Studio Meetup: The Time Machine

@wearyblues shot at @thetimemachine.dtla

Happy new year friends! With the new year comes new opportunities, new experiences, and new memories.

In 2021, we saw a lot of life stuff come back, for a lack of a better term - concerts, sporting events, being able to go out for dinner or even go to the movies. Another thing myself and some collegues brought back was one of our favorite things to do to meet other creatives; the photo meetups. If you’ve never been to one, I highly suggest looking into it more. What is a photo meetup? It’s a really simple idea: bring a bunch of photographers & videographers to a studio or location to work with models. Sometimes they’re free, sometimes it may cost the most $50/person to help cover studio rental fees. Either way, it’s a great opportunity to meet new people, build your portfolio, and most of all: practice!

Please enjoy this gallery from when myself and fellow photographers Joey Mirales, Bernard Bella, and Samantha Baker, worked with LA based photo studio Time Machine by Another Hour Studios, to bring people together and create. Here’s to hoping we get to do more of these in 2022!

Let me know what you want to see, and where should we host our next meetup?

Behind the Scenes: The Gaming Hallow

*@samanthabakerfilm shooting @soyfool @ufoslut @mastargracey in @tgh.apparel*

Wow, it has been a while since I’ve updated this thing.

We all know how the past (almost) 2 years has been, for everyone, and so I think that’s a pretty good reason why I haven’t taken the time to write or share here.

Life here in LA has slowly been picking back up; traffic is busier than ever, friends are starting to hang out in real life again, some stuff from BC (before covid) is shifting back to the way it was. Things are most certainly not perfect, but I am grateful to get back to what I love doing and working with people again.

Here’s some BTS photos from a recent shoot for UK based clothing line TGH aka The Gaming Hallow, with my sister and photographer @samanthabakerfilm, and models @ufoslut, @mastargracey, and @soyfool out in Hermosa Beach shooting for the latest release. You can check out their products here and support small business!

I hope you’ve all been doing well and I can’t wait to continue doing monthly and/or weekly updates on the blog again!

The Victorian Vampire: Featuring Destinee Nicholson

During the Halloween season, one of my makeup artist friends, Destinee, approached my sister, Samantha Baker, and myself about doing a victorian vampire shoot at our home studio - why would we say no to that?! She got herself into an old wedding gown she found from a thrift store, a wig, her makeup, and brought props as well to get into character. With our combined forces and shooting for a couple of hours, here’s the results.

Like what you see? Let me know what type of shoots you’d like to see in the comments!

Artist Feature: Kenny Holland

*disclaimer: if any photos from the following article are to be shared on any social media platforms, please take the time to tag me @maxbakerphoto and give proper credit. Thank you!

Who is Kenny Holland? If the name sounds familiar, you may have stumbled across his music during the time of Vine, or even on Youtube, where he’s posted covers with his sisters as well as original music; found his EPs on Spotify like Lifeline , and sometimes even playing in a city near you. From growing an audience at the age of 19 to touring all across the country, Kenny is a talented artist that has a fire for music that won’t burn out.

I first worked with Kenny a few years back during one of his headlining tours, and we’ve stayed connected ever since. During one of his recent trips to Los Angeles, we got together to catch up on life and capture some photos in the arts district of DTLA. Find out more about Kenny by reading below!

M: Tell me where you're originally from, and how others would describe you.

Kenny: I was born in Michigan but raised in Arizona. I don't know how others would describe me, but I'd hope they'd say I'm a passionate, purpose-driven person.

M: When did you realize music was your calling? What or who inspired you the most to pursue the entertainment industry?

K: I realized music was my calling when I was 14 years old. Justin Bieber and I are about the same age, and we have similar singing styles. His success helped me realize that I could be a musician too. John Mayer is my biggest inspiration, though.

M: Gotta love John Mayer. You picked up your following back on Vine, correct? How was that like? Do you think things would be completely different if your following didn't pick up on the app?

