The Critical Darlings turn it up a notch

Almost two and a half years ago, back when I was still a bright-eyed newcomer to the Athens music scene, I stumbled across a benefit concert featuring the band Chris McKay and the Critical Darlings. It was quite an exciting experience and inadvertently led to the creation of this very blog. Since then, the band has disappeared from and reemerged in the scene several times and has gained an influx of new members, held together by the ever-enthusiastic Chris McKay. After over a year of waiting to see their latest incarnation in action, I finally got my chance last Saturday night.

Now a 5-piece band, the Critical Darlings kicked off the show with their song The Only Way, followed by a set of new tunes peppered here and there with old favorites. New or old, though, their sound was not quite the same creature it was when we last met. While still retaining their beloved classic rock style, the band's tunes had a stronger, more modern, and sometimes even darker feel to them that thrilled me to the core. The keyboardist Kate Powell's backing vocals seemed have had a heavy influence on this change. Their take on the new song Hold On, which I remember voting for back when the band was enlisting the fans' help to choose their latest hits, was quite awesome. Then, in the middle of the set, they surprised the fans by alternating to give Kate the lead vocal spot for a lovely and rather dark, theatrical number. I've gotta say, I definitely like where the Critical Darlings are taking their sound.

As always, the band's famous energy engulfed the room. Chris hammed it up throughout the set and even fistbumped members of the Athens band in the front row as he played. Kate stuck one leg up onto the keyboard while her fingers danced over the keys. Just wild! The crowd, in turn, grooved to the music, some of them even waltzing to a few of the tunes. Rounding out the set, they finished their trademark song Happy Here and Now with a surprise burst of confetti that fluttered over the fans as they played their final note. What a fun show!

While you're on vacation...

The buzz around town is heating up! I've got a few cool little tidbits I've just got to share with you all.

First up, if you're not already a fan of the Warm Fuzzies, you've truly been missing out. Their name is really the best description I could ever give for that cozy feeling you get when you listen to their tunes. And, for the past few months, they've been sharing FREE, smile-inducing songs on their site too! Check out their Fuzz of the Month and let your eardrums frolic with joy!

In other news, The Spinoffs, Chris McKay's brand new side project, are one of the many awesome Athens bands featured on this year's Athfest Compilation CD. You'll get to check out their latest song Lucky Stars when the compilation goes on sale in June, but to tide you over till then, you can find a list of all of the bands and songs that will be on the CD right here.

And finally, speaking of Athfest, the latest news from the Georgia Theatre people suggests that they hope to finish rebuilding and reopen the theatre by June 19, 2011, just in time for this year's music festival! I've talked to some pals who have seen the construction inside firsthand, and they say it's looking pretty amazing. Can't wait to see it when it's a thriving landmark and masterpiece once again!

Twists and turns - Fare thee well to Tasty World, the Critical Darlings, and many more

Oh, it's just days away... the smell of fresh new pencils, used textbooks, and nervous young musicians. I'm nearly about to explode with anticipation! But before we ring in a brand new school year, we must take the time to say goodbye to some of the beloved bands and places in Athens that will continue to exist only in or memories.

First up, we have to say a proper final farewell to Tasty World (Uptown). The club that helped jumpstart many a band's musical careers closed its doors for the last time during this year's Athfest celebration. As I've mentioned before, Tasty World will always hold a special place in my heart as it was the venue that first introduced me to the Athens music scene and gave me some of my very favorite music moments here. Oh, the memories! Goodbye, dear Tasty World.

Now which bands will no longer be here to rock our year? Well, Athfest also marked the final local performance of pop scene queen Allison Weiss... for a while, at least. Heading up to New York in the hopes of making it big on the national scale, she plans to return one day to bring her tunes back to the fans that have loved her from the beginning.

