06.15.2011

SXSW – 2011

by merrick

For some reason I feel the need to have all of my blog post in time sequential order from when I took my images to when I post them. This probably isn’t the best way to do it, and maybe one day I will let go of my OCD and just start posting all over the place. But for now, we are still in order which is why it has taken me so long to get back on track. Which in end will be good for you, the reader, because I am pretty back logged and have a lot of blogging/ catching up to do. Back in March (after Hueco), I was fortunate enough again to be part of the SXSW staff photographer. The work load is split between myself and 3 other photographers and we all have a great time. Most of the work during the music part is day time projects, which allows us to be able to go check out shows and photograph them. This year was great. I saw and heard a lot of great music, and I also got to meet up with friends from last year, The Boxer Rebellion, and photograph some band images for them (more on that later). Here are some music images from SXSW 2011. Enjoy.

We’ll do this in alphabetical order.

ACEYALONE

Starting off with the great hip hop artist Aceyalone. It was great to be able to see him in a smaller venue. The vibe in the room was chill and everyone’s head was noddin…

Aceyalone

Aceyalone

Aceyalone

THE BOXER REBELLION

Next up we have The Boxer Rebellion. Somehow the starts aligned, and I was able to see them at 3 different venues only missing 1 of their shows. Really great band with really great energy throughout the entire set, and really great people to boot. Definitely recommend this band.

The Boxer Rebellion

The Boxer Rebellion

The Boxer Rebellion

The Boxer Rebellion

The Boxer Rebellion

The Boxer Rebellion

The Boxer Rebellion

The Boxer Rebellion

The Boxer Rebellion

The Boxer Rebellion

The Boxer Rebellion

The Boxer Rebellion

The Boxer Rebellion

DIPLO

Nikon threw a party this year, so of course I had to go check it out. It was at the old Austin Energy Plant called Seaholm. Really cool open space. I somehow worked my way to the backstage area, and got to photograph Diplo, an American DJ, whom I had never really heard of before but had the whole place partying. I know this is lame, and I’m not ever star struck, but the guy that is silhouetted in the third image is Aston Kutcher… nbd….

Diplo

Diplo

FISHBONE

A band that I heard a bit of growing up, but was never really into. They were opening up for Wu-Tang Clan, and honestly I have to say, they were probably THE most energetic band I saw at SXSW this year. Really fun to photograph, all over the place, and as you can see from second image in this set, I ALMOST got kicked in the camera. Now sure how this missed me, but happy that it did. The last shot in this set is also probably one of my favorites that I got this year.

Fishbone

Fishbone

Fishbone

FOO FIGHTERS

Foo Fighters has been a band that I have really liked for a long time. I guess it’s the drummer in me, but I love bands that have awesome drummers, and a lot of energy to their performances. I also like to play along to this genre of music while drumming because for me, it’s a lot more fun. Foo Fighters played a few days before the actual music part of SXSW started. This show was put on by SX and sponsored by one of SX’s clients, so this particular night we HAD to be at this show, and we HAD to have VIP access. Sometimes, life is rough… They started the night by playing their entire new album from start to finish, then the second half of their show was all the hits that you would recognize. In this set are two more of my favorite images from SXSW.

Foo Fighters

Foo Fighters

Foo Fighters

Foo Fighters - fav

Foo Fighters - fav

Foo Fighters

LITTLE TYBEE

A fellow photographer, Andrew Kornylak recommended checking these guys out. Last year he made a badass music video with them that is simply amazing. He’s really really good. These guys were awesome and put on a really great show. The venue was small,and I don’t think my shots are really that great, but I wanted to include them because I think their music is something that you should definitely check out.

Little Tybee

Little Tybee

SCREECHING WEASEL

I was torn on whether or not to include these guys in my blog post, but I figured with this one shot, I could pretty much sum up what a DB Ben Weasel really is. To prelude my story, this is a band that I grew up listening to. When I was 16 yrs old driving around in my white 1986 Chrysler new yorker that I had put my fathers old stereo speaker (only one because that’s all that would fit) in the trunk so I could play my music louder, this is one of the bands I was jamming. I never had the chance to see them live back in my youth. Fast forward to present day. I was excited, I finally get to see Screeching Weasel after all these years. And I get to photograph them too! The band comes out and starts playing their awesome punk melody. Instant nostalgia. But that’s where the bliss ends….. Apparently Ben is not a fan of media, because the next thing I know he starts giving me and another photog the finger. At the end of the song he starts the beginning of a whiney cry baby rant about this and that, media, blah blah blah etc etc that continues on for the rest of the night (But the guy will do an interview with Carson Daly!!!). After that rant, he began another… then another, then another. I couldn’t take it anymore and left. Unfortunately, I left to soon…. Apparently Ben ends up getting in a fight…..and then hits a girl!!!! Pathetic.