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I recently revisited this book of photos by Michael Jang, an incredible photographer who’s been documenting life in California since the early 70s. Jang’s photos distinctively capture the sincere humanity that exists in San Francisco but is often overshadowed by today’s pervasive tech bro agenda. There’s something extremely tight about how he was able to capture high-energy situations––from parties at the Beverly Hilton to punk shows at the Civic Center Plaza––in a way that just feels so tranquil. As a Bay Area native, I deeply appreciate his work and hope you will too.
Dec 8, 2020
Related Recs
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This is a book of interviews with 12 pioneering artists who create photo books. It’s a long discussion about two of my deepest passions: photography and bookmaking. I found it because of the curator David Campany, and it is a must have for those who take their photography seriously. The most visceral interview is with the photographer Larry Clark, who talks about getting sued by the grandparents of a baby he photographed, leaving out pictures of sawed off shot guns, and his commitment to never making his friends look bad. There’s a lot of passages about book design, a range of photography styles, and the meaning of success. This book is a gold mine of insight, and I carry it with me like a bible.
Nov 15, 2022
this is hands down the sickest photo book of 2024. Jim is an ace photographer, I've followed his work for the past decade-ish. he and my mom also dated for a while which was odd and not a particularly important detail. but the images in this book are just fucking insane. the fact that they were shot within this millennium is beyond, they should be from 1927 or something. I like to imagine what it must have been like to embed with these boys and photograph their unique lifestyle, would just be so surreal in the greater context of the wild fundamental Mormon sect they were raised in. beautiful images, a very beautifully put together book, and all around a really good deep dive into a weird corner of america.
Sep 24, 2024
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I love these photos of Beverly Hills in the 80’s. Photography has always inspired. When I go to a museum I gravitate towards the photography section, more so than the other mediums. There’s something about freeing a moment in time that I could just stare at endlessly.
Feb 25, 2025
Top Recs from @shyam-mervana
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Gonna kick things off with a tune I’ve had on repeat pretty much all year long. Everyday, I Don’t by Anna Domino is one of those rare tracks that makes you feel warm, isolated, hopeful, and subdued all at the same time. It’s been a go-to source of respite for me throughout this historically shitty year. Not to like, be a total “my life a movie fr” dude but listening to this song while biking through the city at night really is an inimitable vibe. Truly cathartic. I will be listening to it on repeat while I write the rest of this newsletter.
Dec 8, 2020
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For somebody that works in podcasting, I hardly ever listen to them. NPR’s new show Louder Than a Riot, however, is the rare exception. Hosted by Sidney Madden and Rodney Carmichael, the show interrogates the relationship between mass incarceration and hip-hop by diving deep into the experiences that artists like Bobby Shmurda and DJ Drama have had with the criminal justice system. I’ve been fucking with Rodney and Sid’s music coverage for a while now and this pod really highlights their skills as storytellers.
Dec 8, 2020
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Okay, I know everyone’s been recommending this, but it really is that good. Lovers Rock is the second film in Small Axe, Steve McQueen’s five-part series about Black life in West London in the 60s, 70s, and 80s. The movie follows a crew of West Indian Londoners through a night at the coolest party I’d probably never get invited to. They’re spinning jams, drinking Red Stripes, and falling in love. I weirdly really fuck with all movies that take place over the course of one night and this one is no exception. It’s visually gorgeous, the soundtrack is vibey as fuck, and the fits are astounding. Check it out on Amazon Prime Video now.
Dec 8, 2020