Last October I spent four days in The Hall of Justice as Rocky Votolato recorded his new album 'Hospital Handshakes'. My good buddy Seth Sommerfeld, Assistant Arts Editor of the Seattle Met, was headed into the studio to take a look at both Rocky and producer / studio owner Chris Walla at work and asked to borrow a camera. I ended up tagging along instead, and was able to document artists who I've admired since 2000 creating music.
There is something divine about the analog tape process; something pure where you have to accept the natural selection process of tracks and slight imperfections. While Rocky was tracking vocals for 'Boxcutter' and sang out "trust that everything happening's perfect," I couldn't help but believe the words myself.
'Hospital Handshakes' is out today in Europe on Glitterhouse Records and in the US on No Sleep Records April 21st. Be sure to buy a copy and give it a listen start to finish.
A big thanks to Rocky Votolato for inviting me back to be "a part of the band", to Chris Walla, Cody Votolato and Andy Lum for allowing me to document you at work, and of course to Seth, for connecting the collaborative dots.
All photos copyrighted to Amber Zbitnoff Photography