The XCERTS on Shooting With the Lomo'Instant Square Glass

Music photographer Garry Jones took time out from photographing UK-based three piece band The XCERTS and gave them the opportunity to photograph themselves with the Lomo'Instant Square Glass Camera. We chatted to the members about creative photography, the role that visuals play in music and how they found our instant glass lens camera.

Photos of The XCERTS taken by Garry Jones using the Berlin Kino and Lomography 400 120 films.

Hello XCERTS, please tell us a bit about yourselves.

We’re a three piece alternative rock band that formed in Aberdeen, Scotland when we were teenagers. We’ve just released our fifth LP entitled LEARNING HOW TO LIVE AND LET GO on the UNFD label. It’s our best work yet and we are touring throughout the UK this October in support of the album.

Photos by The XCERTS with the Lomo'Instant Square Glass

Describe your sound in five words.

Heartfelt, calm, chaotic, passionate pop.

How did you get on shooting with the Lomo'Instant Square Glass and where did you shoot these photos?

We loved it! Incredibly easy to use and made even the most basic of shots look purposeful. Creating instant multiple exposure shots was a lot fun also. It opens the door to more organic creativity rather than using your phone which can be pretty uninspiring at times. We took these photos at the Academy in Leicester whilst opening for our good friends You Me At Six.

Photos by The XCERTS with the Lomo'Instant Square Glass

Do you shoot with film a lot? What's the appeal of analogue photography?

Yes! The appeal is that it’s the perfect antidote to the instant gratification universe we live in. Using film takes longer and is more considered, you have to wait to see the results which encourages patience and consideration, two things that are severely lacking in our current society.

Photos by The XCERTS with the Lomo'Instant Square Glass

How much input do you guys have on the visual look of your band, from the photos to your cover designs? Do you consider it an important part in how your music is communicated?

We are very hands on when it comes to the visuals and aesthetics for the band. For the first three records we used our own film photography and then decided to bring some creative friends on board to help us fully realize our vision for the most recent records. I personally think artwork is vital in representing the sound of the record as myself and the boys view it almost as extension of the music in many ways. We view making music and artwork as more of an ongoing project because everything is so intrinsically linked to us. I’m more inclined to listen to a record if the artwork is clearly considered or striking in any way, minimal or maximal.

Photos by The XCERTS with the Lomo'Instant Square Glass

What's coming up for the rest of 2023?

So we have the aforementioned UK headline tour coming up, then we’re gonna work on some new music whilst Michael Bublé dominates the festive period, and then we’re gonna hit the road for the majority of 2024. Excited to bring our new record to life with everyone!

To find out more about their latest tour dates, check out the The XCERTS Instagram page.

2023-10-08 #people #band #instant-film #uk #scotland #aberdeen #xcerts #fuji-instax-square #music-tour

Mentioned Product

Lomo'Instant Square Glass

Lomo'Instant Square Glass

The Lomo’Instant Square Glass is the first and only fully analogue instant camera on the planet Earth to produce Instax square pictures. It lets you capture the world in a powerful snapshot while the square frame paves the way for wacky compositions. With a 95mm glass lens (45mm equivalent) and an automatic mode that takes care of exposure, the Lomo’Instant Square makes shooting super sharp, perfectly exposed snaps easy.

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