Ryan Adams
Guitarist and photographer Neal Casal played in Adams’ band The Cardinals for four years, documenting their work. VIEW OUR GALLERY of Casal’s favorite shots from his new book.
Neal Casal,1996-98 AccuSoft Inc., All rights reserved
Mandy joined the Cardinals on tour in Australia and New Zealand just a few weeks before she and Ryan got married in March 2009. This was taken during a wait between flights at the Sydney airport.
Neal Casal
Jon Graboff is one of the finest all-around musicians working today, and such an integral part of the Cardinals sound. I found him here thinking it over on a 30-hour bus ride across Canada during our 2008 tour with Oasis.
Neal Casal
The Cardinals opened for Oasis for a couple of months in 2008, and this was one of the last shows of the tour. I'd been asking their management since the beginning if I could get a photo of Ryan, Noel, and Liam together, to no avail. Finally, I was told that I had a few seconds to get the photo just before they went onstage. So I waited for them in the hall, grabbed Ryan, and managed to shoot one frame. Liam already had his ear monitors on, the lights were down and the audience was going insane as I shot this photo.
Neal Casal
This was one of the most intense moments of recording Cardinology. We knew we were in the midst of a great record, but felt we were one song short of completeness. Sometimes it's really difficult coming up with that final, perfect song. This is Ryan, in the eleventh hour, digging deep for the tune that ends the record, "Stop."
Neal Casal
It's every musician's dream to play the Apollo Theatre, and our moment had finally arrived.
Neal Casal
As a photographer, these are the moments you live for. The subject, setting, and light all line up for the perfect moment. Out of all the photos I've taken of Ryan, this still may be my favorite. As I was taking it, I knew it would be good, a rare thing for me--but I had no idea that it would later be chosen for the cover of Easy Tiger.
Neal Casal
Making records can be a nerve-racking experience. There's a lot at stake–your creativity, reputation, time, money, and legacy. You spend months beforehand writing all of these songs just hoping you'll hit the mark.There's a point in the recording process where you reach the moment of truth: Do you have the goods, or not? This was the point during the Cardinology sessions when we knew we were onto something great.
Neal Casal
Ryan and Henry Rollins talking punk roots and flashing their Black Flag bars.
Neal Casal
Ryan had been asked to produce a record for Willie, with the Cardinals as his backing band. This was one of the first days of the sessions when these two guys were still sizing each other up.Although Ryan had respect for Willie, he was very much the irreverent punk who was not interested in bowing down to the living legend. Willie, on the other hand, has been a punk of his own for quite some time, and wasn't about to give up any ground to this youngster. A great locking of the horns ensued, and in between games of pool and drinking whiskey, we ended up making a pretty good record.
Neal Casal
Brad Pemberton is Ryan's longest running band mate, a world-class drummer, and a true Southern gentleman. He's also one of the meanest chess players around. This photo was taken just after he'd beaten everyone in the band and cleared the bus of all opponents.
Neal Casal
Neal Casal
Register below to read this article for free or subscribe
to unlock unlimited access to The Daily Beast.
Monthly
$1
First month then $5.99/month
Annual
$35
First year then $59.99/year
Premium
$79
First year then $119.99/year
*Substack access provided by the next business day, using your subscription email. Choosing the Premium plan constitutes your permission to share your subscription email with Substack and your agreement to Substack’s Privacy Policy.
Already have an account? Sign In
Looks like you already have a subscription!
You're all set!
Thanks for subscribing.