K: I did pick up my following from Vine, but I was working as a professional musician for years prior. It really just gave me the exposure to do what I love and for that reason, I'm grateful for it. It was a rollercoaster of a time. I think things would be monumentally different in many ways if it weren't for Vine. Sometimes the stars just align.

M: Since Vine, what have you been up to? You've released a couple of EPs, what has been the inspiration behind your music? What keeps you driven?

K: Before during and after Vine, I have been focusing on my career as a musician. But I have learned a lot about the many other priorities I have in life through my experiences. The inspiration behind my music is always life experience. I try to include as many concepts about life, love, and chasing dreams as possible. The fans keep me driven. The goal I've always set out to accomplish is to make a positive impact on the world by doing what I love and inspiring others.

M: You've been on tour a handful of times - what's the most memorable moment for you going on tour? What's your favorite part of touring? What's the hardest part?

K: This is a tough question to answer. I think the most memorable touring moment I have is opening for Secondhand Serenade - who I saw live at my first concert ever as a young kid. It was a surreal full-circle moment for me. The best part about touring is performing and being able to connect with the audience. It's what I live for. The hardest part is definitely the fact that it's a major grind. You're always on the go and always working. But I love to be in that space.

M: What would be some other creative outlets you would be interested in besides music? If you weren't making music, what would you be doing today?

K: My other passions besides music are basketball and snowboarding. They always help me re-balance and clear my head. I don't know what I'd be doing today if it weren't for music.

M: What’s some advice that you might have for creatives and artists alike to stay inspired and keep pursuing the dream?

K: We have the power to accomplish anything in this life. It's a grand experience and I believe that everyone is here for a reason. Find that personal legend, whatever it may be, and don't stop until you get there.

For more photos from our shoot, scroll down below for a gallery.

Thank you to Kenny for taking the time to talk about the things going on in his life and career, and I hope you enjoyed checking this out!

Who would you like to see me interview next? Comment below on some artists you’d like to get to know a little better. Until next time!

What's Going On Tour with Scotty Sire & Co.

Last month, my friend Bruce had myself and Samantha Baker come out for the final show of the What’s Going On?! Tour with Scotty Sire, one of Youtube’s top creators as well as a member of the popular Vlog Squad. Up and coming musician and long-time friend Bruce Wiegner had been opening for Scotty as well as support as background vocals/guitar during the spread of the tour, so it was definitely a cool moment to be able to capture the final tour date for a group of people like the WGO line up. Check out the gallery below for more photos of Scotty, Bruce, Chris Bloom, Toddy Smith, and Son Real!

Haus of Creep & Nickelodeon Present: Are You Afraid Of The Dark?

In celebration of spoopy season, I had the opportunity to check out a press event for the remake of Nickelodeon’s Are You Afraid Of The Dark? at the Haus of Creep interactive event in Downtown LA for Celeb Secrets. The event lasts roughly around one or two hours, with an interactive experience of all sorts of characters, where you get to meet all the dark and twisted storytellers. From the mischievous Mr. Happy and The Stalker, to the mysterious and insightful Thirteen, the Haus invites you to meet their weird creeps for a night you won’t forget. It’s truly something like no other for the Halloween season: think Universal’s Horror Nights, except for the part where you actually make intimate conversation and meet each individual freak and find out their stories behind their characters — if you dare ask. It was something I had never experienced before, and if you enjoy playing along with actors in character as much as I do, this is something you’ll for sure want to check out while you can. The Haus of Creep is going on until November 3rd, so get your tickets ASAP by checking the link here. While you’re here, you can check out some portraits I managed to snag while interacting with these freaks below:

What’s some of your favorite things to do during the Halloween season? Comment below your faves as well as what you’d like to see posts of next! ‘Til next time!

