Drew Gibson plays at The Crimson Moon in Dahlonega, GA with Dave Hadley playing the steel guitar. [Fuji X-E2, 18-55mm, ISO 6400, ƒ/4, 1/45]

Last night we drove up to Dahlonega, GA, to see one of my wife’s friends from college in Richmond, VA play at The Crimson Moon.

Drew Gibson plays a country-blues style of music. He writes all of his music.

His latest album is 1532, about his late father and his family. I believe when artists start to deal with those raw emotions that they experience in things like the loss of a loved one, they can unleash their feelings.

Musicians often create a vibe with their music that draws others in since this often resonates with their audience’s emotions.

While listening, I felt like the photos I took from my seat didn’t capture all the emotions I wanted. I saw this in front of The Crimson Moon and Drew and Dave playing through the window.

Shooting through the window created this barrier between the musicians and me. The reflections in the window were from outside the coffee shop.

Often this is how I think we listen to music. We hear the artist’s theme, and at the same time, we are reflecting on our own lives. The experience of the event creates this hybrid of our worlds colliding.

When I returned to the restaurant, I wanted to capture the guests all relaxed and listening. I tried to pick up on the mood of the place itself.

I took a few photos from different parts of the room to give more context to the small venue in Dahlonega.

Too often people get tunnel vision and continue to shoot from the same spot with the same lens. It may be a great composition and the best angle, but it isn’t the only angle.

Move around and find those different perspectives.

If you want to experience a similar concert as I did, go to The Crimson Moon website for a list of shows.

You can find out more about Drew Gibson on his website as well.

This is a song about Drew’s Mother, Betty Jane, from the album.

Here is another song by Drew, “When the Vinyl Scrapes.”