Joining "In Flames" on Stage at "The Wiltern Theater" in Los Angeles

Getting to work with the band “In Flames” has been the highlight in a year that has been full of ups and many downs. 2019 has been off to a rough start to say the least; and as we enter into the month of April I find myself grateful for all the opportunities I have been granted despite all the setbacks I have experienced in the last four months.

I was first asked to join the creative team for the “In Flames” music video “Call My Name” and for the first time ever did a full day of behind the scenes photography for a music video. If you haven’t seen it yet, its just hit over a million views https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=p1U4gkcp_40 on you tube and we are all so so proud! GO check it!

A few weeks later I asked to do photos during “In Flames” live performance at The Wiltern Theater in Los Angeles and had the pleasure of joining the fellas on stage for an unforgettable night.

Women Who Rock: Bones UK in Collaboration with The Pretty Cult and Rock Night Out

People often ask me what my favorite thing to shoot is, and everytime my answer is live music. I love everything about it; the energy of the crowd, the feel of the bass coursing through my bones as it pours from the speakers, the excitement that radiates from the performers as they step onto the stage.

Being in the photo pit is like balancing in between two worlds; that fine coveted line that separates artist from fan. It is a surreal experience and time seems to slow down the second you cross that barrier. I cannot express the joy I get from holding a camera in my hand and touching the stage with my other. Being able to combine my two greatest passions into one and do that for a living, well I couldn't ask for a better gig.

Ive been so blessed to work with such amazing people in this industry, but my girls Arielle Salsa, aka ' Satan's Seamstress', and Rachel Hacken, the Duchess of Los Angeles's Rock Night Out, always come to me with the coolest gigs, and when the three of us team up together, woooo boy, ya better watch out. 

This month, the three of us teamed up with the UK's female rock duo Bones for an exclusive photo series styled by The Pretty Cult followed by the secret underground performance hosted by Rock Night Out. Check out the photos below to see what we've created. 

A few days later, Rock Night Out hosted the band at Madame Siams underground venue which housed a capacity of 250 bodies. With over 600 plus rsvps to the show, only the true die-hard fans got into the performance. With its dimly lit halls and low ceilings the venue had a very brothel like feel and made for a very intimate performance. 

The band played an hour long set and even had a quick guest appearance by Johnny Stevens of Highly Suspect, a close friend of the band after their tour together last year.

The band finished their performance late into the evening and  guest where in no rush to leave as patrons stuck around to chat up the band and crew and visit the bar a few more times.  I saw myself leaving the venue right around 11:30 pm fulfilled from an amazing night of music and anxious to see what else these badass babes will be unleashing into the world next. 

'10 Years' w/'From Ashes to new' at the roxy

In the wake of ‘10 Years’ recently released album, ‘(How to Live) As Ghosts’, the band kickstarted 2018 with a two-month headlining tour alongside up and coming rap/alternative rock band ‘From Ashes to New’. The tours 10th stop, was held at the Roxy Theater in West Hollywood’s Sunset Strip on Monday night.

With an early door time, the die-hard fans were ushered into the venue at 6:00pm and were immediately greeted with the first of three opening acts, ‘Spirit in the Room’. A Los Angeles based band, fronted by Dennis Sanders drew the growing crowds interest with their eclectic music, a sound in which they call ‘Lizard Rock’.

The following band, also home to southern California, Painted Wives, hit the stage with their beach waves and guitars and played a solid 30 minute set before giving way to the third band of the evening, ‘From Ashes to New’.

The alternative rock band from Lancaster, PA had a solid fan base in the crowd who were just as eager for ‘From Ashes to New’ performance as they were for the headliner. The band did not disappoint as they played a fast paced, high energy 45-minute set that left the crowd wanting more.

After a short intermission, lead singer Jesse Hasek and fellow ‘10 Years’ band members were revealed as the curtain rose. Cloaked in red lighting and dense fog, the band opened their set with fan favorite, ‘Fix Me’ which immediately had the audience dancing and singing along. Hasek, at one point during his performance, jumped off stage mid song and embraced fans on the floor.  

The band went on to play 12 additional songs, including their rendition of Nirvana’s ‘Heart Shaped Box’ and closed out the evening with ‘Actions and Motives’. Not a bad way to spend a Monday if I do say so myself.

WRITTEN FOR MUSIC CONNECTION MAGAZINE