Echoreview: Pholksinger Josh & Friends' Watermelon Mountain

Released just last week, Pholksinger Josh and Friends' latest album Watermelon Mountain showcases the unique and varied talents of this "gangsta folk" musician and his comrades. Featuring a richer sound than that of his previous album Southern Dirt, Josh Rosenstein's time spent in the Carolina mountains has clearly had an influence on the band's already established harmonica and banjo-laced spoken word style. So what do these new tunes hold in store for their listeners?

The album begins with Bound to Die, a tune that flows like water behind Josh's speech-based rhythm. With the addition of a chorus of singers faintly chiming in, the song proves to be rather upbeat and quite enjoyable for a tune about death. A lovely instrumental melody with a sweet, rollicking sound bridges the gap before Pathetic Love Song I Said I Wouldn't Write plays. A newer take on the song that I've seen Josh perform many times, this track features a poppy yet touching sound that, when joined with Hannah Samet's melody in the background, makes this tune fuller and very solid. I love this one! Similarly, Hannah's backing tune in the love song Manifesto that appears later on in the album adds a well-placed feminine touch to the band's sound.

Following Ocmulgee, a minimalist school-themed tune that showcases a hint of the softness and maturity that has become an integral part of Josh's voice and that sets these songs apart, Cornbread & Butterbeans rolls in, giving listeners a traditional folk song sung by an ensemble of Josh and his musician friends. Then, harkening back to a sound much closer to that of his former album, Whiskey & Time proves to be much less composed than the rest of the tunes while still featuring the solid backing track that is characteristic of this record's style.

The title of the next track, Too Many Pretty Girls in Athens Town, just says it all. This song highly amuses me if for no other reason than the regular mentions of iconic places around the UGA campus. Familiarity like this is always quite a crowd-pleaser. Then the darker yet poppy New England Girl washes into the listener's ears. As Andrew Small's triumphant addition to the record, this tune features a mature sound that most definitely makes it one of my album favorites.

In the mood to dance? The very upbeat Lay Me Down had me moving my feet so much, I just had to get up and do a little jig in my room while listening to this one! Such fun. Then the sweet melody of Split End added a sense of calm to the record, growing and winding behind Josh's words as he spins yet another tale of love and loss.

In a rather bold move, Josh ends the album on a political note. He has always used his music to take a stand on the issues, and this time he's taking on budget cuts for education in Stand Up/ Fight Back! Although I would have enjoyed hearing the ensemble scream out on the track in the throes of passion along with him, this song lends a moderately strong conclusion to the record.

All in all, Watermelon Mountain proves that Pholksinger Josh's choice to solidify his newer sound with a full band was a great one. The album truly highlights not only Josh's knack for lyrical speech but the talents of his friends, especially those of Hannah Samet and Andrew Small, as well. Want to hear these tunes for yourself? Well, we'll let you know the next time Pholksinger Josh and Friends plays a show near you, and we'll also tell ya once these tracks make their way into iTunes too. Happy listening, folks!

What's the word?

The Athens music scene is spilling over with news and unbelievable events this week! You're just about to experience CD releases, TV debuts, and Athfest news... Hold on tight!

First up, TONIGHT's episode of NBC's Parks and Recreation (9:30/8:30c) will feature the debut of a brand new track from our massive blog favorites the Beat Geeks! We've been following this party band's progress from their very first show this past September to their rockin' stint as the opener for Ludacris till now, and we knew they had star potential from the start. I've said it before, and I'll say it again. Keep an eye on these guys! Oh, and be sure not to miss your chance to move your body to their tunes this Saturday at Bad Manor as well.

After you catch Parks and Rec, head on over to the 40 Watt TONIGHT for The Orkids/Tealvox show. Can't wait for this one! Tealvox's sound is made purely awesome rock, and the Orkids will leave you dancing and singing along to their catchy pop tunes. I'm so glad these two are touring together! It's truly a match made in scene heaven.

