...is my most repeated sentence
'Trust me I'm an anthropologist' a close second.

I began my career as an artist, experimenting with video and photography. Drawing inspiration from early analogue technologies—and seeking ever more treacherous locations to film—laid the foundation for my collaboration and documentation of live musical performances throughout the UK and Europe.

Broadly speaking, anthropology is the study of humanity. All of it. This research focuses on contemporary music subcultures, examining the capacity of musical performance to inspire the formation of communities across the globe. Fieldwork is central to the anthropological method, typically lasting between one and two years (in my case it’s closer to ten!). Not only does this distinguish anthropology from other social sciences, but it also provides a unique opportunity for me to comprehensively observe and document the lives and performances of the musicians who choose to collaborate in my research.

This site will host fieldwork documentation, photography, interviews, and short films, offering an active space for additional insights into specific elements of ongoing research—both before and throughout its publication.

For the time being, my research focuses on heavy metal culture in the UK. This includes anyone who considers themselves a member of the metal community, not just musicians. I enthusiastically welcome all enquiries, particularly from those interested in participating in this research. I enthusiastically encourage all enquiries, contact me at: lindsay.bishop.10@ucl.ac.uk