All photos by Megan DiCiurcio unless otherwise noted.
Todd DiCiurcio is a New York based artist whose work blurs the line between drawing/painting and performance; he creates the work as musicians perform in front of him, responding to the ambiance, the musician, and the performance itself. His work winds up almost as a vivid collaboration with the energy of the music present in his work. He’s documented performances from artists like Bon Jovi, New Order, and The Rolling Stones, and for SXSW, he captured performances from Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros to Zoe Kravitz. Here, his diary from the festival.
Day 1: The rubber hit the road in Austin the moment we got off the plane. Greeted by Austin’s treasures, designer Gail Chovan and neon sculptor Evan Voyles, we got the party started at Billy Reid/Third Man Records’ Austin Shindig. (Above photo by Taylor Steele.)
Getting warmed up on a collab with Creed Voyles. He & his twin sister Zelda were born with Toxoplasmosis…Creed, 77 surgeries later, & Zelda not far behind are ready to change the world with their gifts.
Megs stays cool in Tommy while walking around Austin. Photo by Todd DiCiurcio
The morning of the big day. Arriving at Spotify House to set up the Squarespace Artist Lounge for me to create from.
Loved having the Spotify VIP Artist Green House to chill & show the musicians my work in progress post-performance.
Sharpening my tools…
Laying the grounds for the coming sounds.
Wake Up Call: Wyclef Jean kicks things off with in his own words, a “Brooklyn Block Party”.
Megs staying dry after we moved the operation to another area due to rain. Photo by Todd DiCiurcio
Making marks with Prhyme during the finale performance.
Joey Bada$$ with a SZA shoulder mix….
The finale work from Squarespace Artist Lounge at Spotify House. From left to right: DJ Maseo, Prhyme, Wale, Wyclef, Pell, Joey Bada$$ & SZA.
The good vibes at SXSW brought me to New Community’s private NoName House next. Here I was able to draw Summer Moon, The Letts, & The Mystery Lights
Finished piece of Summer Moon performing, made up of the Like’s Tennessee Thomas on drums, Nikolai Fraiture of The Strokes on vocals and bass, Au Revoir Simone’s Erika Spring on keyboards & Lewis Lazar on guitar.
The Letts artwork.
The Mystery Lights piece.
Finished drawing The Mystery Lights. Photo by Taylor Steele
Next up, a visit to church where Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros performed their new album in its entirety for the first time. For all of us sinners…hallelujah!
Drawing of Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros.
In the stained glass light, confessions with Brooklyn’s own, Alberta Cross.
Drawing of Alberta Cross.
Earlier this night I caught up with Lolawolf, featuring Zoe Kravitz on vocals.
Austin dawns & we walk on: Recharging in Gail & Evan’s Austin studio for the day & into the night where some brilliant secret performances happened by Dan Dyer, Shelley Colvin, Darden Smith, David Garza, Kirby Brown, Wesley Geiger, Evan Voyles & others.
Shelley Colvin, Dan Dyer & Evan Voyles.
Shelley Colvin & Dan Dyer artwork
David Garza, Darden Smith & Dan Dyer piece.
Evan Voyles
Evan Voyles
Taking it all in with Jez Donohoe, The Bearded Bastard, Taylor Steele & Megs. Photo by Todd DiCiurcio
New Daze….Amped to catch a show by legend Steve Smyth!
Drawing Steve Smyth.
Finished drawing of Steve Smyth.
And on the last day, Thee Oh Sees were created in The Spider House Ballroom, Austin. Michelle at Panache Booking (@panachebooking) throws the coolest underground parties EVER.
Finished Thee Oh Sees drawing outside the venue.
Some bathroom reading.