Itching to get your hands on some brand new albums? Well, this weekend, you're in luck! Sam Sniper releases their very first CD We're Not Coming Back This Way (as reviewed right here) this FRIDAY at the Caledonia, and Pholksinger Josh and Friends will be dropping their latest record Watermelon Mountain this SATURDAY at Go Bar (review coming next week). Two CDs in one weekend? Awesome.

And finally, we've got to share the big news coming our way from the people who'll be giving us Athfest 2011. We've got our headliners! Prepare your ears for the tunes and sounds of Centro-matic, Guadalcanal Diary, Chickasaw Mudd Puppies, Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit, and rockin' blog favorites Futurebirds. The anticipation begins! I can't wait for Athfest 2011. For more info, check out the official website here.

Party it up, my friends!

Kristen's Concert Picks: April's tunes thrive

It's April already? The year's passing by so quickly! The cold, dreary weather of early Spring will soon give way to days of warmth and sunshine, and everything around us will bloom and thrive. For those of us in the scene, this month's tunes are thriving too! There's just so many shows to pick from, and we love it that way!

Fri, April 1: Venice is Sinking @ 10 PM @ Caledonia Lounge

Always a favorite, Venice is Sinking's soft but strong melodies are the perfect way to start off the month!

Fri, April 1: Futurebirds @ 9 PM @ 40 Watt

In the mood for some righteous Southern rock? The Futurebirds have got ya covered with their April Fools set at the 'Watt!

Wed, April 6: Chris McKay and the Critical Darlings @ 8 PM @ The Melting Point

It's Chris McKay and the Critical Darlings 3.0! Chris's long-awaited return with the Darlings is sure to fill the Melting Point with awesome classic rock and boundless energy. Best of all, its proceeds go toward the relief effort for those affected by the disasters in Japan. What a great cause!

Fri, April 8: Bambara @ 10 PM @ Caledonia Lounge

Bambara is, by far, one of my absolute favorite bands in the scene! Their raucous, noise rock style will awaken something native and carnal in your very being, and your soul will beg for more.

Thurs, April 14: Powerkompany @ 9:30 PM @ Caledonia Lounge

Powerkompany is an ethereal serenade traipsing through darkness and light. Your ears are dying to experience their sound, trust me!

Thurs, April 14: The Orkids & Tealvox @ 9 PM @ 40 Watt

The Orkids and Tealvox in one night? This is undoubtably one of those shows where the lineup alone promises an unbelievable night! Infectiously joy-inducing pop will dance through the 40 Watt with solid rock tunes. Excellent!

Fri, April 15: Sam Sniper CD release @ 10 PM @ Caledonia Lounge

Sam Sniper's delectably intense country rock has made it one of my most recent Athens favorites. Releasing their very first album We're Not Coming Back This Way on the 15th with free copies for all who attend, this show is definitely a must!

Sat, April 16: the Athens band @ 8 PM @ The Office Lounge

Awesome youth rockers Athens (the band) are back to help raise funds for Nuçi's Space. Such a worthy cause! You won't want to miss this show!

Sat, April 16: The Shut-Ups @ 10 PM @ Caledonia Lounge

I loved the Shut-ups' joy-filled, electronic style when I saw them at the last Athfest, and I've been yearning to catch another set of theirs. Enjoy!

Sat, April 16: Pholksinger Josh CD release @ 10 PM @ Go Bar

So many bands I love are taking the stage this month! Pholksinger Josh's unique style of folk-insfused spoken word will most certainly make this show one to catch. Also, the band is releasing their newest album Watermelon Mountain that night too! Nice.

Sat, April 16: The Beat Geeks @ 10 PM @ Bad Manor

Get ready to move! The Beat Geeks are back to make you lose control on the dance floor. Don't miss your chance to catch these guys in action before they blow up big time!

Thurs, April 21: Taj Motel Trio @ 9:30 PM @ Caledonia Lounge

Ska returns to Athens in the form of the Taj Motel Trio. Get ready to skank till you drop to their fast-paced, classic tunes!

Fri, April 22: Dead Confederate @ 9 PM @ 40 Watt

I'm actually listening to Dead Confederate on my iPod right now. Why? Because their songs are just unbelievably awesome, and they never get old. If soft rock with a Southern twinge tickles your fancy, Dead Confederate is your band!

