Film Freak with Coco A Go-Go

Ever since junior high I rarely left the house without a camera. Oftentimes it was a disposable camera, then the 35mm and polaroid I saved up for in high school. I loved photographing my friends doing really anything . When I started going to shows I quickly learned I loved photographing bands and the crowd. Snapshots and portraits are always what pulled me in. Over the past year I’ve been going through 25 plus years of film photos. Some of the people in the pictures are still with us and I’m so grateful to have captured our youth. Some of the people on these rolls of film are no longer with us so their photos have become even more cherished. Maybe you’ll recognize someone in one of these photos, or maybe that someone will be you! - Coco

Kelley and Linda, Ralph’s Diner parking lot. Worcester, MA . Summer 2024 ( 35mm)

This was a super fun night. My band Electric Street Queens played with friends Cigarette Camp, Orange Whip and Gossip Collar in the Ralph’s Parking lot on their new stage. It was one of those perfect summer nights, not too hot, not too cold. Everyone was out having fun the whole summer ahead of us. All the bands killed it. A bunch of us went to a late night diner after . Perfect night.

Patty and Selma , Halloween 2008 , Jamaica Plain, MA ( 35mm)

This was a really fun halloween house party in JP. I brought a disposable camera to it. I love how illuminated everyone was cause of the bright flash. It was a beautiful night so we were all hanging in the backyard before ending up at the Jeanie Johnston. My roommate Abby ( in blue) “lost” her wig on the walk home . The next day I was out and about and I saw it sticking to a light above Herb’s TV Repair. I however sadly couldn’t get it down.

Salty and Joe , Old Colony Tap , Provincetown, MA 2022 ( Fuji instamax wide format)

Old Colony is one of my favorite bars ANYWHERE. I often find myself daydreaming of the slanted floors and summer. The seat in the window is the best cause you can just watch everyone walk down Commercial Street. They got a great jukebox.

Sherman performing at Mad Monster Party , Myrtle , East Providence 2023 ( 35mm)

This was from the first Halloween party I threw at Myrtle a few months after they opened. I only took a few photos all night but they were all of Sherman performing. I love how they’re the only thing that came out so it looks like they’re floating in space.

Casey as Anastasia , Jamaica Plain, MA 2005/6 ( 35mm)

This is from a series of portraits I took of Casey when he was working out looks for a character for a video he was working on . I loved the way the blue clothing and eye shadow popped with the red lipstick . He looked so sad in the photos , totally embodying the character. This was right before we moved in together. He was living across the street from me so we were constantly over each other's houses working on video projects. I really miss living so close to him.

Whats up party people ? Hope everyone is surviving out there. This week I’ve dug through some film bopping around all over the place. We visit my old bedroom , my teenage years and a couple bars. Enjoy!! - Coco

Casey as Kendra , Jamaica Plain, MA 2006 , 35mm slide film

This was taken in Casey and I’s old bedroom. We were sharing a room and a bed at the time. We’d fall asleep listening to suicide ( by suicide) or the movie “ fire in the sky” which is probably the reason we were always having fucked up dreams. He was working at boomerangs which is where he scored this killer dress and I believe that Mondrian Wallpaper. I was working at the salon and all the old ladies thought he was my boyfriend. These stills were characters we were creating for a video idea. I shot this photo on slide film and then cross processed it to get the bolder colors.

Salty and Josh , The Druid , Cambridge , MA, Halloween 2012 , 35mm

If you couldn’t guess this is from Halloween . We were at the Druids Halloween party and were able to score the very coveted back booth. I love Halloween parties. At a certain time the druid clears out all the tables and chairs and it just becomes a big costume dance party. Salty debuted the “pickle nose” this particular year which made for many laughs any time he tried to sip his guinness. Josh is one of Salty and I’s oldest friends and how we met so this is a special photo to me. I shot it on a disposable camera .

Brooks waiting for a train , 2001 , 35mm

Brooks is my sister, we’ve been best friends since we were 8. We were teenagers in this, and I took this at a train platform not sure where. I just always liked how the glass gave it all these overlays and how ghost like it came out. Brooks lives on the west coast now and I really miss hanging and fucking around with her.

Brooks at Smash city records , Boston , MA , 2001 , 35mm

This was our favorite record store and I still think of it all the time. I used to beg the guys that worked there to give me a job which they never did ha. I’m sure I was a really annoying teenager that just wanted to talk about records , so despite that they were really nice to me and even would occasionally give me the employee discount . I remember they had a wall of all these local show bootlegs ( all on cassette ) that I was obsessed with . If memory serves they were $5 ( my price range) . I loved getting them. The recordings were raw and wild and I would listen to them dreaming of the shows I wish I was at.

