Before I came to college, I would have never considered myself a beer enthusiast. I drank an occasional Bud Light here and there, but never really enjoyed beer. All that changed after I started my very own beer card at Pauley’s Original Crepe Bar. The goal of this beer card is simple: drink 100 beers (35 imports, 65 exports) and become a legend. Pauley’s transformed my ideas about beer. Having drank a variety of beers (I have 10 more on my card!) I can honestly say with confidence that I love beer and even consider myself a beer enthusiast. As much as I’d love to tell you all about the beer challenge at Pauley’s, that’s for another post. This post is all about an upcoming beer festival taking place right here in our very own Classic City.
Perhaps I can blame the English beer I was nursing at the time, but at first listen The Beets sounded like… Liverpool. And the lead singer continues to remind me of Liam Gallagher, leader of Manchester-based Oasis. Odd, since the band hails from Queens, NY. That’s right – I said Queens, not Brooklyn! Whoa. Further distancing the group from all things Anglo, did I mention that frontman Juan Waters is from Uruguay? Or that sometimes The Beets sing in Spanish? And sometimes they sound like punk Beach Boys? If my semi-schizophrenic analysis of The Beets has confused you, my apologies. Take this mp3 of their single “Friends Of Friends” for your troubles.
Witnessing the birth of a new genre is always interesting – and requires far less clean-up than the birth of a new human. When “chillwave” was born in 2009, most of my initial attention was focused on figuring out what it actually was. Since labeling most artists these days leads to a hyphen-cum-hyphen-cum-hyphen sort of description, here’s a basic breakdown of chillwave: it’s generally built from samples, loops, & synth with beats that range from dance party to, well…chill. The music hearkens back to the late ’80s – early ’90s, a vibe which is further enhanced by lo-fi production. It was only when I came upon South Carolina-based Toro Y Moi and Georgia-based Washed Out that I warmed to the ‘wave.
Washed Out, aka ATLien Ernest Greene, achieves the perfect blend of semi-psychedelic ’80s synth pop with beats that keep the ambient sounds from getting too sleepy. I can’t help but hear the South in his music – the heavy heat of summer and the deep rhythmic bounce of Dirty South hip hop are woven into a textured blanket of sound that’s infinitely more pleasing than a chorus of cicadas.
1889 was an eventful year. Coca-Cola was incorporated in Atlanta. North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana and Washington became U.S. states. The Eiffel Tower was completed. The Wall Street Journal was established. Vincent van Gogh painted Starry Night. Famous (and infamous) people born that year include actor Charlie Chaplin and professional ass Adolf Hitler; deaths include President of the Confederacy Jefferson Davis and English poet Robert Browning. In Georgia, the YMCA bought a lot in downtown Athens and erected a 3-story building. After decades of serving as a YMCA, movie theatre, Masonic temple, and Methodist worship hall, the Georgia Theatre became a music venue. It drew prominent musical acts from around the world until 2009, when it was ravaged by fire.
It’s been two years, but the Georgia Theatre is back and better than ever! It sports a three-tiered balcony, a lounge, and a rooftop restaurant/bar. Audience capacity has gone up, and if the Grand Opening is any indicator, the Theatre won’t have trouble filling the space. Starting today and running through August 14th, the venue will celebrate its return by hosting acts on an almost nightly basis.
Burrowed away in a wooded forrest, the Reptar boys have been off stirring up tunes that are sure to bring it twice as nice. Heralding a sound that is sure to make your hips quiver, the quartet is about to drop some heavy sound for you & yours TONIGHT AT THE SECRET SQUIRREL! Come out & feast on the fizzy sensation that’s been brewing this confection of stewing dreams.
-ATHENS
Friday the 29th at Secrect Squirrel with Quiet Hooves, Oh Fortuna (Gainesville), and Sum Sum (West Palm Beach)
$5 to get in and drink all night. Donations if you’re not drinking (sharing is caring.)
$5 for the new EP
Late night goodie mob, with Sum Sum – pops off at 12.
-ATLANTA
Saturday the 30th @ the Big House with Quiet Hooves, Buffalo Bangers (ATL), and the Chandus (ATL)
Donations for the piggy bank
$5 for the new EP
Early(er) show with Chandus starting at 9 sharp!
