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Encore Broadcast News

Encore: The Head and the Heart/Gomez

The wide (wild?) world of indie rock has so many disparate roads to travel it’s dizzying. But the best indie rock artists, like the best musicians in any genre, have one thing in common: good songs. And on August 4’s encore you can see two of the best song-centric indie rock bands on Austin City Limits – The Head and the Heart and Gomez.

Seattle sextet The Head and the Heart exploded out of the Pacific Northwest with an eponymous debut that sold 10,000 copies as a self-released disk before being picked up by indie label giant Sub Pop. The group’s upbeat, harmony-rich folk pop has garnered a large, deeply dedicated fan base in a surprisingly short amount of time. Come hear why as the band plays fan favorites “Down in the Valley” and “Lost in My Mind,” among others.

photo by Scott Newton

U.K. quintet Gomez have fifteen years of experience behind them and show no signs of slowing down. The band’s eclectic mix of roots rock, pop, psychedelia, electronica and whatever else crosses the members’ radar has gained them a loyal worldwide audience of discerning music fans. Gomez’ seventh LP Whatever’s On Your Mind received the near-universal acclaim all their records earn, and the band shows why with performances of “I Will Take You There” and “Just As Lost As You,” as well as old favorites “Get Miles” and “In Our Gun.”

Want more details? Head over to the episode page for photos, setlists and biographical info. Don’t forget to visit – and visit often – our Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr pages for tidbits on ACL past and present, or to sign up for our e-newsletter. Next week on Austin City Limits: Fleet Foxes and Joanna Newsom.

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ACL @ the Alamo News

Movies in the Park features Austin City Limits

We are so excited about our upcoming broadcast season on PBS that we want to preview it for our Austin fans first! Join us on September 6 at 8:30 pm at Republic Square Park when we join forces with the Alamo Drafthouse and Austin Parks Foundation and go behind the scenes of some of our most exciting tapings to date – Bon Iver, Bonnie Raitt, the Shins and more. Plus we will screen the season premiere featuring Radiohead.  And if this sneak peek isn’t enough – it’s free! Grab your friends and a blanket and join us at Republic Square Park to experience ACL on the grass and under the stars!

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ACL @ the Alamo News

ACL @ the Alamo: Stevie Ray Vaughan

ACL @ the Alamo returns on August 27 with a special evening featuring Stevie Ray Vaughan. First up is Stevie Ray Vaughan: A Retrospective, our season 20 episode that combines the Texas guitar slinger’s 1984 and 1990 appearances with his band Double Trouble. All your favorites are here: “Love Struck Baby,” “Texas Flood,” “Pride and Joy,” “Cold Shot,” “Crossfire” and an absolutely incandescent version of “Riviera Paradise.” While these performances have been released on DVD before, they’ve never been seen before on a big screen, and we’re excited to make that happen.

Following the Retrospective will be A Tribute to Stevie Ray Vaughan, a PBS pledge special filmed in the ACL studio that presents Stevie’s music as performed by his friends and fans, including B.B. King, Eric Clapton, Bonnie Raitt, Buddy Guy, Robert Cray, Dr. John and, of course, Stevie’s brother Jimmie, who also leads the band. Far from a somber occasion, this show is a true celebration of Stevie’s musical legacy, with joyful performances. As with the Retrospective, this has been available on DVD but never shown in a theater.

As always, this screening benefits the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians, a most worthy organization. You can find the skinny on tickets here. If you’re in Austin, please join us!

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Encore Broadcast News

Encore: M. Ward & Okkervil River

Indie rock soaks in every style and sound imaginable, but the best of it always comes back to the other “s” word: songs. We have to two of the best song-based indie rock artists on Austin City Limits this weekend – M. Ward and Okkervil River.

After appearing as a guest with Norah Jones, Spoon and Bright Eyes, M. Ward finally graced the ACL stage under his own name. Supporting his LP Hold Time, the singer/songwriter and his band essayed his distinctive folk/pop vision brilliantly. Besides singing strong tunes like “To Go Home” (written by Austin’s own Daniel Johnston), “Poison Cup” and “Never Had Nobody Like You,” Ward also shows off his six-string skills with the John Faheyesque instrumental “Duet for Guitars #2/Duet for Guitars #3.”

photo by Scott Newton

Appearing in the second half is Austin’s own Okkervil River. Led by singer/songwriter Will Sheff, Okkervil’s unique brand of orchestral indie rock presents multiple instruments and singers, but avoids clutter because it always serves the song at hand. Supporting the band’s companion piece LPs The Stage Names and The Stand-Ins, the band joyfully surveys its career with “Lost Coastlines,” “For Real” and “Our Life is Not a Movie or Maybe.”

Go here for more information on this episode, and tune in to your local PBS station this weekend to see these acts in action. Check out our Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr pages for more on all things ACL. Next week: More indie rock goodness with The Head and the Heart and Gomez.

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Encore Broadcast News

Encore: Willie Nelson & Asleep at the Wheel

It goes like this: Willie Nelson starred in the pilot for Austin City Limits in 1975 and has appeared many times since. Asleep at the Wheel kicked the first episode proper in 1976 and is also a multiple headliner. Amazingly, they’ve rarely collaborated, despite being buddies for 40 years. So when these great Texas artists came together to record 2009’s fantastic Western swing tribute Willie and the Wheel, we had to have this explosion of musical chemistry on the show – especially since it coincided with our 35th anniversary.

Featuring great old tunes like “Right Or Wrong, ‘“Hesitation Blues” and “Fan It,” as well as a handful of Willie classics, the resulting episode has since become one of our all-time favorites. It’s a special show to our beloved audience as well, and we’re happy to present this encore episode. Tune in to your local PBS station this weekend, and you might want to push the furniture against the wall in case you’ve the urge to dance.

Go here for more details on this episode, and check in with our Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr pages for more ACL info and ephemera. Next week: M Ward and Okkervil River.

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Featured News

Watch the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame interview with Terry Lickona

When we announced the collaboration between Austin City Limits and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Museum’s Library & Archives last month, the cameras didn’t quit rolling once the press conference was concluded. Immediately afterward our own Terry Lickona was the subject of a Rock Hall Legend interview, conducted by Dr. Lauren Onkey and featuring Terry’s take on some of the significant tapings of the last 38 years. Check it out.

The history of Austin City Limits from Austin City Limits on Vimeo.