Goodbye, Cruel World…
May 29, 2010, 11:59 pm
Voxtrot @ Great American Music Hall
San Francisco, CA
The portfolio of photographer Ro Tam
The portfolio of photographer Ro Tam
Archives for Music Photography:
April 12, 2010, 1:23 am
The Slants just released their second album “Pageantry” and I took some press photos for them here in North Portland because my mom told me to. The one with the tie all the way to the left is my brother Simon and the other nice young man with a tie, Johnny, lived down the street from us while growing up. They’ve been in several bands together since high school and I love that they’re still playing music together. Now that I think about, I’ve been photographing their bands for over ten years and they’ve put up with some of my stupid antics at their shows for just as long. Whether you’re into the music or not, the Slants put on quite the rock show and you should make it a point to see them live (not just because my mom says you should).
March 21, 2010, 11:11 pm
Most of the music venues I go to are either 21+ or have a separate area for the boozers. Sometimes at shows I’ll see kids standing outside hoping to hear some music or meet the band. It makes me smile because I used to do the same thing. I feel sorry for them then go inside, order a drink, take some photos and feel grateful that I don’t have to stand outside anymore. The Cool Kids played at the Roseland on March 8 and I photographed it for Willamette Week’s Local Cut. It was an all ages show but the underage crowd made it memorable. They were so excited to be there and knew all the lyrics. During the last song the band let them go up on stage. Afterwards, the kids hung around to get autographs and had the Cool Kids sign everything from their ticket stubs to their sneakers. It was adorable.
February 22, 2010, 6:46 am
Music Millennium turned 40 and the Dharma Bums reunited for a show in their honor. They were suppose to be the big breakthrough band of the Pacific Northwest but instead Nirvana, who used to open for them, exploded. The show was highly charged and meant something different to everyone who was in attendance. Music aside, I was excited by the involvement this show had with my circle of friends and the bliss demonstrated by frontman Jeremy Wilson. Fresh Young Fellows and Derby opened.
February 8, 2010, 5:12 am
On February 5th, I photographed the Album Leaf with Sea Wolf at the Doug Fir. I’m a big fan of both bands but the Album Leaf has a special spot in my heart since they’re also from San Diego. I think that Jimmy LaValle is brilliant. He’s always been a key player in the music scene down there while I was growing up. You can see more photos including some of Sea Wolf at Melophobe. Despite what the review says, I thought the show was beautiful.
January 29, 2010, 2:13 am
Shepherd Book is Portland’s newest two piece metal band. On Monday afternoon we decided to check out a Megachurch and rehab compound thats been abandoned for the past five years. What we found were the remnants of an old cult, toxic mold and penis graffiti on almost every wall. Band photos below, penis graffiti to follow in the next couple of days.
January 18, 2010, 3:33 am
This afternoon I had a photo shoot with indie pop sensation New Century Schoolbook. We had a little less than an hour to do it so we ran around the Hollywood Antique Mall like a bunch of new century school girls.
January 31, 2009, 11:36 pm
words: Amy J Gauthier
photos: Ro Tam
Dressed for a funeral, the Silver Jews took the stage for their final show. About 300 lucky fans gathered not six feet under, but 333 feet underground to pay their respects. The performance was held at Cumberland Caverns, an underground cave in McMinnville, TN. Mr. Berman played his 15 favorite songs with no encore. He opened the show by letting his fans know that “If you’re in a position in your life, where you need to make a change, this is the best time. If you’re stuck, try saying no.” As ‘We Are Real’ opened the show, David told his fans, “I’m saying yes for the last time.”
From the moment they started to play, the crowd knew this was a different Silver Jews show. People were very humbled by the decision David Berman has made to quit the music business. It was more of a celebration of the life of the Silver Jews than a funeral. Many stood with tears in their eyes, and even David got emotional as he started to play, ‘Room Games And Diamond Rain’.
The band played better than ever. David’s voice lifted the walls of the cave in perfect harmony. It was the most focused and serene Silver Jews show the fans had ever seen. The usual shouting of favorite lines was kept to a low whisper. Many of these fans had come a long way to say good-bye.
Bob Nastanovich revisited the drums one last time, as they played ‘Trains Across The Sea’. Bobby Bare Jr. also made a quest appearance singing backing vocals on ‘I’m Getting Back Into Getting Back Into You.’
As the show was coming to an end, Cassie’s stunning bass rang through our ears the intro to, ‘Smith & Jones’. The excitement of the fans was boundless, even within the walls of the cave. Although this was the last show, the fans knew it was the Silver Jews forever, and ever, and ever and ever!