KROQ's 1st Ever Hermosa Beach Summer Series: The Wrecks & The Score

A couple weekends ago, 5B Media and KROQ combined forces to bring together a two weekend event in the sunny Hermosa Beach, outside of Los Angeles, called the Hermosa Beach Summer Series. It was the first for California to see this series brought to life, with a combination of yoga classes, food vendors, movie nights, comedy shows, and live music smashed into one. Have you ever wanted a music festival, quite literally, on the beach? And did I mention it’s a free for all event? What more could you ask for? I managed to capture Los Angeles local bands The Wrecks and The Score as they co-headlined the night for weekend one. Bringing rock and roll and a lot good energy to their fans and new faces, it was a set you had to see to believe. You can check out the photos from the night in the gallery below, and let me know if you see yourself in any of the crowd shots!

Thank you to 5B Media for having me, and let me know what shows you’d like to see me cover in the future! Until next time, comment your favorite songs from The Wrecks or The Score! Or if you haven’t yet, check out their music here and here.

What bands would you like to see next year?

Jake Miller Presents the "Wait for You" Tour

*disclaimer: if any photos from the following article are to be shared on any social media platforms, please take the time to tag me @maxbakerphoto and give proper credit. Thank you!

After two months of being on the road promoting his latest EP release of BASED ON A TRUE STORY., pop artist Jake Miller performed to an exuberant amount of people at the El Rey theatre in Los Angeles for his last stop on the Wait for You tour. With some amazingly talented opening artists like Just Seconds Apart and Logan Henderson, there was no doubt that this was going to be a show stopping event full of positive energy and good vibes. With Henderson showing off some new unreleased music as well as undeniable bops like Pull Me Deep and Sleepwalker, the crowd was warming up for the anticipation of Miller to perform next. Opening his set with popular tracks like NIKES, Think About Us, and The Girl That’s Underneath, the fans went crazy for the special moments during the show - from taking a fan’s phone facetiming said fan’s friend, to even spraining his ankle, Jake proved that no matter what happens, the show must go on. From recent hits like NOBODY ELSE and SKINNYDIP, to throwback songs for the OG fans like Dazed and Confused and Selfish Girls, it turned into being an incredible evening for both friends and fans of Miller, and it was a surefire way to end a tour like this one.

Thank you to Jake and Scott for having me out and shooting the show, and thank you Justin for being an incredible person that I’ve been blessed to have a part of this journey of life and always believing in me. Check out the photos from the last stop of the tour below! (click on the photos to expand if need be).

If you attended the show, what was your favorite part? Leave a comment below!

TGS Collective Presents : The Funky Loft - A Photo Meetup

While CEO of The Gypsy Shack, also known as the TGS Collective, Alex Morehouse, was out of the country, she asked me to host one of their monthly meetups - and how could I say no? It was my first time hosting something as big as this, but I was very grateful to experience it and meet so many new faces! If you don’t know, meetups are a regular thing within the creative community online. It’s a way for people to build their portfolio, meet and network with creatives of all types, and create content for social media. I had been to several like this before, yet never had to host one. It was a learning experience for sure, and I would love to do something like this again! If you haven’t yet, be sure to check out TGS here for more info if this is something you would be interested in checking out in the future! Hopefully I’ll see you at the next one? See below for some of my fave shots from the weekend!

Make sure to click here for a behind the scenes look from the TGS Funky Loft! What would you like to see next? Comment below for blog ideas, who you’d like to see featured, and any other ideas!

Artist Feature: Violet Days for Grumpy Magazine

On a chilly morning in Hollywood Hills, Swedish Pop artist Violet Days and I had the chance to meet and shoot together for the amazing Paris publication Grumpy Magazine. Editor-in-chief Jasmine Perrier talked with them and learned a bit more about their debut EP ‘‘Made In My Head’’ and working on the next phase of their music project. You can find the full article here, but for now, enjoy the gallery below! Thank you to the amazing team, who you can follow below and support their work.

Who would you guys like to see me work with next? Leave a comment below and let me know what your new years plans are going to be!

