Shout out to Andy Snaps
A few years ago, at a music event held on a scorching summer’s day in the middle of Raumati suburbia, we met Andy Russell. And how grateful we are to have crossed paths with this human being! Andy introduced himself as a drummer, and told us he played bass too. We also learned he is a music teacher, is in a couple of bands, and (at the time) was spending more time doing another thing he loved: photography.
Cam and I went on to collaborate musically with Andy for several gigs, events, and important recording milestones, and all the while he was honing his craft, getting out and about with his camera, and sharing his snaps for all to see. Fast forward to now, Andy has captured some of New Zealand’s most well known artists as well as local legends, and is a regular photographer for Muzic.nz. He has also very generously donated some of his photos to become Mostly Music’s brand photography — showing the energy and intrigue of live music performance in an ambiguous way. In other words: the exact brief we gave him.
We asked Andy to share his thoughts on Mostly Music, and we now know that he is a great writer too! We are blown away by his kind and thoughtful words. Please remember, if you need an event photographer (who’s also very good at other scenarios and situations btw!) then Andy Snaps is your guy.
“I had already been musically involved with Jess and Cam for a few years before Mostly Music sprouted. We became good friends during the countless hours of rehearsing, jamming, playing shows, and recording songs; things I only tend to do with people I deem the height of loveliness. When they mentioned they were working on the concept surrounding Mostly Music, I - knowing the passionate and driven humans they are - threw my full support behind them. It also happened to be about the same time my photography work was gaining momentum, with a niche forming around covering local musicians, shows, and anything to do with music.
You may see where this is heading.
As a budding live music photographer wanting to capture the local music scene, I can’t think of a better resource than a database of local musicians and venues which also publishes a weekly gig guide.
Taking my photographer hat off for a second, and putting my musician cap back on, I still can’t think of a better resource.
Taking both hats off (Joe Cocker is in shambles by now) I still can’t think of a better resource for anyone looking to support the local music scene, or just have a fun night out.
I’ve seen first-hand the benefits of Mostly Music, and how it supports both the artists and venues associated with live music. I’ve talked to venue owners who have lauded Jess and Cam for their promotional work through Mostly Music, I’ve spoken to musicians who are so thankful for having their show listed on the gig guide, as it bumps their crowd numbers and gives their band more visibility. Off stage, I’ve chatted with members of the general public who would have never known some of these venues or musicians even existed, had it not been for a Mostly Music post they saw that week.
This is all fuelled by the passion I was drawn to to when I first started working with Jess and Cam. When passionate people take risks on a dream, it’s inspiring. It grows into something more than the sum of its parts, evolves in ways that weren’t first apparent, and radiates positivity. Underneath my flowery language, what I’m saying is their work has had a net positive influence on my career as a photographer. In fact my first ever live music shoot for an artist I wasn’t already friends with, came from a Mostly Music weekly gig guide. At a venue I wasn’t aware of, which resulted in building connections that are still getting me paying jobs as a professional live music photographer today.
Watching Mostly Music’s journey since its inception, and the people it connects is undeniable evidence of usefulness to the wider Kāpiti community. A community that prides itself on supporting the arts.
At its core, Mostly Music is really about connection. Between artists, venues, and the public. Enabling visibility for artists, customers for venues, and entertainment for the public.
A wind turbine may be fun to look at, but it’s nothing but a giant, glorified pinwheel if the infrastructure isn’t connected to deliver the power to those who need it. Mostly Music is the infrastructure of the local music scene. A service benefiting the community.
But, does all of that mean they should also get the funding and support from local government for the incredible work they do?
Yes.
Because imagine what comes next.”
Our heartfelt thanks to our friend, peer and collaborator, Andy Russell. His photos are what adorn this website, and his service to music and the events industry is undeniable.