This was the 11th Austin City Limits taping that I’ve had the pleasure of drawing, and the last ever ACL taped in the historic 6A studio on UT’s campus. It was quite a night–thanks to the ACL folks for having me!
I couldn’t not draw the awesome Leland Sklar, or my friend Sara:
On our way to the Urban Outfitters day show, we got randomly solicited by some KLRU folks for an ACL Stage Left taping, and decided any band in a warm studio with free beer was better than an arctic windy parking lot. Boy, am I glad we did. Lost In The Trees put on an amazing show!
Thursday night was a historic one for Austin City Limits: the studio was officially designated as a rock and roll landmark, and it put on it’s first hip-hop show.
My neighbor Dusty was kind enough to give me one of his space available tickets for the (somewhat grueling) 3-hour double taping—we stood on the floor for the full set, and I learned one thing: it’s near impossible to draw and raise the roof at the same time.
Really rough doodles below.
I’ve been wanting to see Elvis Costello live ever since I was a teenager. Last night, we got to see him tape Austin City Limits. Talk about wish fulfillment!
Sure, he was playing bluegrass (with The Sugarcanes), but his voice sounded great, the band was top-notch, and he was witty and great with the audience. We even heard “Mystery Dance”, “Everyday I Write The Book,” and “(What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding.” Not too shabby.
I was going to take the evening off and devote my attention solely to the music, but I pulled out the Sharpie for a couple doodles.
I frequently get asked by people how they can get tickets to ACL. You’re best bet is to follow Leslie (@theotherleslie) and Emily (@acltv) on twitter, and subscribe to the Austin City Limits blog for giveaways.
And to see drawings I don’t post to the blog, check my twitter feed!
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Drawn live during the taping w/ pen and index cards, stitched together in Photoshop.
Many thanks to Leslie Nichols and the folks at Austin City Limits.
Reviews of the show:
(Marker on index cards.)
St. Vincent: cute girl from Dallas with a pretty voice and a guitar that will melt your face off.
Thanks to @theotherleslie, @acltv, and @krlu for the tickets!
PS. Check out this rad picture of Dolly Parton St Vincent posted from the ACL dressing room.
PPS. The setlist & a rehearsal pic.
A while back the Austin City Limits folks asked me to do a drawing for a tote bag. They’re not for sale yet at the ACL store, but they were selling a couple at the Heartless Bastards taping, so keep your eyes peeled if you’re heading to Studio 6A anytime soon…
UPDATE: Sara and Emily from KLRU tell me they’re for sale in the KLRU lobby!
This was so much fun: when I was a kid, I used to stay up late nights watching the Columbus, Ohio PBS station to catch Austin City Limits. I dreamed I might play on the stage one day…turns out I’d be drawing the stage! Life is strange.
(The drawing came from the Drive-By Truckers taping.)
We took a break from SXSW on Wednesday and went to the KLRU studios to see Andrew Bird tape an amazing set for Austin City Limits. If you don’t count the Squirrel Nut Zippers, I first saw Bird solo in Columbus in 2004, opening for the Magnetic Fields (he totally stole the show). I’ve now seen him three times. You must see this man live! Drew these after two or three free beers…
