In the Studio
Grammy-winning Austin musician opens the doors to his home studio
Editor's note: CultureMap is proud to present the latest installment in our partnership with KLRU's documentary series Arts in Context. This unique series celebrates stories about the arts in Austin and the people who make this such a vibrant and creative city.
As a member of Grupo Fantasma, a Grammy Award-winning funk orchestra from Austin, musician Beto Martinez has performed around the world. However, when Martinez’s daughters were born in 2009, he struggled to find a balance between touring with his band and spending time with his family.
To maintain a better work-life balance, Martinez created an in-home recording studio. In this space, he can work from home while recording music for Grupo Fantasma. Martinez is also venturing into letting fellow local musicians use his studio to record their music.
The flexibility of being able to record from home and play local shows has allowed Martinez to lead a more balanced life. “It could have been three hours before that I was out there, and I felt like a rock star,” Martinez says. “But then I gotta come home and wake up and see what the kids want for breakfast.”
KLRU-TV, Austin PBS is dedicated to telling stories that entertain, inspire, and change our lives. KLRU highlights what makes Austin unique — whether music, arts, or public issues — by creating and distributing award-winning original content. KLRU produces several series including Austin City Limits, Arts in Context, Central Texas Gardener, Civic Summit, and Overheard With Evan Smith. As a nonprofit educational organization, KLRU also prepares children to succeed in school and creates lifelong learning opportunities for all.