Abacus at Javelina Bar in Austin, TX for SXSW

While scarfing a huge plate of nachos in a forgettable  bar in Austin, TX I listened as Kylesa's Phillip Cope talked about his most memorable experiences as a member of the Savannah based swamp metal band. Cope also has a heavy hand in production at Columbia's Jam Room (Baroness, Black Tusk, Burnt Books) so it's not a surprise he talked a lot about recording at the BBC studios in London. The final task of our third day in Texas involved catching up with our neighbors from Georgia who had just finished playing a show down the street. We also talked a lot about SXSW and before parting ways Cope points out to Stereofly founder Greg Slattery, "You've brought an entire scene out here. That's impressive."

Two weeks ago this morning I took my first bike ride in Austin, TX and climbed on the banks of the Colorado River. It's how I like to introduce myself to a new city.  I was in town covering The Stereofly Showcase at the SXSW music festival held at Javelina Bar at 69 Rainey St on March 11-12, 2014. They had excellent sweet potato fries and a bike rack right in front of the club. Speaking of, I've never seen so many bicycles in my life before this trip to South by Southwest. With over 20 South Carolina artists performing at the venue, rarely did it feel like I was far from home.  Here's the first of a two part series looking back on those two days in Austin, TX.

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Javelina Bar in Austin, TX during SXSWStereofly Showcase at Javelina Bar in Austin, TX for SXSW 2014. Photo by South Carolina photojournalist Sean Rayford Sein Zum Tode at Javelina Bar in Austin, TX for SXSW Stereofly Showcase at Javelina Bar in Austin, TX for SXSW 2014. Photo by South Carolina photojournalist Sean Rayford

Sein Zum Tode (Columbia, SC)

SXSW Photo - Street Performance Austin, TX for SXSW The Rocketboys at Javelina Bar in Austin, TX for SXSW Stereofly Showcase at Javelina Bar in Austin, TX for SXSW 2014. Photo by South Carolina photojournalist Sean Rayford

The Rocketboys (Austin TX)

Captain and Maybelle at SXSWStereofly Showcase at Javelina Bar in Austin, TX for SXSW 2014. Photo by South Carolina photojournalist Sean Rayford

Captain and Maybelle (Atlanta, GA)

Captain and Maybelle at Javelina Bar at SXSWStereofly Showcase at Javelina Bar in Austin, TX for SXSW 2014. Photo by South Carolina photojournalist Sean Rayford Stereofly's Greg Slattery at SXSWStereofly Showcase at Javelina Bar in Austin, TX for SXSW 2014. Photo by South Carolina photojournalist Sean Rayford Josh Anderson from Say Brother at Javelina Bar for SXSWStereofly Showcase at Javelina Bar in Austin, TX for SXSW 2014. Photo by South Carolina photojournalist Sean Rayford

Say Brother (Columbia, SC)

Tripp LaFrance of Say Brother at Javelina Bar for SXSWStereofly Showcase at Javelina Bar in Austin, TX for SXSW 2014. Photo by South Carolina photojournalist Sean Rayford Chadd Downing at Javelina Bar in Austin, TX for SXSW Stereofly Showcase at Javelina Bar in Austin, TX for SXSW 2014. Photo by South Carolina photojournalist Sean Rayford

Chadd Downing (Columbia, SC)

Steve Sancho with the Restoration at Javelina Bar for SXSWStereofly Showcase at Javelina Bar in Austin, TX for SXSW 2014. Photo by South Carolina photojournalist Sean Rayford SXSW Photos - Rainey St.Stereofly Showcase at Javelina Bar in Austin, TX for SXSW 2014. Photo by South Carolina photojournalist Sean Rayford SXSW Photo - 2014Stereofly Showcase at Javelina Bar in Austin, TX for SXSW 2014. Photo by South Carolina photojournalist Sean Rayford Daniel Machado of the Restoration at SXSWStereofly Showcase at Javelina Bar in Austin, TX for SXSW 2014. Photo by South Carolina photojournalist Sean Rayford

The Restoration (Columbia, SC)

Primitive Man at Javelina Bar in Austin, TX for SXSW Stereofly Showcase at Javelina Bar in Austin, TX for SXSW 2014. Photo by South Carolina photojournalist Sean Rayford

Primitive Man (Denver, CO)

Shallow Palace at Javelina Bar in Austin, TX for SXSW Stereofly Showcase at Javelina Bar in Austin, TX for SXSW 2014. Photo by South Carolina photojournalist Sean Rayford

Shallow Palace (Columbia, SC)

Mason Jar Menagerie at Javelina Bar in Austin, TX for SXSW Stereofly Showcase at Javelina Bar in Austin, TX for SXSW 2014. Photo by South Carolina photojournalist Sean Rayford

Mason Jar Menagerie (Greenville, SC)

Stagbriar at Javelina Bar in Austin, TX for SXSW Stereofly Showcase at Javelina Bar in Austin, TX for SXSW 2014. Photo by South Carolina photojournalist Sean Rayford

Stagbriar (Columbia, SC)

Dear Blanca at Javelina Bar in Austin, TX for SXSW Stereofly Showcase at Javelina Bar in Austin, TX for SXSW 2014. Photo by South Carolina photojournalist Sean Rayford

Dear Blanca (Columbia, SC)

Rachel Kate at SXSWStereofly Showcase at Javelina Bar in Austin, TX for SXSW 2014. Photo by South Carolina photojournalist Sean Rayford

Rachel Kate (Charleston/Nashville)

Rainey St. in Austin, TX for SXSW Austin, TX for SXSW 2014. Photo by South Carolina photographer Sean Rayford SXSW PhotosAustin, TX for SXSW 2014. Photo by South Carolina photojournalist Sean Rayford

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