Paul Bergen releases intense photo documentary with second music book Zero's Heroes

Following the successful book Nineties Spirit, music caught on camera (2022), music photographer Paul Bergen presented the sequel Zero's Heroes (teNeues Verlag) on Sunday, June 2nd. As the title suggests, this new coffee table book features vivid music photographs from the 2000s, ranging from epic concerts and legendary festivals to intimate backstage portraits with stars. The first copy was presented to bassist Rinus Gerritsen of The Golden Earring.

While pop and rock music from the 90s mainly symbolized raw and energetic, photographer Paul Bergen (1957, Delft) in this subsequent decade shows the shift towards glamour and the associated frenzy surrounding megastars, hip-hop legends, and rock icons. On and off stage, with and without an audience. The intimacy and accessibility between fans, musicians, and media that was still somewhat present in the 90s have disappeared in this era. Encounters between fans and stars are a thing of the past; the often tightly organized and brief meet & greets are the norm.

Unusual setting

At the same time, Bergen shows a contrast by sometimes placing his 'models' in an unusual setting, detaching the artists from their stardom, such as Florence Welch of Florence and the Machine, sitting in the grass (p.7). Or Candy Dulfer, posing in a meadow with sheep (p 17-18) and Phil Collins, hitchhiking along the highway (p.80-81).

Struggling and Trust

However, a closer look at Paul Bergen's work reveals more layers beneath the surface. Some artists visibly struggle with media attention (Celine Dion, p. 28) or, on the contrary, pay little attention to it (Pete Doherty, p. 20-21). The strength of Bergen's photos is that he manages to gain the trust of artists in a very short time. By quickly adapting, he creates intimate portraits where his subjects look directly into the camera, compellingly, seductively, dreamily, or with a steady gaze.

Critical zeitgeist

Some current controversial acts and artists have also been overtaken by the critical zeitgeist, such as Marilyn Manson and Rammstein frontman Till Lindemann, causing us now – as music journalist David Kleijwegt beautifully describes in the foreword – to look differently at the testosterone-fueled poses in Paul Bergen's photos. And no less than 19 artists captured in the book (from Keith Flint, Chris Cornell to Sinéad O'Connor and Amy Winehouse) tragically died prematurely.

Iconic moments

The personal stories of fellow journalists Ruud Meijer, Stefan Raatgever, David Kleijweg, artists Tom Smith, Finn Andrews (The Veils) and Bergen himself, bring these iconic moments even more to life and make you want to proudly display this book on your shelf.

"I am very happy that I can present my work in a book, because nowadays you only see photos on a screen. In a book, my photos come into their own more and you can always refer back to them," says Paul Bergen.

About Paul Bergen

Photographer Paul Bergen is known as one of the Netherlands' best professionals in the music world, primarily working for newspapers and magazines such as the AD and OOR. Over the years, he has published thousands of photos, always characterized by elements like movement and intense emotions. After various exhibitions, his first coffee table book, Nineties Spirit, Music Caught On Camera, was released in 2022, accompanied by several exhibitions throughout the Netherlands.