*Swoon*
Photography: http://zoraholivia.com/
It all started with a tweet.
I started my own radio show for UMBC’s radio station at the start of the semester, I had no prior radio experience other than keeping my friend company in the studio for his show at Clemson University back in my younger years. Everyone encouraged me to make a Twitter account when I went on air, I was pretty anti-Twitter for awhile…mostly because I didn’t understand how it worked. So I cracked and made a twitter account for my show, Broads in the City.
My goal for Broads in the City was a simple one: find new interesting music, preferably female-lead bands. I browsed online for music suggestions and eventually came across a list from Billboard Magazine called 20 All-Female Bands You Need to Know. This sounds melodramatic but that list changed my life. That’s when I found Sharkmuffin.
Sharkmuffin is a Brooklyn based garbage rock trio consisting of Tarra Theissen (vocals/guitar), Natalie Kirch (vocals/bass), and Kim Deuss (drums). The band recently released their debut LP entitled Chartreuse with Little Dickman and State Capital Records. I had been listening to Sharkmuffin on repeat the week leading up to my broadcast. They became instant role models for me, their music was beautifully infectious.
So, I began experimenting with tweets. As a song was playing on air, I would tweet the name of the song and tag the artist. I had no intention of contacting bands personally, I was used to doing that via email with a bands publicist.
About an hour later, I got a notification on my phone: “Sharkmuffin favorited your tweet.” Okay, they noticed me! That’s fucking awesome. But where can I go from here?
I went out on a limb and sent the band a direct message on Twitter. I introduced myself, attached my website, and asked if they would be interested in meeting up with me for a quick portrait session in NYC. Tarra, the singer/guitarist, responded immediately and we began making plans for a photoshoot.
The meeting place: Chelsea Market
The meeting date: November 24th
So, I grabbed a BoltBus ticket and headed to New York City. I’m not going to lie, I was pretty damn nervous. This was the first time a band agreed to meet me for a personal photoshoot. But I knew that once I got there everything would fall into place.
After a 2 hour bus delay and pressed for time, I rushed off the bus and into a cab to meet the ladies of Sharkmuffin. They were waiting for me under an awning of christmas lights. After some quick introductions, we started shooting.
The girls and I ventured around the market in search for interesting backdrops, chatting in-between pictures.
They were humble badasses.
The shoot didn’t last more than 20 minutes or so, Natalie, the bassist, had to catch the train back to Brooklyn. I figured we would all part ways but Tarra and Kim extended an invitation for wine and oysters. Why would I say no?
We talked about art, the taste difference between east and west coast oysters, getting stoned for the first time, and bad first dates. We eventually said our goodbyes, exchanging hugs and accolades. The girls ended up using my photo on Facebook and Instagram. Step outside of your comfort zone, it’s worth it.
If you don’t know who Sharkmuffin is by now, you’re missing out.
Unruly Bodies 