Bands Leading Edge and Chris McKay & the Critical Darlings are taking something of a different route. The members of both bands have gone their separate ways (Frank of the Critical Darlings is headed all the way out to Europe!), but fans, there is good news. Word is, singer Chris McKay and Leading Edge singer/keyboardist Matt Daniel will continue to share their own rockin' songs with us here in Athens. I've seen Matt perform solo before, and I'm quite happy to hear that he plans to keep bringing his talents to the scene. As far as Chris McKay and the Critical Darlings goes, I cannot express my gratitude enough for the part they played in sparking my interest in Athens music and inspiring me to start this blog. The band will most certainly be missed. If I know Chris, though, he won't leave us without a taste of his creativity for long. I'm eager to see what he'll do next!

And while we're bidding farewell, I must take this opportunity to say a few words in honor of my late laptop. Oh laptop, how many blogs were typed with the aide of your keys! How you shined in your picture for the EoA Red and Black article! Dear laptop, Echoreyn of Athens could never have existed without you. You will always be loved.

Enough with the goodbyes! In happier news, less than two weeks ago workers began pouring concrete for the rebirth of the Georgia Theatre. Last year's tragic fire marked the end of the last incarnation of the theatre, but the citizens of Athens pulled together to bring it back once more. Look out for the Georgia Theatre's triumphant return in spring of 2011!

Chris McKay brings the rock back around!

Oh, exam time! With all these presentations, projects, and tests, I barely have a second to breathe. But, you know, even all this insanity won't keep me from the amazing shows that fill the final days of the semester! Forgive me if these next few reviews are a little late, but, no matter what, I can't resist sharing the awesomeness!

Last Thursday night, it was the band Chris McKay and the Critical Darlings that brought my blogger's ears full circle with a healthy dose of their classic rock. Shockingly, it had been exactly a year and a week since I last saw the band that helped inspire the blog. A year! Can you believe it's been that long? I'm so glad they've finally returned!

It's been quite a year for the Darlings, though. Most tragically, their drummer Josh Harrison had to bid adieu to the band recently when he relocated to Texas. Luckily, original Critical Darlings' beat keeper Josh Couillard was happy to step back into the role! Then they brought another old friend, this time Andy Ainsworth from Chris's old band Q-sign, to complete the quartet for this show.

Apparently, the four of them only had time for one practice together before their set. Wow, really? These guys made it look so easy! And Chris was back to his crazy tricks again, rocking and writhing in the floor with more energy than a kid full of sugar. Ah, I love it! They played a full set of the lovely tunes I've missed so much, and the band gave each song a bit of a new spin too. Way cool! I've got to say, though, I think that a little something was afoot during the show because every so once in a while a substantial gust wind would blow out from the instruments to the audience. It was like getting blasted by the rock! Crazy, indeed.

I'm definitely not going to let another year go by before I see these guys again!

Exciting Tales in the World of Tunes

Hello, my friends! It's time for some more music news and tidbits. This just in!

First off, I'm simply dying to show everyone this music player I created for my New Media class a few weeks ago. I'm just learning how to use Flash, and I thought it would be rather cool to incorporate some of my favorite local bands and tunes into a playable graffiti wall complete with animations and, if you look hard enough, a special surprise too! I think it's pretty good for a beginner, if I do say so myself. :) Get your ears ready for some rad songs by Doctor Squid, Kalvinova, Chris McKay and the Critical Darlings, Bambara, Aman Amun, and Crumbling Arches!

And, as far as local music news goes, you may have heard that Athfest's already prepping for this summer's massive festival with the announcement of their outdoor stage headliners. Friday will give us the Modern Skirts and Packway Handle Band, on Saturday Perpetual Groove and Bubba Sparxx will share their songs, and Sunday will bring us the tunes of Cracker and Kinchafoonee Cowboys. Athfest 2010 can't come soon enough! Honestly, though, I'm a little bit sad that some of my favorites like Dead Confederate and Venice is Sinking didn't make the list too. But don't worry! Both of these bands will be rocking the 40 Watt that Athfest Saturday night instead. What joy!

Finally, I've just got to admit that I'm ridiculously excited right now because today's shaping up to be quite an awesome day of music! I'm seeing Doctor Squid at Tate this morning(10:30 AM) and then heading off to an adventure at UGA's Six Flags Night where I'll get to hear the tunes of Blueswater Bridge as well! Nice. And don't forget... If Six Flags isn't your scene, Reptar and Deaf Judges are taking over Caledonia tonight to rock your faces off with their style! Whee, what a night! And there's more coming, too. Tons of new shows have been added to April's Concert Pick list, so be sure to check it out and satisfy your ears!

