DD: Cat Power is known for being quite up and down, was that a tough shoot?
SG:
That was in a hotel room, she was doing press in that hotel room, she
wanted me to do some press pictures and I turned up, spending a few
hours just snapping. It wasn't a great room for taking pictures really,
but this one came out really well. I think I'm quite similar to a lot
of these artists. I'm up and down a lot myself. The best compliment I
can get is if someone says 'that was painless'. That is why the people
get me doing their photographs, because I make it easy for them, and
the pictures generally come out ok.
DD: Tell me the circumstances that led to your picture of Kurt Cobain.
SG:
I was in America for the Melody Maker with Everett True and we just
thought to spend a couple of days with Nirvana. I actually driven from
New York to Pennsylvania by Dave Baker, who was the first singer in
Mercury Rev. And then we just travelled with Nirvana to Springfield,
Massachusetts, which is where that picture was taken. That picture was
taken just before they went on stage. He was just sat there, reading
letters, playing the guitar. He didn't mind me being around, that's why
the picture is the way it is - there was no pressure.
DD: What was your personal recollection of working with him?
SG: He was a beautiful man, good-natured, good-humoured, generous, patient...
DD: Your Ed Harcourt photo makes him look like a floating demon - was that your idea?
SG:
Ed wanted the pictures to be taken underwater for his album cover, with
a piano under water. We found this pool with a viewing window under the
water. Everyone has seen underwater pictures, but I thought, 'let's
make it more hellish and make the water go red'.
DD: Did you actually dye the water?
SG: No,
it's just light, the water was normal. I think the walls of the pool
are black and I just put loads of light into it. I didn't get it all
red, but I managed to get clean light on Ed, which was quite tough. Ed
could go down for three shots at a time. There were some funny moments
when he was underwater, nearly dying... the heater also broke down, so
the water was freezing. He looks really well there.
DD: Apart from doing the exhibition, what else are you doing?
SG:
I have done a lot of pictures of the Futureheads recently, for the
album, that has been fun. I've also been working with Nick Cave a lot.
I can't think what else. I can't remember, I do something and then just
move on.
