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

Dear Santa… (2013)

Dear Santa,

 It looks like it may not be a snowy one, but I hope you give Athens a season that's merry and bright this year! Even though we've had to say goodbye to a lot of places we loved and bands we enjoyed over the past few months, we are all looking forward to a fresh start filled with joy and magical moments galore.

May the bands be rockin' and the beats be droppin'!

 Love and glittery hats,
Kristen a.k.a. Echoreyn of Athens

EoA/AMJ WUOG takeover this Sunday!

This Sunday at 6 PM, Echoreyn of Athens and Athens Music Junkie are teaming up to give you two hours of our favorite local tunes on WUOG 90.5, the University of Georgia's very own student-run radio station! You're sure to hear everything from Bambara to R.E.M. and all of the rockin' madness in between. And hey, if you're a regular on the scene, you might even catch a song or two that you've fallen in love with at a live show. It's going to be a wild time!

But there's more! This weekend WUOG will give all the people of Athens the chance to determine which songs they want to hear on the radio. That's right, it's time for their annual Seize the Airwaves event! For a charitable donation of $10, which will go to a foundation created to combat AIDS, you too can nab one of the remaining spots to play your favorite radio-friendly tunes for the masses on WUOG's station.

And don't forget! Whether you're dying to find out what's new on the scene, hoping to hear your friends' bands on the radio, or just eager to rock out to some awesome Athens songs, tune in to WUOG 90.5 FM or visit their website at this link at 6 PM this Sunday!