LIVING in Barcelona and London along the way, twenty something freelance music photographer Neelam Khan sees the world through a unique rose-tinted glass. With a beret on her hair and a relentless love for music in her heart, Neelam jumped up to Glasgow to work on her latest music photography project. A self-confessed punk, pink and glitter girl, Neelam spent time with some of the pioneers in the Glasgow music scene, the results of her labour shows a stark, true, honest and exciting look into one of the UK’s most evolving and promising scenes.
Like many people in the creative industry, it was a film that helped Neelam unite her love for photography and music and discover the outlet that she now calls her day job: “When I was about 15 I was already into the music I am now and I loved shooting bands. One day I randomly saw the movie Almost Famous and once it finished I knew that I wanted to be that kid, but a photographer instead of a writer like he was!”
For those lucky enough to spend time within the heart of Glasgow’s music scene, it’s usually the people that populate that scene that make people’s hearts grow. This was no different for Neelam as she explains: “What made me fall in love with Glasgow? Simple. Its people. Everyone made me feel so welcome since the first day I went there, people in Glasgow are so much fun and so so nice, it’s safe to say that some of the best people I’ve ever met live there. Also the cheap drinks.”
“I really love the Barras market and Kelvingrove Park. But the day would definitely end at The Priory.”
With a firm love and preference of shooting people, not objects Neelam’s favourite image from her series is the black and white image of the kiss. (pictured below). “I love subcultures and youth culture and I feel its important to not just romanticize the past but also appreciate what’s going on right now, because there’s so much happening. I simply enjoy documenting what I love and that’s music and my friends.”
We end our chat with Neelam by asking her to soundtrack her time in Glasgow. “Born Slippy by Underworld does the job. My favourite bands are Pulp and Girls, and my favourite Scottish band of all times is The Jesus and Mary Chain, but if I had to pick a Scottish band that are killing it at the moment that’s Baby Strange for sure.”
Neelam’s not only a credit to photographers, she’s a credit to women. Pushing boundaries, going against the grain and stuck right in about the nitty gritty to bring frank images of fun rebellion and creativity. You can buy Neelam’s Glasgow Project book ‘But Why Would I Choose A Thing Like That?’ via her website here. And go check her out on Instagram here.
