The True Adventures of Passion Pit

WAAAY back in March (12 years ago in indie rock time) I saw a band called Passion Pit at an industry thing called SXSW.





They were good, playing in a hot tent in Austin, part of a BrooklynVegan showcase. I was there, I liked them, I photographed them. The rent-a-stage bounced like a trampoline as Michael Angelakos jumped about singing in high falsetto, leading a charge of three keyboard set-ups and assorted samplers. I remember thinking, "this indie keyboard shit isn't all bad I guess." Halfway into the show at the beginning of a song, the drummer (Nate) stopped the proceedings to re-jig a buggy laptop. A couple more bad starts and Nate just about turned green, Ayad and Jeff cajoled him to continue without it, and it sounded fine. Michael, standing on top of his keyboard bench, was twisting the mic cord around his neck and whipping the mic around like a mace. It caught Jeff on the head and he almost passed out from the combination of heat, fatigue and the blow of a tethered Shure SM-58.











The band was on a list of acts that Rolling Stone wanted covered, speculatively, so I talked to thier manager after the show to see if I could get them toegther for a quick portrait. I like the way musicians look and act after a show, sweaty, blissful and bewildered, but everyone was frazzled, it wasn't the right time and Jeff was still about to faint. The manager handed me a pass for the Spin party the next day, so I would maybe try something there. I had a bit of conversation with Ayad, who was smiling and friendly- but quickly they were off, the boys rolling carts of gear down the alley to the next load-in.

The next day I ran into a couple of them at Stubbs, managed to find thier manager, and we were able to set up a few moments in the back stage area. Most bands are amicable, but you got to push and wait for the right moment to get them all together. Had maybe 3 minutes before the manager was whisking them off someplace else. Good guys, wish them the best.

PJ Harvey Irving Plaza Photos

more photos posted on BrooklynVegan

SXSW 2009 MUSIC PHOTOS

Riverboat Gambler's Mike Wiebe reemerging from the crowd he just destroyed.

SXSW 2009 PHOTOS - 4 days - 41 Bands

Wanted to share with you an overview of the photos made during a wonderful and hectic SXSW Music Conference.

Captions are within the galleries and I am also listing some of the highlights in order of appearance. If you are looking for something additional on any of there artists, there are plenty of alternate takes in most cases.

I'm really excited about this chunk of work, I hope you'll be able to browse through it. - Jacob

DAY 1 -

http://www.33-13.com/data/web/sxsw2009_1/index.html

Wavves - Emo’s Main - Fat Possum
Strange Boys (live and portraits) - Emo’s Main - Fat Possum
Hacienda - Headhunters
Circle Jerks - Emo’s Main
Phosphorescent - Club de Ville, Brooklyn Vegan Showcase
Deer Tick - Club de Ville, Brooklyn Vegan Showcase

DAY 2 -

http://www.33-13.com/data/web/sxsw2009_2/index.html

Passion Pit - Radio Room Patio
Doug Sahm Tribute - Antone’s
Jimmie Vaughn
The Gourds
Shaun Sahm
Dave Alvin

Dirty Projectors - Emo’s Annex
Flower Travellin’ Band - Smokin’ Music
Ben Harper and the Relentless7 - Stubbs

DAY 3 -

http://www.33-13.com/data/web/sxsw2009_3/index.html

Passion Pit - Portrait
Hot Leg (spin party - Stubbs)
Black Lips (spin party - Stubbs)
Mi Ami - Havana Club
Casio Kids - Havana Calle 6
Ponderosa Stomp Revue: - The Continental

DAY 4 -

http://www.33-13.com/data/web/sxsw2009_4/index.html

Frodus - Radio Room Patio
Cursive - Radio Room Patio

Cannabanoids with Erykah Badu - Auditorium Shores
Explosions in the Sky - Auditorium Shores
Daniel Johnston Emo’s Main
Riverboat Gamblers - Emo’s Annex


contact info:
Jacob Blickenstaff
917-554-1710
jacob@33-13.com
http://www.33-13.com