Kristen's Concert Picks: Get ready for a rad September!

September has already rocked its way into our lives, but this tune-filled month certainly isn't finished with us yet!  The music awaits you...

Fri, September 7: Saint Francis & The Breaks @ 8 PM @ New Earth Music Hall

I caught both of these rockin' southern style bands for the first time at this year's Athfest.  See 'em for yourself over at New Earth!

Mon, September 10: Yo Soybean @ 9:30 PM @ Caledonia Lounge 

Craving a different sort of southern rock?  Then Yo Soybean's your band!

Tue, September 11: Turf War @ 9:30 PM @ Caledonia Lounge

You'll just love Turf War's fun rock sound!

Fri, September 14: Betsy Kingston and the Crowns @ 9 PM @ 40 Watt

You haven't seen passion until you've caught Betsy Kingston and the Crowns in action!  Get yourself to this show!

Sat, September 15: The Orkids @ 9 PM @ 40 Watt

The Orkids are back!  You know you've been dying for another taste of their upbeat pop sound.  Don't miss this blog favorite over at the 40 Watt!

Sat, September 15: Cicada Rhythm @ 11:30 PM @ Farm 255

Cicada Rhythm's folk vocals have a unique lilt that you'll just love!

Mon, September 17: Thayer Sarrano @ 9 PM @ Caledonia Lounge 

You've never heard anything like Thayer Sarrano's sweet speech-style vocals.  Bask in her awesome sound!

Thu, September 20: Ruby Kendrick @ 10 PM @ Caledonia Lounge

Ruby Kendrick always serves up some sweet pop rock melodies.  See her at the Caledonia Lounge!

Fri, September 21: Viking Progress @ 10 PM @ Caledonia Lounge

These indie rockers bring their sound to a whole new level with some wild acoustic distortion.  Excellent!

Sat, September 29: Grass Giraffes @ 9:30 PM @ Caledonia Lounge

Ready to end the month with some insane fun?  Head on over to the Caledonia for a nice, heaping dose of Grass Giraffes!

Wow, what a month this will be!  If you're eagerly awaiting any other awesome local shows, let the world know about 'em in the comments below.  Happy listening, everyone!

Athfest 2012: Dancing wildly with Reptar and the Orkids

Friday, June 22nd, 2012 

The Orkids and Reptar

It was 9 PM, and I had one monumental decision to make: Reptar or The Orkids?  Impossible!  I couldn't choose just one.  Maybe it was madness on my part, but I knew I was going to do everything in my power to see them both rock their stages.

My first order of business was to get myself to Go Bar where one of my longtime favorite pop rockers The Orkids would be taking the stage soon.  The last time they played in Athens was right around Athfest of last year, so this show was a bit of a reunion of sorts.  Walking in, the band gifted me and each of their other fans with glow stick bracelets which set the mood perfectly.  Then they launched into a set of hits, and wow, they sounded even better than I had remembered them!  I just had to dance along, though I have to admit the other girls in the front row gave me a run for my money as far as moves are concerned.  The band finished off the show with guitar player Adam shredding on the mic stand in rockstar fashion.  Oh man, seeing old friends and some of my favorite bands just reminds me why I can't get enough of this Athens town. What a memorable set!

Then, with not a minute to spare, I hightailed it to the Pulaski Street Stage to see the veritable kings of our music scene in action.  Luckily, flashing my press pass, I was able to make it into the media area just in time to catch the insane madness that was Reptar.  Billed by many as one of the wildest shows Athfest has ever seen, I was positively engulfed by the manic energy that surrounded me.  Although I later heard that I missed watching guitar player Jace jump off the stage and rock away with blood dripping down his face in what just might have been the most hardcore moment ever, you better believe I was there to see keyboardist Will dive into that tumbling ocean of people and then surf back to the stage.  These guys just have no fear!   I was in pure, ecstatic awe to hear their thousands of fans screaming in appreciation. Even the photographers couldn't stop themselves from dancing and getting sucked into the excitement. In fact, there were just as many of them gleefully taking pictures of the unbelievably massive crowd as there were nabbing shot after shot of the band!  I've honestly never seen anything like it. That show was just too incredible to be believed!  I can promise you that no one there will ever forget this night.

