Today we’d like to introduce you to Mitchell Loper.
Mitchell, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I grew up in a family of artists. From a very early age, I knew I wanted to create myself. My mom is a classically trained painter and my dad is a film producer, director of photography and photographer. I’m lucky enough to have picked up traits from both of my parents and utilize them on a daily basis.
I started taking pictures seriously when I was 8yo and started professionally shooting when I was 14, so I’m pushing 30 years of experience in photography, video and film.
Another passion of mine is music of all kinds. Really all kinds. My parents any given day of the week would be listening to Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, The Beatle, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Etta James, Smokey Robinson, Willie Nelson, the list goes on. I started playing the violin at 5yo, the guitar at ten as well as percussions, and around 19 or 20, I picked up the upright bass. I was in choir as a kid, did talent shows playing Jimi Hendrix’s version of The Star Spangled Banner, sat down with Native American drums at powwows, you name it…
At the ripe ol age of 6, my cousin played me Metallica’s “Kill ‘em All” tape and I was instantly hooked. Right then and there I was a metalhead. We’d stay at my grandparents for a few weeks in the summer and they’d give us $20 to go to the mall. As a kid that was such a big deal and SO much money! Haha! I would go to Tower Records and would buy every Metallica tape they had and for that summer would listen to nothing but Metallica, until my dad found out and took the tapes away. I was crushed. I found my “Kill ‘em All” tape the other day at my parents though! So it’s back to its rightful owner. HA!
Fast forward a few years down the road and I have taken a vast journey in music. I’ve been to over 1000 shows where I’ve had the privilege of photographing a lot of shows, met a lot of my heroes and have tons of fantastic memories. I have been blessed and continue to be.
So I have decided to start the next chapter, METALLOID Magazine. An insightful look into local scenes of hard music and local scenes from around the world.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Nothing comes easy that is worth hanging on to. You have to get obsessed with something to become great at it. It’s just the bottom line. Along with sleepless nights, many miles on the road, failed relationships, vehicle breakdowns, you meet incredible people, see amazing sights, and have memories to share with your loved ones. There have been more than a few times I’ve thought about quitting, and then I would almost get a panicky feeling and talk myself out of quitting. Do something everyday that moves you forward whether its a new skill, gaining knowledge, practicing, whatever it is, it’s better than doing nothing. Keep going.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about METALLOID Magazine – what should we know?
So METALLOID Magazine is a publication that is built on the foundation of doing what we love. Music is vitally important for everyone on the planet. If you don’t like hard rock, hardcore, punk, and all things metal, that’s cool. Listen to what moves you. Classical, hip hop, outlaw country, if it gives you chills then you’re in the right spot.
Houston has a great scene of metalheads and other scenes that are into the underground music movement. I would say there is no better time than now to get out there and have your music heard. With social media and the ability to achieve hi-quality home recordings and the ability to have control over your merch, branding and other promotional materials, bands nowadays don’t need a big label telling them how to dress and what to sing. It’s pretty amazing. We’re also focusing on Texas as a whole and New Orleans. NOLA has a special brand of their own and Houston and NOLA have a cool relationship that dates back to the Texas Revolution days and before.
What we are achieving is creating a hub for people to find out what their favorite bands are up to and also who to look out for coming up the ranks, along with how to videos, tech talks, interviews with bands and people in the rock ’n roll lifestyle, illustrators, tattooers, bartenders, people that embody the spirit from around the world and on the local level.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Oh man.. I have an incredible support team of friends and family.
My Parents and my ride or die Raven have always been there no matter what and have been with me every step of the way with this venture.
I can’t thank them enough. I love y’all.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.metalloidmagazine.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/metalloidmag/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/metalloidmag/
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