Boostive: music with meaning
A few months back I went to my first concert since the pandemic had started(1). The band and the show were both excellent and an interesting thing about this concert was that I’d only just learned of the band maybe a couple weeks before the show but it wasn’t the first time I saw them perform. Let me explain.
Last summer (2020) during the height of the Black Lives Matter civil rights movement which had been reignited by the police murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, I was at a large march taking place in downtown San Diego at the Waterfront Park which is kinda like our city hall here …I think. Any way, it was a hot, sunny, mid-day event in June and there was a massive turnout. Over 1,000 people marching. Things seemed like they had cooled out from a week or two earlier when there had been lots of teargas and police violence at other demonstrations throughout the county (and the country). As it turned out this particular march was very peaceful and very moving.
Now for people who don’t know me well (yet) I wear my heart on my sleeve and am very open with my emotions. I cry at movies and have no qualms about it. I mean who didn’t cry during Fast 9 when Vin Diesel gave everyone unlimited soup and bread sticks? #WhenYoureHereYoureFamily #OliveGarden #BadMovies
But in all seriousness I have been moved by the power of protest a few times before in my life but this was beyond anything I’d experienced. What was so different about this march? Was it the massive crowd? The touching speeches? The diversity of the people/groups supporting? No. These were all things I’d experienced before. What set this march apart was the fact that there was a goddamn marching band.
The band was comprised of about 10 young adults with various horns and percussion instruments (including a turtle shell). They were dressed as individuals, but they played like a fucking unit. These were real-ass musicians and they quickly became the sound of the movement (at least for that day). The marchers had a bounce and a groove in their steps and many were inspired to dance. The sound was so infectious even a racist would have to admit it sounded fucking awesome. They were undeniable.
I had been photographing the march so I was in and out of the band’s presence all throughout the day and I remember wanting to try and make contact with some of the band members for a potential interview afterward but I was new to photojournalism/documentary photography and I inadvertently let them slip away. To top it off my only lead (2) ended up ghosting me after I DMed him. A major bummer no doubt.
I knew the story was interesting. I’d seen the way the people (marchers and observers) responded to the band. I felt how much the music amplified the message of the crowd and I wanted to know more. Who were these people? Did play together often? We’re they a band? A meetup group just for the march? What inspired them to come out? I was desperate to know but I was at a dead end.
That was until about a year later.
After being vaxxed and taking a break from covering injustice/activism for mental health reasons I found my way back in a comedy club after being away for over two years. While at the club downtown I’d often take advantage of the location and take street photos in the Gaslamp (bar) District while I would wait for my time slot at the open mics.
One night I was walking down the street to grab a slice of pizza when I saw a guitarist and saxophone player jammin at a sparsely populated bar(3). I was still getting used to seeing maskless people doing things from the before times and the sound was nice so I hung out for a little bit to snap a couple photos. As I was photographing the saxophonist he made eye contact, then motioned for me to come in and join in the fun. It was at this very moment that I realized I’d taken his photo before. He was one of the horn players from the marching band.
I waited for them to finish their song and then pounced.
“Did you play your sax at a protest with a marching band last summer?”
“Yeah. That was with some friends. They’re a legit band called Boostive. I jam with them sometimes.”
We exchanged info. I told him about my ongoing music project that I’m shooting and even got a solid portrait of him (follow @salmakessounds on insta). Solid chance encounter thanks to The Universe and man was that satisfying to finally connect the dots on that marching band. Ahh what an itch to scratch!
Check out my man Sal on insta @salmakessounds or as Sean Lambert on all streaming platforms. His latest single “Violet (Remix)” is streaming now.
Over the next couple of days I’d listen to Boostive’s music and be absolutely blown away. The band is a perfect mix of reggae, funk, psychedelic, rock, and hip-hop with some Latin flavor in the mix and just an overall full sound that hits you right in the jaw if you’re not expecting it. The sound was so rich (my god the horns), the vocals outstanding, and the Emcee featured on about half of the tracks on the groups LP, Creme Supreme, was kickin' some real shit on there. Like the inter connectivity of open mindedness, history, and oppression kind of shit. It made sense that THIS band would be marching in a civil rights movement, they’ve got songs on wax(4) about exactly that.
I saw they had a show playing shortly after I’d officially stumbled across their music thanks to my new friend Sal so I got a ticket and reached out to see if I could bring my camera. They said yes.
So I present to you Boostive: a fan experience.
(1) Don’t sweat me I’m vaxxed.
(2) Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL) member who said he was friends with the band.
(3) The sparseness was due to this being a weeknight in San Diego. We really are a weekend only town as far as partying is concerned.
(4) Or whatever. You know what I mean.
