The Pale White
I've known David McGovern, the founder of Beyond Vinyl, for over 25 years. Our paths first crossed while working at HMV in Newcastle upon Tyne. After a year or so, I transitioned to HMV in Sunderland, while David moved on to Virgin Records. Fast forward a decade, and we found ourselves working together again at JG Windows Ltd.
David always harbored a dream of owning his own record store. In 2017, he brought that dream to life by launching Beyond Vinyl. But David envisioned more than just a traditional record shop; he wanted a community hub—a place offering hot drinks and snacks, hosting live music, talks, midnight openings, and album launches.
David McGovern - Founder & Owner of Beyond Vinyl
Initially located on Westgate Road in Newcastle, Beyond Vinyl faced the challenges many small businesses encounter with city center rents and rates. Consequently, David relocated the store to the John Marley Centre, a magnificent Art Deco building constructed in 1938. Originally opened as Wickham View School, it later served Newcastle College's creative and performing arts programs. After lying dormant for several years, Breeze Creatives acquired the building with plans to transform it into a creative hub. David seized this opportunity, moving Beyond Vinyl into this vibrant space, which allowed him to host more live events. He also established his own recording studio and launched Beyond Records, his record label. Notably, David recently released East 17's latest album in collaboration with the band.
David's dedication is truly commendable. I've assisted him with several live shows, including performances by The Staves, Razorlight, and Shed Seven. David manages everything—from ordering stock and designing wristbands to setting up the PA system and often mixing the performances himself. He also raises significant funds for charity. So, when David informed me about securing the album launch for The Pale White's second album, The Big Sad, I was eager to capture photographs and video of the day.
Having heard much about The Pale White, I knew they were making waves in the local music scene. Working in record and musical instrument stores, you often hear about up-and-coming bands. Since Sam Fender's rise to fame, Newcastle's music scene has garnered more attention.
The Pale White
The day before the shoot, I reviewed existing photographs of the band. Given their success, numerous images already existed, and I aimed to offer a fresh perspective. Photographing bands requires a balance; while they may have specific ideas for social media use, it's essential to maintain your unique photographic style. I believe every photographer develops their style over time, influenced by other photographers, artists, filmmakers, and designers. I'm a firm believer in the "standing on the shoulders of giants" philosophy—nothing is entirely new; we build upon what we observe. The same applies to music. The Beatles, for instance, were heavily influenced by Buddy Holly's melodies, The Everly Brothers' harmonies, and Chuck Berry's lyrics. Combining these inspirations with Lennon and McCartney's creativity resulted in something extraordinary.
My objective was to produce images the band would appreciate and potentially use on social media, aiding my networking as a photographer, while staying true to my style.
Upon the band's arrival, a music station representative was present for an interview, so I decided to postpone band shots until after their performance. I set up two cameras to record the performance. David had arranged three microphones and the PA system, recording all tracks separately. My plan was to capture the show from two angles and synchronize David's audio in post-production. During the performance, I also captured additional footage with a mobile camera and took live performance stills.
I had recently acquired a Polaroid I-2, a fully manual camera reminiscent of the old Polaroid SX70. It's a challenging camera to operate, but with a mobile app, I could place it on a shelf near the band and take instant photos remotely. Polaroid photography can be unpredictable, but I managed to get a few good shots.
After the performance, the band began signing albums for attendees. This provided an opportunity to converse with Joe Hope, father of Jack and Adam (the drummer and vocalist). Joe creates stunning artwork, and I was immediately drawn to the album cover, which reminded me of Chris Killip's photography—a personal favourite. Joe had transformed an old photograph into a 3D model, which Jack then photographed for the album cover. It's fascinating how much effort goes into cover art; it's an area I'd love to explore in my portfolio.
L-R Jack, Joe, David & Adam
Engaging in discussions about photography and art with Jack, Adam, Joe, and David was delightful. Once the signing concluded, we reviewed the Polaroids and other images, then moved to the corridor and one of the adjacent halls. The John Marley Centre offers incredible backdrops for photography. We captured the desired images and proceeded to another corridor painted yellow with a black stripe, reminiscent of Charlie Brown's jersey from Charles Schulz's 1950s cartoons. I was keen to photograph there, especially since Jack had mentioned the same wall earlier. While I took some shots with my digital camera, the Polaroid truly excelled here. Jack suggested a spot near the stairs where the black dado rail followed the staircase's trajectory, resembling a graph. The resulting images were impressive, and both the band and I were pleased.
We concluded the shoot with portraits against a red backdrop, which I knew would complement my portfolio. After nearly five hours of continuous work, we wrapped up and headed home.
Today has been dedicated to editing the images and writing this blog. Photography, being in a band, or running your own business is a labor of love. Often, the behind-the-scenes efforts remain unseen. David's relentless hours at the store, the band's dedication to writing, recording, rehearsing, performing, and marketing, and Joe's intricate artwork—all contribute to the final presentation. I firmly believe that the effort you invest directly influences the rewards you reap.
