Maroon Like the Color

The untold story….

Boston Calling’s inaugural year and typical for New England, it rained. City Hall Plaza was simply put, a soggy mess. That didn’t stop the crowds from letting loose and having fun. We are used to rain here and I watched that crowd embrace it. Decked out in galoshes and ponchos, fans sang and danced on through puddles and heavy downpours all day.

Above are some of the scenes I captured that didn’t make the final cut. For more, check out www.billboard.com/photos

This week Big D & the Kids Table released their new record Stomp & Stroll. If you haven’t already picked it up, please do. It’s fantastic! Chock full of fun tracks and some great guest vocals. 

Back in March, I had the pleasure of sitting in at Mad Oak Studios, Allston for a few days as they tracked vocals. It was my first ever opportunity to document recording. Tons of equipment strewn about a small space….wires, pedals, keyboards, mics, stands, headphones, even a Russian nesting doll, and of course the famous Camp Street board. I tipped toed around with my camera looking at everything. I felt like a kid in a candy store! I’ve played music since I was 12 and it was a flashback to those days in the music room in band class. Only this time I couldn’t play with anything. Instead, I had to collect everything into my camera.

These were the photos Big D chose to use in the album artwork. Peek behind the lyrics and you’ll see my visit to Mad Oak. 

“I want to see the customers enjoy the stuff, I don’t want to sell to people I can’t see.” -Bobby Garnett

Sweet Joey’s and Bobby from Boston

Why am I so compelled to capture images of these two places? What am I seeing? For starters, both shops are very well curated and unique in their own way. You can chat with the owners anytime you visit. But the most valuable thread between them: they feature clothing and goods made in America. At one point did we stop making things here? Just like I like knowing where my food comes from, I like knowing about my clothing too…. Who made it? What story does it carry? What are the values and mission of the makers?

I own a shirt from Sweet Joey’s made specially for the US Coast Guard and an all wool pea coat from Bobby’s made for the women’s military. These are pieces of American history that have been passed down and somehow landed in my hands, they were built to last, and they are here to stay. I believe there is a resurgence of handmade goods in the US. I only hope consumers recognize this and are compelled to support it just like I am.