When my friend and fellow former teacher asked me if I could photograph his band, Jeremy Mercy and the Rapture Orphans, I thought: absolutely!
I need to get out more, and stay up later. As I approach 50, the tendency is becoming to cancel all plans after 7 p.m., so this was pushing it. Doors wouldn't open till like 8, which is when I'm usually getting ready to go into shutdown mode.
BUT - I was able to tough it out, and I'm happy I did. The show was amazing, with some real art and soul in the music. Some real joy - some real anger. It was humanity screaming into the void, and I loved every moment.
I brought along the Fujifilm X100vi, OM-System OM-3 and Panasonic G9II - I wanted to use the X100vi's on-board flash for a few retro-like shots, and then challenge my M43 gear in weird lighting conditions like these.
First up: Omaha's Tumbleweed.





Gotta be honest: I didn't expect this level of angst.


I seriously dug his stuff.

SIDE NOTE: Almost 95% of the shots on this page are from Micro 4/3rds. I only used the X100vi rarely.







Next up: Paisley Fields.
Another band that was a blast - full of energy for this political moment.



They played their freaking hearts out - it was inspiring!




Lots of playing with white balance here!

















And then, Jeremy Mercy and the Rapture Orphans!
The band had some new work to share, and it was freaking fantastic. Some anger with just the right amount of optimism.
Just wonderful work, Rapture Orphans!

This is the reason I brought the X100vi - the onboard flash!

Gotta be honest though... I just like to let it rip with the grain!

The group is awesome. Funny, incredibly talented, kind, and full of soul.





I hope I captured at least a touch of that.












