Hope you all have a most spectacular day!

Happy First Birthday, Echoreyn of Athens!

One year ago today, after finding my journal entry about the spectacular night I first heard Chris McKay and the Critical Darlings up on the band's webpage, I decided the time was ripe to start a blog. I called this blog Echoreyn of Athens since Echoreyn (pronounced "Ecko rain") had long been my pseudonym, and Athens, well... I lived in Athens, one of the greatest music cities in the world! At that time, I had nearly just discovered the scene for myself. I'd been to a few more shows here than most of my friends, but still, I was new to the unique tunes and ever-changing sound of Athens. Nevertheless, I had an inkling that there were tons more amazing experiences to be had in this magical little town. Now, over 100 bands later, I'm overjoyed to say that I was right!

From getting the birthday party of my dreams to having a say about the music of 2009 in Athens' magazine Flagpole to reading about Echoreyn of Athens in UGA's newspaper The Red and Black, it's hard to imagine a more exciting time! And to all of you who read this blog, I love you so much! You're a huge part of what's made this year unbelievably unforgettable. I truly hope you've had just as great a year in music as I've had.

I say, let's celebrate the one year anniversary of Echoreyn of Athens by taking some time out of our busy schedules to simply party it up downtown and discover a few new bands for ourselves that may catch our ears by surprise and put smiles on our faces. April's full of tasty tunes, after all! Oh, and don't forget to check out the video above for some rockin' footage from the past year including some never-before-seen clips of some of our favorite local bands. Here's hoping the next year of music is just as awesome as this one!

P.S. And wow, this seems to be quite a birthday for Athens music fans everywhere... The most famous band to come out of our town since, well, ever is turning 30 today too. That's right, Echoreyn of Athens shares its most joyous birthday with R.E.M.! That's wild!

More than Music: the Fashion

Ian and Zachary of Crumbling Arches
sporting their show attire with style

Why do people go to live shows? For the music, of course! Right? Well, technically the answer is yes, but with a good stereo and a few high quality recordings, you can pretty much recreate the same effect at home. There must be more to it.

I think most people go to live shows for the experiences, for the chance to see and be a part of something awesome and unforgettable, something they can't have at home. The music is important, yes, but it's only a small part of what makes a live show an event worth traveling through downtown (or even across a few states) to enjoy. So what else makes a show bridge the gap between good and FREAKIN' SPECTACULAR? Hold your breath with me now... I'm about to plunge right in.

Since I just spent the past day sewing up a storm in the hopes of having double the "downtown wardrobe" by the time I get back to Athens, I'll start with the subject at the forefront of my mind: fashion! Or, more specifically, band member fashions. Now the key thing to remember when picking a rockstar outfit as a member of a band or a clever imposter is to stand out. Wearing your normal, everyday t-shirts and jeans just won't cut it. Take a cue from your favorite Halloween costume or eccentric, established rocker icon, and go wild! Remember you can't go wrong with bright colors and crazy patterns.

Take it from Ian of Crumbling Arches. From what I've seen of his onstage fashions, his closet must be full of shirts with hypnotising designs, artfully ripped jeans, and multicolored pants. Alex of the same band keeps everybody's eyes on him with his array of curiously interesting and slightly ridiculous hats. Brian and Zachary generally keep it simple and classy with their dressy/casual take on suits - always a good choice. The members of this band and Doctor Squid too have also been known, at other times, to don some rather spectacular costumes as well, among them phantom masks, kitty suits, santa hats, and even full-face squid masks. And while we're on the subject, I can't forget to mention bands like Deaf Judges and Excali Brah. For them, costumes are mandatory show wear. It totally works, too. Nothing makes me more gleeful than seeing a bunch of fully grown men wearing capes and vampire fangs!

