Fally Afani’s music photography captures the electric energy and urgency of the Kansas City and Lawrence music scenes. Her love of live music prompted her to focus her energy on working with local musicians and connecting them with the community. On any given night, you can find her covering concerts in Lawrence, Kansas City, or music festivals across the nation.
Her award-winning journalism, which now spans 15 years, has been featured in magazines, newspapers, and television stations across Kansas. She has received several Kansas Association of Broadcasters awards as well as an Edward R. Murrow award for her online work in journalism.
Meet her on June 20th at Shawnee »
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What comes first – the medium or the message?
The Message.
What do you feel is your role as an artist?
My art runs parallel with journalism, and journalism is a community service. I am here to show what the musicians around me are capable of as performers, and how it engages audiences here in Kansas and even beyond because of our online presence.
What influences your practice/works?
I grew up in a country where media was mostly censored. When I moved to the U.S., I was limited to living in a small, rural area of Kansas. My only access to explore the music scenes I so desired were magazines. So much happens in an entire concert, but only one second from it gets captured in a photo to show you the extent of the activity involved. These photos define the opposite of stagnant, presenting an entire world of opportunity to music lovers who desire to live within that moment.
Who are the other artists you look to for inspiration?
Lately I’ve been enjoying concert photos from journalists who cover the East Coast hardcore music scene, such as Angela Ownes and Farrah Skeiky.
What other writings do you recommend reading to have a better understanding of your artworks and your art practice/process?
Above all, you must follow women and people of color. White men have covered the music scene for far too long and have made it an absolute bore.
