OMG I HEART /// Amanda Shires

On August 6th, Amanda Shires will release Down Fell The Doves and I CAN NOT WAIT. The other night I saw this trailer by Erica Shires and got all kinds of excited. I am absolutely in love with it all, especially the nightgown/shadow shots. Beautiful all the way around. Lyrics, music, imagery... I'm counting down the days until I can spin this little ditty on my record player.

SXSW /// 2013

My BFF, Pearl, lives in Nashville and we get to see each other a handful of times a year. Mostly surrounding Music events and shows, so every year we meet up at SXSW for some good times. Unlike a lot of jaded folks, I still think sxsw is like Christmas. It's the best. My recipe for a good time in Austin during this time is to have a super loose/open mindset and go with the day. That way I'm not stressed out about not finding parking, crowds, or missing a show. Usually, I get so caught up in the moment, I forget to take photos or write down fun moments to remember ( working on my memory), so this year I tried something new. I got to road test a Stash (unreleased) Journal to collect all my scraps, photos and stories of sxsw in. In four days, I nearly filled the whole thing up! Anytime I had a moment to my self, I wrote down times, venues, restaurants, drinks, people I met, maps, lyrics, you name it...  After that success, I think I will always take a road journal with me on my trips.

Essentials: Haversack, boots, passport, camera + strap,  sunnies, journal

    

<3 td="">

Newly wed Jason & Amanda Isbell @ The Billy Reid Shindig

outfit check :)

It's always a bonus to see these folks (college buddies)

Pearl, Jason, Tracy

Bootsy Collins. Holy shite sandwich!

Dancing is a sxsw must /// Ruben

Backstage at the Dawes show on Congress was pretty rad.

My friend Ruben bought me this awesome Dirk Fowler (F2 Design) print for my new place

A few personal highlights///
Billy Reid Party <> Leagues <> Jason Isbell <> Amanda Shires <> Lily Hiatt with John Hiatt <> Flatstock 38 <> Ramblin Creek Party <> Suzy Ragsdale <> Daniel Markham <> Seryn <> pedicabs <> Meet Bootsy Collins <> Dawes <> Numerators <> Seeing my friends <> People Watching <> cab drivers <> the whole dang thing

How I survived///
My Stash Co Haversack which held... iPhone <> Charger <> Tylenol <> Sudafed <> 3 cameras (digital, instant and film) <> cash monies <> sweatshirt or button down <> roadtrip journal <> sharpie <> water bottle <> Lipstick <> bags of almonds <> MariGold bars <> a hat <> Tumbleweeds Sunnies <> Gum <> Chapstick

Tips///
You don't have to take, drink or eat it just because it's free.
Don't try to wear a lot of make up, it will only melt off through out the day.
Wear comfortable shoes. If you must wear the really cute painful shoes, wait until the last day. Save you dancing feet!
Drink lots and lots of water.
Be flexible, plans change so be ready to go with the flow.
Don't be a butt head to anyone because chances are you will bump into them again.
When you run into bootsy, don't be too cool to ask for a photo with him.
Carry a sweater because it's cold at night

Brandi's Tips///
Have some cash, toilet paper, wet wipes, toothbrush, Allergy medicine, chapstick, and hand sanitizer in your bag just in case.
Do NOT talk to your cab driver, they might throw you out on the streets and you will have to walk miles and miles in the middle of the night. Right Fred? Right Nick? (Kelly: FALSE Talk to your cab driver and they will tell you awesome stories about their life, their kids and how their baby mama pissed them off by buying the kid shoes with velcro instead of laces because the whole point was to get him to learn how to tie his shoes, but he really can't be that mad because they are Iron man shoes... right Ruben?)
Stay at a friends house that knows how to cook, you will be hungry and too tired to go sit in some over crowded diner at 3 am.

XOXO

FEATURE FRIDAY:The Making Of A Music Video

Last year, about this time I was driving up to Lubbock, TX to meet up with my lady friend, Amanda Shires, to make a west TX music video with Cotton Films, Half Bison, half the town of LBK (or so it seemed). I always like to take things apart and see how the work and what goes on behind the scenes, so I wanted to share the video and few snap shots with you.

Amanda Shires - Detroit or Buffalo from Timoteo Harman on Vimeo.

The set included a green screen, sweaty men, ice, equipment, sun block and every method of transportation. Yes, even the Lubbock fire department came out.

I took photos, met a bunch of talented folks, and powdered a nose or two.

I learned a lot of neat tricks, like how to be a bump in the road. That man under the side car shook every vehicle better than any bump in the history of bumps. Seriously, I never thought about detail like that when making a video.

Some of the men who made this video happen

These ladies were a trip! Perfectly in character the whole time.

Back to the future? Out of all the cars, this is the one I wanted to drive off in. It was so rad!

This hat started as a joke and ended up saving me by the end of the day. The sun/heat was brutal that day. Thank God for boots, thank God for hats.

Tonight, my dear friend Amanda reaches another milestone. If you live in or near Nashville, TN, you should attend her Grand Ole Opry debute. Had I known a few months out, I would have flown out there, so if you are within driving distance, get your booty to the show!