Softies first music video ever (!!!). I conceptualized a gorgeous woodsy video that gave a peek into their beautiful friendship. We planned to also do photos while we were in the woods, then they asked if I could also work with them on the Nonamey shoot. Jen was a big fan and told me all about his work. The Softies had commissioned him to make a giant cardboard wedding cake they could be wife and wife on. I mean - she had me at "cake"—I was ALL-IN.
The art by Nonamey is so cool. Did you have to do any particular planning to make sure it photographed well?
I did a scout with Lukas (Nonamey) and I saw the massive scope of things. Not only was the cake human sized giant, they had also "over-painted" all the clothing and background. It was a delightful spectacle to behold. I saw two beautiful cardboard/painted guitars in the corner and asked if we could use them. They were apparently for another Portland band's (Whisper Hiss) new video. Lukas got permission and we were able to add them into the mix. Truly the cherry on top!
Everything was HUGE in the space, but luckily they have a giant warehouse where I was able to make enough distance to get the shot. I employed lighting combining strobe and LED. We had to do quite a bit of magic in post. But there were tons of amazing shots. Also I did their makeup, and we listened to really good music the whole time so it kind felt like a fun dress-up party on a giant cake.
From a photographer perspective, any advice or tips for bands for getting through a promo photo shoot with morale somewhat intact?
Yes, have fun. Play a little. Work with a photographer who puts you at ease. Someone who has taken photos of other people you like. Feel yourself—work your energy and confidence. Don’t be afraid to think conceptually with fashion and location. Take chances. Look away from the lens with purpose and into the lens while thinking about somebody/something you love or the energetic intent of the music you will be promoting. And remember these photos will be used for live shows, for press, so try to do a few different setups so you have varied images for an album cycle.
What, to you, makes a good band promo photo?
Good composition, smart conceptualization, confidence in creative choices. A good band photo should represent both the photographer’s and band's vision and style as well as giving off a vibe of what the members personalities are like, and how their music will make the listener feel both live and on the record. We love artists we connect with emotionally. After all their music is the soundtrack to our lives.
Thank you Alicia! Check out her website here and Instagram here.
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