Tift Merritt - Photos by Tony Nelson

I'm a photographer based in Minneapolis who's had the opportunity to photograph Tift quite a few times over the years. Along with being a photographer, I'm also a total music junkie so I try to combine these two passions by working within the music industry - sometimes for record labels and for magazines like Spin or Rolling Stone or Interview, but also for lots of local publications & clients here in the Midwest.

I met Tift in Austin while covering SXSW for a couple magazines back in 2001. I'd wandered into her show at the Austin Music Hall & liked what I heard but had to leave early to make another show. The next day I was at a little outdoor show when Tift & the band showed up to play next so I stuck around, shot some pictures & talked to her afterwards. We did a few portraits and we had a good time with it - I learned that she was also a photographer, she learned about my weak attempts at playing music & we agreed to keep in touch. Since then I've photographed her several times - mostly shows either here in Minneapolis or at SXSW but also a few portrait sessions. I was especially flattered when she called to use one of my shots for the "Home is Loud" cover. It was taken at a show in Minneapolis in 2005.

The photos I've sent to the new site here are some of the highlights from these shows & sessions. It's probably obvious she's a favorite subject of mine and I hope to keep hanging out & documenting her career for years to come.