Interviews
There are so many sides to the music industry and the different components that help make a show go on. There are so many memories that are captured in one single second that people can have forever. It is important to not only support our musicians but also people who are vital to preserving these moments. We spoke with Jeremy Sobocan, a band photographer from Canada who shared his love of music and photography with us. Please support Jeremy and his photography by buying prints from his shop! It is important during these times of uncertainty we support every aspect of the industry. Click this link to see his beautiful pictures! WCBG: So how are things with everything going on right now? JS: Everything is taking a big halt right now and everyone is in the same boat. Tours are cancelled, shows are being cancelled. Being freelance right now kinda sucks. I know it’s not just free-lanced in the music industry. It sucks seeing things you had planned for two to three months from now disappear. After this, everyone is going to be missing shows and all the bands are, they’re going to want to be on the road. We are hoping it picks back up. WCBG: What made you interested in photography? JS: I’ve always had an interest in photography, not necessarily band photos. When we had family gatherings, I was always the one taking pictures. I was in a band about four to five years ago now and we toured with this other band, Rival Town, and they asked my band to jump on a couple of shows with them. I asked them if it was cool if I brought my camera and they were like yeah of course. It started then with the band pictures specifically and I didn’t really expect it to become anything from that. I did two to three tours [for photographs] with them before other bands started to reach out to me. I’ve developed this weird perspective with Rival Town, I’ve been with them with four to five years at least and I know what they want to see and what they don’t want to see. Now going into bigger shows and other bands I’ve taken that with me and its lead to cool perspectives and angles in my pictures. WCBG: if you could go anyplace in the world where would you go? JS: I was supposed to tour Japan at the beginning of April so I would say Japan and Thailand flip back and forth for me. I love the street-photography. The nightlife in Japan is beautiful, especially the colors. Thailand is old but not worn down. Different from Japan but the ancient buildings and interesting street photography options—there are so many around there. We have it here, but we see it every day. We were originally supposed to go to Japan around cherry blossom season. Obviously that was cancelled, safety first over everything. WCBG: What type of pictures do you prefer to take, portraits or landscape? JS: I like band shots where I don’t have to tell people how to stand. It’s your picture it’s how you want to look in it. When I do band promos it’s not necessarily what the band wants to look like. It’s your band and I don’t necessarily listen to your band or know what you sound like so why should I tell you how to stand? I love landscape and street photos, it’s beautiful as it is and it doesn’t have to change. Like I can’t move a mountain. WCBG: What do you look for when you edit photos? JS: It depends what the picture is of. Down in Brooklyn I took street photos of Rival Town walking around and I tended to white them out brought up the whites and highlights so you can make them out. In live shots I tend to bring out the color. When I photograph Rival Town or a smaller band, I use a flash since it’s in a bar or a room and there aren’t stage lights like a bigger show. I use color to make it look more alive, which is difficult because you are using flash. If I can find colors to pull out and make them pop more, then match the contrast…It’s kinda funny, normally when I sent the bands the photos none or maybe one will post my favorite picture. It’s weird that we all like different pictures. WCBG What are your hobbies? JS: Right now, sitting at home on my couch because I can’t go anywhere. I would love to drive around and go west to see the Rockies. I like to go on hikes, and I fish a lot, which is difficult to do when on tour. I love the outdoors. I also play hockey every once in a while. I also play instruments when I can since I miss playing music. Photography keeps me at shows, but I do miss being on stage. WCBG: What instrument(s) do you play? JS: I play drums and guitar and a little bit. WCBG: What is your favorite state that you’ve been to? JS: I would say Tennessee. I also really enjoyed the scenery driving through Kentucky. Nashville is a lot of fun to be in, it’s a really nice city overall. I’m not a big city person, even though I live in a bigger city, I don’t like big crowds of people. It wasn’t overly packed and outside the city there are soft mountains and hills and you can see the Mississippi running through. WCBG: What is your favorite venue that you’ve taken photos in? JS: It’s in Albany, NY— Jupiter Hall in a shopping mall. It had a nice stage set up and great lighting. WCBG: What is your opinion of releasing an artist’s unreleased music after they’ve passed away? JS: Growing up I was a huge Prince fan. If they didn’t want it released when they were alive then it shouldn’t be. I don’t know how artists wills work out with recordings, but I know you record way more than you ever put out. I’m going to say yeah it should be released if the family of the artist is okay with it. Obviously, fans love whoever that artist was and would love to hear new music. WCBG: We have some spitfire questions for you, so say the first thing that pops into your head! Favorite color? JS: Blue WCBG: Favorite Movie? JS: Lord of the Rings WCBG: Favorite Book? Harry Potter WCBG: You’re going on a road trip, what are 3 songs that must be in your playlist? “21 12” by Rush “Self Defeated” by Like Pacific “Lottery” by Romancer WCBG: What is your favorite album in your personal collection? JS: I have one of the original pressed 1875 Rush self-titled on vinyl. WCBG: What are you currently listening to? JS: A lot of heavier pop punk. In the beginning I listened to a lot of State Champs and some of the more poppy stuff, that light state. Now a lot of Beartooth, A Day to Remember, Ice Nine Kills. I’ve also been listening to a lot of local bands like Downstream which is grungy emo-rock, Romancer—they’re from Waterloo, of course Rival Town, Like Pacific, Seaway and Rarity. WCBG: What are your goals for 2020? JS: My goal is to tour outside of North America and to see the West Coast of North America. Hopefully by the end of decade or year I’ll make it outside of North America. Follow Jeremy on Instagram, Twitter, and his Website Check out his photographs here
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