Best Album Covers: June 2021

Continuing the new series of posts where once a month I’m sharing some of my favorite album covers from music released on the previous month. Here are the ones released in June of 2021:

Supercolisor - Viagem ao Fim da Noite

Originally from Manaus, Brasil, Supercolisor is a genre-bending band that mixes alternative rock with popular Brazilian music.

© www.supercolisor.com

Even though they have been playing music together for over a decade, it was only upon the release of their recent album, Viagem ao Fim da Noite, that I got to know their work. And it was love at first listen! If you don’t speak Portuguese you will probably be missing the lyrical content of their compositions, but don’t worry, since the instrumentation and melodies don’t stand behind. It’s an incredible journey from beginning till the end, accompanied by a beautiful visual identity in the shape of the album (and singles) artwork, followed by 7 music videos that make the whole experience even richer. Already one of my favorite albums of 2021!

---

---

4 ways to get creative with Music Photography

Music Photography has been my bread and butter for the past 8 years or so, and over this time I experimented with a lot of different styles and techniques, in order to get away from ending up with the same images over and over. So here are 4 of my favorite ones that I try to incorporate into my work as much as I can:

1. In-Camera Multiple Exposures

Obviously, there’s no other way to start this list without mentioning Multiple Exposures, a technique that I like to use pretty much in any type of Photography I do, and for which I became known. These images planned on the spot and created in-camera (read a tutorial here), making it for always intriguing and interesting images:

Jessica Meyer (live at BAM Café, NYC 2017)

Rosemary Minkler (live at Bowery Electric, NYC 2018)

Choro das 3 (live at Sheen Center, NYC 2019)

---

2. Slow Shutter

Music Photography is almost always associated with faster shutter speed to freeze the moment and create timeless images. But rules are meant to be broken and sometimes all you gotta do is be ready to think outside the box:

Keith Ward (live at Rockwood Music Hall

Backup Planet (live at Brooklyn Bowl, NYC 2017)

---

3. Narrow Aperture

And speaking of rules, another common one is to keep your aperture as wide as possible, since you’re (most of the time) photographing in low light situations and need as much light to get to your sensor. But hey, who said that you cant bump up your aperture once in a while?

Raye Zaragoza (lleve at Irving Plaza, NYC 2019)

Mars Motel (live at Knitting Factory, NYC 2017)

---

4. Using a Prism Filter

More recently I began to experiment with using prisms in front of my lens, and the results are so incredible (when shooting a visually interesting artist and background) that it becomes almost impossible not to use it all the time. These were taken with Fractal Filters.

LGBAC Symphonic Band (live at Symphony Space, NYC 219)

Emily King (live at Central Park SummerStage, NYC 2019)

Corinne Bailey Rae (live at Central Park SummerStage, NYC 2019)

A few words with Naomi Gillies

I've recently photographed singer/song-writer Naomi Gillies on her show in NYC at Rockwood Music Hall, and took the opportunity to chat with her about a few other things:

(live at Rockwood Music Hall, NYC // © Leonardo Mascaro)

One, two, three, four!

Which movie would you love to have written a song for?
Naomi Gillies: Hmmm, I'm not actually a huge movie person, but I'll have to say "Requiem for a Dream". The music from that movie is so creepy and cool.

If you could go back in time, who is the artist/band that you would’t miss a concert?
NG: Probably sounds pretty cliche, but Michael Jackson and Prince. I never got to see either of them live and I'll regret that forever.

Favorite thing to do in NYC on a day off? 
NG: I like to go to the park and chill or go walk doggo's at the local animal shelter. :)

How would you describe your music in just one word?
NG: I don't think I'm self aware enough to answer this one :-P I asked my fiancé, he said he thinks soulful. I'll say "soulpop."

(encore) Where can we listen to your music online? My very first EP is still in the production stage, but it will be out soon, I hope! You will be able to find it on my website, and of course Spotify, iTunes, etc. You can also follow me on Facebook and Instagram.

