Harmonies on Tap: Inside A Record Bar

Through my experience with Small Town, USA, I was able to investigate a record store and bar, Volume Records and Beer, owned and run by Tony Lopez. Tony is a local bartender and longtime DJ who started Volume with his personal collection. He feels enthusiastic about adding a venue to Hillsborough that combines the music and bar scene, both of which he loves so much.

I was determined to shoot at Volume and show what a fantastic place it is, immediately drawn by the huge mural of Billy Strayhorn on the outside wall as we drove by it on our tour of Hillsborough. I wanted to highlight a location where people could come together to bond over a shared passion--a passion I also share: music. Throughout my time in Hillsborough, I met many local visitors who enjoyed the vibe at Volume and did not shy away from a music discussion. A large chunk of visitors were, in fact, musicians. Though Volume is a small space, which can be tricky to photograph, I had many fantastic conversations, met many interesting people, and ended up with photos that capture Volume's, its owner's, and its visitors' essence.