We recently had the chance to connect with brit o’brien and have shared our conversation below.
brit, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Even though music is technically work … listening to CDs in our home collection from start to finish while reading the lyric booklets has been so special. Taking in a story the way it was meant to be shared, flipping through the art. Not being sold something or having any ad interruptions. Physically holding a record. Sitting on the floor with an album as the focus, not as a background thought.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Brit – I’m a touring music photographer.
I’ve always had a vision to document life not for immediate consumption…but rather to preserve nostalgia for the long term. I’ve been touring with bands for ten years…capturing life in the back of vans, within gas stations, arenas, planes, and overseas. I’ve published a couple of photography books/zines, was the grand prize winner of the Circadian Pictures Creative Fund 2020, and have been running a music-focused print store for the last five years. Outside of photography, I work as an artist and tour manager — learning the ebb and flow of business within the music industry. I also launched Little Negative Letter Club this past April, which is a subscription-based penpal club. We deliver letters to our subscribers’ physical mailboxes every month.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
I gave a speech at my High School graduation. Standing on that platform and looking out at the other kids, I felt powerful. Like I wanted to lead. The speech was….. bad. Embarassing, probably… but ever since I’ve had the itch to speak, share, and create with others.
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
My dad passed when I was 24. My hometown caught on fire a year later. Those two instances shredded the “safety net” that I had as a child. The idea that someone/something was always protecting you.
After those back-to-back life-altering events, I started to trust myself. I wanted to be the provider — I wanted to always be in control. That has had both positive and negative consequences, but I am stronger now than I ever would have been.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
That those at the top are acting out of interest of the artist.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What will you regret not doing?
I have traveled to 49/50 states. I would regret not seeing the beauty of Alaska. I hope to work a show there one day!!!! That would be unreal.
But if not music, then I must complete the 50/50 and spend some time in the state.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.littlenegative.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/britobrien/
Image Credits
brit o’brien