A few words with Kathleen Potton

I've recently photographed NYC based singer/songwriter Kathleen Potton on her show in NYC at Nublu, and took the opportunity to chat with her about a few other things:

(live at Nublu, NYC // © Leonardo Mascaro)

One, two, three, four!

Which movie would you love to have written a song for?
Kathleen Potton: Well I kinda did already. My song 'Montauk' is based around "Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind". There are so many aspects of this movie that I love... but anything to do with memory, time and perception of time fascinates me!! And subconsciously it was a theme to a lot of the songs I wrote for my album Nero. In "Eternal sunshine..." I love how they try to save certain memories by changing their perception of them & try "hiding" them by giving them different associations. And also love the idea of being predestined, that you can't help who you are, who you love, how you love & that despite trying to block out people, we can't help who we're drawn to.

If you could go back in time, who is the artist/band that you would’t miss a concert?
KP: Ooh this is hard... and to chose just one?? I think I would like to go back and see any of the artists who I'm inspired by (Joni Mitchell, Paul Simon, Prince, Stevie Wonder, The Beatles) and see their first gig... I want to see where they started and how they morphed into the icons we know today. Seeing an artist's journey is incredibly inspiring.

Favorite thing to do in NYC on a day off? 
KP: Actually work and play are kinda intertwined for me... As long as there is music in whatever capacity, I'm happy! I do really love walking in the city though, especially at night when there are not too many people around, like after a gig... just put on some music and walk for ages. Best thinking and inspiration time for me!

How would you describe your music in just one word?
KP: Sincere.

(encore) Where can we listen to your music online?
My album NERO is out:
on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/artist/6leBXcfj0zCjGy1SN7qDGG
on iTunes https://itun.es/us/y9_djb ...
follow me on Instagram at instagram.com/katpotton 

A few words with Francis Aud

I've recently photographed Singer/Songwriter Francis Aud on his show in NYC at Rockwood Music Hall, and took the opportunity to chat with him about a few other things:

(live at Rockwood Music Hall, NYC // © Leonardo Mascaro)

One, two, three, four!

Which movie would you love to have written a song for?
Francis Aud: What a great question! So my favorite movie of all time is this super low-budget (or maybe it was a really big budget film but good lord the special effects don't seem that way) film called Short Circuit 2. It's about this self-aware robot who comes to live in NYC with a computer scientist/engineer, a swindler, and a shady banker to make toys and learn about human emotions. Anyways, I say all that because it's one of those typical, cheesy 80's movies where the soundtrack has music you'd listen to while wearing neon spandex, doing aerobics wearing a headband, and I'd love to just use a whole bunch of synths and totally cheap sounding sound effects to make something really fun.

If you could go back in time, who is the artist/band that you would’t miss a concert?
FA: This one is a three-way tie between Marvin Gaye, Otis Redding, and Jackie Wilson. Note for anyone who wants to see what a TRUE performance looks like, go watch Otis Redding's performance at The Monterey International Pop Festival.

Favorite thing to do in NYC on a day off? 
FA: Depends on the season! Spring/Summer: Going for a walk in Greenwich village. Fall: Going for a walk around Morningside Heights and writing in Straus Park. Winter: Not going for any walks and exploring a new coffee shop to journal in.

How would you describe your music in just one word?
FA: Genuine.

(encore) Where can we listen to your music online? 
The lovely masses can listen to my music at my website as well as searching 'Francis Aud' on Spotify, iTunes, Bandcamp, and Soundcloud:
Website: francisaud.com
Bandcamp: https://francisaudmusic.bandcamp.com/
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/francisaudmusic

A few words with Janelle & the Gentlemen

I've recently photographed Nashville based rock-n-roll band Janelle & The Gentlemen on their show in NYC at Rockwood Music Hall, and took the opportunity to chat with them about a few other things:

(live at Rockwood Music Hall, NYC // © Leonardo Mascaro)

One, two, three, four!

Which movie would you love to have written a song for?
Janelle Faiman: Anything Quentin Tarantino has produced. There is a dark sexy energy that I connect with. I probably watched Natural Born Killers 100 times in my early 20's.

