Columbia, South Carolina: July 31 - August 11, 2012

A few months back I moved over to the west side of town, a mere 90 second bicycle ride from my job at the club and away from all the mayhem associated with living in the University Hill Neighborhood. I miss watching DUI tests from my front porch and students stumbling down Blossom Street dragging traffic signs, but I'll trade it for Columbia's rivers. At least for now. On this edge of the city, where General Sherman lobbed cannon balls at the capital, the Saluda and Broad Rivers merge to form the Congaree. Summertime afternoons on the river provide me with an interesting perspective on the local population.

Columbia SC River Rafting by South Carolina Photojournalist Sean Rayford Columbia SC River Rafting by South Carolina Photojournalist Sean Rayford

Columbia SC River Rafting by South Carolina Photojournalist Sean Rayford

Study Break by South Carolina Photojournalist Sean Rayford

Speaking of the University of South Carolina, here's an outtake from a shoot at Five Points Pub, for Study Break magazine - aimed at the incoming Gamecock students. This was in between the billiards and "kind of" karaoke.

Monday - August 6, 2012

Ron Paul at 701 Whaley in Columbia SC - August 6, 2012

Ron Paul was in town at 701 Whaley on Monday, August 6 for a fundraising event for SC State Senator Tom Davis (left). The U.S. Representative for Texas's 14th congressional district and three time presidential candidate is winding down his political career and it was nice to have one last opportunity to photograph the "odd" politician. Before the night was over, it appears as though the congressman wrote "Ron Poop" on my hat.

Those Lavender Whales and more at New Brookland Tavern - Photography by Sean Rayford

Those Lavender Whales and more at New Brookland Tavern - Photography by Sean Rayford

Self described as, "psychedelic witch wave" from Olympia, Washington Ruby Fray played with the local indie darlings Those Lavender Whales (performing as a two piece on this Monday evening). I suggest you check out their amazing video for the song "Growth in Question" It's an adorable snapshot of the Columbia indie rock scene and features some friends picking boogers, slamming chalices and in general just being awesome.

Those Lavender Whales and more at New Brookland Tavern - Photography by Sean Rayford

Thursday - August 9, 2012:

Photography of Columbia, South Carolina - August 9, 2012 Photography of Columbia, South Carolina - August 9, 2012 Photography of Columbia, South Carolina - August 9, 2012

Photography by South Carolina Photojournalist Sean Rayford

Adam Corbett (above) and Daniel Machado (below) of The Restoration preformed an acoustic set at The Garden Deli in West Columbia on Thursday night. Local singer-songwriter Marshall Brown (above right) drank some beers and made some noise as well. If you haven't been up to the Deli, you've still got two weeks to check out my first photography show, "Soda City Rocks"

Photography by South Carolina Photojournalist Sean Rayford

Friday - August 10, 2012:

Photography by South Carolina Photojournalist Sean Rayford Photography by South Carolina Photojournalist Sean Rayford

There were some issues below the city streets on Friday and this dude was listening to some large metal "T" that he jammed into the sewer hole on Main Street. Meatball Express is located in downtown Columbia near the Oliver Gospel Mission. If you are interested in going to eat here with me, get in touch and we'll make it happen.

Photography by South Carolina Photojournalist Sean Rayford Photography by South Carolina Photojournalist Sean Rayford

Photography by South Carolina Photojournalist Sean Rayford Photography by South Carolina Photojournalist Sean Rayford

Friday night featured Bevel Summers (Carrboro, NC) at The New Brookland Tavern and Gottheit at Conundrum just a few blocks away. Less than a week later Tim would post, "Gottheit will continue to exist as a studio project but I have no plans to play live for the foreseeable future. I'll still be putting my recordings out on the internet but I have awoken from my pipe dreams of ever playing for more than 10 people in this city."  I'm more than happy to have caught Tim's show that evening.

Photography by South Carolina Photojournalist Sean Rayford

About the author: Sean Rayford is a South Carolina photojournalist living in the state capital. Rayford enjoys listening to Mogwai and Explosions in the Sky