Maker Faire Preview: DIY Tunes

The many musical offerings at this year's Maker Faire will compliment the festival's innovative, do-it-yourself focus. The line-up is comprised of more than twenty groups who play a wide range of genres including gypsy punk, shanty tunes, orchestral pop, circus marching band, and many more. A common element the groups share is their often unconventional, hands-on approach to making music. Highlights include The Painful Leg Injuries, a husband and wife team who combine his Wii-mote controlled instruments with her cello harmonies and Operation Playmate, a musical and visual performance group who synchronize circuit-bent tunes with video art. Austin regulars That Damned Band, Automusik, Alexander's Dark Band, and Foot Patrol will be among the artists representing our heritage of inventive music. Angeliska + Arpadelamar will serenade the audience with tunes played on an ocean-harp, an instrument often heard in horror movie soundtracks, while Supersonic Uke will entertain attendees with their rock and roll ukulele. Mucca Pazza, a 30 piece circus punk marching band from Chicago will surely make an impression on young band nerds. The group straps amplifiers to their helmets and are known for their raucous live shows.

Maker Faire might well be the only festival whose stage actually outshines any of the individual performer. The solar stage gurus at Sustainable Waves have converted a fully functional 1978 fire truck to be a mobile sound system. Attendees will be glad the stage has it's own fire suppression system; Saturday's Evening Spectacular will feature musical Tesla coils and fire acts. The truck will also demonstrate the use of various forms of alternative energy including solar, wind, and Biodiesel.

Maker Faire, a celebration of all things do-it-yourself, is taking place in Austin on Saturday, October 18th and Sunday, October 19th at the Travis County Expo Center. Discount tickets are available now through the 17th at the Austin Children's Museum and at Whole Foods on Lamar.

Check out the complete list of confirmed musical acts after the jump...