STYLING: TARA BUENAVENTURA

GLAM: HALI MCGOWAN

LIGHTING: JOEY MIRELES

WORDS: JASMINE PERRIER

BTS: ASHLY NICOLE & JESSE GILBERT

The Struts Invites You to the Body Talks Tour with The Wrecks & Thunderpussy

Luke Spiller of The Struts*disclaimer: if any photos from the following article are to be shared on any social media platforms, please take the time to tag me @maxbakerphoto and give proper credit. Thank you! — *Luke Spiller of The Struts*
*disclaimer: if any photos from the following article are to be shared on any social media platforms, please take the time to tag me @maxbakerphoto and give proper credit. Thank you!

Anaheim was not ready for what the night had in store at the House of Blues. With a sold out show, the night before daylight savings, and a killer lineup of rock n roll, there was a rush of electricity that entered the venue with the talent that filled the room. The UK’s very own coming of age rock band The Struts made their way across the pond to bring the U.S. the Body Talks tour, in promotion of their 2nd album release. Having opened and being recognized by legends such as The Rolling Stones, The Who, and Motley Crue, The Struts are on their way to making history and restoring the heart that rock n roll desperate needs in this day and age.

Warming up the night, Seattle based quartet known as Thunderpussy started the show, glitz and glam in a matching red ensemble with a twist of their personalities. If you didn’t know who they were, you would not forget their name after the vibrant and killer performance. A stage presence like no other, lead singer Molly Sides put a spell on you with her picture perfect moves and silky voice, while guitarist Whitney Petty reminded the crowd guitar skills reminiscent of Keith Richards or something of the like. After wowing the venue, the next act set the mood in an unexpected way - Los Angeles group The Wrecks had to compromise for an acoustic set (something they hardly ever do) as they explained to the audience their van along with their equipment was stranded somewhere in Arizona. Nonetheless, there was an aura about these guys that made you know they have that special something that people look for when discovering new artists. A great sense of humor, crazy good lyrics, and a chill attitude with getting high and a tad bit buzzed on stage with some fans, The Wrecks definitely had new fans coming out of the night.

*Fans of The Wrecks join the band on stage for their one of a kind acoustic set*

At last, the wait was over; it was time for The Struts to take the stage and give it their all for eager fans. Opening with an incredible number of their song Primadonna Like Me, with lead singer Luke stating a play on words of the song, “Anaheim, don’t you know who I think I am?”. And of course there was no shock to the glamorous style the band brought out with them, from feathers, leather, and all the glitter one could possibly desire. The energy was never ending, even with a two hour long set; who could blaim them when they have a lead vocalist such as Luke? I had heard these statements before, but it was incredible to hear a photographer to another as I was leaving the photo pit say “Wow, that guy kind of reminds me of Freddie Mercury or something”, a common comparison that has floated around the internet before in talks of The Struts’ front man. Performing songs like In Love With A Camera, Body Talks, People, and several others from their latest release of YOUNG&DANGEROUS, as well as some classics from their first album like Mary Go Round, Dirty Sexy Money, and Roll Up and many more, it was an incredible evening with even better music and perfect sounds. If you want to experience real music with a band that sounds better live, you do not want to miss a show from The Struts.

Make sure to check out The Struts on tour and if they’re coming to a city near you here!

Full Photo Gallery here

Written and photographed for The Fox Magazine.

MAX Presents: the House of Divine Tour

On a cold and stormy night in Santa Ana, CA, New York native MAX sparked a fire within everyone from all ages that came out to the Observatory despite the weather. With supporting act Nina Nesbitt opening the show with insane vocals and a charming stage presence, it was the right way to bring the energy out and get the audience ready for what was to come. The House of Divine tour is filled with non stop dancing, good vibes, and all around love for people. Originally known as Max Schneider back when he first started on Youtube, MAX has grown from doing covers with musicians like Kurt Schneider, Sam Tsui, Against the Current, and more, to a pop artist sensation, collaborating with DJs and other artists from all over the world like Galantis, Noah Cyrus, Audien, and several others. His career has no foreseeable end in sight, with good reason. Having seen how his craft has changed since 2013 has been incredible to say the least. Not only is he one insanely talented individual, it just so happens that he is a truly genuine and loving human being, trying to inspire others to live freely and spread love wherever you may go. If you have yet to experience what a MAX show is like, you must check out the House of Divine tour, coming to a city near you. Check out the dates below, as well as a gallery of photos I captured from the night!