The wheels are spinning around Athens tonight! After you cycle your face off for Twilight, come join MAD DECENT WKND for an affair filled with fun & freakazoids. The Chase Street Warehouses will be bringing the heat, so pull out your party pants! DJ HAHA ignites the fire around 10, followed by Benzona, Depressed Buttons, & Paul Devro – the beat brigade from Diplo’s Mad Decent Records. ATL’s Black Dominoes will be rounding things up with a late night set. Come get weird!
It’s time to turn up the volume, Athens!
159 Oneta St / 10pm
//TIX AVAILABLE AT DOOR
10-11 DJ HAHA / 11-12 BENOZNA / 12 – 1 DEPRESSED BUTTONS / 1-2:30 PAUL DEVRO / 2:30-3:30 BLACK DOMINOES
New Zealand is a land of remarkably varied geography. In addition to the soaring mountains, idyllic farmland, sheep, and hobbits that Peter Jackson popularized, the far north of the country is a sub-tropical paradise, home to sandy beaches, turquoise waters and lush vegetation. It’s no surprise then, that such a diverse country has inspired a number of stylistically versatile bands that have become increasingly visible on the international scene. One such act is Bachelorette – nee Annabel Alpers – who sets herself apart with sheer technical savvy, creating ethereal, digital pop. If NASA ever wants to give their footage of deep space a bit of dynamism, they should call Alpers. She could easily compose a soundtrack for the Hubble missions.
With art, we can foster the regeneration of a better tomorrow!
Athens Fashion Collective Presents S/S11 Collections is gracing spring this evening!! Art, music, video projection, pretty women, even prettier clothes, king of pops, pbr, & creative people coming together to celebrate collectively. With these different artistic outlets, ideas come to fruition. Originality, sincerity, & dreams become finite means for inspiration, something tangible to spark change. Change – for betterment, for getting involved, getting your hands dirty, taking a part to make a difference, playing a small role in a greater circuit with hopes of opening other’s eyes. Come be a part of the magic, we’d be ever so charmed by your presence & support!
Clothing donations will be accepted at the event in order to extend the possibilities of growth for this project! Get involved, be a part. Every contribution makes a difference!
Per the recommendation of the lovely folks at BANG! ARTS, we’re making our way over to Farm 255 tonight to check out Blair Crimmins & the Hookers. We weren’t privy to his tunes, but after checking out his myspace page, we can say with certainty that these energetic & gritty tones will slide down with ease once consumed. BANG! hits the nail on the head with potent enthusiasm: “Blair Crimmins (with or without his Hookers) is a feast for the ears transporting you to that time when drinking was illegal, bars were underground and the world was alight with new ideas, new deals and a new generation of degenerates.” Snap, crackle, & pop, we’re excited to soak up the electricity. Join us tonight at Farm as Blair takes the stage with Betsy Frank at 10pm.
Blair Crimmins and The Hookers possess your soul like a relentlessly starved demon. You are consumed by the ups and downs and the twists and turns of their music so much that calling an exorcist would be an exercise in futility and error. Their brass and rhythm stick their claws into you and make you lust for more. Their songs are dark and beautifully crude. Crudely beautiful works just as well. Blair Crimmins and The Hookers appear dressed as refined gentlemen while seducing you into a hell that can only change your perspective on what truly is “paradise.”If you want to experience a roller-coaster ride of music then these guys are the ones to give you the ride. – Silver Tongue
Come sip in splendor at Trappeze Pub this evening & ring in spring. If the spirit of the solstice & liquid hoppy heaven isn’t enough to entice you, then your interest will possibly be sparked by another proposition. Does Willy Wonka ring a bell? Chocolate may not be the medium of choice, but with every beer purchased your thirst will be incrementally quenched in an effort to obtain a certain prized possession. Gold is quite a treasured means of commerce these days. The golden ticket is up for grabs & soon to land in someone’s change purse. What golden ticket, you may inquire?? Well well well, there is a certain infrastructure that is currently being rebuilt on a fairly well know street corner in Athens, Ga. The Georgia Theatre is coming, kids! You may have heard of it before…possibly? In any event, the fine establishment will soon be in our midst & a golden ticket which grants a lifetime membership into musical magic is on the market. Come grab a drink & join the the race one Terrapin at a time. Details bellow. Happy Hunting!
