For the past five days in Austin, Texas, more than 2,000 artists performed at hundreds of venues as part of this year’s South by Southwest shindig. The massive annual event (where everybody, it seems, has something to sell) can be frantic and overwhelming for performers and attendees alike. This year Mother Jones contributor Jacob Blickenstaff set out to slow things down long enough to shoot portraits of roughly 30 artists—in local streets, hotel lobbies, front porches, and backstages—representing a mix of new, established, and veteran talent taking part in SXSW. We’re serving ’em up in two batches. Here’s part one. (Part two, featuring Jim James, Shovels and Rope, Eric Burdon and more, is here.)
Brendan Benson, outside the Embassy Suites hotel. (Listen.) Jacob Blickenstaff
Lucius, backstage at “South by San Jose,” San Jose Hotel. (Listen.) Jacob Blickenstaff
Ra Ra Riot at La Quinta Inn. (Listen.) Jacob Blickenstaff
Toro Y Moi (Chaz Bundick) backstage at Red 7. (Listen.) Jacob Blickenstaff
Charles Bradley in the lobby of the Hyatt Regency. (Listen.) Jacob Blickenstaff
Garrett Lebeau, East Austin. (Listen.) Jacob Blickenstaff
Anamanaguchi with pedicab driver, East 6th Street. (Listen.) Jacob Blickenstaff
Daniel Romano (second from left) with band, outside Threadgill’s. (Listen.) Jacob Blickenstaff
Spain at Brass House. (Listen.) Jacob Blickenstaff
Dana Falconberry (third from left) with band, The Liberty. (Listen.) Jacob Blickenstaff
Catherine McCandless of Young Galaxy at Waller Creek. (Listen.) Jacob Blickenstaff
Nataly Dawn, 6th Street. (Listen.) Jacob Blickenstaff
Robyn Hitchcock at The Main. (Listen.) Jacob Blickenstaff
Max Gomez behind Threadgill’s. (Listen.) Jacob Blickenstaff
Sallie Ford and the Sound Outside near the Four Seasons. (Listen.) Jacob Blickenstaff
You Won’t on South Congress Street. (Listen.) Jacob Blickenstaff
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