This post has been sitting in my drafts for weeks now because well life has been happening quite intensely and I just needed to take a breather from everything. I would spend countless hours sitting in silence and just focusing on breathing and clearing my head. Journaling has been helpful and being outside and going for walks really does work. Even for my mental health. And by the time this post would go up – you’ll also have read the latest life post titled “003 - I quit Photography…almost”. So for now this is one of the last shows I will be photographing for a bit as I work to fall in love with photography again. I hope you enjoy. It was quite therapeutic.
The weather might have been a cool, 66* weather but it was the perfect backdrop for a night out at the Brooklyn Bowl. Philadelphia is such a vibrant city and X Ambassadors were the ideal complement to the moody weather. Townie is the latest from X Ambassadors, an intimate collection of introspective songs from the town of Ithaca in Upstate New York. Having spent quite some time in the area I grew to love the idyllic landscape with its beautiful views and its even more personable towns. So of course this would be a great way to celebrate those moments of pride in landing on something that makes you feel alive. The crowd was multi-generational with parents taking children, mothers coming to spend the night with their daughters, and couples spending a nice night out. Brooklyn Bowl is a unique space and the sounds of rolling pins coupled with the crowd singing along to openers Rowan Drake and headliners X Ambassadors. It made for quite the experience.
Having this be the first time you’re hearing this band, you’ll likely leave a fan with a huge smile on your face. The lead singer of New West was energetic as he danced and sang his way across the stage. Making sure to acknowledge fans from the front and center, to the back of the room by the bar. During the early part of their set, he even hopped into the pit to sing alongside his fans. And even shared some epic moments with a few of them. Having that moment etched into your brain is something that makes a lasting impression on one’s mind. The entire set was fueled by high octane energy with layered moments of soulful ballads. They were witty and personable and engaging with the crowd. And won many new fans along the way.
As the lights dim, and the crowd fades to a silent hum. The band walked on stage and immediately jumped into their set for the night. It was a mixture of old and new, and celebrating their latest release TOWNIE. Which in itself is a very memorable album title as it is an interpretation of one’s own experiences living in their hometown. But mixed with the nostalgia of summer nights with the windows rolled down. Late night drive thru’s fueled by the euphoria of a good night out. “Renegades” is one of those songs that just makes you sing along at the top of your lungs. With the cares of the world left at the venue doors. Everyone just reveled in the moment and it was as if a balm was placed on the crowd. Just pure joy emitted throughout the venue. The atmosphere of the crowd was electrifying as the band went through selections from the album TOWNIE including Smoke on the Highway, Half-Life (a ballad dedicated to a loved one), and Your Town. They also included Home (their collaboration with Machine Gun Kelly and Bebe Rexha) and Happy People (co-written with Teddy Swims and Jac Ross).
If you were to tell me that one day I’d have an emotional attachment to a song — I’d have laughed. But it is a reoccurring theme in my life as a fan of music. For me, and I suspect many others, songs like Unsteady are the epitome of what heartbreak sounds like in a song. The first time I heard that song, it was in my late twenties and my relationship with my parents was not as it is today. And despite that I still feel that love for them throughout my entire existence. Fast forward to years later, and that song has a newer meaning as it is a therapeutic way to come to terms with grief and anger. And how to deal with a loss like one of my parents. “Dad I know you’re trying to fight when you feel like crying” feels like a gut punch but one that is almost relieving. So I stood there, listening to it in real time, forgiving myself and just being in the moment. And I think for many people- concerts are a way to just forgive themselves and be in the moment. To embrace that bit of respite from a crazy world. And that’s what makes being at an X Ambassadors show so special. It moves you to feel and smile and not be so critical of oneself.
So if you’re in the mood for a good time, and to celebrate the beauty that is TOWNIE — go out and see the band live in a city near you.
