Robert Gil - Rock n' Roll Photographer

Robert Gil is a full-time freelance rock n’ roll photographer. If you live in Paris and attend concerts regularly you will see him in the first row shooting the bands he likes which are also the bands you like. If you will remember last spring, Leaky Sparrow covered some shows from the les Femmes s’en mèlent Festival and that’s when I first talked to Robert Gil who consented to lend me some of his amazing pictures to illustrate my concert reviews.
Recently I asked him if he would agree to talk to Leaky Sparrow about his work, which is also his passion, and here are the answers to some of my questions:

Leaky Sparrow: Robert, you are the most dedicated photographer of rock halls and rock festivals in Paris. Why did you choose to capture the music instead of sports, politics or fashion?
Robert Gil: It’s simply because I’m a fan of music. I have long haunted music halls but more discreetly. Now I live a child’s dream. I can link my passion for music with another passion, which is photography.

LS: Your choice is to shoot artists live on stage instead of outside. Is the live aspect more important for you as a photographer?
RG: I would say I am more relaxed with live pictures. It’s the live report that really affects me. Before shooting concerts I was shooting daily outside scenes on the street, which is also a kind of reportage. Live performances bring out the best from an artist. Poised pictures must be directed and controlled and many artists don’t like that element so much.

LS: Besides, you seem to prefer to shoot indie groups and artists that are less well known in rather small halls or clubs. Is this just personal taste?
RG: Exactly. It happens that I do some mainstream groups here and there but without much conviction. I try and give myself pleasure though it all. Because I am doing live reports almost daily I would not be able to shoot concerts that I am not interested in. It’s a question of my survival.

LS: Thanks for the answers Robert. On your website, Photos Concerts, we can see thousands of really high quality photos. Would you like to select one for Leaky Sparrow and with a little comment?
RG: One photo that comes straight to mind is one from a not very well known group called Munshy from when they played at the Trabendo. I am in a position that I like the most. Close enough to the artist to share his universe. I know the singer a little bit and on that picture I found her exactly like she is. There is the look, the attitude and the angle. I think is a good live picture.

Please have a look to his work on his website: Photos Concerts
MySpace: myspace.com/robertgil

Photo: Robert Gil – Munshy – Trabendo, Paris – May 01, 2007
You can find some Munshy’s music on her MySpace

Pictures of Robert Gil on Leaky Sparrow: Sophia - Vito - Black Heart Procession - Vito (2) - Arab Strap - Rose Kemp - Juliette & The Licks

The Cure - Pictures Of You .MP3 from Disintegration (1989)
Tow Waits - Picture In A Frame .mp3 from Mule Variations (1999)
Brian Eno & J. Peter Schwalm - Like Pictures, pt 2 .mp3 from Drawn From Life (2001)
Eagle*Seagull - Photograph .mp3 from Eagle*Seagull (2005)
Weezer - Photograph .mp3 from The Green Album (2001)