Yearn(ing) Again to Hear Puma Blue Live

The sun is beating down on me, and there is the calm, continuous crashing of waves sounding in the background. Kids are screaming giddily as they let the ocean chase them, and the squawking of seagulls can be heard as nearby families taunt them with food– it is summer, a time I associate with none other than these things. As I sit on the beach enjoying the feeling of serenity, I feel a familiar buzz in my lap. It was my friend giving me his weekly music recommendation.

Hey, check out this artist, Puma Blue. I think you’ll really like him.

I hesitated before checking, as not only do moments like this feel too peaceful to interrupt, but my friend tends to recommend various hardcore bands– something that didn’t feel appropriate for this setting. Curiosity, however, won. When I put in my earbuds and pressed play, the sound was unlike anything I had ever been recommended before. It was warm and atmospheric, a combination of smoky jazz, indie melodies, and deeply reflective lyrics. I found myself immersed in the words, which resembled more of a desperate plea for something more. I, too, found myself yearning for the intensity depicted, something almost spiritual. Now, when I feel warmth on my skin, I recall that moment; summer is no longer just about the crashing waves and seagulls screeching, it’s about music. It’s about Jacob Allen’s musical project, Puma Blue.

Therefore, when I saw that he was playing at The Black Cat in Washington, D.C., I immediately knew I had to photograph the event. As expected, the performance did not disappoint.

While D.C. tends to be an area I avoid due to the traffic, and my tendency to get lost between various one-way roads, The Black Cat venue makes up for these disparities. It’s a space where ‘cool’ is the best descriptor; with black and white tiled floors, sleek posters of various bands, purple lighting in the stairwell– where I stumbled across many fans doing their own photoshoots– it is easy to relish in the uniqueness of the space.

As I walked up to the venue, it was impossible not to notice the long line of fans along the block. Even though it was thirty minutes before doors, people could be seen curling around the building, a big blend of eager fans, all discussing their excitement for the show. As I walked up and down the sidewalk, talking to a few of them and snapping their picture, each shared a different story with the same core message: this was an event they had been waiting for quite some time. One fan told me she had driven two hours to be there, while another stated how he had been waiting to hear Puma Blue live since discovering the project months ago.

The anticipation extended beyond just the knowing fans, as passersby could be heard whispering, “Is there a concert? I wonder who is playing? There’s so many people.”

Once the line started moving and people made their way into the venue, the crowd quickly huddled around the stage. Although the venue is small, there still appeared to be an eagerness to experience the music as closely as possible. I watched as one girl squeezed her way forward, commenting how she was not going to miss the opportunity up front, as she shoved a Puma Blue poster into her bag. The fanbase appeared to be out in full force.

Eyes Closed, Bleeding Hearts with Salami Rose Joe Louis

The room was loud with excited chatter, but as soon as Salami Rose Joe Louis, formally known as Lindsay Olsen, stepped out, a hush settled over everyone– understandably so. Starting off with gentle instrumentals, playing the keyboard with ease, I found myself mesmerized.

Salami Rose Joe Louis’ music is a one-of-a-kind blend of electronic experimentation and soft jazz. There are obvious undertones of lo-fi that float delicately within melodies, making the songs feel more like small worlds than performances. This experience, similar to that of my initial encounter with Puma Blue, felt spiritual.

As Salami played, her eyes were closed, clearly immersed in the sound. The only other noise that could be heard was the gentle shutter of a fan’s DS camera as they took photos. I, too, found myself with my eyes closed at times. The music was more than sound; it was feeling.

When I wasn’t letting the sound completely wash over me, I observed the crowd and their reactions. One couple held each other in an embrace, swaying as the soft, lo-fi sound was played. Another pair was dancing, fingers entwined, with arms above their heads, moving with the soft keys. This is an experience I tend to see only at local shows: a universal calm, an appreciation for the unity that comes with music.

Salami didn’t talk much throughout her set. Only pausing to say, “Tonight I am trying something a little new,” or, “This is one about heartbreak.” She didn’t need to say much, though, as her music did the talking for her. One message was clear: life is strange and fragile, but we are all deeply connected.

As the set came to a close, the audience screamed, “We love you, Salami,” not wanting the moment to end.

Puma Blue; Blue Hues and Reflective Sound

Once Salami left the stage, the venue started playing soft jazz over the loudspeakers. While one might assume there would be peace in the room, there was anything but. Fans were desperate for Puma Blue to come on stage. As I tried to get near the stage for photos, a crowd member eagerly turned towards me.

“Do you have the setlist? I really want to have it.”

I shook my head no and continued to watch the excitement spread across the room. Various recording devices could be seen, as there was a sea of digital mini-cameras waiting for the stage to be filled once more.

Without warning, the soft tune of Croak Dream, from Puma Blue’s latest album, started to play. As the band members settled into place, Jacob Allen stepped up to the microphone, holding what appeared to be a small radio. He pressed the receiver against the mic, letting the loud crackle of static fill the room. The strange noise hung in the air before the band members transitioned to their instruments.

Fans began cheering, with one screaming, “I love you, Jacob!” The room, already full of people, shuffled forward eagerly as the set began. With the release of Puma Blue’s latest album, Croak Dream, last month, much of the setlist was centered around the new material.

My personal favorite from the album was played Desire.

“On my knees I beg, ‘Please, give me what you want.’

You’re a need. You’re a need I can’t resist at dawn.”

As the song continued, the stage was washed with blue light. Two small school-style projectors emitted hazy white lights through the smoke on stage, occasionally turning into deep reds and greens. The minimal light further contributed to the slow, dreamy atmosphere, making the room feel blanketed by the music, rather than the world around us. In moments like these, I like to close my eyes and imagine I am floating in space, completely consumed by sound.

Most of the crowd watched quietly, almost as if they were afraid to interrupt the calm. Toward the back of the room, a few fans swayed softly. Yet as I stood there with my camera in hand, I couldn’t help but think back to the summer when I first heard Puma Blue’s music. What started as a recommendation from a friend had led to a moment like this, where strangers could come from all over and still share the same awe.

Once the last song, (She’s) Just A Phase, concluded, it became even clearer how unique Puma Blue’s music is. While some artists create songs that feel personal through headphones alone, Puma Blue proved those same songs can fill an entire room with the very same feeling, just as powerful as my first listening on the beach.

See the Full Gallery of the Night Here!

If you captured any shots of the night, feel free to tag us on social media at Shutter 16 Magazine and throw in #Shutter16 and #TwitFromThePit for the world to see.