What’s old is new–at least in Agora that is. If you haven’t stumbled upon this cool girl’s antique shop yet, then you’re missing out! At first glance this store may seem like nothing special; it’s entrance welcomes passersby with random clothes dangling on mannequins and old furniture displaced along the sidewalk. Read more >
In the past several years, the band Grizzly Bear has become one of the coolest kids in indie school. The 2009 album Veckatimest pushed them to the top of many a “Best Albums of the Year” list, and their collaboration with Victoria Legrand of Beach House on the track “Slow Life” made the Twilight: New Moon soundtrack far more enjoyable than expected. It seems that the talent in the group overfloweth the band’s cup; members of Grizzly Bear have individual side projects, including Daniel Rossen’s Department of Eagles (with Fred Nicolaus) and Chris Taylor’s CANT. The beauty of the side acts is that while you can hear that Grizzly Bear je ne sais quoi, the three are all distinct from one another. Department of Eagles got my fanhood in 2008 with In Ear Park. Now, CANT’s excellent debut Dreams Come True has me wondering when someone from Grizzly Bear will release a critically acclaimed hip-hop album.
Dreams Come True is a testament to the great things one can do with a drum machine and a synthesizer and the refreshing delights of genre-bending. To fully appreciate this sonic layer cake, don’t restrict yourself to computer speakers or earbuds. If there was ever an occasion to bring out the serious surround sound, this is it…
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.
Stumbling upon Shabazz Palaces was the kind of happy accident that makes me grateful for the Internet. Sure, it has subjected us to things like Rebecca Black, but I find myself awfully forgiving when I’m basking in the glow of new music.
“An echo from the hosts that profess infinitum” is the first single from Shabazz Palace’s debut album Black Up, and it does a hell of a job. A hell of a job being awesome. A hell of a job piquing your interest. A hell of a job sounding good. If I ever find myself in a situation where I need to come off as an intimidating badass, this would be my soundtrack. The beat on “An echo”, coupled with a sample that sounds like a preschool full of wailing robots, is infectious. The track has a dark tone that borders on threatening when soundwave-tearing dubstep breaks in. As evidenced by the random xylophone interlude halfway through the song, “An echo” doesn’t get boring. Another hefty piece of evidence is the fact that I’ve had it on repeat for a long time, and I haven’t gotten tired of it yet.
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.
It’s safe to say that there are a lot of great records being released this summer. Today’s album is one that I spent the past year hoping for. I would have written about it sooner, but since my wish was granted in June, I’ve been too busy listening to sit down and write about it. Finally, I’ve decided to stop being so selfish and share…
Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Unknown Mortal Orchestra [Fat Possum, 6/21]
Unknown Mortal Orchestra came to my attention a year ago when I heard the track “Ffunny Ffrends”. After less than a minute, I was hooked. The second song that emerged from the ether was “Thought Ballune”, and it only reinforced my opinion that UMO quite possibly epitomizes the term “hook”. Abandoning more clinical musical terminology, Unknown Mortal Orchestra sounds like an afternoon at the park with your best friends in the late ‘60s, replete with Popsicles and/or mind-altering substances. Flavors and combinations are up to you.
It’s been a while since we shared some musical love. It’s not that we haven’t been listening to music…we’ve just been enjoying it too much to sit down and write about it. Now that summertime has arrived in Athens, it’s time to put down my popsicle and share a tiny sampling of the jams that will be turning heads this summer. Don’t worry – this is the first taste of many to come.
Feeling peckish? Cheers to Philly pair Chiddy Bang, who released their new mixtape Peanut Butter and Swelly on Memorial Day weekend. PB&S kicks out 15 excellent tracks, including collaborations with Casey Veggies and Mac Miller. They sample everyone from Matt & Kim to Morrissey to The Supremes, keeping things dynamic and fresh throughout. The mad catchy “Guinness Flow” is a reference to recent events: At the end of April, Chiddy broke the world record for longest freestyle rap – clocking in at 9 hours, 18 minutes and 22 seconds. Considerably shorter Peanut Butter and Swelly clocks in at a little over 48 minutes, but it doesn’t waste a single moment. It’s a great preview for their upcoming debut Breakfast (Virgin/EMI), out June 14th.
Download Peanut Butter and Swelly here.
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
A Warehouse. An evening of magic & intrigue. Art by Madeline Moore.
In the simplest of terms, ‘Ode a l’Oubli’ is my homage to forgetting. The show is an acknowledgement of the repressed, and a physical manifestation of the absent (and how it consequently defines the present). Using natural cotton as a reference to my Mississippi childhood, I’ve woven pieces of autobiographical fabric; extraordinary textures that are not defined by what was there along, but rather by what was left behind in the wake.