BUY TICKETS HERE

View Full Gallery Here

Who would you like to see me interview or shoot with next? Leave a comment below and be sure to subscribe to my newsletter to stay updated on all things photo and music related! Until next time!

Copasetic: A Photo Gallery

Andrelina runs an online blog and podcast, entitled Simply Complicated. Be sure to check it out on her website here: https://www.andrelinaperazzo.com/ — *Andrelina runs an online blog and podcast, entitled* ***Simply Complicated****. Be sure to check it out on her website here: https://www.andrelinaperazzo.com/*

Sometimes you find yourself at a networking event, meet some cool people, and all of a sudden you're doing a spontaneous shoot with a model you just met at said event. I met the talented and super bubbly Andrelina Perazzo while at an event in the LA Art District for the collective and agency I'm with called TGS Collective; my sister had worked with her before but conversation was nothing but full of positive vibes and inspiration. We noticed a gorgeous VW van in the valet parking lot next door, and couldn't help but to create some magic with what we had. To our luck, one of the valets was the owner of the bus and said it was totally fine to shoot with it! We were inspired by the vibrant and matching colors of the bus with Andrelina's outfit, and pulled together an edgy and moody vibe. Sometimes the most random shoots end up turning into something special! Check out what we captured below and be sure to follow Andrelina on her socials!

Follow Andrelina

What would you like to see next? What's the most spontaneous thing you've ever done? Leave a comment below and let me know! Would love to hear some cool stories you might have! Make sure to subscribe to my newsletter, and follow me on Instagram to stay up to date on all things photo!

How To: Vans Warped Tour #RIP

Today's the day, folks. It's the first day of the final round of the legendary Vans Warped Tour, created by Kevin Lyman back in 1995. Lyman released a statement earlier this year, saying, "I have been a very lucky person to have traveled across the country and sometimes around the world as one of the founders and producers of the Vans Warped Tour. Today, with many mixed feelings, I am here to announce that next year will be the final, full cross-country run of the Vans Warped Tour." With such an incredible history and effect this tour alone has had on not only the artists who participate and perform for the Warped tour, but also the fans; every individual who has been able to come to a show or two, and all the experiences that have transpired in the past (almost) 25 years is surely something unforgettable. "I am so grateful to have worked with more than 1,700 bands over the last 23 summers. I wish I could thank every band that has played the tour.", Lyman says. You can read the full statement here.

To commemorate something that has had a major effect on me personally, and many of the friends I've met because of the music scene, here's an article for those who may be hitting up Vans Warped Tour for their first (or final) time. Not sure what to expect? Read on to find out some tips and tricks from my experience of a full day at one of the coolest tours around.

Over the years, I've been able to photograph the Warped tour a couple times whenever it came to the town closest to me. It's been one of the wildest yet awesome experiences I've had as an artist. My first year was 2014, and I learned a lot about what to try doing for the next time, which was in 2016. Whether you're going to be shooting Warped tour at a date near you, or you're just going for fun with friends (I'm doing that this year at the Ventura, CA date), here's some advice for what to expect from what will be one of the best days of your life.

