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Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Sound off: Surviving ACL Fest
We’ve gathered the best advice we’ve received from festival veterans and Austin360 users on how to work within the official guidelines and enjoy ACL Fest in our ACL FAQ. But did we miss anything? Once again, we’re putting the call out to experienced festival goers. Is there anything you’ve taken to ACL that significantly improved your experience? What do you plan to pack this year? Any other general tips for Austinites heading to the Fest? Please share your advice and stories in the comments below.
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ACL Fest: Meet the Bands - Patterson Hood
Austin Music Source: How do you plan to cope with Austin summer heat, will it cramp your onstage style?
Patterson Hood: I cope by drinking LOTS of water and LOTS of very cold beer. I used to drink the blood of teenaged runaways in the summer, but my wife found that really creepy and made me stop.
What other bands are you looking forward to seeing at the festival?
Wilco, Dylan and MMJ, Is Centro-Matic playing? If so, I never miss them, they’re my favorite band on Earth. Wilco’s new album really knocks me out so I’m definitely going to catch them. I really like the new White Stripes album.
What’s the last CD you paid full price for?
Bought the first volume of STAX box set at the STAX Museum recently. It was pretty full priced. Been buying the Sly and the Family Stone reissues and they are beyond incredible. “There’s a Riot Going On” may be my new desert island favorite.
What’s the one thing you can’t live without on your tour bus/van?
Besides beer, my trusty iPod loaded with sweet soul music. That’s about all I can admit to in a family newspaper. I like to read a lot too.
When you think of Texas music, who or what is the first thing that comes to your mind?
Centro-Matic, the Drams, Honky, Jon Dee Graham, Billy Joe Shaver.
Do you have a celebrity crush you’re willing to reveal?
No one I’ll admit to.
What’s the one song you’ve always wanted to cover but never have?
PJ Harvey’s “This is Love.” I recently co-produced Bettye LaVette’s next album and wanted her to cover it but she didn’t like it. I wanted to cut it with a sort of early ’70s Stevie Wonder kind of feel. Maybe DBT will cut it sometime as a Bside or something.
What’s the one thing you want to make sure to do before leaving Austin?
Evita’s Botanitas. I LOVE Austin.
Patterson Hood is scheduled to play on the BMI stage from 4:40 to 5:20 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 16.
Web site: pattersonhood.com
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ACL Fest: Meet the Bands - Midlake
Austin Music Source: Generally, how would you describe your music?
Guitarist, Eric Pulido: the softer side of rock Drummer, MacKenzie Smith: Soft rock! Or rock with a light touch. Or….70s inspired rock n roll, with a folky softer side.
How do you plan to cope with Austin summer heat? Will it cramp your onstage style?
Pulido: What onstage style? Smith: Ah, it’s hard to complain about the heat when your only job is to play music. Just put some water and beer up on stage and we will be fine.
What other bands are you looking forward to seeing at the festival?
Pulido: Crowded House, Bjork, Bob Dylan, Wilco and many more. Smith: I am really upset I am missing Bjork on Friday. We will be at another festival in the UK until Sat. I want to check out Bob Dylan, The White Stripes, Arcade Fire, Andrew Bird, Regina Spector, etc…lots of great bands.
What’s the last CD you paid full price for?
Pulido: Rufus Wainwright, “Release The Stars.” Smith: Does iTunes count? I bought Rufus Wainwright’s new album, “Release The Stars.” Great record. I am going to go buy the new Feist album.
What’s the one thing you can’t live without on your tour bus/van?
Pulido: My iPod. Smith: Bottled water. iPod. The 20 question ball toy thing. We call it the devil ball. It is way too smart.
When you think of Texas music, who or what is the first thing that comes to your mind?
Pulido: Square dancing when I was in elementary school.
Do you have a celebrity crush you’re willing to reveal?
Pulido: Bjork Smith: Evangeline Lilly from “Lost.” Rachel McAdams. Larry David. Tim and Eric from “The Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job.” (adult swim)
What’s the one song you’ve always wanted to cover but never have?
Pulido: Doobie Brothers - “What a Fool Believes.” Smith: “Big Shot” by Billy Joel.
What’s the one thing you want to make sure to do before leaving Austin?
Pulido: Go to Waterloo Records. Smith: See my girlfriend.
Midlake is scheduled to play on the Austin Ventures stage from 4 to 4:45 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 16.
Web site: midlake.net
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More on Carter Albrecht
If you’ve been following the puzzling case of Dallas musician Carter Albrecht, shot dead Monday morning by his girlfriend’s neighbor, there’s a good story in the Dallas Morning News that contains a version of the events from Albrecht’s girlfriend.
Albrecht’s funeral will be Friday at 2 p.m. at Parkway Hills Baptist Church in Plano. His band Sorta will, of course, not play Saturday’s scheduled festival at Cheatham Street Warehouse in San Marcos, but if you can’t make the funeral, Cheatham Street would be a good place to toast his memory.
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Biopics that might not make you want to throw things at the screen
Biopics are an inherently sketchy enterprise. Capturing the charisma of known historical figures is tough sledding for even the best directors. I love Michael Mann more than most, (except maybe this guy,, but even I (we?) thought he could only do so well with “Ali” without having the actual Muhammad Ali in the ring (peace to Will Smith).
They’re the Siren song of filmmaking. Filmmakers must know they’re going to smash on the rock every time, yet they keep coming back for more.
That said, I will be front and center for the following:
“I’m Not There”
You know, for those of us who a) want to be Dylan and b) have thing for Cate Blanchett, this is a total win-win in a weird psychosexual way that we don’t like thinking about all that much. I suspect she was cast not just because she’s a great actress, but because she was the only human being who could fit into those clothes. The ballad of Dylan ‘65 was a ballad of a thin man.
“Control”
Look, even if it’s terrible, it’s a biopic about Ian Curtis. They have my money already.
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