Scene Through A Lens – Maps & Atlases, The Metro, Chicago

Documentary Photography and Article by Josh Darr

Maps & Atlases appear to have been around much longer than one would think of a band readying their debut release, Perch Patchwork. The Chicago based quartet (who have a tendency as being labeled as “Math Rock”) originally met at a school in Chicago, ultimately leading to the forming of M&A. They have become a true cult favorite, building a following from live performances and a couple of self released EPs, and just recently signed to Barsuk.

Each song is layered with melodies drawing from experimental and folk rock as Dave Davison’s lyrics create a fantastical yet whimsy tone. The final outcome is a brilliant explosion of sound and harmony- creating a juxtaposed harmonic dissonance exhibiting the quartet’s masterful grasp of instrumentation.

While touring with Frightened Rabbit, I had the pleasure of getting to know the guys on their hometown stop at the Metro. We enjoyed discussing LOST, new releases and life in general as the overall disposition in the green room stayed upbeat and jovial pre-performance.

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Barnstormer III: Day 3, Walworth County Fairgrounds, Elkhorn, WI 4.29.2010
Documentary Photography and article by Josh Darr

Daytrotter has etched a name for itself finding raw talent and exhibiting bands’ strengths through live sessions. These sessions allow band members to experiment with the limited instruments available at the studio and you are free to download online. What makes the site more noteworthy, is the fact that its home base is located off the beaten path in creator Sean Moeller’s hometown of Rock Island, IL. Acts of all sizes and notoriety have made the site’s hub part of their tour routes when venturing through the MidWest.

Last summer, Moeller decided to take his ventures on the road with Barnstormer, an homage of classic rock groups that made the effort to play live music in America’s barns. Since its inception I have threatened Sean that I would be making the trek out towards the countryside to join in the fun. Unfortunately for me those hopes did not come to fruition until the tour’s third round of backwoods adventures, but happily this included the talents of Pearly Gate Music ,Nathaniel Rateliff ,Free Energy ,Delta Spirit and Ra Ra Riot .

After the town of Lake Geneva declared a ban of live music, Barnstormer rerouted their third stop of the tour in Elkhorn, WI causing the performers to settle into the vacant lots of the Walworth County Fairgrounds. As the hangar was prepped, the bands teamed up against each other in games of whiffle ball and bocce ball; while others found quiet confines to relax and read or just take in the environment. There is a certain magic that occurs between the forging of new friendships and the passion generated from the makeshift stage. I can say without a doubt this will not be the last Barnstormer this guy experiences.

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Photos by Josh Darr
Cymbals Eat Guitars @ Chicago, Il.
April , 2010

Cymbals Eat Guitars crashed into the music scene last year with their self released debut, Why There Are Mountains. The album became an instant favorite by many, drawing comparisons to early indie rock bands Modest Mouse, creating a musical journey with lush layers and an understanding beyond their years. They arrived understandably exhausted, as the Long Island quartet has been touring non stop since their emergence at Pitchfork last summer. I had the pleasure of meeting the guys at last year’s Monolith Festival at Red Rocks, making this session a more casual reunion as we discussed this tour and I photographed the guys enjoying their relaxation prior to their performance.

ThT

Photos by Thirst’n Howl III
The Antlers @ Detroit Bar, Costa Mesa, Ca.
April 28, 2010

The boys from The Antlers are terribly nice and accommodating.  I arrived into the back area shortly before their set and found them surrounded on all sides by their laptops.  It seemed a near fortress of solitude surrounded each of them.  Yet, upon introduction they opened up and became some of the cheeriest of sorts.  They even showed me some of the highlights of the back area of the Detroit Bar.  Such as the pool table, Ms. Pacman table, and chips and salsa.  Now via these photos, you too can join The Antlers for their backstage antics.

Read our show review here

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You might imagine that meeting up with Low frontman Alan Sparhawk for the purpose of shooting  a photo documentary for his new band Retribution Gospel Choir could be an intimidating venture for anyone, let alone a Low junkie for the last 16 years. It was. Luckily the night couldn’t have gone better and the band couldn’t have been more accommodating to my prying lens and the click click clicking noise made with every snap of the shutter.