Matty at Bruar Falls, Brooklyn 2011 , 35 MM

This is a photo of my dear friend Matty ( the drag world knows him as Horchatta) but he was occasionally my old band's self proclaimed Merch Cholita. This was from GONE BAD’s record release - $5 bucks for our 7inch what a bargain! I remember having really bad cramps all day leading up the show, like crippling can I please stay in bed type pain. Anywho , I had to do this really long scream in one of the songs and all of a sudden mid scream , I thought I peed my pants which is embarrassing. Turns out I had an ovarian cyst rupture so was covered in blood! Did I scream so loud it shook my ovaries ???? Who’s to say. Luckily for me and everyone else I was wearing black, but it was a night to remember. Speaking of remembering, I remember a lot of this night was me running around taking snapshots like this with my disposable camera. I was really excited about our 7inch so I was trying to get spontaneous reactions from people at the show.

What's up Rag mag , lifes a DRAG am I right ? This week I actually have a theme. If theres one thing I love its a good fucking wig. Going through all my photos I grabbed some pics of some of my favorite drag performers . I love drag and think its such an amazing art form with so much potential to move people, whether its laughing, crying or just being outrageous. So get out and support your local drag community!!! And bring those dollar bills! — xxx Coco

Hole , Crystal Ballroom , Somerville, MA , 2024 , 35mm

If you haven’t been to HOLE , I urge you to go. One of the most fun nights you can go to. It's a big queer dance party with out of this world , drag and video performances . Really great energy in the crowd, my face hurt from smiling so much. This particular one I was shooting video for them , but I also brought my 35mm camera to get some shots in between acts. The theme for this one I believe was Television. This was at the end of the show when all the performers all gathered on stage. I couldn’t fit everyone in the frame , but also my film got fucked up somehow. Even though half is blurry I really like how much joy is crammed into this picture. GO TO HOLE.

Sherman , Myrtle , East Providence , RI , 2023 , 35mm

This is from the first Mad Monster Party I threw at Myrtle. I think this was Sherman’s first act they did to kick off the night. I love how you can see all the different textures in their outfit. Sherman’s costume never ceases to amaze me. So much talent!!

Toby’s last show , Pieces Bar , New York , NY , 2011, 35 mm

I love black and white but sometimes I wish this was in color so I could see the beautiful chaos that is the Pieces decorations. From left to right we got Vodka Stinger , Tallulah Debayous and Michael Musto . Vodka and Tallulah used to host a monthly show called “ Too Ugly for TV” which was a mix of them talking shit , songs, weird videos and then always some type of game Tallulah would somehow convince me to participate in ( I once got roped into twister and won toilet paper as a prize which was actually pretty cool) . Tallulah aka Miss Toby was moving away so it was her last Pieces show so we all came out in full force to support . Michael Musto joined them on stage and I feel like he was reading something from a Susan Summers book but maybe that was from another time? I love this photo because of Talluha’s pose and because I can hearrrrrr her. Miss Toby is hands down one of my favorite storytellers. Some of my favorite New York memories are me , Casey and Toby just cracking each other up late into the night.

Casey in my kitchen , Jamaica Plain, MA , 2005 , 35mm

Whatever we were doing in this picture I’m sure it was stupid ha. If you’re a regular Rag Mag reader you’ve definitely seen Casey in this column before. I always tell him he’s my forever muse but its true. We were living across the street from each other at this time and it felt like an old sitcom where people are just popping in and out of each other's apartments. We’d come up with video ideas and have to shoot immediately. I remember making so many videos in this apartment and it be so fucking hot and we’d be baking in our wigs. I painted the kitchen that mint green to make it feel more like “ my place” but I always loved how it popped with my roomates poster and Casey’s pink shirt. I love this picture because I know whatever he’s saying I’m definitely laughing on the other end.

Happy spring film freaks!

Hope everyone is surviving out there. This week we’re going back to some of my Brooklyn days at Outpost lounge ( RIP). Casey and I lived and worked there together ( we love our quality time) It was down the street from our apartment. The bar / cafe felt like its own universe. I miss it a lot, but am lucky I still keep in touch with everyone.

Matty and Ariana , Outpost Lounge , Brooklyn, NY , 2011 , 35mm

I love this pic a lot because it was such a fun night. I was moving from Brooklyn and about to go on a big US tour with Gone Bad and we had a going away party at Outpost . Outpost is where I worked while living in Brooklyn and its still one of my favorite jobs I’ve ever had. Colin and Gary the owners made us all feel like family and supported / encouraged us all to pursue whatever art and dreams we had. This particular night we closed the bar and made a makeshift karaoke machine with a projector and laptop. I wish I could remember what Matty and Arianna were singing in this. I don't know why I keep picturing boyz 2 men or bone thugs but that could be wrong. It was a beautiful night so between songs we’d all spill out to the backyard so everyone could smoke.

