'By Ami Barwell' T-shirt range. StageStyle personified.
The Lemmy of Motorhead t-shirt's by Ami Barwell are one of this summer's simultaneously coolest and hottest. TheZineUK's fashion director, Ben Dodd, got that beauty straight onto our Instagram!
Following on from the huge success of her collaboration with Ben Sherman ‘By Ami Barwell By Ben Sherman’; World Renowed Rock ’n’ Roll Photographer, Ami Barwell has launched a new T-Shirt range: ‘By Ami Barwell’ with the first design bearing her iconic photograph of Motorhead’s Lemmy. Unisex, Slim Fit, super soft 100% cotton, ethical T-Shirts, available in sizes Small to XXL, priced £25. PayPal or bank transfer. Please click here to order directly, stating size.
Ami Barwell
There's no doubt that rock is not only one of rebellion's great genres, but also street-cred fashion. (Personally I think that you should be able to hum a Nirvana, Ramones, Bob Marley or Beatles tune before buying the T-shirts from Primark etc, but hey, it's better to acknowledge great music than wearing something like "I heart Tory Blair", surely?).
The Lemmy t-shirts news was this article, but when I thought of Ami, my soul reminded me that, like Motorhead, she is one of Rock n Roll Britain's inspirations. There's more to tell.
Next year the millenium turns 16. Old enough to have sex legally. Perfect timing for what has been bubbling in the small venues, especially since British unity seemed to peak in 2012 then fade by this year's elections, to explode with filthy riffs and dirty beats as dynamite. Sure, many people prefer to stare into their screens than see the whites of a musicians eyes and, yes, they can see up and coming talent on TV shows, but its not the same. A mass breakout of punky spirit, armed with massive riffs, is keeping the dream alive.
Yawntastic karaoke, given weeks upon weeks of prime time TV exposure to break does make stars, but can suck our collective cock. Right now, the small and medium venues are exploding with rock. I believe that this century, sex music (Rock n Roll, originally slang for shagging) is very much influenced by the New Girls Network that the internet has made possible. Ami Barwell helps to keep our culture iconic.
In turn, the rebellious element of human nature, that makes us romantic, poetic and fun, is nurtured by music obsession. For Ami, it started with a love for a variety show of classic sounds including Sly & The Family Stone, Radiohead, Stevie Wonder, The Band, Neil Young, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Bob Dylan and The Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster.
At the end of the 20th century, she started photographing the North East of England music scene and within months was approached by Snow Patrol to be their Tour Photographer. She has not looked back, and has since capture some of the world's most famous musicians with her lens and reputation.
With so many moments and memories of being fully immersed in this life, she has all the Rock And Roll Photographer credentials. Ami was Black Rebel Motorcycle Club’s official photographer for five years. This far from dull role included spending the night in jail in Canada after directing a music video for them.
Meeting heroes is part of her art. As a teenage Blur fan, Ami, found it nerve racking to photograph guitarist Graham Coxon. A few years later they met again, she gave him one of her business cards with him on it. Graham loved it so much that he moved a picture of his children and put her card in it's place!
Its not only about the major names. After living in the North East, she moved to New York and then to London, before returning home where she is involved in making things happen. Alongside being in demand from the most up and coming buzz bands, and rock stars, Ami has portrayed new talents, local bands and also curated exhibitions. As an artist, she is no one trick pony.
Although working behind the lens, Ami Barwell herself actually looks as iconic a Rock n Roll artist as any of the subjects she photographs. Despite being a formidable talent, she remains unaffected and approachable. It's this down to earth quality that puts musical artists at ease. Capturing that candid, guard down, moment is a magic trick which can only be pulled off by an atmosphere of trust and friendship. Look at the Fine Art Photo Prints for sale at Ami's site and check out a smiling Thom Yorke, Ian Brown letting you into the windows of his soul (they had instant rapport) and Sandi Thom looking as hot as if her lover was taking the shot.
So many musicians have a lot of love for Ami Barwell's work, including Justin Hawkins of The Darkness who told her; “You're an artist with immense potential, some realised, some not.".
Ami's pix really do lend themselves naturally to style. Before the Lemmy t-shirt, she worked with world wide brand, Ben Sherman, who were also full of praise; "When I discovered Ami Barwell I was immediately blown away, the imagery was amazing. Bringing together a great British rock photographer and a great British clothing brand has been an exciting journey".
With clients that also include the major record labels, Vogue, Converse and Wella Shockwaves, Ami's exciting adventure as the globally reknown rock n roll photographer, continues with whatever she does next, and we at TheZineUK will be watching.
Words; Caffy St Luce