Staring at my calendar, the next few weeks are so will be a quieter one as opposed to some of the previous weeks working so many hours. The work is gratifying and I am learning so much from the production crew in terms of fine-tuning my craft as a photographer a bit more. Learning the cadence of a good videography and camera op moment that makes viewership an impactful experience. It all is crucial the goals I had set out for myself this year. Towards the end of last year I had decided to take a slower approach to my creative process this year. I was going to share a video of how I approach that new routine but it isn’t ready yet. I haven’t found what groove I want to sit in and so noticing that realization of “yeah I can be soft in these moments” is quite alright. And the only way I can figure out what that is can be a romanticized version of life.
I spent a lot of time deep in my introspective thoughts and fighting the suppression of a grieving heart and honestly it is much more relieving to just let that shit go. I had mentioned that I had appreciated that the production crew doesn’t see me as someone they have to filter themselves around. I dig their genuine nature and their heartfelt concerns when I run to do a stage changeover with shoelaces untied. I said to a friend ”it’s so hard being an AAPI women that constantly feels that she has to prove herself to others especially men in this industry.” His response was that I had the confidence of a women who won’t back down because she feels that certain people can make her feel little. Belittment isn’t something I stand for either. Sure it is hard for a woman of color to constantly succeed but if I don’t try to stand my ground and hold my own next to the talents of industry veterans. I won’t know what I am capable of. Plus I have a heart full of gratitude and every time I leave the control room – I always say thanks for having me and for sharing their knowledge with me. I feel like those moments of teaching someone an industry trick they’ve learned is a sign of “Hey I appreciate your efforts; I wanna see you succeed”.
Another vital moment was talking to Todd Owyoung on the importance of noticing how important your job is to the production of a live show or event. He does photography for the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon and he shared how it was such a good feeling to be in the flow and upkeep of the cadence with the camera crew and production team. Being on that side of the production makes me respect just how powerful a camera is and how having a talented eye can improve just the slightest shot. So if you want to see what our conversation was about – check it out below because it’s a great conversation.
I have been taking more walks too and I always think of that meme “taking a stupid walk for my mental health” and I laugh because it works. The last few days I spent walking around on Friday I walked for a good 32 mins and I could not believe how far I went. I spent that Friday evening having afternoon tea with my 16 year-old niece. Getting to enjoy one of my favorite British traditions in the world was so nice. The very next day I took my film camera to the Sakura Cherry Blossom Festival near the Shofuso Japanese Tea House and Garden. We spent most of the time walking around the festival grounds and enjoying the goods. I stopped by Rikumo and picked up this artisanal Morihata Matcha and Puffed Rice White Chocolate and that first bite was heavenly. It was so smooth and the combination of that ceremonial grade matcha with the smoothness of Shane’s Confectionery white chocolate was a perfect match. Plus the packaging and details are so spot on and perfect. I am such a sucker for great packaging.
I have also been eager to photograph this light blue hoodie and tshirt from the SEOLLALCOLLECTION from the brand CLOAK and I mean every drop has been stellar. My most worn tee from them was their interpretation of the Cheshire Cat from the books Alice in Wonderland. The exact colorway and design I grabbed isn’t on the site anymore but here’s an Olive Green version of it. The fit is comfortable and the puffed printed design is quality. I did however get food stains over it during the festival because cheese is life and so was the Korean Beef Cheesesteak from PaperMill. And if you’re a spec nerd like me; here’s the specs for that tshirt.
Full gallery coming soon.
So the art of noticing looks differently for every individual but for me it looks like slow mornings, walks in the sun and chasing golden hour photos.
New York City’s rising rock band Quarters of Change is coming through on their North American headline tour in support of their latest studio album, Portraits — released on January 26, 2024. It’s their sophomore album, Portraits, follows suit as a widely and critically acclaimed follow up to the 2022 release “Into the Rift”. You can expect a night of storytelling through progressive, electrifying chords layering through booming guitars and vocals to compliment the entire musical outfit. The Portraits Tour will be making a stop The Foundry here in Philadelphia, next Saturday, April 20th.
Last year, Quarters of Change sold out their headline tour while releasing singles from the album; and even selling at a homecoming show at the Webster Hall. To add to the sold-out accolades they even shared the stage with the Jonas Brothers at their Albany, New York show. If you’d like to watch the band perform live to get a taste of what to expect next Saturday (and on their tour). You can watch Heaven Bound and What I Wanted down below.
