True Grit
What Music Looks Like
Photographs by Cari Veach
Photographer Cari Veach has been documenting the Southern California rock n’ roll scene for 14 years. She discusses what she looks for when shooting a show, pride in not using photoshop, and what separates her from other music photographers.
Southern California, USA
Hi, my name is Cari (pronounced Carrie) Veach. I spent most my life moving around, because my father was in the Marine Corps for 30 years, but in 96’ I moved to Oceanside, Ca. and pretty much grew up there. I’ve moved all over California actually and after 2013 I finally felt most grounded in San Diego- thus I stayed.
I first picked up a sweet hot pink, 110 film loading camera in about 89’. At that age I had absolutely no idea what I was doing. For me it was great, I could finally document some of the places my family had moved. However- most the photos were out of focus, of toys, and a lot of people’s crotches- given my height at that young age.
I finally got to really upgrade my camera in high school, when my father lent me his Canon T-70 for photography class. There I learned the art of developing film. Though I excelled at it and my teacher was stoked on what I captured… I never thought myself a photographer. I was too immersed with being an artist at the time- so that is the label I used until more recent years.
While in college getting my bachelor of science, in graphic design; I tried desperately to find work in the music industry. My goal was to design album covers, merch, flyers, anything really for bands and record labels. I would go to shows and miraculously get back stage and try to hand out my business card. It was most difficult to be a female and be taken seriously. I was constantly mistaken for a groupie and I’d often state, “I know you’ve got to crawl before you walk, but I don’t get my knees dirty.” Subsequently, I had shit luck on getting hit back for design work.
My friend saw me struggle with it and told me to just take photos of the bands and that, “They will hit you up, because musicians like looking at themselves.” So I borrowed a DSLR camera from my college and went and shot his band. Success! I sorta blew up from there. Later I acquired my very own Canon 30D- which I still use to this day.
To be clear- shooting live music was not really about just connecting with the bands- it was more so contributing to their connection with the audience. I hoped that I could excite people into going to shows or placing them mentally at a show using my photography skills. Music saved me and I wanted to pay it forward. So documenting what music sounded like visually was always a part of the process. If music is what feelings sound like; then this is what they look like.
Allegiance
What I love about shooting live music, is the energy. I’m not your typical photographer that stands there like a dildo without batteries; while the crowd rocks out or stands there with perked lips and arms crossed. I get into what I’m shooting and my energy rubs off most times to the crowd and the band. I’m all over the place. I try to imagine what the fans would like to see, what would give the band an iconic image, what the band doesn’t see (because of the bright lighting or lack there of) and finally- I shoot for myself. My favorite shows are usually the ones where the musicians are allowing themselves to release and give us a glimpse of their soul and their vulnerability. You don’t need a mosh pit to capture that energy, but there can be one. That being said, I’m pretty open when it comes to a particular genre to shoot or a space/ venue. I love math rock and noise bands, but at heart I’m still a metal head/ goth girl. I can shoot in a DIY venue, a dive bar, a concert venue, an arena- it’s all the same to me. We’ve got all those things here in Southern California and we are particularly thick with musicians. The scene is vast here and no matter how many people tell me that a particular scene is small- they are just stuck looking at cliques, genres, or sub genres. They just aren’t stepping out on top of the labyrinth.
I think the thing that separates me from other music photographers- is that I don’t photoshop my images. I don’t use presets, or filters- none of that posterizing or metal looking crap. I actually shoot all my multiple exposures in real time. My goal is to keep my photos as close to real film as possible. Which is easy with my camera being so old, the ISO only goes up to 1600, and it has less mega pixels than my phone (which is also old)- so yes- there is grain. It’s the real grit- it’s more punk rock I think. It feels more raw and intimate. Why spend hours editing a photo to make it look cool- why not just learn to use your camera? I think over editing an image transforms it into computer art and separates it from being a photo. It’s like saying you’re a painter and only have mastered MS Paint. I don’t know, call me a dick. Eh.
Spider Problem
One of my favorite images I’ve captured was while I was on a boat with a few of my favorite musicians- Spencer Seim, Jonathan Hischke, and Carson McWhirter. Just imagine be serenaded in the middle of nowhere, with incredibly talented musicians- free jamming, on a lake, and in a boat. I spent a week camping with them and probably 40 others up in northern California. There was a countless number of talented artists and musicians there. It was a magical time that I will remember always.
Since shows have stopped, I’ve focused on organizing my 14 years of band photography and finding old sets I haven’t edited. I’ve also started working on illustrations and other artistic concepts for future photos. I’ve stayed away from photographing the civil rights movement. I feel that, because I am white, my place is to be a human shield at protests. The movement is most definitely important to document- but this is a time to use my privilege for good and not be an opportunist like a paparazzi looking for likes on social media. It’s just gross.
What’s next for me? No idea. I actually work(ed) in music venues and bars as a security guard, and door person- and I help book shows. Covid-19 safety precautions has shut shit down until next August at least and a lot of venues have already started going under. I have no idea what the future of shows will be like in a year from now, but I know there will always be people creating music. Musicians are my family and I’ll just keep doing what I can to get us by.
To See More Of Cari’s Work, Follow Her Instagram @cariveach
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Big Sir