Sometimes, though, fashion choices directly relate to the music being played. The members of Chris McKay and the Critical Darlings take it old school all the way with their sound and their threads. Basist Frank DeFreese definitely does it right with his shiny, eye-catching clothing. In fact, just before I saw the Critical Darlings perform for the first time, I noticed him wandering by in the semi-darkness. Without knowing anything about the guy, I instantly knew that he must be a member of one of the featured bands. That's the way it should be! His clothes totally tipped me off. He had to be more than just an average bystander. And you can't miss Carly Kane, lead singer of Stellate, when she's rocking the house either! Her brightly-colored clothing smacks of fun just like her music. You'd know she was a star from a mile away!

Other whole bands choose to rock their looks uniformly. No, I'm not talking about the matching outfits worn by the boy bands of the nineties. I'm sure we all want to forget about those! I'm talking about a small hint of color coordination like the matching red glitter eyeshadow worn by all of the members of Casper and the Cookies (especially the men). Things like this ensure that these groups won't be forgotten in a sea of bands trying to stand out and make a name for themselves.

So, now that you've got a handle on some of the fashions of Athens and Atlanta bands, what's next? A live show has to be more than just a rockstar outfit, right? Well, naturally. As always, stay tuned for more!

To read about all of the ingredients that make up a live show to top all others, click here!

Athfest 2009: Of one man bands and deja vu

Matt Kurz One awes the crowd

Saturday (late night), June 27th 2009

Matt Kurz One & The Young Sinclairs

While Love Tractor was rocking out on the Melting Point stage, Matt Kurz One was preparing for his own performance at Ciné, all the way across town. My friends and I knew it'd be a close call, so once Love Tractor hit their final notes, we said farewell to our buddies at the table and rushed over as quickly as possible. Unfortunately for us, Ciné must have been using some sort of superfast clock, so by the time we had arrived, the one man band was just finishing up his set. Luckily, though, we caught his last two songs, and what a sight those were! See, Matt Kurz One has been generating a ton of buzz lately because, in his case, one man band doesn't really mean that there's just one member of the band. Rather, he's the whole band. Yup, that's right. The guy plays one electric guitar with his feet and another with his hands while providing the vocals at the same time. On top of all of this, he also beats the drums with his handheld guitar and presses the keys of his keyboard with a short stick attached to the other end of his guitar. I've honestly never seen anything like it! The end result was quite loud, but the volume didn't stop the audience from crowding around to see just how it was done.

Then, a short time later, a band that hails from Virginia joined us in Ciné's lab to set up for their show. Now, of course, I'd never seen this band, the Young Sinclairs, before. How could I have? And yet, something about them was eerily familiar. Their experimental rock sound wasn't the thing that gave me deja vu. No, their music style was rather unique but wonderfully enjoyable to listen to. So what was it? Partway through their first song, the band members began displaying some real energy, feeling their music and firing up the sleepy crowd. Their wild enthusiasm excited everyone in the room, and nearly all of the audience members wore joyous smiles. And then it hit me. Chris Mckay and the Critical Darlings! That's who they reminded me of. Maybe it was their clothes or their overall look. It most definitely had something to do with their spectacular energy as well. Even my friend Sheila, who has only seen pictures of the Critical Darlings, noticed the connection. Pretty crazy, right? Well, all I can really say is that you know that the Young Sinclairs had to be good. There's no other way they could possibly have reminded me of one of my top favorite Athens bands otherwise!

For more blogs about Athfest 2009, click here! I'll be updating daily, so be sure to check back often. Also, don't forget to check out concert videos from Dreams So Real, Venice is Sinking, Dead Confederate and many more at http://www.youtube.com/echoreynofathens!

A New Chapter in the Musical Story

Music is ever-changing. That's one of the aspects of the industry that keeps it exciting! Sometimes these changes include the birth of an entirely new musical act. Other times, though, these changes mean that we must say goodbye to some of the bands and band members that we've come to know and love.

First on my list of farewells today, I must salute local country rock band Royal Blue and the Stone Grifters. Favorites for University Union and blues music events, this band will definitely be missed. I'll also never forget the fact that the members were gracious enough to allow me to host my latest birthday party in the "House of Royal Blue." I wish them all the best of luck for their futures. From what I can gather, David "daveosaurus" Rogers , drummer for the band, will continue to spread musical joy with his other band Blueswater Bridge, so be sure not to miss them in action!

