INTRODUCTION
My name is Matt Darcy, an eccentric thirty-something photographer, Cicerone Certified Beer Server, and explorer of the further regions of experience. Currently residing in the Boston, MA area.
Often wandering around the New England region of the USA, with a fascination for the weird, macabre, and surreal, I seek out unique locations filled with character, documenting a more dreamlike (and sometimes nightmarish) world with my camera. My adventures often include majestic locations, abandoned properties, craft beer establishments, the strange & unusual, roadside attractions, historical sites, places of agriculture, and select special interests. I am inspired by the likes of Alfred Hitchcock, Ernest P. Worrell, Hunter S. Thompson, R. L. Stine, The Three Stooges, the Twilight Zone, Are You Afraid of the Dark?, and an array of goofy cartoons.
Since 2006, I have presented dozens of concerts, curated a couple of art exhibits, released music on digital and vinyl formats, and have been an active participant in the international rock, metal, and hardcore scenes via NefariousRealm.com, an entertainment website/production company. In a 2013 interview with James Shotwell of Haulix, a music promotion service company, said: “Nefarious Realm has become a staple of the music community, both regionally and abroad, which in itself a sort of small wonder.” Since then, I have expanded the website to cover a broader array of topics including film, art, and culture – though more recently has been home to my music and concert photography.
Taking photographs of bands performing was my introduction to photography many years ago, somewhere around 2009. Since then, I’ve shot more bands than I can count from tiny dive bars to large arenas, warehouse gigs and intimate clubs spanning nearly a hundred venues across fifteen US states and two Canadian provinces. Some of the bands I have photographed include Tool, Slayer, Slipknot, Circa Survive, Primus, Hawthorne Heights, W.A.S.P., A Perfect Circle, Kreator, Lamb of God, Killswitch Engage, Napalm Death, Gojira, Ministry, Silverstein, Meshuggah, Underoath, Melvins, Cannibal Corpse, Suicidal Tendancies, and many, many more.
Nearing completion of the New Hampshire 48 (NH48) – the forty-eight 4,000+ footer mountains in the White Mountains, my focus was immediately turned to tracing the entire WMNF trail system. All 1,454 miles. Other nature endeavors include a thru-hike of the Midstate Trail in Massachusetts (completed in 2024), and hiking the Middlesex Fells Reservation Skyline Trail Loop x15. In the future, I am hoping to attempt thru-hikes of the Long Trail and the New England Trail, a thru-paddle of the Connecticut River Paddlers Trail, and bikebacking the Northeast section of the East Coast Greenway, among other trails and treks.
In 2017, over a 2-day ten-round tournament, I placed 46th out of 52 in the United States ProMiniGolf Association (USPMGA) US Open. It was an honor to get almost absolutely crushed by some of the world’s best. It was hosted by Bluegrass Mini Golf at Monmouth Park Racetrack in Oceanport, New Jersey. The experience was a wonderful view into a very niche sport and opened my eyes to the glorious world of competitive putting.
You become unafraid of death when you spend your time with ghosts.
I am available for tour.
IN THE MEDIA
2024 – Vox & Hops Podcast – Episode #447: Podcast conversation about beer and music photography.
2020 – The Seed Cast – Episode #006: Podcast conversation about photos and adventuring.
2019 – Boston Voyager – Art & Life Interview.
2016 – Decibel Magazine – A chat about Vile, an art exhibit paying homage to Cannibal Corpse.
2013 – Haulix – A talk with James Shotwell discussing Nefarious Realm.
CURRICULUM VITAE
Music – release credits:
Glacier – “Sand Bitten Lungs” from the album ‘A Distant, Violent Shudder‘
2024 (Post Recordings / Wolves & Vibrancy Records)
Still photography for the music video.
Worshipper – ‘One Way Trip‘
2024 (Magnetic Records)
Inner panel/Sleeve portrait photograph.
Glassing – “Circle Down” from the album ‘From the Other Side of the Mirror‘
2024 (Pelagic Records)
Music video footage.
Leather Lung – ‘Graveyard Grin‘
2024 (Magnetic Eye Records)
Back cover portrait photograph.
Pelican – ‘For Your Entertainment‘
2023 (Numero Group)
Album cover photograph.
The Electric Heaters – ‘From the Film of the Same Name‘
2022 (Independent)
Inner panel band portrait photograph.
Lesser Glow – ‘Nullity‘
2020 (Pelagic Records)
Album cover, inner panels, and back cover photographs.
Pelican – ‘Live at The Grog Shop‘
2020 (Independent)
Album cover photograph.
Widow Sunday – ‘Parallax‘
2019 (Independent)
Album cover photograph.
Music – studio documentary:
Lesser Glow – “LG3”
Recording sessions at New Alliance Studios in Somerville, MA. 2024
Fallen Monarch – ‘Turmoil’
Recording sessions at the Brick HitHouse on Cape Cod, MA. 2021
Trading Heroes for Ghosts – ‘Endings in Screaming Cadence’
Recording sessions at the Brick HitHouse on Cape Cod, MA. 2021
Widower – ‘Alone As A God’
Recording sessions at GodCity Studios in Salem, MA and the Noise Floor in Nashua, NH. 2021
Lesser Glow – ‘Nullity’
Recording sessions at Columbus Theater in Providence, RI and New Alliance Studios in Somerville, MA. 2019
Beverage & Food:
Amory’s Tomb Brewing Co.
Bone Up Brewing Co.
Pizza Project
Short Path Distillery
Triple Crown Coffee