If you could go back in time, who is the artist/band that you would’t miss a concert?
JF: Elvis Presley in the late 60's and early 70's. He had nothing to prove, but he continued to perform, older, out of shape and better than ever.

Favorite thing to do in NYC on a day off? 
JF: Museum of Sex.

How would you describe your music in just one word?
JF: Rich.

(encore) Where can we listen to your music online? 
www.janelleandthegentlemen.com
www.facebook.com/janelleandthegentlemen
https://play.spotify.com/album/4LqmBgaVYWukcasrf2UJUH

A few words with Brian Charette

I've recently photographed New York City organist/pianist Brian Charette on his show in NYC at Rockwood Music Hall, and took the opportunity to chat with him about a few other things:

(live at Rockwood Music Hall, NYC // © Leonardo Mascaro)

One, two, three, four!

Which movie would you love to have written a song for?
Brian Charette: Blade Runner. It's my favorite movie sound track and I find the tone of the film dark and inspiring.

If you could go back in time, who is the artist/band that you would’t miss a concert?
BC: The Beatles.

Favorite thing to do in NYC on a day off? 
BC: Sleep.

How would you describe your music in just one word?
BC: Genius.

(encore) Where can we listen to your music online? 
Briancharette.com

A few words with Tim Chernikoff

I've recently photographed Jazz Pianist and Composer Tim Chernikoff on his show in NYC at Rockwood Music Hall, and took the opportunity to chat with him about a few other things:

(live at Rockwood Music Hall, NYC // © Leonardo Mascaro)

One, two, three, four!

Which movie would you love to have written a song for?
Tim Chernikoff: Out of all the movies I've seen that I can remember right now, I would probably have to go with Shawshank Redemption.  I think making up themes for all of the different scenarios would be very cathartic. It's one of the movies that I identified with back in high school when a lot of my musical sensibilities were just forming.

If you could go back in time, who is the artist/band that you would’t miss a concert?
TC: Probably a Giant Steps-era John Coltrane gig, at one of the gigs he did while forming his concept, maybe 1958? Preferably the dingiest hole in the wall he had to play at. And then try to get a lesson with him.

Favorite thing to do in NYC on a day off? 
TC: On a day off... I would meet up with a girl and go to the park, or visit an outdoor salsa concert - depending on my current relationship status of course.

How would you describe your music in just one word?
TC: Wistful.

(encore) Where can we listen to your music online? 
All my online posts will appear in the following places:
http://www.timchernikoffjazz.com
http://www.facebook.com/timchernikoffjazz
http://www.soundcloud.com/timchernikoff
http://www.instagram.com/chernijazz

A few words with Nabiyah Be

I've recently photographed the Brazilian singer song-writer Nabiyah Be on her show in NYC at Rockwood Music Hall, and took the opportunity to chat with her about a few other things:

(live at Rockwood Music Hall, NYC // © Leonardo Mascaro)

One, two, three, four!

Which movie would you love to have written a song for?
Nabiyah Be: Ha! Would be a very tricky question for me in any other scenario but right now I have to say Marvel's Black Panther since it is my very first movie as an actress and it's such a pivotal tool for black representation in the center of the machine that is Hollywood.

If you could go back in time, who is the artist/band that you would’t miss a concert?
NB: Equally hard question...Although I love some of my oldies I have to say Amy Winehouse because she changed my approach to songwriting and introduced me to a whole generation of Jazz music that she drew from. Before her, I was quite ignorant about it and didn't really understand jazz. She also had a killer live band.

Favorite thing to do in NYC on a day off? 
NB: Hang out with friends on my backyard and enjoy live music at the park.

How would you describe your music in just one word?
NB: Fusion.

(encore) Where can we listen to your music online? 
You can find everything available at www.nabiyahbe.com
I'll be making official releases this year! Follow me on social media at: 
- Instagram: instagram.com/nabiyahbe
- Facebook: facebook.com/nabiyahbe
- Twitter: twitter.com/nabiyahbe
- Youtube: youtube.com/nabiyahbe