Blog Post 2 (Week 3/4)-- Band Life

Ok  I guess I have a thing for posting multiple images...

These are all photos from a recent gig my boyfriend's band played. I know we're not supposed to post "theatrical lighting", but frankly, I would think it an insult to consider this theatrical lighting whatsoever. It's just shitty flashing colored lights in a shitty dive bar that are impossible to shoot good photos in. Anyways.
The top two photos are the exact same photo, I simply made one version black and white for branding purposes--it suits their social media aesthetic better. This brought me to think about the effects of color usage and what colors can say or evoke. While both share certain aesthetic vibes simply from the locational background details, the color version could lead new viewers to think that their sound might be a bit more pop/punk or maybe even club-y. But the black and white version evokes a something a bit more calm or edgy, something that takes itself a bit more seriously. In the context of this band, the latter is more the image that is trying to be achieved, as their music falls into a post-rock ambient genre with some dance influence.
For me, the colors and texture of the bottom image harken back to the pop/punk themes of the 80s. Though this photo was an accident, artistically it ended up being one of my favorites of the night

because of this fact. The neon lights and blurred lines are reminescent of the indulgence and opulence of the era, as well as the expressive, chaotic energy that abounded coming off the 60's/70's era of post war escape into sex, drugs, and feel good ignorance.

PS, their band is called Via Vista, and they currently play at various venues around the OC area. Seriously, they are really freakin good. Check out their Instagram and Facebook page for upcoming events, and come out to support! They're also releasing their first EP soon, so keep an eye out for that ;)