Angela Boatwright is one of sickest photographers to come out of New York City. She is also a heavy metal maniac, & on a good day she gets to combine both of her passions: metal & photography. One thing that makes her photos special is that she breathes her culture into her photos. I feel pretty lucky to say this, but I have known her going on 10 years & she is true inspiration to me on many levels. So after the jump take a trip into Angela’s world, where headbangers rule.
When was the first time you wanted to pick up a camera?
My best friend Meagan, her sister Amy and I were going to see this glam band called Vain – this was in 1990. It was the guitar player’s birthday and we had baked him a cake in the shape of a snake. I wanted a camera to document all this, as it was a HUGE deal for us (we were 15 years old). I bought a cheapy point and shoot, one roll of film and asked the girl selling t-shirts at the show how to load it. I still have the photos by the way. I’ll email you one!
When you started shooting pictures in Ohio, who were your first subjects?
My friends, bands (I went to see a lot of shows even as a teenager) – pretty much the same kind of stuff I shoot now.
When did you become a part of the heavy metal music scene?
I have literally been obsessed with heavy metal for as long as I can remember. I have some very clear memories of seeing Kiss on TV when I was little – and Ozzy actually. I remember my dad seeing Ozzy and saying something like, “that’s not real music,” but I was totally mind-blown. Ozzy’s ‘Shot in the Dark’ video changed me forever (seriously). Gives me shivers just thinking about it.
I have no idea if I’m even part of the metal scene nowadays. I have a ton of other interests outside of metal and am always complaining about unnecessary scene elitism. Although, as my good friend Jake pointed out the other day, I apparently have a lot of strong opinions about it (glam metal ballads in this case) for someone so against elitism…haha.
Are there any bands that you have photographed that you never envisioned yourself shooting?
I got to photograph the Black Crowes recently which was pretty awesome. When I found out I was gonna work with them, 15-year-old me pretty much shit her (my?) pants. I have no idea how to phrase that, hopefully it makes sense. But yeah, pretty much a teenage dream come true. Sounds dumb as hell but there you go. Oh, and Depeche Mode!
What was the most intense metal show you have ever shot & why? What were you feeling while it was happening?
I got hit by a car in 1997 and was out cold for 11 hours. I had a minor concussion, and a week after the accident found myself at an S.O.D. show at Maxwell’s in Hoboken (super small, claustrophobic-if-you-have-a-head-injury venue). I was really out of my mind and kept worrying that my head was gonna get cracked. The photos came out pretty awesome. I can think of a few more shows that were similar…I love that feeling though. Being kinda scared, shit’s all dark and intense. Fog machine. Love it.
When you are shooting someone from the skate, metal or punk community, do you feel you can get something out of them that other photographers couldn’t because they might not connect to them the way you do?
I’m not sure, I hope so! I’m naturally attracted to fuck-everything type of people and I love rule breakers of all types. I really believe in the people I photograph. It’s not some bullshit thing, if I’ve ever photographed you I probably think you’re awesome as shit.
You shoot a wide variety of musical artists, not just those in the metal community. When you do a metal shoot, is there something special you try to convey about that community?
Not sure… I try and bring out people’s real personalities as much as I can with whatever time is allotted. I like satanic dark stuff, but sometimes with metal bands it’s too gimmicky. I have a harder time photographing people I know really well, too. Sometimes that’s a factor with metal bands, even if I don’t know them personally I tend to know a lot about their history etc.
What drew you to New York City in the early 90’s? Was youth culture different then, & if so why?
I had been to New York once before I moved here permanently. At the time, I really just wanted to get out of Ohio and start my own life. In hindsight I have no idea why I chose NYC. A lot of my friends had come here for hardcore shows etc. It just seemed like the place to be. I fell in love with it right away.
Youth culture was totally different then – there was no Internet and of course the city wasn’t nearly as safe although it was much safer in the early 90s than previous decades (see ‘Captured’). But still…I do miss anonymity: the idea of leaving your house and not being able to be reached until you get home. I also liked that people and kids specifically had to earn the things they loved. It wasn’t just about liking something on Facebook, you had to do your research, make an effort and prove yourself! It’s so easy for companies and private interests to collect information on us these days via technology. It’s starting to feel like we’re all just statistics. I really believe if something’s worth loving, it’s worth working hard for.
Could you explain how New York City has shaped your creations?
Hmm, that’s tricky because as of this coming July I’ll have lived here half my life. I’m not sure I can answer that objectively!
For me, when I lived in the lower east side of New York, there was an invisible kinetic creative that felt like it was happening around me all the time. Do you ever feel this? How does that energy effect you?
I used to feel this a lot stronger than I do now, however after some thought yes, for sure that energy still exists. NYC keeps you on your toes, it’s really hard to be complacent here with everything going on. Everyone here has 40 things they do and people treat each other like family. We look out for each other. We keep our eyes and ears peeled for homies in regards to jobs, apartments etc. I have a lot of great experiences with this and have so many people to thank. Haha, this is making me wanna go to Max Fish and hug everyone, sheesh!
You told me you are working on a book about all of your metal pictures, can explain whats going on with that and what motivated you to start that project?
I’ve been wanting to put out a book for a while, but always felt the time wasn’t quite right. I’ve just begun gathering together some of my images and laying them out in new ways to see what I have. About a year ago, I started filming a documentary on metal bands that tour heavily and am hoping that if all goes well a book will come out along with the film. These are big dreams, so wish me luck!!!
Super WOW! CVLT Nation wants to say, nice one Angela on an epic awesome interview!!
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