Seven Stories…Astrid Tonella

Photographer: Astrid Tonella
Site: FB
Based in: Copenhagen

The following images have been taken this year in various venues across Europe. Like all of you, I’m a music enthusiast and going to gigs is one of my main hobbies and addictions. I like to keep a memory of these precious moments, hence, the link between concert and photography has become key to me. I don’t pretend to be an artist, but I shoot with my heart and I try to pay tribute to the band I photograph the best I can.
I am truly honored to be placed between all these many talented photographers. Many thanks to CVLT Nation for giving me the opportunity to show my work and of course, many thanks to the different organizers in Europe for their efforts and for allowing us to attend mind-blowing shows!

ONE

Last summer, I finally got the opportunity to catch Boris on stage here in Copenhagen. I’ve been longing to see them for years, and Japanese bands always come up with interesting performances, so I was quite excited. I usually prefer small venues, as the atmosphere is much more palpable and intimate than it is in larger venues. However, one advantage of larger venues is the amazing lights which enable you to obtain a wider variety of pictures. I captured that shot. It’s actually one of my favorites of the Boris series – the light, the smoke surrounding Takeshi like mist – its texture reminds me a bit of a Japanese painting by Hasegawa Tohaku called “Pine Trees” giving a mysterious aspect to the photo.

TWO

I’m currently living in Denmark, but my heart belongs to France, the country where I was raised. Once or twice a year, I dedicate a few weeks to spending time with my family, and will often catch one or two gigs. Last October, I was in Paris visiting an old friend of mine, and it was perfect timing to catch Monarch!, Aluk Todolo and Huata playing at “La Miroiterie”, which is a small venue located in one of the working- class neighborhood of Paris. The venue is raw and industrial, which was an interesting setting for the night of doom that was awaiting us. All three bands were brilliant but I was extremely fascinated by Aluk Todolo’s performance. If you’ve had the chance to check out that band, you’ll know you have to be in a special mood to listen to them properly, so I didn’t know what to expect from their performance. The place was ready, lit only by a small light bulb which immediately set up a special atmosphere. The three gentlemen began to play and instantaneously, I was under the spell of their hypnotizing riffs and beats. It was one of those moments where music pushes you nearly to a state of trance. While watching them play, I noticed the drummer was completely possessed by the music and his eyes were beaming white. Spectacular! I needed to catch one of those moments which best represent Aluk Todolo’s music to me: dark, mystical and intense. I will never forget that facial expression.

THREE

Back in Copenhagen, it was time to see Saviours and Green&Wood playing at “Stengade”, a fairly new venue in town that frequently books awesome bands like Thou, Narrows, The Secret, Ludicra etc. A particularly exciting evening in perspective as both bands are mind-blowing, and I heard Saviours always performs explosive sets, which would guarantee some interesting pictures. For an hour, those guys literally gave me goose-bumps with their festival of punishing riffs and swinging hits. That night, the room was particularly crowded with photographers, so I had to fight for my spot more than usual. The presence of beer, sweat, tattoos was strong, and you could nearly discern the smell of gasoline. In the end, I feel that shot of Austin Barber and Sonny Reinhardt translates the atmosphere of the fantastic evening we had with these talented and generous musicians.

FOUR

Roadburn festival is the highlight of the year for anyone interested in the doom/stoner/sludge and any other underground scene. The festival always promises a magical set and this year, Wardruna was one of the runner ups. The music of Wardruna focuses on Nordic mythology and finds its roots in Norwegian/Nordic folk music. The band also plays with ancient instruments that are homemade, so I was exited with the idea to have the opportunity to shoot an interesting visual and also to attend a very special performance. My friends and I arrived at the Midi Theatre, one of the Roadburn venues, and the first thing we saw was a giant background representing a dark and cold Norwegian landscape. The atmosphere was set up. Photographers were rushing in the front row but we arrived early in order to get a good spot, so I was close enough to take pictures of the musicians at each corner of the stage. Wardruna performed an hour of a very strong and spiritual set, pulling the audience into a trance. The portrait of Kvitrafn, (founder of the band) with his dominant posture and distant look, conveys the powerful and mystical atmosphere the band stirred that night – probably one of the most intense performances I’ve ever had the chance to witness.

FIVE

Last June, I traveled to Stockholm in order to see Terror play their only gig in Scandinavia, besides Roskilde Festival. On the contrary, as most people think, summer in Scandinavia can be quite warm, (for a few days) and that night, the heat was definitely on! I arrived at the venue, located in a basement, ready for few hours of hardcore, singing along and moshing with Victims, Anchor and No Omega, who were sharing the stage with Terror. The hours were passing by and the temperature was more and more intense, ready to welcome the five Californians. People were going crazy, the basement was fully packed and so hot, our clothes became soaked! Despite the heat of hell, people kept on stage diving from every corner, which made it difficult for me to shoot at different angles. I was also afraid for my camera, but I managed to find a spot at the corner of the stage. Not the best angle to take good pictures but it enabled me to have a vision of both, the stage and the pit. So I came up with that shot which is, for me, a good representation of that crazy night: kids, stage diving, fun and a lion-hearted band!

SIX

Here is another shot taken during a magical set at Roadburn: SWANS. The mythical band was highly expected, therefore the venue was fully packed, making it almost impossible to access the front rows. I decided to stay on the upper part of the room. I felt a bit disappointed because SWANS belongs to those bands which have a very interesting scenic game, therefore photogenic, but my zoom was long enough to catch a few interesting shots. The set was relying on improvisation mainly, the intensity was going crescendo, until that moment where Michael Gira literally kowtow to the floor, wailing on his guitar and screaming toward the sky. At that point, all photographers rushed at his feet to capture that passionate moment and overcharged the singer. I like the distanced aspect of the picture, the intensity springing forth from the artist and the neutral light surrounding his face – a true spiritual moment.

SEVEN

Every summer in Denmark, there is that big rock fest called Roskilde Festival, bringing thousands of restless kids ready for a week of pop rock and heavy drinking. This year, the roster was heavier than the previous editions with bands such as Eyehategod, Ghost, Mastodon, Kylesa, Terror and…Electric Wizard! Unfortunately, such festivals are a bit impersonal, so it doesn’t allow the band of that caliber to fully utilize the stage and make it more personal. It was a bit hard to get into the “mood” when the band plays at noon, but the band is so charismatic, few minutes are needed in order to transport the audience into its esoteric universe. During their set, I was shooting like crazy, anxious to get a picture that would satisfy me. But after a few tries and a bit of luck, I came up with this one. What is interesting to me in this shot is the contrast between the musical brutality of Electric Wizard, the “beasty” aspect of lead singer Justin Oborn, and the sweet look his partner Liz Buckingham is giving him. I was glad to capture an intimate moment that I probably wouldn’t have noticed with my “naked eye”.