On the other side of the spectrum, there's a new band in town. Dubbed Neptica by their already anxious fans, this band just began their musical journey during the past semester, and they've begun work on a few soon-to-be hits as well. I had the incredible pleasure of foregoing a night of studying to attend one of their very first practices, and I'm ridiculously glad that I did. I look forward to finding out what band creators Adriana, Jeff, Parker, and Paul do with their "newfound skin"!

And finally, one of my favorite local acts, Chris McKay and the Critical Darlings, is saying farewell to their singer/ guitarist Joe Orr. If you've ever heard the amazing harmony of Chris's and Joe's voices in the Critical Darling's hit Rage On, you'll know exactly why this is quite tragic news indeed. If you ask the band members, Joe was abducted by aliens which prompted them to begin searching for replacements. What an explanation! Well, we'll certainly miss Joe, but the ever-positive Chris McKay told me when I last spoke to him that he has high hopes for the future. That's the spirit, Chris! Rage on, everyone. Rage on.

Happy Here and Now

Chris McKay and the Critical Darlings at Go Bar

Sometimes you've got to just embrace your life even when times are tough. Chris McKay took this idea to heart when he rocked out on the Go Bar stage with the rest of the Critical Darlings last night despite having a concussion. He just can't stay away from the rock! I'm utterly amazed at his ability to still maintain some semblance of his trademark rockstar energy while suffering from head trama. That's nearly superhuman!

Although the sound quality at Go Bar was rather horrible and Joe's microphone was most tragically dead, Chris McKay and the Critical Darlings still managed to fill my ears with some of their most danceable tunes. Their songs never cease to pull me to my feet and put a smile on my face. They've got a style that hearkens back to the days of classic rock, and there's a certain edgy joy in all of their lyrics which is evident in every one of their performances. And, on top of all of this, they're some of the sweetest guys ever. I seriously urge everyone to check these guys out!

After the Darlings, Alanta band the Pinx took the stage. The first thing that caught my eye even before they stepped onstage was a plastic owl with glowing red eyes that they apparently bring to all of their shows. Props for the props! I loved it. Once they began playing, it was clear why the Darlings and the Pinx are such good friends. They have a similar energy that the Pinx displayed last night with lots of head banging and some rather nice guitar parts that, at times, resembled the wildly impressive sound of the band of demons in the song The Devil Went Down to Georgia. They ended their set with some songs that had a darker edge to them that I truly enjoyed.

Afterward, while walking back through downtown, I ran into some friends who were dancing just outside of the gate of the Boar's Head Lounge to some 80's tunes. Now, I wouldn't mention a cover band in this blog unless they were amazing, but Velvet Runway, the band that was playing there, was just that. They rocked the songs as if they had written them, and it was impossible for all of us not to dance. Apparently, our enthusiasm was infectious because several people we didn't know joined us in our outdoor dance fest. Our excitement also sparked the interest of many potential lounge patrons, and during one of the songs, a guy informed us that we looked like the badasses from a scene in some old movie. Thanks, dude! Even the band showed their appreciation. Awesome.

Basically, the night was a blast! Two live bands and a cover band all in a row... You've gotta love Athens!

Misheard in Athens

Hello, my friends! I've been rather busy lately, finishing up all of my class projects and preparing for finals and such. Tragic. Sadly, I'm also a bit behind in my show write-ups. Be on the lookout for my review of two of Pholksinger Josh's shows sometime soon after Sunday night. However, I have had a few humorous experiences during the past couple of days while pumping some of my favorite Athens acts, and I thought I'd share some of them with you. Apparently, good hearing is quite scarce on the UGA campus.

The first of the lovely mix-ups occurred while I was discussing the wonderfully exciting Crumbling Arches show coming up on May 8th. I told my friend that they were opening for the Presidents of the United States of America, but understandably, she thought I had said that they were playing for the President. The mental image of Obama mouthing the lyrics to the Preachings of Priamides while Sasha and Malia dance beside him certainly put a smile on my face.

