Rick Perez keeps the good times rolling.
Photo story: Socal scenes by GOOD TIME RICK
SoCal Native Rick Perez’s passion for documenting local music has brought us some pretty badass shots. Check out most recent work here, all shot around Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Luis Obispo. Down below, we asked him some of our burning questions about what brings his vision and creativity to life.
What inspires you about the local music scenes of SoCal, and what makes them special?
What I love about the music scenes in Southern California is that there are so many of them. You can get gritty punk and dancey goth from Los Angeles, vibey indie from the Inland Empire, chill reggae in San Diego, and everything else such as hip hop, country, pop, jazz, Latin, etc. There is literally something for everyone.
Furthermore, what makes it special is the Latin/Chicano influence. When I have documented scenes in other American cities like New York City, the indie and punk scenes were predominately white. In Southern California, I could go to an indie punk show with a bunch of Chicano bands and in between sets the DJ will play a cumbia and everyone will get down to it (and also mosh for the next band). It's this beautiful cross cultural blend that I identify with and appreciate about Southern California.
Of all the places you've worked around the world, what keeps you coming back to SoCal?
I grew up in Southern California, so it is home. It's cool to talk to different people who grew up in SoCal as well and finding out that everyone listened to bands like Sublime or tried to skateboard at one point or had bonfires at the beach. Southern California is such a special place in the world and I'm happy to be a part of it.
What do you aim to capture when shooting a live show? What creative choices do you make to fulfill your creative vision?
For a live show, like most music photographers, I try to capture the energy of the band's set. I'm known for my flash photography and composition, I would say. I like off angles and I like to be really up close to the bands. Oftentimes, I don't look through the lens while I'm shooting, rather I'll reach my arm out to get the shot. This helps me get different angles. Anticipation is key as well; knowing when the band is going to make an exciting move that will turn into an epic image is something I learned to do over the years.
What is your all-time favorite SoCal venue to shoot at?
There's a lot for different reasons, but maybe The Echo. I can get up close, use the flash, and there's usually cool lighting, too.