Oh man, Caledonia and the 40 Watt are serving up show after incredible show this April! What a month of music! Just like before, if you know of another rockin' Athens show you think the world should see, post in the comments and tell us all about it. And, of course, don't forget to keep checking the Concert Picks link at the top of the page throughout the month as we add new must-see shows to the list. Have an amazing April, you guys!

Kristen's Concert Picks: The songs of March will shower you with luck!

March is on its way, bringing with it whispers of Spring Break and leprechauns and bright beads and warm breezes. But that's not all this month has in store for us! A bunch of big names are playing their way through our city over the next few weeks too. This March is going to awesome!

Thurs, March 3: Face/Off: the Return@ 8:30 PM @ 40 Watt

Gotta love a benefit show! Featuring random trios of members from Abandon the Earth Mission, the Futurebirds, Venice is Sinking, Gift Horse and tons more awesome bands, this show's sure to be exciting and super fun! And best of all, the proceeds go towards helping Project Safe in their mission to end domestic violence. Oh yes.

Fri, March 4: Modern Skirts & Oryx and Crake@ 9:30 PM @ 40 Watt

Modern Skirts and Oryx and Crake? Nice! This pairing of a big time Athens' pop favorite with a group of much-buzzed-about pop rockers is nothing short of brilliant! See it. You won't regret it.

Sat, March 12: The Baseball Project @ 9 PM @ 40 Watt

My friend Jordan (best known around these parts as Athens Music Junkie) is overflowing with enthusiasm for this show, and well, her excitement's contagious! This supergroup joins together Pete Buck of R.E.M. with longtime collaborator Scott McCaughey and musicians Linda Pitmon and Steve Wynn for what is sure to be a rockin' show.

Thurs, March 24: Snoop Dogg @ 8 PM @ 40 Watt

What!?! Now Snoop Dogg is coming to Athens? Wow. Just wow. Well, that's unexpected... Tickets went on sale at Schoolkids Records and Wuxtry Records on Sat 26th, so I hope you've snatched them up before you missed your chance!

Thurs, March 24: Kenosha Kid & Manray @ 10 PM @ Caledonia Lounge

Kenosha Kid, hands down one of the best jazz bands in Athens joins Manray, a progressive math rock band that's got my friends raving, for a show that's guaranteed to be full of crazy goodness.

Tues, March 29: Pholksinger Josh @ 8 PM @ WUOG in the Tate Center

Pholksinger Josh'll give us a great big helping of "gangsta folk" spoken word during WUOG's always awesome Live in the Lobby show. A cozy space plus free tunes with a southern twang? It doesn't get better than that!

Wow, looking over this list, it seems that the 40 Watt's the place to be for the month of March! Now, as always, don't forget to keep checking back to see the which newly listed shows have made the concert picks list. Just dying to share the news of any other bands rocking stages around Athens this month? Let the world know in the comments! Hope luck smiles on you all this month, my friends!

Carolina Ridge: New Name, Nice Sound

Today we've got a short one, but I just couldn't let the week go by without mentioning the Carolina Ridge show I caught last Saturday night at Rye Bar. Sadly, it's been almost a year since I saw these banjo-playing guys share their tunes with the crowd. Back then, they were a trio called Pholksinger Josh with a sound they dubbed "gangsta folk." Now, fresh from a semester in North Carolina, Josh and his bandmate Andy have returned with some wonderful new tunes that draw influences from the original folk songs of old as well as from the experiences they've had traveling around the country and returning home.

One of my new favorites was definitely Andy's song (though, tragically, I didn't catch its name); I've never really heard him sing before, and the harmonies between he and Josh were simply amazing. I've gotta say, I loved it! I also couldn't help but smile as I listened to them sing and play their new tune about all the pretty girls in Athens. Awww. Don't fret, though, longtime fans of Pholksinger Josh. The band still has that lovely spoken word rhythm you know and love. Truly, I'm so joyful that they're back and making music in Athens once more!

