Advertisement
Showbox PresentsTHIEVERY CORPORATION
WED, 18 DEC 2024 at 08:00PM PST
Ages: 21 & Over
Doors Open: 07:00PM
OnSale: Tue, 19 Nov 2024 at 10:00AM PST
Announcement: Tue, 19 Nov 2024 at 10:00AM PST
Twenty-five years into their genre-defying electronic music career, Thievery Corporation'sfounding principles of D.I.Y. and inclusion have become key themes in mainstream socialconversation. After a dozen highly acclaimed full-length albums, remix LPs, concert recordings,and over two decades of incendiary live performances that have thrilled audiences worldwide,Thievery Corporation's music and message is more relevant and important now than ever.That lack of filter enabled Garza and Hilton to mine their musical inspirations and create one ofthe most unique bodies of work in electronic music, respectfully incorporating tastes ofinternational cultural styles, without ever falling into the trap of cultural appropriation. "Wealways wondered: with so much incredible music in the world, why would anyone limitthemselves to one genre? Well, we found out — it's far easier to stay in one lane than to genrehop!" laughs Hilton. Garza elaborates: "When we started, we were influenced by music from allover the world, flipping through bins in second hand record stores for LP's from Brazil, India,Iran, Jamaica, jazz records…..we wanted to make music where you didn't know whether it wasrecorded today or a decade ago." Thievery Corporation's music has always looked toward thefuture while paying homage to the past, starting with their groundbreaking debut LP, 1996's"Sounds From The Thievery Hi-Fi," which both introduced the world to Garza and Hilton asproducers and set their course as pioneers of song-based electronic music with wildly diversevocalists.The band's legendary D.C. headquarters, the Eighteenth Street Lounge, became an epicenterfor a diverse group of people and staff from all over the world, which in turn had a profoundinfluence on their musical output. "D.C. was very cosmopolitan, lots of places to seeinternational live music and jazz," says Garza. "We'd run into people from all over the world andinvite them to play with us — so Thievery became an extension of that, both on our records andin our live performances." Indeed, Hilton and Garza's "Outernational" approach created a worldreflected by the artist's ideals of diversity and acceptance. "25 years after we started, it seemslike the world is catching up," Garza opines. "Social consciousness is more mainstream,awareness of the importance of inclusivity…it's so encouraging to see so many people workingtowards these goals in America." Hilton agrees. "Thievery is a reflection of who we are, itevolved from our musical tastes. Artists who were for the people, like The Clash, Fela Kuti,Manu Chao were so important to us, and engaging in social ideas has always been a part ofwhat we've tried to do." People don't refer to Thievery Corporation as "World Music," but it'ssafe to say that their music and ethos is global in its scope and ahead of its time at every turn.In a live setting, Thievery Corporation avoids any electronic dance music tropes. Yes, you'lldance, sweat and put your hands in the air….but their concerts are true performances, with akiller band of players and an array of vocalists from diverse global cultures. No two shows feelthe same. "Our shows are VERY live, lots of energy, the com-bination of multiple instrumentsand singers that take you on a musical journey," says Garza. "We have a sitar player, songs arein different languages — it's a multicultural experience, people connect to the band and to eachother, it's beautiful." With a world cautiously beginning to emerge from isolation and towardscommunal events, Garza is eager to return Thievery Corporation to live performance. "I feel likepeople have been waiting to celebrate together after being forced apart for too long. We're allcraving that."Eric Hilton's presence at Thievery gigs, however, has become an increasingly rare event. "Inever really embraced touring; some of the world tours were interesting, seeing new places andcultures," he says. "For me, touring was tourism. The creative process of making music is moremy thing." And Thievery Corporation have brought the sounds of the world to listenersthroughout each of their albums. "There are so many highlights for me. 2014's Saudade is myfavorite record that we've done, a real creative stretch for us. Quiet music is hard to make!Symphonik also. To hear our music done with an orchestra was incredible." Hilton concedesthat over time live performance influenced the studio records. "After Cosmic Game (2011), weorchestrated jam sessions and built the records from those. For Temple of I and I (2014), wewent to Jamaica to jam and record, which gave that record a different feel and authenticity."Looking back over their career, Rob Garza and Eric Hilton acknowledge that what drives eachof them may be different, but the mashup of personalities, sounds, cultures and experiencesbirthed something wholly unique. "We love all kinds of music, which is why Thievery Corporationsounds the way it does," the founding partners agree. "We couldn't possibly incorporate all ourtastes into the music, but we do it more than most." By not following trends or the whims ofmajor labels, and embracing the cultural diversities that make the world such a wondrous place,Thievery Corporation has created a legacy that runs deep and continues to expand."Over 25 years, we've left nothing undone. We far exceeded what we thought we would do,"Hilton and Garza agree. And Thievery Corporation's music will continue on to reverberate andinfluence the next generation of listeners with an ear toward a global musical experience.
Advertisement
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
The Showbox, 1426 1st Ave,Seattle,WA,United States
Tickets