Photographer: Hillarie Jason
Site: HERE
Based in: Worcester, MA
The images below were all taken within the past year and convey the emotion that I try to capture in my photographs. My main focus when deciding which images to include here, was based on the image itself and the story it tells on it’s own and not how famous the band is or isn’t, or how well I know a band member. I am interested in images that communicate to everyone and not just those familiar with the specific bands or their music. Since photojournalism just isn’t my style, the feeling of what it’s like being there is what I am after. These photos are a mix of bigger name bands, local favorites, and newer or relatively unknown bands. To me, photographing live shows is about the experience and not necessarily about the notoriety of those playing. By treating every show the same way, I feel that I get much more interesting shots than I would otherwise.
ONE
Pentagram
Club Hell in Providence, RI
Here in New England, we have a very healthy music culture which provides us with some great musical opportunities. There are tons of amazing local bands, a bunch of venues of all sizes with lots of shows, touring bands of all kinds almost always go through the area, and in this case, Pentagram played the second of only two shows for their 40th anniversary tour. This was one of those shows you kicked yourself (hard) if you didn’t go to and many people I know that couldn’t or didn’t go, did just that. Everything about this show was amazing – I mean, it’s Pentagram. What else is there to say about it? They played a scorching set in an absolutely packed venue to a crowd that just couldn’t get enough. Surprisingly, I think I was the only photographer there, and that helped me to get the shots I wanted quickly so I could simply enjoy the show, which of course I thoroughly did. This shot, my favorite of the night, was an experiment to try and capture the mood of Bobby Lieblings’ infamous stare.
TWO
Triptykon
The Middle East Nightclub (Downstairs) in Cambridge, MA
Although this venue is one of my least favorite for photography, this show was front to back a “no-brainer.” Black Pyramid, Yakuza, 1349, Triptykon, and an early meet and greet with Triptykon. The meet and greet ran pretty long, so the venue asked us all to go outside with the band so the show could start. Hanging out in a back lot by the dumpster with Triptykon, I shot some pictures of Tom G. Warrior and the band with a couple of my friends who were at the show, including my husband who was really excited that Tom signed his old copy of “Into the Pandemonium.” At some point, I realized Black Pyramid had already been on for a few songs, so I left them all by the dumpster and I ran down to get some pictures. Since they are friends, I didn’t want to miss my opportunity to document their opening set for such a huge show. Thankfully, I did end up catching the last song and a half of the set. Anyway, the place was pretty packed, so for both 1349 and Triptykon, I had to keep to the side area which is situated in such a way that makes it difficult for photographing anything other than the drummer or the huge PA’s. Luckily, Tom looked over a few times during the set and I was able to snag this shot.
THREE
Black Pyramid
The Midway Cafe in Jamaica Plain, MA
There are a few local bands that I have shot countless times, and Black Pyramid is definitely one of those bands. I couldn’t tell you how many times I have shot their shows without counting the photo files, but somehow the photos are rarely, if ever, similar from one show to the next. That, along with the fact that they are great guys and play great music, keep me going to their shows. I can’t really say why the photos are so different, but it could be partly because I am so attuned to their sets that I feel more free to experiment than I might otherwise, and partly because the guys let me do whatever I want. This helps me achieve a level of comfort that only a couple of other bands allow, and it also helps in attaining the best images possible. Since my style is rooted more in the feeling of the show than it is in documentation, and because 90% of how I shoot is simply gut instinct, the more comfortable I am, and the band is, the easier it is to pick up on the vibe and capture it. This is a shot of the singer/guitarist, Andy Beresky, at a local event called “Bobfest” of which they headlined on the second night.
FOUR
Pilgrim
Ralph’s Diner in Worcester, MA
Ralph’s Diner is one of the best small venues in the area, and definitely one of my favorite places to check out bands. They have a regular metal themed night every couple of Thursdays aptly titled “Metal Thursday.” This event is truly invaluable to the local scene; it allows you to see touring bands from all over the world, along with established and new local bands in an intimate setting. This is a very recent shot at one of those Metal Thursdays of the bassist, Eric Dittrich, in a band called Pilgrim. I believe they have only played a few shows in total so far. They play straight up doom, and they play it very, very well. The show was already a big local event as it was the CD release show for local doom heroes, Faces of Bayon, and their debut “Heart of the Fire.” As a relatively unknown band, Pilgrim got some good exposure and won over quite a few new fans which was really great to see. They were pretty much the talk of the night among the crowd that caught their early set. This shot was my favorite one from that night.
FIVE
Nachtmystium
Club Hell in Providence, RI
This was the first time I shot a Nachtmystium show, and luckily, this particular venue is mostly good for photos as long as it isn’t too packed. The stage isn’t too high, there is no barrier in front of the stage, and it’s wider than it is deep. There really aren’t any bad views unless you are of a short stature and standing in the back. There isn’t much of anything between you and the band when you are up front which makes for a more intimate feeling. When Nachtmystium went on, it wasn’t so crowded that I couldn’t move around a little and I was able to stand at the front of the stage for a bit. For this shot, I was about two feet away from Blake Judd, a little too close, so I had to angle myself to the side and lean a bit farther away as not to get a slew of nostril shots. Who wants to see that? I just like this picture for the emotion it conveys. No flash effects or funky framing, just pure emotion that pops out from the image.
SIX
Let the Night Roar
O’Brien’s Pub in Allston, MA
Let the Night Roar is a band from Atlanta, Georgia that I have shot quite a few times. They consistently play some of the most intense, and loud, sets I have seen. LTNR is one of those bands that other bands have a hard time following. For one reason or another, some of the shows they were booked on for a recent spring US tour, dubbed the “F**k the Universe” tour, had fallen through. Luckily, there is a bimonthly metal night at O’Brien’s Pub, put on by Zack Wells, called “Born of Fire Presents,” that happened to have a show booked the same night the band came into town. To their credit, Zack and the two other bands playing, Whitey and Hivesmasher, gave the OK and added LTNR to the bill with only a couple of days notice. As well as being great guys and an exciting band to photograph, LTNR is pure sonic destruction. They’re never boring and put a ton of energy into each set even if they only get to play a few songs. They also let me do whatever I want and don’t get distracted by much of anything while they’re playing. This is a shot of Jeff Joseph J. and Greg Knap from the “Born of Fire” show and captures some of the energy of the band.
SEVEN
Before the Eyewall
Chatham Hall in Chatham, MA
It’s funny how sometimes the worst situations can bring about positive results. This show was way out on Cape Cod in a small community hall that took me quite sometime to find. The lighting consisted of one dim overhead fixture behind the band and an occasional light from a kitchen area to the back left of where the bands set up. At best, the effect was like a row of lit candles behind and to the left of the band. My external flash was out of commission as it had died mysteriously at a show the week prior and I had not yet received it back from being repaired. The windows had to be kept closed to keep the noise down so the show wouldn’t get shut down, and the ceiling fans that were there didn’t work, so it was very stuffy. This was not by any means what you would call an ideal situation for photography, so I had to improvise. In this photo of the guitarist, Garrett LoConti, I decided to experiment with an insanely long exposure time and a rocking motion that followed his movements. I ended up with an image that really reflects their sound.
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