It soon became apparent that this was the right call when that shift of energy occurred and the frowns of concern become smiles of, well, you know, happiness? Relief? But I'm so proud of the tone of the portraits and how they've been so well received at the pub. There's a LOT of stakeholders in something like this and I've really felt the responsibility of getting it as near to my truth and theirs as possible on this one - people really care about this place and I owe them all my efforts to produce this project in their vision too.
I've really gone for it with this one. My friend Andy Gangadeen (look him up if you don't know, incredible man) and I have produced an vinyl LP of live recordings from the pub with 11 tracks of 11 singers, which will be available to buy from the pub at the exhibition launch night on April 21st this year. You can only buy it from the pub as you really need to know the environment to feel this music I think. It's that unique. Life won't look like this forever and the Last of The Crooners is a portrait of a thing that's no longer a thing - but is still a thing at the Palm Tree. Come see for yourself.
NEWSFLASH: I entered it into the Sony World Photography Award and it's been shortlisted in the Portrait Category. I'm so happy, honestly. Selected from 122000+ images, to have this recognised is an incredible compliment and I'm honoured.