Since I began doing interviews 2 years ago I have become more comfortable but when I get the opportunity to do an interview with someone whose work I admire then I am back at square one. This is how it was for this interview with Matt Becker of Melodic Rock Concerts. His work is amazing, his blog posts about the different concerts he attends are fabulous but it is his photographs that are inspiring.
We all see the shots of the celebs, almost always the same pose or same mood is expressed. I know it must be hard to do original when your subject h as been photographed a million times, Matt does it and dose is extremely well. His list of concerts attended is extensive and built on the reigning Kings and Queens of Rock. I am so honored to have this interview and hope you enjoy it as well.
First let me say thank you for sitting down to do this interview, I have been a fan of your work on Melodic Rock Concerts for some time now and I know I am not the only one.
Thanks so much, it’s always great to know that what I put out there on the site is enjoyable to others.
So let me ask you how did get started in this gig as a Rock Fan and Photographer?
I shot my very first concert image at a Steve Miller show in 2006, and although I had no idea that I could turn it into something bigger, something must have stuck because the next year I was starting to draw up a list of concerts that I wanted to attend. The camera came along to every show, and although I of course enjoyed standing and watching my favorite rock groups perform, it was something special when I pushed that button and captured them in action. Eventually as I attended more and more shows, whether it was Rush or Boston, there were always dozens of people lining up around me and asking if I could send them a link to the photos. It didn’t take long for me to realize that a web site would be a great way to not only show the photos and reviews to those who I meet at shows, but also to anyone around the world who wants to check out high quality images of rock performers or read concert reviews. After launching Melodic Rock Concerts first as a blog in the Blogger network, the response was so strong that I eventually relocated it to its current home at www.melodicrockconcerts.com. All along the way I’ve had a blast, and the experience has been and will continue to be very rewarding.
It seems every generation has a Rock Photographer that simply works magic, do you have anyone whose work you enjoy or emulate?
Absolutely, I have taken notice of many fellow rock photographers and I’ve had the privilege of getting to know several of them. Ross Halfin comes to mind, he has been around for nearly 30 years and many know him from his work with Def Leppard. His images helped to define the era during the 1980s and 1990s; if you open up any old rock magazine issue you’re bound to come across a photo by Ross. I also have a great respect for Marty Moffatt, a photographer from the United Kingdom who has worked frequently with Journey. His images are truly stunning, and although I try to establish my own trademark in the images that I create, I do strive to live up to the standards set by photographers like Marty and Ross.
I read that your work is in the 2009 book ‘AC/DC: Maximum Rock ‘N’ Roll, do you also have your work published in other venues? Do you hope to have your own book out one day?
I’m very excited about the Maximum Rock ‘N’ Roll release, which should take place sometime later this year. This book is the definitive resource for all things AC/DC, and it’s an honor to have my photos eternalized in such a way. I try to stay in touch with a variety of publications, so you never know where a photo may appear next. I have given thought to various ways of putting what I do at Melodic Rock Concerts to paper, and a book would certainly be an appropriate way of doing just that. It’s definitely something I will consider down the line, without a doubt there is certainly a great and growing demand for live images of classic artists.
What is your favorite Rock Band and do you have bands that you hope to see soon?
The great thing about the bands that I photograph is that I love the music that is being played as I snap away. I have many favorites, and although I don’t want to single out just one I will say that I greatly enjoy the music of Toto, Def Leppard, Journey, Dokken, and Heart. Melodic rock is such a great genre to be involved with, the artists are very appreciative of fans that have stood by them through the years, and the music is timeless. There are so many names that get thrown out for artists from this era; whether it’s classic rock, hair metal, or hard rock, to me the only thing that matters is that the music is quality. Great vocalists, skilled guitarists, and a powerful rhythm section are at the heart of this type of music, and even some of the today’s newfly formed bands are embracing this and for that I have a great respect.
I’m thrilled about what lies ahead this summer, I will be seeing about 50 bands in concert and so the possibilities in terms of photography are endless. Every band will be great without a doubt, many of them I will be seeing in concert for the first time – Whitesnake, Heart, and Foreigner come to mind.
What concert stands out in your mind as the best show you have ever seen?
I have been extremely fortunate in that every act I’ve seen, whether it was Styx or Eddie Money, has put on an absolutely tremendous show. I think that there’s a certain standard that bands with 20, 30, or 40 year histories feel compelled to live up to; they realize that the people in the crowd could be die-hard followers or young, first-time concert goers, and so they give it their all each night. The concerts that stand out in my mind the most are those at which I not only heard great music, but made great memories with friends old and new, or with family. To quickly give a definitive answer to your question however, Toto and Rush are two bands that simply amazed me in the live setting.
Do you ever get contacted by the bands about upcoming concerts or do you just go in as a fan first?
Typically it’s me approaching bands or venues in a request for credentials, but it’s not uncommon for a band to contact me. Whether they enjoyed my images of themselves, or they took interest in what I did for other groups, it’s a blessing to be reached by an artist or a band.
What should someone who is hoping to take up a camera and document rock shows do to really follow their dream?
The advice I can give is that you should never limit the possibilities; always keep your mind open because you can never who what the future will bring. I would have laughed if two years ago you had approached me and told me that by April of 2009 I would be running a successful website dedicated to the live concert experience. It may sound cliche, but no dream is too big.
I want to thank you for taking the time to do this with me, I really enjoy your work so much can can’t wait until the next show is ready for you to photograph.
I want to thank Matt again for taking the time to do this Interview, it has been a pleasure.
You can read the latest article on Yes and Asia Touring and see all of Matt’s awesome photograph gallery here.
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