PHOTO: STEPHEN ZEIGLER | Julia Gorton started her career as the photographer, creative director, and publisher of the No Wave fanzine Beat It!, which offered an insider’s view of the downtown New York music scene, 1976–1980.
She recently published a compilation of issues and her book, Nowhere New York offers a visceral view of the scene through her photographs, writing, and guest essays.
She was an integral member of this era and photographed the gritty and electric energy of James Chance, The Dead Boys, Devo, and Lydia Lunch plus many more all within the context of the scene as a whole.
Julia and I sat down recently and discussed when she first picked up a camera, her evolution as an artist and member of alt culture, along with her time on the downtown music scene of New York in the prime punk and No Wave era. We also discuss current perspectives on her continuing work.
Dylan Hundley is an artist and performer. She is the co-creator and lead singer of Lulu Lewis and creator of all things at Darling Black. She co-curates and hosts Salon Lulu which is a New York based multidisciplinary performance series. She is also a cast member of the iconic New York film Metropolitan.