Just a few moments later, as I shared the news of Aman Amun's May 1st show with another friend, a second mix-up occured. I was enumerating the event details listed on his website for her (free food, free music, free art) when I came to the last item: free booze. Of course, with her head firmly in the gutter, she heard "free boobs." Apparently, Mardi Gras is happening twice this year, the second in UGA's very own art building! I'll let you handle the visual image on that one.

My favorite moment occured not long after that. Filled with excitement after the Pholksinger Josh show I had just seen, I mentioned to a friend that several of his songs had been used in an indie film. In shock, she replied that she had no idea he had been involved with the Indian film industry. Oh, Bollywood will never be the same for me after this! The mental image of Josh's dreadlocked personage dancing Indian-style in colorful, traditional garb was nearly too much for me to take. After a long bout of hysterical laughter, I decided to give Athens music a rest for the day.

Now, however, I'm back full force. This weekend is going to be a wild treasure trove of Athens bands! Chris McKay and the Critical Darlings will kick off the weekend with their sure-to-be amazing Friday show at 10 pm at Go Bar. On Saturday, the party starts early with a seven-band Local Bands Live show at Legion Field beginning at 11 am. Don't miss Doctor Squid's set at 12:45 pm! Then we'll have the delightful opportunity to hear Pholksinger Josh again as well as six more local bands rock out on the Myers Quad for HPSC's Night on the Quad on Sunday starting at 5 pm. Athens has certainly outdone herself this time! Enjoy.

A Shockingly Exciting Calendar Update for April

The 40 Watt lights

Wow, this month keeps getting better and better! I've just added a few more shows to the incredible lineup of acts to see in April right here. Coming up soon: the Modern Skirts will be showering their audience with tunes at the 40 Watt Club this Friday, and the Atlanta band Stellate will show us what pop rock should sound like at the Athens Creative Theatre (which apparently actually is a real place) this Saturday! Don't miss them!

Also, I just found out that I'll be celebrating my half birthday with what just might be the greatest week of music ever! All five of my current favorite Athens bands and acts will be gracing stages all around this lovely town starting on the 24th of this month. Chris McKay and the Critical Darlings, Doctor Squid, Venice is Sinking, Crumbling Arches, and Aman Amun... I'm nearly speechless with excitement!

Update: Crumbling Arches will no longer be playing on April 30th in order to prepare for their show at the 40 Watt on May 8th with The Presidents of the United States of America!

Update 2: It seems that the end-of-the-year Crumbling Arches show is cursed. Stay tuned for more information on the date of their next show.

Update 3: Forget the curse! Crumbling Arches will now be playing a FREE show at the 40 Watt on May 8th. Don't miss it!

Kristen's Concert Picks for the Next Month... You won't want to miss them!

Diana & I with Doctor Squid at Habifest on April 1st

Athens is always a musically happening place, but this April, the city will treat us to a most exquisite menu of musical acts and shows. I thought I'd share a schedule of bands and dance opportunities sure to delight your (and, naturally, my) very being. :)

Be warned, though, that if stalking me is your passion, you will not find me at all of these shows. Much as I'd like to attend everything, evils like homework and prior obligations may prevent me from experiencing all of the events described below. However, I will try to attend as many as possible so that I can bask in the musical joy that they will most certainly provide.

Anyway, as promised, here they are:

DATE: BAND/ EVENT @ TIME @ PLACE

Wed, April 1: Doctor Squid @ 8 pm @ Tate Plaza: PAST

-If you like happy, upbeat music, Doctor Squid never fails to deliver. Relatively new to Athens, they're bringing their jolly sound to Habitat for Humanity's Habifest.

Sat, April 4: DJRX @ 11 pm @ Sideways: PAST
-DJRX manages to bring a new style of mixing to the DJ scene. You know you don't want to miss the opportunity to dance to the Free Credit Report Dot Com song!

Thurs, April 9: Soulja Boy @ 8 pm @ Legion Field
-Seriously, if you don't know who Soulja Boy is, you must be living under a rock. Come see him perform this decade's version of the Macarena. Yeah, I bet that ruined it for you, didn't it? :P

Fri, April 17: Modern Skirts @ 9:30 pm @ 40 Watt
-For those of you not going to Six Flags with your UGA pals, don't fret! The band that's the talk of the town, better known as the Modern Skirts, will be playing a lovely show at the 40 Watt that night just for you. I have yet to be lucky enough to see them live, but I've heard wonderful things!

