Brian Cross “Working in L.A.”  (powerHouse Books)

Just as Arrested Development’s joyous anthem ‘Everyday People’ is synonymous with unity, equality and community furtherment in early ‘90s hip-hop, the photo essays of Brian Cross (B+) have been an ever present visual document of the artform and its associated cultures over the last 18 years. Pursuing his passion for music, B+ has opened up the window on a world of off-the-radar scenes (go check ‘It’s Not About A Salary’), curated unbelievable music projects (remember Keepintime?), preserved dying elements once so important to “the scene” (‘Record Dealers’) and more  recently provided iconic images of J. Yancey’s funeral.

In a new project, B+ has been asked by fellow West Coast Americans Dickies to create a portfolio of images depicting the stories of some of L.A.’s hard grafting everyday people.  From a taco vendor dreaming of a pro-skate deal, to the dockworker who wants to present TV shows, this is the story of L.A.’s industrious heartbeat. It’s an invitation to step into the world of its diverse inhabitants, where B+ presents them candidly, allowing heartening engagement to hold sway over sickening, lacquered production values. So, sing it people… “I – I – am – everyday -people.”

Working in L.A. website