If you ask me what the best album of 2015 is, I’d have no hesitation answering with the Superhumanoids’ new album; “Do You Feel OK?”. It’s as if someone took exactly what I liked about music right now and made me a CD. As modest as they are about it when you ask them, it’s an incredible album and if you haven’t given it a listen yet – do yourself a favor, Jabroni. When we found out we’d be in the same place at the same time on their most recent tour, I had to shoot something with them!
One of my favorite tracks on the new album, plus I dig the video!
They were playing at Great Scott in Allston, so it made sense to show them around the self proclaimed sleaziest part of Boston before their show and make a day of it. We discussed shooting candids and keeping a very natural vibe instead of posing and pretending the whole time. We walked the streets with a beer in hand between every 100 steps or so, in true Allston fashion. We met a wonderful older gentleman with questionable hygiene who wanted to tell us all about the murals we were standing near, and another who was very naughty. We talked about music, scary movies, Drake’s hotline bling, our lives, our careers and the Log Lady… whom we then found out had coincidentally died that day… RIP Log Lady.
It was a great day, with a great group of people. One thing to note - they were early! I talked to them about that later and they pride themselves on being the band that’s always on time or early. I loved it. Of all the bands I’ve hung out with/worked with they are perhaps the only one that’s ever been early.
The first thing on their minds when I met up with them was food. So we walked to Deep Ellum where we talked about whatever was on our mind while I watched and photographed them chowing down on salads and chicken wings, like a creep. We went into the sad pet store in the middle of Allston, old furniture stores and down into another dive for yet another beer, the Avenue. What I really enjoyed throughout was the lack of small talk and awkward silence. They were incredibly down to earth and up for the ride.
We hung out during sound check. It’s always great watching a band get into the mood of their set and into character. In real life these guys are super sweet, nerdy & funny. On stage they have this wonderfully focused presence that is almost hypnotizing. I’m a bit biased since I love their music, but I’m pretty sure I’d seek them out at a party to get to know them better just by the aura they give. I approve.
I don’t believe in making band shots look too serious if we are taking candids. People look at promo photos all the time and usually those, although wonderful, are quite serious. People who love a band really want to get to know what it’s like to see them in real life. Isn’t that what you always thought of as a kid, “Oh I’d love to hang out with the Spice Girls in real life, what does a girl really want in real life?!?” To feel like they are hanging out with them, and that was what I really wanted to capture that day. We didn’t pose, I didn’t give them direction beyond “oh the lighting is cool there” - just stuff that would help me see them better haha. I love these photos because they show the fun times, the long waits involved with being a band on tour, exploring new places together and the dynamic of a band that’s been on the road for a little while. It’s about capturing their personality and being honest.
You can check out the entire set from the day here.
