The four-piece Chicago indie rock darlings, Beach Bunny, have come a long way since I first attended one of their shows in a cramped art studio in Elgin, IL back in 2017. Lili, Matt, Jon, and Anthony have made a name for themselves in the Chicago music scene since their humble beginnings in the northwest suburbs, finding their beach pop sound, paired with sad girl lyrics, into the ears of millions of listeners. Their meteoric rise in the past two years lead the group to signing their first label with Mom + Pop, a Lollapalooza performance in 2019, a cover on the Spotify curated “All New Indie” music playlist, and a North American tour that brought the group into foreign venues for the first time in their blossoming careers.
On November 17, 2019, Beach Bunny played at Toronto’s Hard Luck Bar, marking the groups first ever live performance outside of the US. The group sold out their Toronto show, solidifying their music’s international appeal.
Lili and company played an energetic set, that meticulously flowed from one indie rock banger to another. Beach Bunny’s lyrics speak to a generation of listeners uncertain about self-love, romance, and personal growth all while providing commentary and criticism on the unrealistic cultural expectations.
The Canadian crowd rocked to the music nonstop creating mosh pits, crowd surfing, wall of deaths, and even briefly taking the mic as they serenade the Canadian national anthem to the band.
It was an evening of celebration that marked itself as Beach Bunny’s first international show, and it most certainly won’t be their last.
Burn Affect playing in Elgin, IL (October, 2019)
Photographer: Roland Fanega
Another Michael, a Topshelf Records group from Philly, took their music north of the border to open up for Beach Bunny at Toronto’s Hard Luck Bar.
The indie pop group brought sonically intimate sounds driven by electronic percussion and Michael Doherty’s soft and perfectionist vocals, setting the tone for an evening of rocking.
(photos taken November 17, 2019)
Sofar Sounds show I captured in January 2020.
Musicians:
Jared Jones
Miss Jones
Public Disco Porch
Sofar Sounds show I shot in February 2020.
Musicians:
Linn Jennings
RYMO
Demetruest
Sunday Cruise in their element.
Battle of the Bands (Elgin, IL 2018)
Shooting in the streets and alleys of Wicker Park, IL
Kaze Chan is the master sushi chef at Chicago’s Sushi-san restaurant.
With a perfectionist approach to his craft, Chef Kaze has made sushi-making into his own form of art; presenting guests with dishes that look as good as they taste.
This photo set captures the attention to detail Kaze emphasizes in his cuisine. Each cut is measured precisely, with years of experience and knowledge about fish, the tools used to prepare them, and the best way to serve them.
Photographer: Roland Fanega
Subject: Chef Kaze Chan
Part 1 of my set photography for Bounty Huntin’.
Director: Jeffrey Sweeney
Cinematographer: Rebecca Johnson
Producer: Sam Batjes
Part 2 of my set photography for Bounty Huntin’
Director: Jeffrey Sweeney
Cinematographer: Rebecca Johnson
Producer: Sam Batjes
Images from the 2019 DocYourWorld Summit at Columbia College Chicago
Photos taken during the annual Free Comic Book Day celebration at One Stop Comics in Oak Park, IL (2019)
A series of portraits.
A personal photo series of American homes exuding mid-20th century vitality and nostalgia
