Marty is sometimes the AD and sometimes the shooter. During SXSW Gomez was in town for an ATO records showcase supporting their new album A New Tide. Marty had just shot some press pics for Ben Kweller also an ATO artist and Gomez really dug his look. So Marty scouted a few locations and ended up spending the day shooting the fellas at the Agave. Thanks to Bill Bayne for riding shotgun on the shoot.
ATO Records called a month before SXSW and said Brit rock stars Gomez would be in town and they needed promo shots for the launch of their record, A New Tide. We pitched them on two locations – they liked both. Marty shot them at The Center for Maximum Potential Building Systems and The Agave for a half day. Everything was photographed using available light. The simple images were inspired by the rock and roll photography of Elliott Landy – particularly his images of The Band. It’s an attempt at an honest documentary approach in a era where so much imagery is over-lit and over-styled.
Ben Kweller moved in down the street from Adam. The rest is history. Ben needed some images to promote his new album, Changing Horses. Marty went over to a South Austin session with a super fast 50mm prime and hung around while the band worked. The images are a simple and gritty reveal of the tenacity of Ben in the studio. He is incredibly energetic and personable. At once a producer, writer and performer – it’s clear he was born to do this work. He also wears camo t-shirts with the sleeves cut off.
