Michael Weintrob has been photographing musicians since the beginning of his career in live, studio, and location settings for a range of magazines, record labels, and corporate clients. He’s worked with hundreds of artists and been to countless locations to show emotion and life through photography. 

His passion project, INSTRUMENTHEAD, is a collection of a surrealist look into the soul of a musician, not through their eyes as with traditional portraiture, but through their instrument. Starting back in April 2000, through a candid moment in a photoshoot with the Derek Trucks Band, which sparked an unprecedented art project, bringing together more than 500 musicians from across the globe over the course of nearly two decades. During the 2020 pandemic, he launched the INSTRUMENTHEAD LIVE streaming concert series from his studio to raise funds for out of work musicians. 

“Last Spring we put together an online virtual concert festival called The Revealed Concert Series to promote my upcoming book, INSTRUMENTHEAD REVEALED,” shares Michael. “For one of the sets, we put a band together, which consisted of Peter Levin, Jimbo Hart, Chad Gamble, and Lamar Williams Jr. I told Peter since we had all these guys in the room maybe he should try to get Audley Freed to come in and do another set of Allman Brothers music. The result of Audley showing up is what you’re about to see in this stream. I am so proud we are able to release this benefit video and it means so much more now after everything that Peter has gone through. This show truly is a celebration of life!”

Recently, Michael has been working with former Allman Brothers member Peter Levin, who just recently had a sudden heart transplant. He opened a new performance space and studio in Nashville and he has been hosting a killer series of livestreams called INSTRUMENTHEAD Live. He has partnered with volume.com, a new platform that allows artists to stream for tickets or for tips, on December 8th in a live-stream performance of Peter Levin and Friends, benefiting The American Heart Association & The Allman Brothers Band Big House Museum, and to commemorate & celebrate Peter Levin’s life. 

*The photo was shot at Fame Studio while Peter was making his new record

We got a chance to talk to the renowned music photographer Michael Weintrob in this very special edition of Indie 5-0. 

Let’s dive in:

What is Instrument Head Live?

INSTRUMENTHEAD Live is a full service Production Company that offers video/audio production and marketing. We operate out of my East Nashville studio where we I shoot portraits and we host exhibitions, produce live stream concerts and create music videos.

How long have you been friends with Peter Levin?

I have been friends with Peter Levin since the early 2000s/   I lived in Brooklyn and Peter lived in New York City.  We have always run in the same circles. I have always been a huge fan of Peter and his music. I have photographed and work with him many times over the years.

What can fans expect from this special live stream?

If you are a fan of the Allman Brothers Band you are going to love this show! The band is on fire.  When we filmed the show last March. It was 11 am in the morning and there were only 4 people in the room. I am not sure this music was meant to be played that early in the day. I felt blessed to be in the room while these masters did their work. I am definitely biased but I think this show was one of the greatest Allman Brothers Tributes I have ever seen, and I have seen a lot of them. These players really do the music and the songs justice.  

You were involved with the GoFundMe that has raised over 50K for Peter in a matter of days - tell us about this.

I was talking to my friend Chris Pizzolo who runs Immediate Family Records about what Peter was going through. Chris actually put out Peter’s record on his label.  We decided to launch a go fund me for Peter. In just over a week the Go Fund Me has already raised almost 60,000 dollars. It is truly a testament of how our community really bands together to help one of our own. Peter has always been one to help others and it is beautiful to see everyone who has come out of the wood work to support him.

What makes this super jam so special?

We put a band together that really knows the music and respects it. When we started INSTRUMENTHEAD Live we wanted to create a space where musicians could create and be themselves at a time when all of the venues and studios had been shuttered due to the Pandemic. These guys were so excited to play and it really shows in this performance! You are not going to want to miss this show! It is incredible.

Visit Michael’s website here: https://michaelweintrob.com/