A Hint of Things to Come

The mysteriously shiny wall at Go Bar

Hello, dear readers! I'm currently working on something that will better enable me to share the shows I see with you! I came up with the idea several months ago when I first began to blog about my experiences in the Athens music scene, and soon my vision will become a reality. My good friend AMJ had a similar brainwave too, so between us, we'll most likely manage to create a comprehensive gold mine of tiny morsels from each of the acts in the Athens area. And don't worry, you Atlanta fans and Atlanta bands! I plan to spread the visual love beyond my cozy little college town as well. To give you a hint of what's to come and to share a few cool little ear-pleasing pieces I've found around the internet, here are some tidbits you might enjoy.

Remember the absolutely breathtaking Aman Amun show that I experienced at the beginning of May? Well, if you missed it, don't fret! All is not lost. On his website, he posted a lovely video of the live performance of his song Scapegoating. As you may recall, I described the show as a "work of pure brilliance, " and now you'll be able to get a glimpse of why I said this. Click here to amaze your senses! Keep in mind, though, that no video can truly capture the all-encompassing world that you enter when you go to an Aman Amun show. This is just a taste; nothing can match the atmosphere of the live show!

I would also like to share a YouTube channel with you that made me smile. My favorite "friendly, neighborhood folk singer," Pholksinger Josh, recently recorded videos of himself performing several of his songs with bonus commentary as well. Want to know why he wrote the Pathetic Love Song That [He] Said [He] Wouldn't Write? He'll tell you! How does he feel about the controversial song Battlefield? He'll let you know! I urge you to check out his channel.



Hope those treat your eyes and tickle your eardrums! Come visit my little blog again soon for the unveiling of my latest blog project!

The Man in Dreads Speaks the Truth

Pholksinger Josh on the Myers Quad
(The band played a grand total of five instruments at once. Wow!)

The whip cream on top of this musically delightful weekend occurred at HPSC's Night on the Quad right in front of Myers Hall on the UGA campus. We were treated to a banquet of several bands, each uniquely delicious. Excellent!

Having caught only half of Pholksinger Josh's show on the twentieth, I was eager to see him perform again. Luckily, I managed to obtain my free t-shirt and food in just enough time to leap to the front of the audience and claim my spot before he began. I've checked out his songs on MySpace several times, but truly, I think that they need to be experienced live. There's a certain energy and passion that exist in his live show, particularly when he's singing about failed relationships, that draws you into the songs and makes you want to sing along. Also, the combination of his talents and those of his bandmates Andrew and Hannah is inspired. Although the three of them won't be playing together after this, I certainly wish them luck in their future (sure to be plentiful) musical endeavors.

Honestly, it's quite difficult to describe Pholksinger Josh's sound. He calls his genre "gangsta folk", but I feel that the music, at times, definitely has a bit of a hard rock edge as well. I'm generally not a huge fan of folk music, but his sound is so wonderfully unique that to class it in just any one genre would be an insult to his creativity. Most specifically, his songs Imperfection and 18th Summer (April to August) caught my fancy. He truly has a way with the lyrical word!

The bands that followed Pholksinger Josh were certainly worth listening to as well. Jam Manual, a rather loud hard rock group, performed quite an excellent cover of a Muse song. Later, Stone Irvin, a talented lone guitar player, sang an amazing original tune entitled Spiderweb. Then the female vocalist of the freshman band, Quiet Hours, finished off the night by sharing her beautiful voice with all of us.

However, one band that performed in the middle of the show, Cyrnaca, particularly captured my interest. I'll be honest. It's awfully hard for me to be truly impressed by bands that I have no previous knowlege of, but Cyrnaca managed to completely break through my skeptical wall. Their musical style was ground-vibrating hard rock, very intense. I was shocked when they said that they've only been together for six months! They were rather awesome.

Altogether, this weekend gave me an exquisite sampling of some of the more established acts as well as some of the fresher ones that the Ath-town has to offer. Thirteen bands in just three days! All of this joy never ceases to blow my mind. Tuesday night's Venice is Sinking show at Cine at 10 pm certainly has a lot to live up to, but I'm sure it won't disappoint.

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.

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!