Alison Braun is Still as Punk as Ever

Alison Braun always knew she was shooting something special when she started photographing many of the punk bands on the Sunset Strip in the '80s. Dead Kennedys, Black Flag, Discharge, D.O.A, Social Distortion, and so many more up-and-coming bands at the time all exist on Braun's film rolls in vivid black and white.

Later on, Alison relocated to Seattle and immediately began shooting the exploding music scene. Some of the notable bands she captured were Alice in Chains, Soundgarden, Mookie Blaylock (before they became Pearl Jam), and Forced Entry.

Her images serve as an archive of rare moments in music history that are still beloved the world over and may never be duplicated again. However, punk has never left, but Alison says she is not seeing enough anger in her current punks and hopes to see more. After all these years, she is still as punk as ever.

Still an active photographer in Seattle and elsewhere, Alison has never shied away from getting right into the action in the pit. Her photos are chaotic and intimate, showcasing her subjects at their most vulnerable and powerful moments on stage. Currently, the photographer declares Seattle's El Corazon as another home. She regularly shoots metal, punk, and hardcore shows there.

Alison was the first interview guest on Vinyl Apothecary. In our chat, we discussed LA beginnings, her transition to the Seattle scene, the camera as an instrument, her advice to young female photographers, and current music recommendations.

It's about taking pictures. And I have tried for four and a half decades now to make sure people first see the camera and see me as an artist and not as a little girl, a woman, an old woman. I try to not be the story. And that's kind of how I've always lived.

For more information about Alison, visit her official website at alisonbraun.com.

Listen to the full interview below (at the 30-minute mark).