With Kimbra Johnson – SXSW

Normally, I’m not really one for performance photography, but I dig Kimbra (if you haven’t seen this or this (lordy, those shoulder shrugs), you’ve probably been doing something else the last few months). So I made a point of making sure catching one of her shows was on my “things to do while in Austin” list. And considering that SXSW was her first time playing in the US, the timing was right for exceptions.

Kimbra played three or four shows during her stay in Austin, and I only made it to the first two — sadly, neither of them were during daylight hours. But in any case, here are a few shots from her first set during the Nikon party at La Zona Rosa. I honestly wasn’t sure what to expect as Kimbra followed acts by a beat boxer (who’s name I may have purposefully forgotten) and a blue grass set via the Punch Brothers. It definitely felt like someone had left things on shuffle. Let’s just say, though, that ‘expressive’ is a pertinent adjective with regards to Ms. Johnson. Either way, it was a real fine thing to be able to see her live. She has the goods. Yes ma’am.

While we’re all talking about Kimbra for a minute, it happens that her Portland show is kinda sold out. So, with that in mind, if you are a person who’s going and have an extra ticket, it’d win you infinite hugs if I could tag along.

Oh, and also, yes, she is as charming in person.

With Karsyn DeGast

I know I’m supposed to post some sort of big “The Year in Repose” blog, but fact is that I am either too busy or too lazy to undertake a post like that in sufficient manner. I will say, though, that 2011, despite all its horrible flaws (the Japanese hold a special place in my prayers), was a year of personal growth and much, much change – most of which was for the better. So I guess it was pretty much a successful year, right?

And thus, in the place of an extensive end-of-the-last-year, beginning-of-the-new-one type-post, here are a few pictures that I’m pretty fond of. I was able to meet Karsyn DeGast somewhat randomly during my recent trip to New York thanks to Nicole Loher and Twitter. We spent an afternoon drinking coffee and taking pictures. Not much more else to say (except maybe that Karsyn bears a pretty uncanny resemblance to This Person).

I hope you all had a really great and memorable New Years. Now, upwards and onwards. Excelsior!