To say that South by South West (SXSW) is a state of mind, is an understatement. Imagine four days of wall to wall music, BBQs, parties & networking split over 80 stages across Austin, and you still won't comprehend its allure, intimate charm and breathtaking sprawl.

This is coupled with the opportunity to attend over 100 seminars, if your body (and mind) can take it. If you're involved with the interactive and film industries you can easily double your time by attending the preceding festivals.



Austin is a particularly special and magical place. Nestled within a Texas that most foreigners would stereotype, this liberal city, lives up to it’s self appointed motto; “Keep Austin Weird”.



6th Street in full flow is the stuff of legends for music fans. Heritage acts rub shoulders with brand new buzz bands, swapping stories, often over a bottle or two of Shiner Bock, all this in a place where no one is more important than the music.



I came to SXSW in 2003 for the first time, and resolved 5 days later to return the next year with my camera. Since then, I have been lucky enough to combine my love of photography with music and this anthology of photographs.



This selection, with its unapologetic British slant, is the result. If you love music, margaritas, BBQ and would like to meet some supremely strange characters, make the trip to Austin at least once; although better make it twice just to make sure.



I hope this offering provides a small view through the looking glass that is SXSW. Remember only Mad Dogs and Blinding Bands go out in the Texan Sun!



JAMES SELLAR - March 23rd 2008



"Mad Dogs & Blinding Bands Under a Texan Sun" is an up close and personal photographic record of the SXSW experience by day and night inc photos of REM; Van Morrison; Foy Vance; Ed Harcourt; Alabama 3; Daisy, Kitty & Lewis; Billy Bragg, Flaming Lips; The New York Dolls, Kasabian; The Hives; Paolo Nutini; Amy Winehouse, Lily Allen; Razorlight; Scouting For Girls; The Thirst; The Wombats; Riz MC; Liz Green; The Felice Brothers; Janeane Garofalo; Bowling for Soup; Patricia Vonne, MGMT; Our Lunar Activities; Look See Proof; Emmy The Great; The Cribs; The Ting Tings; The Answer amongst others...