ABOUT
Moment Captured
The Light Chaser
Blending a keen eye for visual storytelling with a user-centered design philosophy, Sandra is a designer and photographer specializing in vibrant, psychedelic, and ethereal aesthetics.
Her photography portfolio showcases her ability to capture dynamic performances, featuring iconic bands such as Green Day, Smashing Pumpkins, Rancid, Bad Nerves, Teenage Bottlerocket, The Bobby Lees, Death Lens, Black Budget, Teen Mortgage, and The Walkmen.
Her visual expertise translates seamlessly into her UX design practice, enhanced by her Google UX Design Certificate.
A graduate of Seneca College's Music Production program, Sandra has a background in tech, marketing, artist management, and event production since 2002, including work with Naked Lunch Records and Indie Week. This experience has taught her that critical thought combined with creativity is a winning combination.
Currently, she works in technical support for Bandzoogle while co-managing the desert punk band Black Budget. Her passion project is working with the online zine Critical Zero, which she co-created with her partner. Their goal is to promote artists from and visiting the Toronto music scene.
Critical Zero
Critical Zero is an "Alternative music media focused on community. Based in Toronto; inspiration gathered from around the globe. ”
It was established in 2021 after the lockdown by Pedro Alvarado and Sandra Byars. Following their graduation from Seneca College’s Independent Music Production course, they aimed to apply their newfound skills to bolster the Toronto alternative music scene.
Inspired by the early 90s alternative music movement in Toronto, Canada, their objective was to cultivate a community dedicated to supporting the alternative music scene comprehensively, encompassing production, creation, design, and music business. Their aim was not only to spotlight individuals within the music industry but also to establish a platform for learning.
With this vision in mind, Critical Zero initially ventured into photography and the creation of show reviews, playlists, and the promotion of local bands and events at punk shows in the area. Over time, this expanded to encompass more content creation, including video segments with interviews, live broadcasts, YouTube videos, reels, and TikToks, all centered around the Toronto alternative music scene like punk, indie, grunge, rock and international artists they believed would resonate with the Toronto music scene.
In 2022, Critical Zero successfully organized its first all-ages events, featuring local punk bands, designers, and artists. The primary objective was to create a safe space for young individuals to connect with local bands and businesses, facilitating networking and strengthening the music community in a post-pandemic era.