Ben McAllister
I hate to bring up that Taylor Swift thing again, but I’m gonna do it. This summer, newspapers began reporting fans who went to Swift’s shows were unable to remember what happened at the shows. Now I think it’s happened to me, except it involved thirteen guitarists and a drummer. It was the strangest dream (on, of all days, the 21st of September – cue yes, Earth, Wind and Fire). I arrived at the Royal Room on what was supposed to be the last sunny day of the year in Seattle. As the musicians arrived for soundcheck, I stood in the bar area observing the movement around the room. Slowly, the sounds of the room shifted to members of the Seattle Guitar Circle (SGC) warming up their fingers. Sometimes members of the band played with each other or found a corner. Other times they seemed to just sit in a meditative space. The ambient sounds at times were both fractured and connected. I resisted photographing them and instead just sat in the moment. As Seattle Guitar Circle played in the background I watched Guitar Cult (GC) setting up.
Ben McAllister
Where were the drum’s going to go? Every venue has an obstacle. The Royal Room’s beast is a grand piano that is never removed from the stage. Is this going to be a nightmare shoot? In my head, I’m hearing David Byrne playing – it’s a “My God, what have I done?” moment. All week, I was laughing out loud to myself and even joking on Facebook I would need a wider lens. How am I going to obtain a group shot with the drummer once Guitar Cult pulls out their stands? Did I mention Ben McAllister makes complicated beautiful music, hence the music stands? I started picturing where I wanted to be for the least audience interference. I resolved to go for individual and a few group photos. I would utilize the piano to capture the drummer alone. I’ve learned over time you will take a thousand shots and not always get what you wish for. The full band shot was potentially impossible.
L-R: Dev Ray, Carl Martí Germain and Steve Ball
Seattle Guitar Circle played first. An entirely acoustic setup, the band plays seated. A photographic dream until I realized, how am I gonna get them all together without interfering with the crowd? Plus, I forgot that the band has a playful side in which Steve Ball starts to direct them through a series of nods and direct eye contact. The audience watches as the band's eyes, ears, and body language become a part of the musical piece. I start giggling to myself as I realize what’s going on. I was stuck on the floor when it happened and at times so immersed that I forgot to take photos. At least, this is what I thought. There it was, Steve Ball looking into Carl Martí Germain’s eyes. An amusing facial response from Brad Hogg. I was unable to jump up without bothering the audience, so I surrendered to the moment and accepted that I was just not going to get all the action before me.
Curt Golden and Jaxie Binder
During their set, I realized Jaxie Binder was missing from this story line. I kept struggling to obtain a photo I was happy with. I was also fascinated by Curt Golden’s face. Binder and Golden were seated at the least lit part of the stage. With all those guitar necks on stage moving around at various times, Binder’s face was blocked frequently. Then an opportunity happened – I love it when the person I’m photographing is looking at me or seems to be. I aimed between the musicians with my 200mm. There were Golden and Binder looking my way. Most publications are so steeped in traditional poses of musicians that they don’t look for this type of shot, but for me it's the type of photo that triggers a deep memory.
Neil Wilson
Ben McAllister and Matt Fordham
John Featherstone
The dream shifted to the sounds of electric guitars. Guitar Cult, with a partially new lineup adding guitarists Matt Fordham and John Featherstone, and also a drummer, Neil Wilson, to fill out the sound. I realized during soundcheck that a dynamic change was in play. Later, at one point McAllister walked by as I was staring at the stage completely in my head trying to figure out again how to photograph the band. I grunted and then apologized for being disconnected. This dream was slowly going out of control. Later, as I was editing the photos, I knew why I remembered very little from that night. McAllister’s music is equally intense as Seattle Guitar Circle’s playing. Before I start pressing the camera button, I observe the musicians. I realize watching McAllister and Featherstone, along with Wilson, that an energy shift was in play. Again, I started having too much fun watching Fordham’s serious concentration compared to McAllister’s happy bounce, which I’m sure became infectious towards the end of the set. I swear I saw Dennis Rea bouncing up and down too (I have the photo sequence to prove it). Featherstone seemed to play off of McAllister. This was the precursor for the finale.
Neil Wilson and Dennis Rea
Mr. D, my photographic assistant (equipment watcher and lens holder) happened to show up after seeing CHAI play a short set at Easy Street Records. He was needed. The finale was Seattle Guitar Circle playing with Guitar Cult, a wondrous brief marriage of electric and acoustic guitars. I quickly realized SGC was in limited lighting. I ran to my equipment bag for my 85mm/1.4f, a fixed lens, perfect for low light, but it requires moving close or far away from the subject. My dream became a chaotic crazy nightmare (laugh) and I am thinking - who and what do I photograph? I ran to the back of the Royal Room, 85 mm ready, and found an opening on the dining room couch between two people. I looked at them for approval before jumping up onto the couch. I snapped as fast as possible and apologized. I hoped I had captured the group shot. I ran back to the stage to get photos of Neil. He’s laughing at me or maybe he’s feeling that infectious McAllister bounce. Meanwhile, there’s all kinds of fun happening. All the guitars are talking to each other musically. They are circling one another, but it’s too crowded to access the front without tripping over patrons. I just started trying to photograph everything I could and then it was all over. Did I get anything? What the “F” just happened? Hence, the beginning of my amnesia state.
L-R Back: Ben McAllister, Matt Fordham, Jordan Zlotoff, Dennis Rea, and Don Craig
L-R Front: Dev Ray, Carl Martí Germain, Steve Ball, Lucius Gregory Meredith , Brad Hogg, and Curt Golden
L-R: Carl Martí Germain, Steve Ball, Lucius Gregory Meredith , Brad Hogg, and Curt Golden
L-R: Ben McAllister, Dev Ray, Carl Martí Germain, Steve Ball, Lucius Gregory Meredith , Brad Hogg, and Curt Golden
L-R: Jaxie Binder and Brad Hogg
I downloaded the pictures after arriving home, as I drank a large martini. I asked Mr. D what just happened again? The next morning as I went through the photos I exclaimed to Mr. D. “I don’t remember anything I photographed. Did that really happen?” I asked again. I realized as I started my editing process, that was one insane dream. Please repeat.
L-R Back: Ben McAllister, Matt Fordham, Jordan Zlotoff, Dennis Rea, Don Craig, and John Featherstone
L-R Front: Dev Ray, Carl Martí Germain, Steve Ball, Lucius Gregory Meredith , Brad Hogg, Curt Golden and Jaxie Binder