Young at Heart
Supply caught up with photographer James Hartley to chat about his new book Young At Heart, life on tour, and the stories behind some of his most memorable images from years spent documenting music, travel and culture around the world.
From early van tours with Parkway Drive to photographing artists, cities and scenes across the globe, Hartley reflects on the moments, people and places that continue to inspire his work.
You can pick up a copy of James Hartley's book "Young at Heart" here.
How does your experience from the earlier days of touring compare to touring nowadays?
I thankfully get to do it in a lot more comfort these days. I still romanticize the days of piling in the van, sleeping on floors, and I try to keep my mindset in that same place. I don’t ever want to get too comfortable or take this shit for granted. I might never get to come back to this random city we’ve just rolled into.
I’m always trying to get out of the venue or hotel and explore as much as possible. I’ve been doing this long enough now that I've gotten pretty good at seeking out the fun stuff. If I don’t have a specific destination in mind - I usually start with a record store or skateshop, grab a couple records and ask them where their favorite cafe or bar is. Ideally end up somewhere with an outside table where I can sit with a coffee or a beer and watch the world go by.
It’s such a privilege to travel the world with your friends, getting paid to do what you love.
If you weren’t documenting & photographing the countless shows, bands, personalities and travels over the years, what would you be doing?
Slowing life down and spending my days somewhere coastal like Northern Spain or France sounds magical. Somewhere I can surf and eat real good. Maybe build myself a darkroom. Or open up a little coffee shop. Somewhere with an outside table where you could sit with a beverage and watch the world go by hahaha.
A collection of James' favorite tees from the era
5 favourite images from young at heart
(Coffs Harbor, 2008)
Sheep’s photos of the UK hardcore scene were massively influential for me early on. So to have this photo of him stage-diving in the book felt like a good homage to that early inspiration.
(Perth, 2009)
I always loved this photo of Pat. The lighting at these venues was always ass, as was the lowlight capabilities of early digital cameras. So I used to place camera flashes on triggers all around the venue, and light it up like I would a skate photo. Got real lucky with this one.
(Adelaide, 2007)
This would’ve been one of the last no-barrier shows Parkway did, before it all got way too big to not have a barrier setup.
(Melbourne 2012)
I still love looking at this photo and thinking about all the great shows that went down there.
(Melbourne, 2012)
From the last weekend the Arthouse was open. All time.
Shot Point Blank. I Killed The Prom Queen. Parkway Drive. Break Even. Carpathian. Miles Away. The Amity Affliction. Sink Or Swim. Have Heart. Unconscious. Hopeless. No Love Lost. Craterface. Mindsnare. Ceremony. Her Nightmare. The War. The Gifthorse. Rex Banner. No Apologies. Deez Nuts. 50 Lions. Antagonist AD. Cry Murder. Jungle Fever. Third Strike. Something More. God So Loved The World. Stronghold. Bloodsport. Homewrecker. Infection. Pro Team. Confession. Blacklisted. Slowburn. Iron Mind.
5 Other Favourite images from young at heart
(Miami, 2014)
This was just after Trash Talk played an alleyway show behind a gallery during Art Basel. If my memory’s correct they were down there to launch BABYLON that same weekend.
(Sydney, 2023)
Album cover I shot for Speed’s Only One Mode. We got this within a few frames, which is always weird. We kept trying to top it, but knew it just fit the vibe perfectly. I love how the image works no matter which way you hold the record. Jem could’ve asked any photographer to do this, and I’m very grateful he asked me - thank you brother.
(New York, 2016)
One of the greatest to do it.
(India, 2019)
My wife and I travelled India for 3 months in 2019. This photo sums up all the beauty and chaos of India in one image. It also made me want to start shooting in color.
(New York, 2022)
This was Speed’s first show in NYC, and the first time I got to see them play. It was mindblowing to see an Australian hardcore band have that sort of reaction in America.
“Hartley gifted us a window into the golden-era of Australian hardcore. His iconic fish-eye photos helped capture the spectacle, potential and sheer size of the scene at that time” - Jem Siow, SPEED
Young at Heart
Young at Heart is a self-published photobook by James Hartley documenting the Australian hardcore scene from 2006–2013.
320 pages featuring 236 colour and black & white plates.
25cm's × 17cm's
Foreword by Winston McCall, Jem Siow, Mark Bawden and Sam Octigan.
Design by Tyrone Ormsby.
Printed in Melbourne, Australia.