  For all of our massive coverage of Athfest 2012, from preparation guides to articles on some of the best featured bands and shows, click here! More entries on all the bands and madness of the festival will be posted daily, so be sure to check back often. Plus, get ready for show footage and Athfest vlogs coming soon to the Echoreyn of Athens YouTube channel as well! 

Kristen's Concert Picks: September is full of incredible tunes!

For optimal viewing of these picks on a mobile device, click here!

The Athens music scene is back in full force for the month of September! Tons of our local favorites are taking stages all over town to rock the tunes we've been dying to hear. Get ready for a spectacular list of shows!

Thurs, Sept 1: Of Montreal @ 8 PM @ Georgia Theatre

What a way to kick off September! Of Montreal will be bringing their pop music circus of insanity to the Georgia Theatre stage for the first time since it reopened at the beginning of this month. Oh, the feather, the glitter, the spaghetti... I can't wait to see what unforgettable things they'll do this time!

Sat, Sept 3: Tealvox @ 9:30 PM @ Caledonia
Purely awesome rock is Tealvox's way. Don't miss them over at the Caledonia on the first Saturday of the month!

Sat, Sept 3: Modern Skirts @ 9:30 PM @ 40 Watt
It's the Modern Skirts, back to rock for us again! Longtime fan favorites of the scene, if you haven't caught them in action yet, you just need to head on over to the 40 Watt this Saturday.

Sat, Sept 3: Ye Olde Sub Shoppe @ 8:30 PM @ Flicker Theater
Craving a hilariously surreal experience? You will hardly believe the madness that is Ye Olde Sub Shoppe, I can promise you that!

Sat, Sept 3: The Corduroy Road @ 8 PM @ Georgia Theatre

Another free show at the Georgia Theatre? YES! Right after the UGA/Boise State football game, the Theatre will treat us to a show featuring Americana band the Corduroy Road with appearances from members of Packway Handle Band, Efren, Klezmer Local 42, and more. Wow, this is going to be exciting!

Sun, Sept 4: Grogus @ 8 PM @ Georgia Theatre
Love grooving to a latin beat? Grogus will have you dancing in no time over at the Theatre. Too much fun!

Tuesdays in Sept: Kenosha Kid @ 8 PM @ Highwire Lounge
Continuing their residency at the Highwire Lounge, one of the best jazz bands in Athens, Kenosha Kid, will be playing every Tuesday night in September. So many chances to catch them! Brilliant.

Thurs, Sept 8: Green Gerry @ 10 PM @ Little Kings
The unique sound of Green Gerry's indie rock left me craving more after this year's Athfest. Don't miss his set at Little Kings!

Fri, Sept 9: Futurebirds @ 8 PM @ Georgia Theatre
Headliners of Athfest 2011, southern rockers Futurebirds are on their way up! Check 'em out on the Georgia Theatre stage.

Fri, Sept 9: Lazer/Wulf @ 10 PM @ New Earth Music Hall
Largely instrumental metal tunes characterize Lazer/Wulf's sound. Gotta love their all-encompassing style!

Sat, Sept 17: The Orkids @ 10 PM @ Melting Point
One of my absolute favorites in the Athens scene, the Orkids are giving our town another taste of their infectious pop rock tunes. Get ready to go wild!

Tues, Sept 20: Madeline @ 8:30 PM @ Flicker Theater
Soft dark rock is Madeline's forte, and Flicker is the perfect place to enjoy her sound!

Tues, Sept 27: Come What May @ 7:30 PM @ Caledonia
Looking for something a bit more hardcore? Then Come What May is your band. Their indie rock style and explosive energy will combine to give you an awesome show!

Sat, Sept 30: Lera Lynn & Ruby Kendrick @ 9 PM @ 40 Watt
Powerful vocals and beautiful melodies will engulf you as you end your month at the 40 Watt with Lera Lynn and Ruby Kendrik!

Wow, this month is going to be wild! Have a bit of insider knowledge about another awesome show that you want to share with the world? Be sure to post about it in the comments! Also, remember to check back often to see if we've added any more can't-miss shows to the list. Have an incredible September, my pals!

Hey, bands! How can your fans find you?