Dress appropriately. First things first; you have to wear an outfit that you will not be dying in by the end of a 10+ hour day. Depending on where you live, make sure to check how the weather is going to be the day before you go. If you're traveling far from your hometown to a certain location, pack options just in case. For instance, I have a friend who's gone to Warped tour with me that came in from Washington to California. We may be on the West coast, but the weather can be drastically different. For me, a good go-to is shorts, a tee, an extra layer (i.e. flannel or hoodie - it gets cold when the sun goes down), fanny pack or back pack, a hat, sunglasses, and the most comfortable shoes you own is the way to go. I've seen some people get super dressed up (God only knows why) and they end up looking like a complete mess by the time headliners come on to play. Customize and play around with some options; it's Warped tour, you can basically get as wild with your fashion as you want! But please keep comfort in mind. Whether you're shooting all day or just with friends and going into the mosh pits, comfort is absolutely 100% necessary.

*Ryan Graham of State Champs, Warped 2016*

What should I bring with me? Make a checklist of what you need to bring for the event. Water and sunscreen will become your absolute best friend. With being in the sun all day and constantly on the go, you need to stay hydrated and take care of yourself. If you're shooting, pack your gear the night before and charge everything. Lenses, filters, charger, batteries, anything you might need for a successful day to get that magic caught in camera. I would recommend bringing a mobile charger while you're at it just in case you want to post any cool content throughout your experience! PSA bring enough cash (yes, cash) to bring for your spending needs like food, drinks, and of course merch! A tip to see exactly what you can and can not bring is to check out their website to confirm different policies as every venue and date varies on what you can bring. Make sure to have a sharpie or two in hand just in case for autographs and to keep track of set times! Which brings me to my next point...

Time. Time is never on your side when it comes to festival days. I highly recommend coming to the venue one to two hours before gates open. I know that might sound crazy, but I've been to shows where fans show up the morning of a concert that doesn't start until 8 pm! Two hours gives you plenty of time to check out parking, familiarize yourself with the venue and the layout, pick up tickets or passes, and hey, you might even meet some band members while in line! Some bands take the time to come out to eager fans outside, coast the lines, and share what time their set is. It's a cool opportunity to hang and talk with different artists, (maybe even network?) and snag a photo while you're at it!

*John O' Callaghan of The Maine, Warped Tour 2016*

*Kennedy Brock and Pat Kirch of The Maine, promoting the lines at Warped tour 2016*

How do I meet bands?! Something everyone wants to know. You'd be surprised how easy it can be to meet the artists and other celebrities at some point during your day. Like I mentioned earlier, it's easy to meet some band members when they're promoting their set times. They're just people; go say hi! Another great spot to look for artists is where else but their merch tents. They'll be everywhere, and usually, throughout the day they can be found meeting and selling merchandise when they're not performing. I've been able to meet and photograph people like John O'Callaghan of The Maine and Jenna McDougall of Tonight Alive this way. Another example is how my sister met Tyler Posey one year, known for MTV's Teen Wolf. He's known for being a big fan of the pop-punk scene, and was there with his friends of State Champs! He was just walking around like any other person, and she managed to strike up a conversation and take a quick photo. This is the type of event where anything is possible when exploring the grounds: you never know who you can meet and connect with!

Now for the music: Okay, you've made it inside, got your squad on backup, and you're ready to head to the stage - but wait, which one?! As soon as you get inside, it's the moment where you can find out the exact set times. Sadly, every day is different for the tour, and you don't find out when your favorite bands are playing until you get through the gates. But don't stress! There are signs everywhere stating where each stage is, who's playing where, and what time, which is where that sharpie can come into play. Sometimes they hand out actual copies of set times for the days, sometimes they don't. So if you can, try writing it down somewhere if you've got something to spare. If you try saving it in your phone and your phone ends up dying halfway through the day, you're screwed. Sadly technology isn't always our friend. When you do find the signs and figure out who's playing where and when that's when you want to plan your day out. It's good to have a schedule to stick with, and you can always switch things up if you want. I know for me personally, I've had friends where we have certain bands that we want to see but we sometimes don't want to see the same bands. Keep communication open with your group. For instance, say your friend wants to see We the Kings at 11:30 but you want to check out Beartooth at 11:25; pick a spot where you can meet up after their sets and go from there. Do whatever works for you and your friends!

