About this project

So why is jfotoman bothering me?

jfotoman would like you to have a bit of real rock 'n roll history. After spending close to 27 years photographing the real movers & shakers of rock 'n roll, he thinks it's time you properly get to see what he has seen, and hopefully help him continue his chronicles. jfotoman (aka Jay Brown) has been lucky enough to capture such iconic indie bands as Hüsker Dü, Sonic Youth, Dinosaur Jr. (before & after the Jr.), Superchunk, Nirvana, New Bomb Turks, Guided By Voices, the White Stripes, the Black Keys, and many more, while they were still unknowns playing on tiny stages for beer & gas money. These photos are a historical document of those gritty shows, usually taken in 200 capacity clubs (or smaller), inches from the stage, guitars & beer bottles flying, way before the influence of big labels, handlers & fame.

For too long these film images have been moldering around in notebooks unseen, primarily due to lack of time & proper resources. The object of this project is to make the approximately 30,000+ images (you read that correctly) more accessible, and to continue adding to the archive. With your help, that can be possible. And if you donate $5 or more, you will have your own bit of rock history.

So what's the plan?

The initial thrust will be to create a proper jfotoman website. Images will be scanned, archived, cataloged, and posted to said website, a library of sorts. The photos would be viewable by the public, with the ability to cross reference by date, venue, other bands on bill, etc...

Secondly, and what I feel is the most important part of the project, is the creation of a traveling art show. These photos were taken with the intent to be viewed (duh!). If funded, select images will be printed, matted & framed, then displayed in galleries, art fairs, and other not so traditional spaces. Galleries that already have expressed interest in showing my work include ones in Cleveland, Columbus, Memphis, New York, & Chicago.

The final part of the project would be to help me continue on with what I love to do, photograph the bands. Currently, I use a 1989 vintage Canon EOS-1 35mm film camera & related equipment, and a 1970's era Pentax as a backup. True workhorses, sadly, they have reached the end of their productive lives.

So what happens if funding is successful?

1) The first 10% or so will be invested in the website, which includes fees for a designer, hosting, domain registration, etc,

2) The bulk of the project (about 70%) will be devoted to printing, matting & framing photographs. I will be using traditional chemistry based photos, as well as some digital printing options. The plan is to have enough framed photos to fill a good size independent gallery, as well as a large number prints to take to art shows, fairs & so forth.

3) Any remaining funds will go towards updating my camera gear & imaging equipment, so as to continue documenting the independent music scene. Specifically, the following: camera body, strobes, film scanner, computer, and peripherals.

Finally...

If you found this project, you probably followed a link from a couple of the sites where my images are posted, or maybe from a friend of mine getting the word out. However you got here, thank you for taking the time to investigate, and I hope you are able to help.

Jay Brown / jfotoman