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Friday, January 3, 2014

It's been a blast, my friends!


Hey guys, Kristen here...  Or, as some of you might know me, Echoreyn of Athens, blog creator and local music scene enthusiast!  Lately, I've come to find that between my computer work, novel writing, and acting (Shameless plug: go see me in the Hunger Games: Catching Fire in theaters right now!), I no longer have the time I wish I had to keep up with this blog and with the scene I love so much.  It seems that the moment has arrived for me to officially wrap things up and clear the way for any new emerging music writers and explorers who are just now entering the scene.  Before I say goodbye, though, let's take a step back in time and relive all of the great memories we've had together.

Four and a half years ago, I fell into music blogging when a post I wrote on my personal blog about the ever-rockin' local band Chris McKay and the Critical Darlings turned up on the band's website. Since then, the Echoreyn of Athens blog has led me on the ride of a lifetime and given me a slew of incredibly unforgettable experiences! From Athfest to Music Midtown, from Summerfest and Summer Side Show to CMJ in New York, I've had the chance to visit venues all across the state and beyond and to see hundreds of unbelievable bands, international acts and local startups alike.  I've been on the road with musicians and visited my friends backstage.   I've been given shout outs during shows and even had some of my favorites play for my birthday party.  Hey, and remember that time they wrote an article about the blog in the Red and Black UGA newspaper? The joy I have felt in the Athens music scene is truly indescribable!

Even though I am taking this opportunity to say goodbye, this definitely isn't farewell forever.  I will always love and continue to support the Athens music scene whenever I can.  I may even come back to write a post or two when I catch a new band that blows my mind or when hear some big news about the scene that just has to be shared.  Beyond that, you can also still visit me on the Echoreyn of Athens Tumblr page, tweet me @Echoreyn, relive all of your favorite music moments on the Echoreyn of Athens YouTube page, and get tidbits and news on the Echoreyn of Athens Facebook page.  You can also get to know me a bit better on my new personal tumblr blog or on my official website if you'd like.

I wish all of you still on the scene and all of you working to become a part of the scene good luck with your endeavors.  Keep on rockin'!  And to those of you who, like me, love going downtown to bask in all of the awesome tunes, keep on doing what you're doing too.  The scene needs all of you guys!

I'd like to thank each one of you for all of your support of the blog and of the scene we all love so much.  Without a doubt, it has been absolutely spectacular, my friends!
~Kristen a.k.a. Echoreyn

Thursday, January 2, 2014

Kristen's Band Picks: Active Favorites Edition

Wondering what bands you've just got to catch in action this year?  Who's still rocking' stages around town and where can you find them? Here at Echoreyn of Athens, we decided to do something a little different this time around.  Presenting our local active band favorites!

Band: The Athens Band
Status: Active
Usually plays at: various venues
Description: These guys started out as some of the youngest rockers around town, but they've long since come into their own with a sound that hearkens back to classic hard rock and sets full of quality original tunes!

Band: Bambara
Status: Active
Usually plays at: the Caledonia Lounge
Description: They may live in New York now, but these melodic noise rockers always stop by Athens once or twice a year to blast our ears with their intense, eardrum exploding sound!

Band: Chris McKay
Status: Varies
Usually plays at: various venues
Description: Chris McKay's band the Critical Darlings inspired me to create this blog years ago with their energetic show and classic soft rock sound.  Since then, Chris has been a part of many local bands, including popular Beatles cover band Abbey Road Live.  No matter the venture, Chris McKay always creates quality music!

Band: Doctor Squid
Status: Plays at Squidmas
Usually plays at: various venues
Description: With a sound chock full of happiness and shows that are fantastically fun, Doctor Squid has remained a longtime favorite.  Best known for their festive Squidmas shows, their pop rock sound is positively infectious!

Band: Dangfly!
Status: Active
Usually plays at: various venues
Description: Dangfly! rocks every show with their dance-inducing folk style, infused with a gleeful mix of trumpet and fiddle.

Band: Efren
Status: Active
Usually plays at: various venues
Description: Gritty folk at its best, Efren's sound holds within in it the strength and sorrow of a full life lived.

Band: Emily Hearn
Status: Active
Usually plays at: various venues
Description: If you haven't heard her sing yet, you'll fall in love with Emily Hearn's unbelievably sweet voice the moment you hear her first note. Her sound will blow you away!

Band: Feather Trade
Status: Active
Usually plays at: Go Bar
Description: Bright lights intermix with Feather Trade's dark alt-rock style tunes to create a fully immersive rock experience!

Band: Kenosha Kid
Status: Active
Usually plays at: Hendershots
Description: If jazz is your thing, Kenosha Kid is the band for you!  Voted best jazz band in town year after year, these guys infuse their sound with style and a sense of fun.

Band:  Lera Lynn
Status: Active
Usually plays at: various venues
Description: Lera Lynn's strong, quality melodies and her band's twangy style always make for an awesome show!

Band: Sam Sniper
Status: Active
Usually plays at: various venues
Description: Unique southern rock with a touch of folk and a sense of humor, Sam Sniper's got it all.  Don't miss your chance to dance along with the crowd and rock out to their tunes!

Band: Seven Handle Circus
Status: Active
Usually plays at: various venues
Description: Every Seven Handle Circus show is a fun, one-of-a-kind experience.  Be sure to check out their bouncy, upbeat folk tunes!

Band: The Skipperdees
Status: Active
Usually plays at: various venues
Description: These talented twin folk singers serve up some of the best folk tunes around. You'll just love their soft, tangy sound!

Band:  Thayer Sarrano
Status: Active
Usually plays at: various venues
Description: Nothing can match up to Thayer Sarrano's sweet spoken word style melodies!

Status: Active
Usually plays at: various venues
Description: Take a step outside of the norm with the fun, indie style of the Warm Fuzzies! 

Band: Yip Deceiver
Status: Active
Usually plays at: the Georgia Theatre
Description: Nobody throws a party like Yip Deceiver.  Get ready to go wild and have fun!

Be sure to click the links above to visit each band's Facebook page and to find out about all of their upcoming shows!  Looking forward to a particular local show happening soon?  Share the details with the world in the comments below.   See ya around town, my friends!