Marcella Simien @ Crosstown Theatre

Wow… I’ve been to see Marcella perform but this was a totally unique experience from what I have seen before. Marcella has really leveled up since I last saw her a few years ago. Part of this has to do with the absolutely stunning visual and audio backdrop @infinitystairs created for the show. I truly have seen nothing like it. It was Swamp Soul combined with Electronic backdrops. I really hope they do this again since this was a one of a kind show I dont think Memphis has ever seen before.

Photographing this show was a challenge — dark rooms with bright backdrops aren’t exactly easy — but I’m happy with the results. This whole experience reignited my love for the Memphis music scene, which I’d been taking for granted lately. Big thanks to Crosstown for putting on such a memorable night.

The Overlook @ The Green Room

And now for something completely different! The Overlook @ The Green Room Jan. 16, 2025. The Overlook Quartet is made up of four women - violinists Monica Davis and Yezu Woo, violist Angela Pickett, and cellist Laura Metcalf. I’ve never photographed an acoustic performance like this so I jumped at the chance to make some images for these fantastic women. This was a very challenging environment to make photographs in but I am pleased with the results. The biggest thing to be mindful of in a scenario like this is to be quiet and respectful. Which means turning cameras on silent shutter (which creates a whole other set of issues) and being respectful of the audience. This means being still and not moving around a bunch and just being mindful if you are in somebody’s sight line of the performance. It’s things like this why I find The Green Room to be so much fun to photograph in. There are a lot of constraints which for me makes me work harder and think of more creative images to produce. Glad to start off 2025 with this show and this is gonna be a banner year for music photography so look for LOTS more to come!

Bennett @ Gonerfest 21

I present to you Bennett! I’ve seen Bennett around town (very tall and hard to miss), but I have never seen them perform live. Thankfully, they were one of the many talented bands at the Gonerfest 21 lineup, so I made sure to get front and center with the wide-angle lens (again, very tall) and take in the performance. When I saw the GE AM/FM radio strapped on their shoulder, I knew we were all in for a good time. So grateful to @gonerfest for allowing me to photograph this amazing weekend. It’s hands down my favorite music event of the year.

Tennessee Screamers at Bark DKDC

Finally got to celebrate Thanksgiving Screamsgiving with the ones I love, the Tennessee Screamers. Made up of local legends Jessie Davis, Graham Winchester, Keith Cooper and Frank McLellan, I first heard them way back at Wiseacre OG on Dolly Parton’s birthday covering Jolene and have been a fan ever since. It’s hard making it out to late shows nowadays (I’m old), but always worth it to stay up late with the Tennessee Screamers! Speaking of legends quick shout out to Bar DKDC for being the best place to see live music in the city.