*The Maine's tent, Warped 2016. Fans could easily meet members like John or Garrett here, selling merch.*

Let's see, am I missing anything? Outfits, necessities, friendship, bands, music...oh yeah, don't forget to open this pit up!!!

How have you gotten through a festival day? Leave a comment below of anything I might have missed, which stop you're going to, who you're most excited to see, and don't forget to sign up for my newsletter for all things photography and music related, and follow me on Instagram and Twitter while you're at it!

Artist Feature: Jamie Campbell Bower of COUNTERFEIT.

Max Baker-Jamie Campbell Bower-Interview-Photoshoot

*disclaimer: if any photos from the following article are to be shared on any social media platforms, please take the time to tag me @maxbakerphoto and give proper credit. Thank you!

On a quiet and cool summer day in Anaheim, California, UK's very own COUNTERFEIT. arrived to play the last show of their first US tour at the Chain Reaction. With excitement and anticipation running through the room, it was almost bittersweet as the hours flew by leading up to the band's final performance. It was something you had to experience for yourself. The energy and chaos that the UK artists brought to the stage had fans to their feet, leaving them in awe and, of course, rioting their hearts out to songs like "Washed Out" and "Close To Your Chest". The interaction between the guys of COUNTERFEIT. and their adoring crowd was an amazing time to witness; with most of the band coming into the audience, singing, crowd surfing, and mosh pitting to new and old songs. It was clear that this is what they were made to do; it's their livelihood and their passion. We need to support more artists like these guys; the ones who not only do it because it's their job, but because you know they love what they're doing and wouldn't trade it for the world. But before they got out on stage to give it their all to their dedicated fans, I got to take a moment and talk with lead singer Jamie Campbell Bower about the tour life, the fans, and everything in between, as the rest of the band (Sam Bower, Tristan Marmont, Roland Johnson, Jimmy Craig) prepared for what was to come. You can watch the full interview below, or read on to see more photos and live concert shots from the evening.

Max Baker sits down with Counterfeit's lead singer & guitarist, Jamie Campbell Bower before their final headlining show in Anaheim, CA. Filmed & edited by Samantha Baker.

“Never lose that childlike wonder.”

Me: Alright, so introduce yourself, and what do you do in Counterfeit?

Jamie: Hi, my name is Miley Cyrus and I play guitar in Counterfeit.

M: (laughs) Perfect. So, for those who might not know who Counterfeit is, what's the meaning behind the band name and how did it start?

J: The meaning behind the band name is always a difficult question to answer, I wish I had a better story than what I'm about to tell you. But, we used to play, myself, Tristan, and Roland, who play in the band, we used to play in another band together, and we played our last show and put it to bed; we started writing new music and we wanted to start completely afresh. We didn't have a name, we just had the sound right, and so I'm a bit of an emo kid and I was sending emails out being like 17 or so names, and like that. I was walking in Soho in London, and the name popped up into my head and it seemed to perfectly describe, or feel in my mouth, how the music sounded in my head. And I also think there's a small sense of irony behind the name as well, and it wasn't like a conscious thought. It was born, it was just natural, and I think that's what the most important thing is about this band is that everything we do is natural, and what we're about is community, and growth through community.

M: That's awesome. So it's your first headlining tour here in the US, correct?

J: It is indeed!

M: We were curious about it, but how does it compare to shows in the UK and Europe, to here? Like is the crowd any different, is the vibe different?

J: The language barrier's not as bad obviously (laughs) I mean as far as just logistical stuff, obviously the fucking drives are crazy. Like, a six hour drive for you guys is like popping to the shops, for us it's like traveling the length and breadth of our bloody country!

M: I know, it's ridiculous!

