Members of the desert-blues collective Tinariwen met in a refugee camp more than 30 years ago and became soldiers in North Africa’s Tuareg revolution. Later, they traded guns for guitars – specifically, electric guitars. Now, with the help of TV on the Radio and Wilco guitarist Nels Cline, Tinariwen is going acoustic on the new album “Tassili.” The band plays songs from that album, live in the studio.

Tinariwen will perform at the Highline Ballroom on July 20, 2011. More information here.