It's no secret that I'm a sucker for a well-maintained web presence. Whether you're a member of a band, a music promoter, or the social media manager for a venue, keeping the fans in mind should always be one of your top priorities. Let's get down to the basics. Established bands and budding musicians, this one's for you!

• Just starting out with your band? Well, all you need is a name to create your very own Facebook fan page! Listing all of your members' names and what they play as well as contact info and a brief, attention-grabbing description will make your page a one-stop shop for all of your listener's needs. Later on, you can add apps that will give you the chance to share your tunes with the masses, and you can create an event list and invite all your friends to attend your next rockin' show. These pages are incredibly valuable if you're hoping to get a bit of press about your band in the future too.

• Thinking about doing this music thing for a while? Looks like it's time for you to invest in a website! But why make a site when you're already running things from your Facebook fan page command center? To answer your question, try searching for Reptar, the Athens band that's been blowing up the scene for the past year, on Facebook. Hard to find unless you're already a fan, right? Bands that share names with other popular places, creatures, items, or ideas will often be lost in a sea of pages on everybody's favorite social networking site. A simple website featuring links to all of your pages, channels, and feeds plus a small tour schedule display will work wonders for the fan doing a Google search for your band. And there's no need to be worried about the cost either. Run your site through a blogging platform (like we do here on Blogger), and you'll just have to pay around $10 a year for your domain name. It's almost too easy!

• Once you've established yourself with a bit of a fanbase, you'll want to keep in touch with all those awesome fans you meet. Let them know what you're up to on the go with a Twitter page. The best thing about Twitter is that you can easily alert your followers of any time or venue changes quickly, no matter where you are. Your most eager fans can even sign up to get text messages of your latest tweets straight to their phone. Also, the Twitter community supporting the music scene is huge, so you'll have a chance to make some great contacts there as well.

• Ready to showcase your talents on the global stage? What your band needs next is its own YouTube channel. Grab a friend with a video camera and get to filming! Whether you're just uploading footage from your last show or you're showcasing a brand new music video masterpiece, it's always a good bet to nab a channel purely for the purposes of showing off what your band can do. Be sure to tag your videos well, so they'll be easy to find too!

Remember, every little thing you do could make a difference! You never know who might stumble across one of your band's pages and fall in love with your sound. Good luck, my friends!

Athfest 2011: Videos!

Do you want to relive the fun and the tunes of Athfest? Did you miss out on some of the action? Well, up on the Echoreyn of Athens YouTube channel, we've got 14 videos of song footage from Athfest 2011 as well as tons of videos from past Athfests and other rockin' shows! Some of our very favorites from this year's festival are below.

Lera Lynn plays Gasoline through the wind

The Athens band rocks their tune She'll Wait

The Orkids perform Social Heroin for a pumped crowd

Remember, you can check out all of the videos on our YouTube channel right here. Dying to see some pictures? We've got over 100 from this year's Athfest festivities up on our Facebook page as well.

For all of our massive coverage of Athfest 2011, from preparation guides to articles on some of the best featured bands and shows, click here! More entries on all the bands and madness of the festival will be posted daily, so be sure to check back often.

Athfest 2011: Bad Manor blows us away with the Athens band, Tealvox, & the Orkids

Friday, June 24th, 2011

Athens, Tealvox, and the Orkids

Just before 10 PM, the venues of Athens opened up to flood our ears with the tunes of bands upon bands. In the mood for a few familiar favorites guaranteed to melt my eardrums with their awesomeness, I headed on over to the Bad Manor. As I entered, I was greeted by quite a hilarious video of the Athens band as they gave us an intro that covered the entire night's lineup on the giant screen before us. Then, the moment the video ended, an engine revved. Curiosity and excitement pulsing through my veins, I turned to face the door of the venue. Suddenly, bursting through Bad Manor's doorway, a motorcycle flew through the crowd towards the stage carrying young guitarist Beau on its back. Oh my God, AMAZING! It was quite possibly the coolest, most rockstar-style entrance I've ever seen. Then the band launched into their set, and I couldn't help but notice that, in the time since I last saw them, they've reached unbelievable heights of solid classic rock. Every song was explosive, and as they played, a huge crowd gathered just for them. Their charisma was just undeniable!

Amongst their many covers and original songs, they also gave us their own incredible version of Foo Fighters' Best of You. Too cool. It was, unequivocally, their best show yet!

