Samer Ghani may have started out as a photographer, but his creativity has since extended to many avenues – direction, journalism and videography, to name a few. This month, however, he’s circling all the way back to his roots with the release of a photobook, “Memories of a Street Cat,” which will be releasing on March 25 with a launch party at the Cactus Club, where Ghani got his start.
Milwaukee Magazine talked to Ghani about his book, how it came about and what he’s expecting to do next.
It’s time to pick your Milwaukee favorites for the year!
What inspired the name of your book?
The name of my book came to me almost immediately; I’m a cat dad and animal lover, but throughout my career I’ve belonged to no one place, org or community. Like a street cat, I roamed the streets of our dear city, going from porch to porch creating memories with artists, families and organizations alike. This theme stays consistent within my work today, so this book is some chapters of the work I created with artists throughout my journey – the memories of a street cat.
How long has the idea for a book been percolating?
The book has been in the making for almost three years now, so the idea originated back then. My priorities have changed as an artist. While I continue to document live music, it’s not the first priority for me anymore. I’ve grown so much since the days of shooting live music almost every night after work. This book is a love letter to the first chapter in my journey that really defined me as an artist in Milwaukee.
How did you choose which shots made it into the book?
I worked with Tommy Moore, owner of DayBreak Magazine & Studio DayBreak. His ability to format and produce physical media is unmatched. About two years ago, I approached him with this idea, and he sifted through thousands of my photos to objectively choose some of the best moments from my almost 10-year journey of documenting live music. Some of the selections are mementos to my younger self (bands like Death Cab for Cutie and Angels & Airwaves), while other selections were made to show a wide breadth of Milwaukee music & beyond.
What kind of story about your journey do you think the book tells?
I think – rather, hope – this book tells the story of perseverance and the long road. Building anything from scratch is not easy – it comes with sacrifices and costs that are unknown, specific and unique to each individual. The moments highlighted in this book are the memories that stand between what was happening in my personal life at the time. I’m so far away from the kid who started shooting shows, he almost doesn’t exist anymore. The beauty in that growth and change is highlighted within this book, if you look deep enough.
Do you have a favorite shot in the book?
Choosing a favorite shot is a lot like a musician choosing their favorite song. I think if I stated what was my favorite, it could ruin the objective viewing experience for the readers of the book. Pardon my artist answer!
Who is your favorite artist featured in the book – both music wise and to shoot?
I think it’s without a doubt Angels & Airwaves, which was a full-circle moment for me. Angels & Airwaves is uniquely a band that I can trace all the way back to sixth grade. Their first album “We Don’t Need to Whisper” is a defining moment for me as an artist, and it shaped the way I viewed the world moving forward. I got the opportunity to not only document the band live, but meet Tom DeLonge.
Tell us about your release party at Cactus Club – are these all bands you’ve photographed over the years?
The release show at Cactus Club is unique in the sense that it is a combination of some of the artists featured in the book, and some artists that I believe are a part of the future of live music. I thought it was important to not only look backwards, but to give attendees a chance to look forward into the near future of Milwaukee music.
You’ve said previously that you always want to one-up yourself. Now that the book is done, what’s your next big goal?
Hah! Love that you put that in my face – keep me on my toes! My next big goal is to turn a new corner with Cactus+ Arts Non-Profit. I’m honored to be vice president of the board, and although we’ve had an exciting few years, there is so much work to do in the landscape of education, accessibility and policy change that we – myself, my fellow board members and our community at large – are more than prepared to tackle.
Outside of that, as a working artist, I’m interested in exploring light, the metaphysical, the concept of human connection, dreams and exploring the darkness of the unknown. As I’ve shed some of my older skin, I have some grand ideas of how to bring these things to life in public spaces, but more specifically galleries and museums.
