Hunters in High Heels

OMAR RODRÍGUEZ-LÓPEZ MAY BE BEST KNOWN for his filmmaking and transcendent songwriting/guitar playing with the Mars Volta, At the Drive-In, and other bands, but many people aren’t aware that he is also an exceptional photographer. Hunters in High Heels is Omar’s first book of photographs, comprising photos taken between 2000 and 2006, during which the sheer scope of output and travel undertaken by the Grammy Award–winning musician and his fellow bandmates was nothing short of exhausting.

Sharply juxtaposed with typical books of rock-and-roll imagery, Omar’s photographs—all of which were shot on 35mm film—present a more elusive and evocative aesthetic that includes subjects such as highway signage, city skylines, and cloud formations, along with empty arenas and recording studios with friends and colleagues. This body of work provides an intimate glimpse into a specific period in the artist’s life.

In her preface to the book, photo editor Stephanie Celaya writes, “Omar is deeply interested in the world . . . an observer of changing landscapes, shifting cultures, and evolving relationships. Omar’s camera has become his touchstone. The combination of his international recognizability paired with his desire for privacy provides a unique and captivating glimpse into his nomadic life. The irony that Omar Rodríguez-López connects to and captures the quietest moments amid, and in between, some of the loudest places is not lost.”

Longtime fans of Omar’s music and film will be regaled with the beauty of these photographs, while newcomers will be feted with the sublime visual treasures comprising Hunters in High Heels.