Wondrous Time: Tess Parks by Laura Cherry Grove

This is a series I shot of Tess Parks in the pink evening light when we were in LA last October. I’ve been really inspired by 50’s street photography lately, shooting snaps through glass or while walking.

Laura Cherry Grove is a photographer based in Berlin

I moved to this city to become a photographer but ended up lots of different things instead until I found my way back into it. I was on the team designing the first version of the “Electric Plug” Emoji for Apple and after that I lay low for a few years until I picked up photography for good two years ago.

Tess Parks is a singer and songwriter who describes her music as “lo-fi alternative drones with a hypnotic vibe“.

Born and raised in Toronto, Canada, Tess Parks moved to London, England at the age of seventeen where she briefly studied photography at the London College of Communication (University of Arts London) before dropping out to focus on music. Tess managed to make an impression on industry legend Alan McGee, founder of Creation Records, albeit the timing of their meeting could hardly have been less ideal; McGee was no longer involved in music and Tess was due to move back to Toronto.

In February 2014, she began recording with Brian Jonestown Massacre frontman Anton Newcombe in Berlin and they completed their debut record ‘I Declare Nothing’ in autumn 2014. The record was released in June 2015 to stunning reviews and a series of sold out UK and European tours, including support slots for Jesus and Mary Chain and Ride.

Still an avid photographer, her photographs have been published in various magazines and online publications and she has exhibited her work in group shows and her own solo exhibitions.

In July 2017, they completed their self-titled second album ‘Tess Parks & Anton Newcombe’, released on October 12 2018.

Excerpt from Tess’ official website