Sat, April 18: Stellate @ 3 pm @ Athens Creative Theatre
-Stellate, formerly known as Helios, finally returns to Athens! Assuming the Athens Creative Theatre is a real place, this should be a show to remember.

........................DJRX @ 11 pm @ Sideways
-DJRX brings us a lovely mix of pop, rock, and everything in between once again.

Mon, April 20: Pholksinger Josh @ 11 am @ Tate Plaza
-If you like folk music or exciting dreadlocks, Pholksinger Josh is the one to see! I've never seen him perform live, but this seems like the perfect opportunity.

..................Crumbling Arches @ 11:30 pm-1:15 am @ Upstairs in Tasty World
-It's CRUMBLING ARCHES! Unique and dark theatrical rock at its best, Crumbling Arches holds the coveted title of "My Absolute Favorite Athens Band."

-> UGA NORML is putting on a show in celebration of the subject-matter-appropriate holiday 4/20 which includes both of the acts described above as well as several others.

Fri, April 24: Chris McKay & the Critical Darlings @ 10 pm – 2 am. @ Go Bar
-You've never seen a high energy rock show until you've seen Chris McKay & the Critical Darlings in action! Trust me, you won't want to miss them. They are a sight to see and a delectable treat to hear!

Sat, April 25: Local Bands Live @ 11 am – 6 pm @ Legion Field
-Union is being slightly mysterious and keeping the names of the performers secret. Using my superhero powers, I've found a possibly correct list of bands, but as I've never heard of most on the list, I'm keeping my mouth shut. If nothing else, this should be an opportunity to discover some new musical treasures.
**Note: This just in. Doctor Squid will be delighting the audience with some Squidtastic tunes at this show at around 12:45 pm! Lovely.

Tues, April 28: Venice is Sinking @ 9 pm @ Cine
-I can't help but use the phrase "sweet melodies" every time I mention Venice is Sinking. It will truly be a precious gift to your ears if you go and see them at the Human Rights Film Festival at Cine!


So there's the list... Mark your calendars!

Also, if you happen to know that I've gotten something terribly wrong, if you've heard a whisper of a cancellation, or if you know of another event that is tragically missing from this list, please comment and let me know!

Musicapalooza!

Stephanie and I with Chris McKay & the Critical Darlings at 40 Watt

Note: This was originally posted on my livejournal and on Last.FM in mid-March. Then, to my great surprise, the Critical Darlings posted it on their website here soon after! :)

Wow. This town never ceases to give me amazing new musical experiences! I'm not even sure how it happens. I guess I'm just incredibly lucky!

I was invited to this school-sponsored music festival, Sustainapalooza, and since I had nothing better to do today (and I was trying to forget what a terrible day I had), I decided to go. I heard several bands play there, but the very last act of the night, Chris McKay & The Critical Darlings, blew me away. They brought a whole new energy to the stage that I loved. Truly, their stage presence was spectacular, and their talent was undeniable.

Also, in my mind, there are two things that make a great band utterly amazing. The first thing is a penchant for making clever comments or sharing amusing anecdotes between songs. They certainly provided us with entertainment during the pauses which was nice. The next and most important thing is a genuine love for their fans. Bands that thank their fans, take the time to talk to them, and make them feel special top my list of awesome musical acts. Chris McKay & the Critical Darlings met and surpassed this criteria. Not only did they give us shoutouts for dancing, but they also sang directly to us when we stepped closer to the stage. Then, after they finished playing, they gave everyone in the audience free CDs and offered to sign them. They were incredibly happy to chat with us as they signed them as well. To top it all off, they are going to try to put all of us who stayed after the show onto the VIP/ special guest list for their show tomorrow night. How amazing is that!

Basically, Chris McKay & the Critical Darlings gave us a truly awesome musical experience. It's times like these that I fully appreciate the freaking fantastic life that I lead.