Instruments tell stories through their appearance as much as through their sound. Pat Graham s photographs capture the intimate relationship between musician and instrument told by the signs of wear of fingers on frets or keys, chips, scratches, and modifications by the artists who have played, beaten on, bled over, and made them their own. For more than ten years, Graham has been documenting these amazing instruments and collecting stories about them from musicians on the road, in clubs, and at home, including members of The Smiths, Sonic Youth, The Flaming Lips, R.E.M., New Order, Wire, Fugazi, Built to Spill, Band of Horses, Modest Mouse, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and many more. His gritty and beautiful images reveal the physical nature of music.

About the Author

From the 1990s through to today, Pat Graham has captured influential independent musicians in live performance, behind-the-scenes back stages, tour vans, hotel rooms, and studios, having exceptional candid access and trust built up through friendships with many of the musicians he documents. During this period he toured endlessly with bands such as Modest Mouse, the Make Up, Tortoise, and June of 44, across the USA and Europe. His photos have been published in numerous magazines, including Rolling Stone, Spin Magazine, Art Forum, NME, Dazed & Confused, Raygun, the Village Voice, the Washington Post, Washington City Paper, the Guardian, Punk Life, Punk Planet, Copper Press, Time Out, VICE, Tokion, Swindle, Guitar World, and the Chicago Reader. In 2001 he took the artist in residence position at the Grange Hall, in Wakefield Rhode Island. After which he moved his base to London, England. In 2003 Graham co-founded contemporary art gallery '96 Gillespie,' a not for profit gallery dedicated to encouraging and supporting a dialogue between US and UK artists & to being a significant venue for American artists in the UK. He works & exhibits internationally. Johnny Marr is one of the most influential guitarists of the last 30 years, from his time as a founding member and co-songwriter in the Smiths to his later playig with Modest Mouse, Electronic, The The, and the Cribs.

Reviews

"poignantly documents the true connection between the artist and his or her instrument, with photographs that are telling, and commentary that is personal and often revelatory." - Under the Radar