Ep. 13: Andrew Quinn on Photography, Texas Music, and the Road Behind the Scenes

Andrew Quinn has spent the last decade photographing some of the biggest names and most exciting up-and-coming artists in Texas music. On the latest episode of the BVLive.com Podcast, we sit down with Andrew for a conversation that goes well beyond photography. Starting with a camera he got at 15 years old, Andrew talks about how Cody and Shannon Canada gave him his first real opportunity, shooting his first show with The Departed, and how he went from a teenager asking bands if he could take their pictures to working on the road with artists like Shane Smith & The Saints. We also dive deep into the Texas music scene from Andrew's unique perspective. We talk about the importance of places like Green Hall and Hurricane Harry's, the Bryan-College Station music scene, the artists and songwriters who deserve more recognition, and how the scene has changed as social media has transformed the way artists build an audience. Andrew shares stories from the road, what it's like being in a van with a band, the difference between artists who have put in the miles and those who find success online first, and why the work and relationships built along the way still matter. And because this is Andrew, there's plenty of conversation about the art itself, including some of the photographers who influenced him, the importance of putting in the time, and the advice Rodney Crowell gave him that stuck with him: sometimes you just have to go. In this episode: How Andrew got started in photography at 15 Cody and Shannon Canada opening the door to the Texas music scene Shooting The Departed and learning concert photography through trial and error Growing up around Texas country music in New Braunfels The importance of KNBT and the Texas music community Why Hurricane Harry's meant so much to the scene Andrew's years on the road with Shane Smith & The Saints The difference between playing shows for 12 people and playing for thousands How social media is changing the path artists take to success The importance of putting in the miles, building relationships, and doing the work The Bryan-College Station music scene and the loss of venues like Hurricane Harry's Artists and songwriters Andrew believes deserve more recognition The power of live performance, from George Strait and Garth Brooks to Cody Johnson and Shane Smith & The Saints The next generation of Texas and country artists Photography, creativity, and finding the confidence to pursue your craft Andrew's bucket-list artist to photograph It's a conversation about photography, music, friendship, touring, the people who help build a scene, and the countless hours that happen behind the scenes before anyone sees the finished product.