Retribution Gospel Choir played at The Crocodile in Seattle, WA a few days after Alan and Mimi of Low had finished performing a series of shows for a modern dance performance – sounded very interesting. Meeting Alan, Eric and Steve was amazing and seeing Alan rip at the guitar with his mouth was quite a moment. Highlights included but were not remotely limited to: eating pizza at Via Tribunali, watching Alan give rocks and some money to a war vet with a sign about getting F.U.B.A.R.’d, watching the guys soundcheck and meeting Alan’s wife and Low vocalist Mimi Parker. Did I mention Alan playing guitar with his mouth?

Read our Show Review for this show
Visit RGC

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Photos by Bear

The first time I ever heard Murder By Death was three years ago for a show they played at The Troubadour in LA. I remember thinking how nuts there fans were and I liked that. But, I also remember feeling intimidated by them; I don’t know if it was their music, or the way they played, but I like to think it was their fans. My feeling intimated said a lot about the band and their music as it never really happens to me.

Three years passed until I started hearing about the band again, this time it was for their upcoming album Good Morning, Magpie. I started doing some research and listening to the news songs over and over again, and then before I knew it, it happened. I became a fan. Soon after I actually got the chance to meet up with them to do our band photography documentary called Scene Through A Lens. At this point in my music coverage career I had been around enough bands to not be to intimidated by most anyone, but still my nerves were about me – after all, you never know if a band will be complete dicks or super nice to hang out with. MBD were the latter. I’ve never had more fun hanging out with a band, we fixed a bass cab, ate some Thai food, cracked some jokes. As for their performance, it was just as amazing as their show in Los Angeles three years ago, but Seattle fans don’t touch the LA fans when it comes to all out lunacy. By the end of the night I might just put myself in with their fan club, but I think I got more dues to pay.

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STAL Photography by Bear
Date: 3/24/10
Seattle, WA @ The Triple Door

Basically bands are supposed to act like I’m not there, but unfortunately they ended up treating me to games of Donkey Kong instead of being your typical New Yorker City rock stars and letting me get the real good shots. But maybe next time we can get real. In the end I must say I had a great time, and I am very honored they even let me around long enough to shoot these photos. By the way, these guys are great live, I wouldn’t lie to you would I?
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See our Band Playlist with The Depreciation Guild
Visit The Depreciation Guild

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Photographer: BEAR
Date: 3/12/10

With camera in hand I was able to document Austin’s The Wooden Birds on their day in Seattle. The band played an in-store at Sonic Boom Records and a show later that same night with The Clientele at The Tractor Tavern. The Wooden Birds consist of ex-American Analog Set singer Andrew Kenny on vocals and bass, Matt Pond on guitar, Leslie Sisson playing lead guitar, and Seattle’s Sean Haskins on drums. I also wrote a Show Review that you can read.

- Read Show Review
-Visit The Wooden Birds

Photography by: Lindsey Best

Notes: Quebecians Land Of Talk packed up their instruments and personal possessions and hit the road in support of their latest release ‘Fun And Laughter’. When the band arrived in Los Angeles photograher Lindsey Best hung out with them in the hopes of getting some amazing spap shots of the band for our Scene Through A Lens photography documentary. If you haven’t heard Land Of Talk head on over to Saddle Creek.

BEAR
Location: Capitol Hill, Seattle, WA
Date: Friday July 24th – 25th, 2009

Photographer Notes: This collection of images could just be another one of our photo galleries, but I thought it belonged here in our Scene Through A Lens section because I feel they capture the individuals that attended the Capitol Hill Block Party, which in all reality is what the Block Party is all about. It’s not just about the bands, or the labels and publicists that bring them together. The term “Block Party” brings to mind a gathering of friends and neighbors bonding and enjoying eachothers company. I hope you get that feeling through these photographs.