There’s an old saying that goes something like: God gives everyone on earth the same amount of time in their life. But in Bryan Adams’s case, we’re not entirely sure if he wasn’t granted a few extra hours here and there. Why do we say that? Because in August he’s releasing a new album titled Roll with the Punches, he’s on tour in Europe – and his new photography book, #shotbyadams, featuring his best work in fashion and portrait photography, was published this May. Just a quick glance through the pages reveals the precision and intuition with which he portrays personalities like the Queen, Iggy Pop, Willem Dafoe or Robbie Williams. “I appreciate not only his way of composing images and playing with light,” says Giorgio Armani, “but also his ability to converse with those in front of him, making them feel at ease and then photographing them, almost unexpectedly.” Of course, the Italian fashion designer is featured in the book as well; in fact, he wrote the foreword. What Bryan Adams himself has to say about the book and his music – you’ll find that here. Naturally, we just couldn’t pass up the opportunity for an interview.
The theme of our magazine this time is “There Is No Substitute”. As a musician and photographer, what, in your opinion, makes an artist truly unique?
Being able to write your truth. I’m really excited about the young generation and what their writing is like. Billie Eilish or Lola Young, for example. Young songwriters that can really speak their truth. It’s amazing.
