Meet Market Hotel

If you want to view paradise simply head into a mosh pit at Market Hotel. This is a venue that literally brings the music community together. Together in a fit of elbows and knees and good times. In our latest interview, we had a chance to talk with Alec Pugliese. Alec is a fantastic photographer shooting shows in NYC. He breaks down one wonderful night at Market Hotel with Prince Daddy & the Hyena.

If you want to show your support for Market Hotel. Head over to their site and check out Market Hotel’s donate page.

A portrait of Market Hotel exterior by Alec Pugliese

Describe Market Hotel to us in your own words.

Existing in a historic building above a Mr. Kiwi grocery store, Market Hotel is a testament to what a thriving DIY community is capable of. The building itself has been standing since the 1800s and has seen many incarnations since opening its doors for the first time. Along with a plethora of name changes, the building has served as a concert hall, multiple nightclubs, an artist living space, and even a bank.

In the early 1980s, the building was a hub for the Bushwick and Bed-Stuy underground nightlife scene until its closure by law enforcement after the horrific Happy Land fire in 1990. In 2008 the venue opened its doors as Market Hotel and once again, became a centerpiece for the local arts community. Since the reopening, an internal organization was formed that has been responsible for researching and implementing changes and refurbishments that allow Market Hotel to operate as a full-time live music venue and bar while complying with the strict codes of New York City.

Why is this history important? The longevity of this historic venue is only possible because of the overwhelming support from the community. Without grassroots crowdfunding, an appreciation for local culture, and a willingness to preserve local history, this do-it-yourself, all-ages music venue wouldn’t exist. And while hundreds of music and art spaces are closing their doors for good during the Coronavirus pandemic, it’s important to remember the small venues like Market Hotel that have been a life-changing source of entertainment and artistic expression for over 50 years.

Describe Prince Daddy & the Hyena for those who have not heard of them.

P-Daddy was formed by a group of close friends in upstate New York. Their two full-length LPs are filled with growling vocals, heavily fuzzed-out guitars, slick lead licks, and danceable drum beats. The group mixes elements of late-2000’s punk, midwest emo, and northeast hardcore to make loud, in-your-face, quit-your-job-and-go-on-tour pop-punk.

With tracks like “I Wish I Could Ctrl+alt+del My Life”, “I Forgot to Take My Meds Today”, and “C’mon & Smoke Me Up”, P-Daddy fully embodies the Indie Rock “Slacker” genre. These tracks would fit perfectly into playlists featuring artists like Jeff Rosenstock, Bomb the Music Industry, Rozwell Kid, Oso Oso, Mom Jeans, Joyce Manor, Modern Baseball, The Hotelier, and Tiny Moving Parts.

What made this particular show memorable?

Okay, so first off, the lineup was insane. It was Pictures of Vernon, Retirement Party, Rozwell Kid, and of course P-Daddy and the Hyena. And on top of that insane lineup, it was P-Daddy’s record release show for their album Cosmic Thrill Seekers. The house was packed with friends and fans and the energy was off the charts.

My partner and I were there with Rozwell Kid, we were filming their set with VHS cameras for use in future promo material. Even though I was there for Rozwell Kid, I came prepared with my camera so I could photograph the other bands playing. By the time P-Daddy came on stage, the crowd was hot, sweaty, and ready to tear it up. The venue was so packed that you couldn’t leave if you wanted to. The moment the first note rang out the stage diving started. There were so many crowd surfers and stage divers that P-Daddy had a person who was responsible for making sure that everyone that surfed onto the stage was able to jump off safely. Not only was the floor packed but the stage itself was full of people. It was packed with band members, friends of the band, photographers, videographers, and of course stage divers.

I’ve been to a lot of punk shows in my lifetime. I’ve shot crowd surfers and stage divers, I’ve shot bands that climb the stage rigging and I’ve participated in my fair share of mosh pits, but that was hands down the wildest show I’ve ever shot. The craziest part? It was so hot and humid in the venue that the sensor inside of my camera kept fogging up and there was nothing I could do about it. Because it was foggy, a lot of the photos from P-Daddy’s set are a bit hazy. I like to think that this “effect” allows the viewer to feel how intense and sweaty that night was. Or the photos just look blurry, I don’t know.

What was the best moment you captured from the show?

The best moment I captured from the show was during Rozwell Kid’s set. The band has certain parts of their performance where they all come together and raise their guitars in the air. I knew it was coming so I got ready for it and took as many photos as I could. The stage being small really helped squeeze the band even closer together so the photos came out great.

Unfortunately, the best moment from the show was actually something I didn’t capture on camera. At one point during P-Daddy, I was on my way to the green room to switch out a battery when I saw a kid climbing up a pillar in the middle of the crowd. It looked like they were trying to get onto a pipe that was attached to the ceiling. I held up my camera as fast as I could but I wasn’t able to get the “best” shot before he fell.

Why was Market Hotel a good venue for this show?

Honestly? It probably wasn’t! But that’s what made it perfect. Market Hotel is kind of small, at least it definitely didn’t feel big enough for the number of people that were in attendance. There were so many people there that the floor of this second-floor venue was bowing and bouncing under the weight of the audience jumping up and down.

Was this dangerous? Maybe. Did this break some fire codes? Maybe? I don’t know, that’s not my job. But I can tell you that if this show were anywhere else it wouldn’t have been the same. There’s just something magical about a bunch of sweaty people bumping into each other while singing along to a song that everyone collectively loves. It’s really something that I miss in the time of COVID.

What is the most rewarding part of photographing concerts for you?

I’m inspired by the candid moments of connection between bands and their fans. I shoot to highlight the performers doing their thing but I try to do so from a fan’s point of view. I like to shoot my three songs from the photo pit, like every other photographer, but then I like to sneak away and photograph from another part of the venue. I often jump into the moshpit with the crowd or I’ll head to the balcony for a different perspective.

I like to keep moving and shooting for the whole set if it’s possible, all while respecting the venue, their staff, the fans, and any requests from the bands playing. At the end of the night, I feel satisfied if I have a few shots from an angle that I’ve never seen before or if I captured a few special moments that really depict what it was like at that specific show. I want to be able to have someone look at my photos and immediately be transported into the crowd.

How long have you been a photographer?

I have been working behind a camera since high school, so like, 11 years? I started out shooting the skateboarders I was friends with, then moved on to more conceptual work when I was in college. It wasn’t until recently when I realized I should just mix my love of music with what I was already doing. Basically, I’ve wanted to live in a van my whole life.

How was the crowd at Market Hotel that night?

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, the show that night at Market was the craziest show that I’ve ever shot and it was all because of the crowd. Their energy and their love for the bands that were playing is what made that night so special. Also, the sweat, there was so much sweat.

Any final comments about Market Hotel?

I think I’ve said everything I can say about Market Hotel, so I’ll take this opportunity to thank TFR for having me! I think that what y’all are doing to help shine a light on NYC venues is vital during this dark time. I would like to encourage everyone to check out the National Independent Venue Association. NIVA’s work during the COVID Pandemic has been vital to keeping venues afloat across the nation. Recently, NIVA has worked with Congress to pass the Save Our Stages act as part of the new COVID-19 Relief Bill. I also encourage everyone to check out Market Hotel (when it’s safe to do so) and all of the bands that were there that night. Music from Pictures of Vernon, Retirement Party, Rozwell Kid, and Prince Daddy, and the Hyena can be found on all streaming platforms!

Thriving at Market Hotel With Alec Pugliese