Tag Archives: music

South by Southwest 2012

While this year’s SXSW was notably less insane than last year’s, I still managed to see a lot of good music and have a lot of good times with friends.

To wit:

Black Tusk @ Death Match, Scoot Inn SXSW 2012

Train Sign & Bikes

Mohawk Dude

Myndi & Mohawk Dude

It’s a Rough Life

Shem & Dej

Myndi, Patrick, & Hannah

Failure to Ride

Rapper @ Hater Graffiti Brunch, Yellow Jacket SXSW 2012

Kelly

Hannah & Patrick

Rapper @ Hater Graffiti Brunch, Yellow Jacket SXSW 2012

Rapper @ Death Match, Scoot Inn SXSW 2012

Gita @ Death Match, Scoot Inn SXSW 2012

Circus Performer

Zulu Winter @ Mohawk, Austinist Day Party, SXSW 2012

Lauren, Taylor, Roanna

Blood Orange @ Mohawk, Austinist Day Party, SXSW 2012

Taylor & Lauren

Holy Grail @ Death Match, Scoot Inn SXSW 2012

Slowdance @ Parkside, SXSW 2012

March 18, 2012Ryan PollackPermalink Leave a comment

Opposite Ends of the Spectrum

Pleasant:

This is my girlfriend. (I like to imagine she is saying: “Really, Ryan? Really?” Although I’m not sure what she’s referring to …)

Not-so-pleasant (but still awesome):

This is the lead singer of GWAR.

Also from that night, the two guitarists in Warbeast:

This is black & white to avoid the unpleasant red stage lighting.

November 22, 2011Ryan PollackPermalink 1 Comment

FunFunFun Fest 2011, Day 3

View the full set!

November 13, 2011Ryan PollackPermalink Leave a comment

FunFunFun Fest 2011, Day 2

Click an image to see the full set!

List of bands I saw:

Brandt Bauer Frick
Captured by Robots
Dead Horse
Death Grips
Hot Snakes
Negative Approach
Paint it Black
Shapes Have Fangs
T Bird and the Breaks
Touche Amore
tUne-yArDs
World Inferno Friendship Society
Wugazi
Youth Brigade

… and that’s not even counting Day 3! (coming soon)

November 7, 2011Ryan PollackPermalink Leave a comment

I always told myself that I’d get out of DJing when it was no longer fun. I feel that time has come. I enjoy spinning when I do it, but the same rush just isn’t there. When I’m by myself it’s OK but not great. And even when I’m out at parties (the two I’ve played in the past 12 months), I feel like I want to rush through my set so I can de-stress and enjoy my time with friends that are there.

Not to mention that people generally don’t appreciate the type of music that I play, so there’s minimal dancing or listening going on. I find myself more annoyed at having to brush off requests for “hip hop” or “music with vocals” than joy at spinning.

Sure, I could hang on to my equipment and use it twice a year. But what is the point of that? The decks take up space, have to be moved from place to place, and represent some money I could get for them. I’d rather someone else have the enjoyment they bring than continue trying to muster up the urge to use them. I also have other hobbies and activities I’d like to focus on.

So here goes!

October 8, 2011Ryan PollackPermalink Leave a comment

Goodbye Emo’s on Red River!

This is Why We Can’t Have Anything Nasty – Emo’s On Red River Bids “See Ya”: Austinist.

Emo’s East opened up a few weeks ago, and we all heard that the outside was being sold. I confirmed that with a manager on duty last Sunday. But I’m shocked at this: the inside is going bye-bye also. Wow.

September 30, 2011Ryan PollackPermalink Leave a comment

Chewie’s Watchin’ Ya

Aurora Plastics Company

My friend is the guitarist for Aurora Plastics Company, a noise-rock band here in Austin. He doesn’t like to be photographed, so when he plays, he plays as Chewie so the band can record its performance … and so I can tag along!!

I made wookie noises at him during this performance.

In other news, I have continued to do some photography work for Austinist. As such, I have a few photography gigs coming up:

Friday August 12th: Lions of Tsavo, Ancient VVisdom, and Baron Grod at the Scoot Inn.
Saturday October 1st: Kyuss, The Sword, and Monstro at Stubb’s.
Nov 4th-6th: FunFunFun Fest!

It’s a pretty sweet gig. I get to see great music for free and take awesome pictures.

August 2, 2011Ryan PollackPermalink Leave a comment

More SXSW Photos

These will probably be the last photos that I post … I think I’ve hit on the cream of the crop.

I’m not sure about that last one … think I need to tweak the levels a bit. I want more contrast between the singer and the background.

Seriously, I think it’s the goal of each Japanese band to out-crazy the one before them.

This last one’s probably my favorite. I made it the lock screen on my iPad. Just a beautiful example of what can happen when you’re paying attention and the moving subject stays still for that one perfect fraction of a second …