Hello ACL blog readers, I’m Sara (aka bonita sarita) and I work at
KLRU. I’ll be adding short ‘behind the scenes’ videos to this blog, you
might have already seen the one I did on the transfer of a certain special episode.

This video is about the ‘Space A’ wait. If you want to see an Austin
City Limits show sometimes you have to work for it by waiting in the
Space Available line. The wait can be long, the wait can be fun, but if
you’re one of the lucky few to gain admission it’s undoubtedly worth
your time. (And yes, KLRU staff have to wait in line too. You might
spot a couple in this video.)

On this day I caught up with some friendly folks waiting for the chance
to see Thievery Corporation. One thing is for sure, ACL fans are
troopers, it was well over 90degrees this particular afternoon.

 The ‘Space A’ Wait from Bonita Sarita on Vimeo.

Thievery Corporation is one of the most shamelessly and seamlessly eclectic bands we’ve ever hosted. It’s an uncommon group that can mix and match elements of funk, Brazilian pop, reggae, Indian music, Afro-Cuban music, hip-hop, Middle Eastern music and anything else that catches their fancy and not sound like a compilation album gone amok. TC’s mix works due to strong arrangements, a great band and a consistently booty-shaking groove, all of which sets up a strong foundation for a succession of charismatic singers. Fusion is a word tossed around a lot in the music world, usually with some derision, but this is genuine fusion on a grand and stunning scale. Kudos to ringleaders Rob Garza and Eric Hilton for running a tight and righteous musical ship.

We had a number of firsts last night. Garza and Hilton opened with a DJ set, using only samples, turntables and keys - that’s a major step…forward? sideward?…for a show that’s so often showcased virtuoso musicians. This is also the first time we’ve had a sitar on the stage, not to mention the first time we’ve seen a belly dancer shake her particular groove thang in 6A.

Such a cosmopolitan band naturally has members from a variety of places besides the group’s Washington, DC base, including natives of Jamaica, Brazil and France. I was pleasantly surprised at the multiple Austin connections, including Miss Yasmin, the aforementioned belly dancer, percussionist El John and venerable singer/percussionist Frank Orrall, who still leads the formerly Austin-based worldbeat pop band Poi Dog Pondering. The band also welcomed special guest Seu Jorge, an enormously talented singer/songwriter from Brazil, best known to Americans from his role as Pele dos Santos, the David Bowie-singing safety expert in the film The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou.

The setlist ranged all over the band’s many albums and included some new tunes from a LP due to be released in September. (Yes, they played “Lebanese Blonde,” the tune the group contributed to the popular Garden State soundtrack.) The band balanced artistic craft with pure fun for two hours and I don’t know how the heck we’re going to edit down to fit on TV. But however we do it, I can’t wait for everybody to see it.  

On Wednesday, June 25th, we will have a taping with Thievery Corporation. We are giving away 10 pairs of general admission tickets to our loyal ACL blog readers. So read a bit about Thievery Corporation below, then enter for your chance to win!

On the surface, Thievery Corporation seems to be just another electronica
act. Though producers/DJs Rob Garza and Eric Hilton rule the roost with
their turntables and mixing boards, the group is much more than that.
Bonding over a shared musical palette, the Washington, D.C. duo created
Thievery Corporation to combine sounds as diverse as dub, bossa nova, jazz,
African music, soul, psychedelia and ambient electronica into a big,
writhing ball of politically charged, irresistibly danceable noise. Having
left our jaws in the grass after a performance the 2005 and 2006 Austin City
Limits Music Festivals, the band now hits studio 6A for its debut ACL
taping.

Enter here for a chance to win one of ten pairs of tickets.

A long, long, time ago, Austin City Limits was recorded on big 2″ analog tape reels. Over the years the tapes have begun disintegrating, and we have been faced with the challenge of preserving these historic performances. Finding a 2″ tape machine (also called a “Quad”) is extremely difficult, but KLRU still happens to own one of these rare antiques. Here you can see a demonstration by Audio Tech and Videotape Operator extraordinaire, Kevin Cochran, as he dubs the original 2″ tape of Willie Nelson’s ACL pilot to digital tape.

Behind the scenes: transfer from Bonita Sarita on Vimeo.

In case you missed it, Pitchfork had a wonderful interview with Emmylou Harris last week. Her new record, “All I Intended to Be,” is a shift back to primarily covers, after her last two records prominently featured her own material. The new album includes songs by Billy Joe Shaver, Patty Griffin, Merle Haggard, and a few written or co-written by Emmylou. Emmylou is on tour this summer - try to catch this ACL favorite - she doesn’t disappoint!