90% LUCK, 10% EFFORT

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MYRON FUNG

Photographer Myron Fung gives us a glimpse into the DIY music scene of the San Francisco Bay Area in California. Myron talks about the different groups around the Bay Area, devotion to the DIY Ethos, and making space for the next generation.

Bay Area, USA

How did you begin your journey as a photographer?

My roommate was a photographer who enjoyed photographing outdoorsy things. We went on a camping trip together and I became inspired when he let me look through his camera's viewfinder. After the trip, I immediately purchased a K1000 for myself.

What have you learned along the way?

The most surprising part thing I learned is that photography is 90% luck, and 10% making the effort to be outside at places that inspire you to take photos.

How did you get into shooting live music and musicians?

My sister used to be a barista at Chromatic Coffee and one of her coworkers was throwing a show at their house and the guitar player for one of the bands was in Duster (this is 2016~ before Duster reformed). I was a huge Duster fan so I went and became fascinated with DIY as I did not know it was happening in my hometown San Jose. I brought my camera with me to most of the shows as it helps me deal with the social anxiety of showing up solo all the time so shooting shows became a habit.

How would you describe your style?

Not sure how to answer this, objective? I am of the opinion that photography should always be a secondary hobby to a primary hobby. For me, my primary interest is in music, and photography is just a way for me to participate in it without booking shows or playing music. My photos are only as cool as the people in them, and music people are pretty damn cool.

Tell the story behind one of your favorite images.

To be frank, can't say I have a favorite. I try to capture exactly what is happening at the shows so there are only missed shots and good enough shots. No favorites :)

How would you describe the underground music scene of the San Francisco Bay Area? What makes it special?

The Bay Area music scene is super diverse sound-wise! You got a circle for almost any kind of music and for that I feel very lucky to live in the bay. I haven't ventured outside of the bay area scene too much so anything that makes it special to me is likely idiosyncratic, and that's okay.

How does it inspire you? What do you love most about documenting this scene?

The most inspiring thing to me about the music scene is seeing others share the same uncompromising devotion to the DIY ethos. If I tell anyone outside the scene about this hobby, they'd think I was crazy. But it is nice being around others in the scene who share the same experience so I don't have to spend any time explaining what DIY is and get straight to other topics. My favorite moments are always when I run into another unexpected scene hopper! Nothing better than seeing someone else who goes to a punk show only to show up at a forest rave 2 hours after.

Is there a difference between scenes depending on the city (San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, etc ) or is it one big collective?

I'd say it is pretty different overall. Oakland's got the only rave scene that I know of in the bay area but they also have a dedicated community to all things music (punk, metal, indie, etc.). San Francisco was really focused on university students and had a thriving garage-show scene. Post-pandemic, there is a whole new group of booking collectives that are booking punk shows all around the city. San Jose had always been its own thing with a super tight-knit group of folks, but it has blown up recently with the whole RBS hardcore stuff.

If you can go to another city, anywhere in the world, and shoot their music scene, which one would you go to and why?

If I could go anywhere to document DIY, it'd be Hong Kong! This is where I came from and the law enforcement against illegal use of space is pretty strong there, so DIY spaces are hard to come by. For this reason, whenever there is literally any show that isn't a venue, people from all different scenes will show up to support them. Hong Kong really is one big collective.

What's next for you?

Honestly, I don't know. I used to spend way too much time going to 3-4 shows a week which led to me really neglecting my friends and other areas of my life. My motto this year has been balance, and I have been taking a step back from going to shows so often and improving my cooking and friendship. I had this feeling in the past that I had to be at every show to document it because there wasn't enough scene photographers in the bay, but so many new talented photographers are popping up in my area that I no longer feel that pressure. I can enjoy the shows I missed through their lens now, and perhaps its time for me to make space for the new generation.