— The Heavy Heavy —

Once in a great while, you might come across a group of folks who just plain have it. Individually each member is very good at their own roles, but collectively they are magic.

“The whole is greater than the sum of the parts”, Aristotle said. There is clearly a synergy, an energy with the Brighton, UK-based Heavy Heavy that is joyful, light, and that just feels damn good, if not familiar.

I had not planned on photographing them at HSBG 2023, but instantly I wanted to see if I could remotely capture their essence. These images are me doing the best I could with no press pass, and being relegated to a small fenced-in pen.

As fortune would have it, I was able to meet them a day later, after their gig at the Sweetwater in Mill Valley, California. I found them all to be open, humble, witty, and clearly passionate and dedicated in what they do.

The first image is of Will Turner which inadvertently seems to be an homage to Bob Dylan. The second of Georgie Fuller with her confident strut brings to mind Janice Joplin.

Their reverb-drenched collision of psychedelia and blues, acid rock and sunshine pop is rounded out with Thomas Holder on bass and vocals, Frank Fogden on guitar and vocals and James Porter on drums.