Do you ever stumble across something that seems so obvious and so simple that you feel really thick for not thinking of it first? Well the folks over at A Negative Narrative gave me that very feeling with their unique way of interviewing bands. Instead of sitting bands down and chatting about what makes them tick, the bands are asked to reply to each question using photography. See, such a simple idea.
I had a chat to the founders of the site to find out what sparked the idea, and in their own unique way they answered all our questions in the only way they know how, with some photos.
Who are A Negative Narrative?
We are a pair of militantly stoned drunks. We are part-pixel, part-cancer. We are something, everything and nothing all at once. We are dangerous and influential men with a minor attitude problem and a penchant for spouting nonsense. We are also just two friends who love music, photography and partying. The last bit is the truest bit. Some people call us Mark and Ewan. Some people call us much worse.
Where are you from?
Leeds, The People’s Republic of New Yorkshire. In an area called Burley Park. You’re all welcome to visit anytime.
Where are you going?
Either up or down. It’s hard to tell. Sometimes both at once. This week has been majorly UP, with mad keen blog interest in the website and a slew of respected artists contacting us to get involved. Oh – and of course our first major media feature.
Where did the idea for the site come from?
It appeared in a complicated and unexpected dream which we randomly shared. We added a large slice of blue-sky thinking and decided to utilise our existing skills in music journalism, web development, graphic design and photography to create a hybrid, but completely unique and insightful music photography website.
What made you get into photography?
To get into gigs and festivals for free, and because it seemed easier and less time-consuming than writing a review. We’re lazy like that. Plus we figured girls dig a big lens.
What makes you pick the bands you feature?
A complicated (and secretive) formula . It’s our secret recipe. But mainly what we think the gig-going, record-buying, hip-dressing, underground-loving public will like. Them’s our people, and we roll deep for them. Or something.
What do you love?
Inebriation. It takes the edge off these troubled, tetchy times in which we digitally dwell and gives us a believable excuse for any personal failings. Plus it makes us dance like bastards on fire.
What do you hate?
Fish. Dead things. Dead fish. Things that smell of fish. Things that smell of death. James Corden. The Drums. The Daily Mail. Mark specifically hates flying. Ewan especially hates television. Sometimes Mark hates Ewan. And vice versa.
Why should we love A Negative Narrative?
You shouldn’t feel obliged to love us. Here’s a mind map showing why. We’re evidently BIG trouble. If you still want to (literally) love us then that can also be arranged. We don’t make any money from the site (you’ll notice there’s no sponsorship or corporate branding) so some sort of physical remuneration would be most pleasing.
To check out what A Negative Narrative do, you can visit their site here or follow them on twitter here.