Gary and Colin , Outpost Lounge, Brooklyn , NY , 2011, 35mm

This is Gary and Colin who I worked for at Outpost. Still hands down some of my favorite people to work for. They lived above the bar which probably was convenient and a nightmare ha. This photo is from the same night I was describing above. Outpost had a beautiful backyard , a treasure in the city. It was one of my favorite places to sit and hang out. One time I was outback having a coffee before I started my shift and Colin started calling me. I picked up and he’s like “look up to my window” so I did just to see his ass cheeks pressed against it. He also one time pretended to fall down the stairs and I raced to the basement to see if he was okay and he was just just mooning me from the bottom of the stairs. I LOVE THESE GUYS.

Caitie and Matty’s arm , Outpost , Brooklyn , NY, 2011 , 35MM

This is another one from that same going away night. I always loved Caitie’s expression but how the background looks like its spinning. As you can see we’re outside which means everyones getting some air between karaoke songs.

Emily G. In my apartment , Brooklyn, NY , 2011 , 35mm

This is my girl Emily G. We’ve been friends since Mass Art days. We also played in a band called GONE BAD together . You can see my cat Dee Dee poking out in the background . Dee Dee was so sweet and snuggly. I’m not sure what we were doing but It looks like we got takeout so I hope it was good. I lived a short bike ride away from her at this time so we were always at each others places. I even picked up shifts at her job with her sometimes. How did she not get sick of me ha.

Whats up film freakers! Its summer , its hot , everything is fucking insane.

This edition I wanted to mix it up a bit . Not only do I shoot a lot of 35mm still film , my main medium is Super 8! This is a short film I made a few years back with the soundtrack by Ice Dragon . Lots of local Boston artists make cameos in the film, see if you can spot them all ! DIY film forever xxxxxx

Whats up film freakers ?!!??

Hope everyone is braving the heat and doing okay out there . This week much like my brain , we are bouncing all over the place. Different years , locations and film formats . I know what you’re thinking Coco SLOW DOWN , but I can’t and I won’t . Wishing everyone a great week , stay safe out there — Coco

“All Cramped up” featuring the BLOODSTAINS ( Boston Burlesque group) 35MM , 2013-14?

My friend Dinah Deville ( left) put on a night of burlesque to a live band playing ALL cramps songs some years back. It WAS SO MUCH FUN. Not only am I a full time film freak but I am also a hairdresser and Dinah had me come in to make some BIG HAIR ( as seen on the beautiful pink haired dancer in the middle). Once I was done teasin and curlin’ I got to join the audience and enjoy the fun. I took these photos on a disposable camera because I love shooting live stuff quick and dirty. I love enjoying the performance but I also love photographing it , so i’ve always been drawn to quick point and shoots at shows. I remember when they revealed the teeth people went nuts. I really wish I could remember what song this was too - maybe hot pearl snatch ?

Casey with pink hair , Mass Art , 35MM , 2003

It wouldn’t be a film freak without me unearthing a old photo of Casey. This was taken in the little court yard in front of Mass Art on Huntington Ave in Boston. Casey was one of my first friends I made in school. I actually met him on my first day of classes. I remember seeing him across the street in a tiny half shirt and so much glitter eye shadow that I was almost blinded from the sun bouncing off it. But through the traffic and blinding light I thought I NEED TO BE FRIENDS WITH THIS GUY.

This photo is also pretty reflective of what kind of pictures I was taking at the time. I loved doing portraits and come to think of it haven’t really taken any in a long time. I guess its time to get on that ha.

Brimfield Antique Flea Market , polaroid , 2024

I love walking around Brimfield looking at all the things I can’t afford to buy. Kelley and I were picking out fake mushrooms ( pictured above) and a turtle swimming pool that would be in the back yard of our collective friend dream house. A girl can dream am I right ? Anywho it was a scorcher that day and me, Salty , Kelley and Cory and Tori! All hit up Brimfield flea to see what treasures it had to offer. I really loved these giant mushrooms , maybe someday I’ll have one of these in my back yard who knows! Since I was so into them I had everyone pose in front of them and I loved how weird and dreamy the film came out. This particular pak came out with a lot of pinks and yellows which I ended up really loving.

Alice taking a bite outta Gone Bad , Bruar Falls , Brooklyn , NY 2011 , 35mm

This photo is from my old band Gone Bad’s 7inch release at Bruar Falls in Brooklyn. This is my old bud Alice eating our record. I’m pretty sure she also played that night with her band No Fun . I remember it being a really fun night and just hanging after . This was definitely taken with a disposable camera because I remember snapping away at everyone just hoping I’d catch them at the right moment.