A Sanctuary for creatives

Photography By Adri Grace

Photographer Adri Grace shares her documentation of the underground music scene in Arcata, California. Adri talks about how supportive the scene is, using two different cameras for different shows, and how screaming is cleansing.

Aracata, USA

How did you begin your journey as a photographer?

I began really enjoy taking photos when I entered high school. I took a photography class but then soon became an art student, so I took a break. After I graduated and settled into not living with my parents, I began wanting to publish my art and literature. So I started my magazine, Under Our Skin, which lead me to take more photos. I then began interviewing bands for my magazine which made me start studying band show photography and I fell in love with it. Capturing people in their element. It's beautiful.

What have you learned along the way?

I have learned a lot. First just about the camera in general because I am not a college student. A lot of what I have learned is through trial and error; lighting, timing, angles, etc. However, I have also learned a lot about how capturing people in their element, when they are performing, makes everyone feel accomplished and good. I love showing people some of their photos after the show because they feel so happy and continues to hype of the show. I've learned how photography makes people in front of the camera feel good about themselves when I capture their moment.

How would you describe your photography style? What makes your perspective unique?

I have a few different styles. I use two different cameras when working. Usually I save my Canon camera for bigger venues because the images are higher quality. I love capturing people screaming and people's movement when they play or sing. Screaming is something people don't see often in an art form. I feel like people associate screaming in a negative manner but it doesn't always have to be. Screaming is cleansing. I want to share that idea with people. Everyone has a different scream and capturing it is beautiful.
I also use another camera, it's a small olympic camera and it gives me blue hues. It's more of my signature camera for house shows and smaller venues. The blue captures the dark beauty of the underground music scene. It gives the photos a grainy, blue tone that makes people feel like they are underground in a different world because it is a different world in the music scene.

Your photography focuses on the underground music scene of Arcata, California. Why does this subject matter inspire you?

Arcata is my hometown. It's where I was born and still live after almost 23 years. Most of the bands I talk to and interview are my friends or friend's of a friend. The community is so small but so powerful. A lot of us are young artists who are pushing ourselves to be the best artists we can be; we motivate each other and support each other. I haven't seen a community support each other like this one.

Tell the story behind one of your images

One photo in specific I am pretty proud of is of my boyfriend sonny. I captured him headbanging and his hair was flying everywhere but made this perfect, almost halo around him. We were throwing a house show at his house, i think the second or third one we have thrown at that location and so many people always come. House shows are a place where everyone is there for the same reason, its beautiful.

He was so focused and in his element, you can see it in his face. It reminded me why I love doing this.

What makes the Arcata music scene so special? How have you seen it grow and change over the years?

Arcata is just special. It's a small college town where creative people go to focus on their art or find themselves. Arcata is like a sanctuary for creatives.

I will say there are more and more people from all over that have been coming up and the town is growing faster than it can handle. Small businesses have been suffering ever since covid. We have been losing venues. It's sad to watch. But that won't stop us from making venues and playing music. We will always make a place for the people who are want to play music. The community is stronger than the economy always.

What have been your most memorable shows?

One of the most memorable shows I would say was Something Wicked's album release party they threw at Outer Space. It was a huge turn out and everyone was so happy to be there and the band was so proud of themselves to have put together their first album. They had two local bands open for them: Crash Monroe and Brain Dead Rejects. It was beautiful to see and it was my first time getting to interview Something Wicked for my magazine where I asked them about their journey and muse. I was able to connect with everyone beyond hearing their music. Definitely a turning point in my photography journey because I have gotten to work with all those bands now multiple times.

What are some of your favorite venues or places to shoot?

I love shooting at house shows the most because it's a more intimate type of venue. However, an Arcata staple is Outer Space. Also 20 minutes away in Eureka is Savage Henry's and Sirens Song Tavern (which might be closing this spring which would be very sad for us). These venues mean a lot to the bands and I hope to see them all thrive.

Which local Arcata bands should we check out?

Definitely check out Spayr, Something Wicked, Small Craft Advisory, Kult of Indifference, Sew, Porcelain Dog, Brain Dead Rejects and Crash Monroe.

If you could photograph any other music scene in the world, where would you want to go?

I would love to go to Seattle. So many amazing bands have made it out of Seattle like Nirvana, Mudhoney, Sunny Day Real Estate, etc. I would love to see what its like now. I love the west coast, it holds a special place in my heart.

If you could tell 10 year old Adri anything, what would you say?

If I could tell 10 year old me anything at all it would be: "Things are gonna get really hard, you're gonna hurt, but you are gonna grow from it. Please remember all this love in your heart and hold onto it through it all because love will guide you. Your love for art is going to push you through all the bullshit you will go through. Please trust the universe."

What's next for you?

Next for me is just more of everything. More magazine editions, more band interviews, more traveling with bands, more tour photography, more shows, more exploring, more trust, more love, more support to my creative friends and self. I want to meet more people, make more art with people, connect with more people. That is my life's calling.