J: It is! It's absurd! That's just sort of the main difference, I guess. What we always seem to find through (when we go and play shows), is the people that are coming to see the shows are so fucking lovely, and that's worldwide. The people are there just to cut loose and have a good time, and to make friends, and so many people that I've met, on this run in particularly, who have just gone to a show by themselves, and they've left with three other mates. So that's the same university wherever we go. But there hasn't been much of a difference. The shows are just as crazy, just as wild, just as fun.

M: That's really cool. And it's been a little over a year since Together We Are Stronger came out-

J: That's right.

M: So what can fans expect for the future of Counterfeit, as far as new music goes, if you can even talk about that type of stuff.

J: I can, I can talk about it all you like, I can talk a little bit about that.

M: Perfect!

J: So yeah, like you said, we released our first album back in March of last year, and it's now come to, for us to tell the world that we are making another record. We launched a pledge campaign a month ago, announcing the new album, and on the pledge campaign we're giving people the opportunity to be more involved with the process, whereby you can actually come visit the studio, you can be in a music video, all that kind of stuff. But then also, on the pledge, we're going to be giving people content that you wouldn't necessarily see anywhere else. Behind the scenes of making the album, the writing process and what that was like. I spoke with someone after a show the other day and I said, "What is it that you want to see?", and she said to me "What I really want to see is songwriting and how songs are born and what they mean", and all that kind of stuff, so we'll be doing stuff like that up in there. But yes, a new album! We're going into the studio after this tour finishes, making a new record...

M: That's so exciting!

J: Which is very exciting, I know! The first album was very, like, naive, and I feel that we've grown so much.

M: I was going to ask, are you guys going in a different direction for the sound or are you going to stay true to that hardcore feel?

J: Well it's all timpanis now, that's how it is, it's all basically orchestral from now here on then, we're not going to be making any hardcore music anymore, it's strictly piano based material, from here on end.

M: Ah yes of course!

J: But yeah we'll be remaining true to Counterfeit, I think one of the things that I always wanted to do and one of the things that I love as a songwriter is scale and grandeur, and that's something that I want to bring to the next album, and I think it's something that we've tried to bring into the writing and in the next record it's just taking what is essentially Counterfeit and hardcore and thrashy and go go go, and developing that to a slightly more mature place I think. But there's not going to be any curve balls, that's not what we're about just yet.

M: Yeah, there are some artists that change their sound every album, so you never know.

J: You know, we could end up being that band, there's nothing to say that we're not going to be that band. But, at this point in time, you know, we are so early in the stages of our musical exploration that to veer off in such a strange direction would seem, I don't know, counterproductive, almost, to what it is that we're trying to do.

M: Totally. So, what might be some advice that you have for creatives, musicians, and artists in general to stay inspired and keep pursuing their passion and their dream? As far as creative stuff goes?

J: Never lose that childlike wonder. Never, ever lose that. It will go, and it will decrease, and you will notice it happening as you get older, but you have to try to not lose that, it's the hardest thing in the world. And as far as inspiration goes, I said to someone the other day actually, in a Q+A, they said they were asking me about the songwriting process, and I think I said something along the lines of "nothing was ever right the first time, it takes a lot of wrongs to have a good right in being creative." You know, if it's wrong, good, and if it's right, even better. So that's my main advice; don't be disheartened, even when you know it's shit. Because if you know it's shit, it means that you can do better.

A big thank you to COUNTERFEIT.'s team for having myself and my sister, @samanthabakerfilm, come out to the show; it was truly an unforgettable evening. Thank you to Jamie for taking the time to talk about life and the amazing piece of advice you had for fellow creatives out there that might be reading this.

You can follow COUNTERFEIT. on their social media links by following the link here! Be sure to leave a comment below and let me know what you thought of the interview, and who would you like me to interview and shoot with next? Like what you see here? Be sure to subscribe to my newsletter to stay up to date on all things music, photoshoots, interviews, and more! Let me know and follow me on twitter and instagram, and thank you for taking the time to check my site out. 'Til next time!

Written, filmed, and photographed for Counterfeit., in association with The Gypsy Shack Collective (www.tgscollective.com)