Creep Creep Janga @ Backyard Ripstravaganza

Creep Creep Janga's performance might have been a tad rocky, with Judi misplacing her microphone and Harrison busting through the bass drum head within the first song. However, they powered through and continued to put on a rad show featuring one of their newer songs. The more I've photographed and gotten to know these musicians, the more I've wanted to continue photographing their shows. I asked the band members about their favorite part of being in Creep Creep Janga and they all told me how much they enjoy playing music with their closest friends. 

Judi Gillis passionately singing "Waves"

I asked Judi why she loved being a part of Creep Creep Janga and she told me, "I've always had awful stage fright so being able to feel comfortable expressing myself musically doesn't come easily. It's better if you know the people you're with mesh well and care enough about what we're doing."

"I love performing and I love playing music with people I respect and trust." Judi Gillis of Creep Creep Janga

Trevor Berecek shredding it.

Dylan Semons

Trevor told me about how "Growing and evolving is a crucial part of being an artist in any medium."

Some of Dylan's musical inspirations are Black Sabbath, Jimi Hendrix, and Earthless.

Dylan rocking out while Judi head-bangs to the rhythm beside him.

Judi and Dylan performing while an audience member jumped up to help Harry perform with the busted bass drum head.

Some more of Dylan's musical inspirations are Dead Meadow, Sleep and Electric Wizard.

Harry told me about how he "loves the freedom in the music." 

Dylan and Judi rocking out together during one of their newer songs.

One of Dylan's favorite parts about being in Creep Creep Janga is "playing with my best friends and girlfriend."

Dylan told me about how he enjoys "ripping music that's like the music that inspires me the most."

The Person Behind the Lens

My first blog post might have been an ideal time to provide a summary of myself, but I never like doing things the traditional way. I'm an incredibly passionate, free-spirited person who gets excited over the smaller details of life, like some beautiful flowers on my walk home.  I might care too deeply and love too much, but that's because I value human connection and experiences very highly. I love the opportunity to connect with others on an individual level, which might be a stereotypical Gemini thing to say. However, there's nothing quite like hanging out with someone one on one and learning the smaller details of their life. I really enjoy music, photography, nature, 1970's culture and poetry. I aspire to become a music photojournalist and live a life similar to William Miller in Almost Famous (which happens to be my favorite movie).

This photo was taken during Emeraldfest, which was the first time I've had an opportunity to photograph a band, so the whole thing was a pretty fantastic experience. (PC: Jessica Knehr)

College has helped me stop hating my body and become a body positive individual who loves my flaws. (PC: Jessica Knehr)

There's not much I love more than going to local shows and occasionally photographing them. (PC: Sarah Northrop)

Going on random nature adventures with friends is one of my favorite ways to spend an afternoon. (PC: Tanner Brown)

This might be one of my favorite photos of myself because it's incredibly easy to see how happy I am. (PC: Jayden Grey)

Boudoir photography is one of my favorite things (PC: Jessica Knehr)

Campus Adventures with Celina

 Some of Celina's positive qualities include her love for the smaller things in life, her passionate nature, and how strong-willed she is. She passionately loves coffee and doesn't ever start a day without it. She also loves dogs in a way I've never seen before. This one time, she stopped on a yellow curb just because she saw an adorable puppy walking on the sidewalk and she HAD to get an opportunity to pet it (I'm pretty sure she's a dog person). She is constantly willing to help her friends out in times of need and she brings good vibes to all of her friendships.

This lawn had such beautiful little flowers that we had to incorporate them.

Coffee is one of the many loves of her life.

"Can you just look like someone told you that you can't accomplish your dreams, but you don't believe them?"

"You should just pretend a puppy is near you right now."

Just smelling some of the beautiful flowers that campus has to offer.

There's so many beautiful places to photograph on campus and I'm so glad Celina and I got a chance to explore them together.

What a lovely human being.

Creep Creep Janga at the Lorax Manner

Creep Creep Janga describes their music as heavy stoner blues with wailing vocals, which just happens to be one of my favorite music genres. They were an absolute joy to photograph, due to how passionate they are about their music. It was a pretty chill environment for a house show and it was definitely a fantastic opportunity and experience to photograph them.

Dylan Semons smiling while he rocks out on his guitar

Creep Creep Janga rocking out🤘

Trevor Berecek's bass skills are impressive

Judi Gillis' passionate vocals are pretty evident

Dylan Semon's wonderful guitar playing

Dylan Semons rocking out during one of the last songs

Judi Gillis killing it with her vocals

Dylan Semons hitting all the right notes with Harrison Hertig 

Trevor Berecek playing bass an interesting way while Judi Gillis passionately sings

Dylan Semon's rad guitar + guitar skils

Judi Gillis enjoying one of their last songs

Alan Aslan of the Heads Up

I have so many fantastic photos of Alan that I decided I should make a separate blog post dedicated to him and his exquisite guitar playing. Alan is also a really fantastic person and I'm really glad I had a couple opportunities to photograph him. His passion for music will take him far in his life and I cannot wait to see what the future holds for him.

Alan passionately singing

They say photos are worth a thousand words; I could write that many about this photo, but I won't.

Alan interacting with a headbanging audience member

The gig was kind of a sweaty one, but the best house shows usually are

Alan was constantly smiling or laughing the entire performance 

Alan's various facial expressions make photographing him a fun time

Alan rocking out on his guitar while August King plays keyboard with a pigs head mask on

Alan rocking out during one of the very last songs the Heads Up ever performed