Next up were local soft rockers Tealvox. As even more people poured into Bad Manor, power emanated from the band's instruments, building into an all-encompassing tidal wave of sound. Absorbed in their solid, quality tunes, almost even possessed by the music, the members of the band leapt around the stage in the throes of passion. Then, as their set neared an end, they all shocked the crowd by switching up instruments and calling Athens band's bass player Justin Granados onstage to take the drums as they rocked out a purely awesome song. Wow, what talent all of these guys possess! Simply amazing.

Rounding out the night were pop rock rulers of the local scene, the Orkids. I am positively in love with their style! At their shows, I can always just let loose and throw myself, ears first, into their fun, upbeat sound. And the other fans there clearly felt the same way. Packed into the venue, the crowd went insane during their set, singing the words along to every song and dancing their hearts out. The Orkids' tunes pulsated through the floor, electrifying the room, and once the band had finished, we all begged for more. Without a doubt, this was the most awesome show of theirs I've ever seen! Truly an incredible lineup.

For all of our massive coverage of Athfest 2011, from preparation guides to articles on some of the best featured bands and shows, click here! More entries on all the bands and madness of the festival will be posted daily, so be sure to check back often. Plus, get ready for show footage and Athfest vlogs coming soon to the Echoreyn of Athens YouTube channel as well!

Video Week 2011: The Orkids: What Is It With Me

Paint, blacklights, and an awesome party? Yes, please! We finish off this year's Video Week with the ever-so-cool music video for local pop band the Orkids' catchy tune "What Is It With Me." Be sure to check it out, and have a wild weekend, my pals!



Dying to see more Athens bands rockin' the video scene? Check out all of the entries for Echoreyn of Athens' Video Week 2011 here!

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!

Tunes of love, loss, and truth

Happy Valentine's Day, dear readers of Athens and beyond! To show you just how much I love you, I thought I'd share some of my latest favorites among the songs of love, loss, and general debauchery given to us by some of our local bands. Today is a day made for tunes, after all! With the help of bandcamp.com, reverbnation.com, youtube.com, and ilike.com, here are a few treats for your ears. Enjoy!

For those in the throes of love and passion, readers of this blog may remember that my friends and I have deemed Bambara's tune Native Tongue the sexiest of them all. It's just undeniable! So, once more, I wish couples a fantastic night with this one.

Not looking for romance, but in need of a serious good time with no restrictions or conscience to bring you down? Well, then, Mud Scholar's amusing and ever-so-honest tune Man Slut Logic just might be your theme song!

Or maybe you've just had enough of the one you've been with lately. Don't worry! The Orkids have got your back on this one. You can burn all those old pictures and assert your independence to the tune of their hit Paper Dolls!

Perhaps you've got your eye on a new special someone, and you're in the mood to hit the dance floor together. If that's the case, the Beat Geeks' tune Deep Down is the song for you!

But what if your crush doesn't even have a clue how feel about them? Maybe he or she doesn't even know you exist. Well, the Athens band feels your pain, and they've put that frustration into rock with their hit She Don't Even Know, complete with an award-winning music video!

Now let's end on the highest of notes! Valentine's Day is, after all, a time to celebrate love, and the Orkids have got a song for us in that regard as well. I'll send you off with their gentle and touching melody Gold.

No matter what your situation is or how you choose to celebrate, hope you all have an amazing day!

xoxo

No Need For A Thousand Words...

What's the best way to balance out the two extremely wordy posts below this one? Pictures, of course! Tons of pictures from all of the unbelievable bands that rocked our September will be up on the Echoreyn of Athens facebook page this afternoon, so be sure to check them out! But to tide us over until then, enjoy a visual feast of some of my favorites from the Athens band, Tealvox, Misfortune500, the Orkids, and the Beat Geeks!

Chase from the Athens band

Beau "Monkey" of the Athens band with a giant inflatable monkey

Tealvox

Misfortune500

Misfortune500 (Photo credit: Page Walker)

Chisolm of Misfortune500 (Photo credit: Page Walker)

The Orkids (Photo credit: Page Walker)

Hanging with the Beat Geeks at their first show (Photo credit: Meghan McBain)

Loved these? Don't forget to visit our facebook page for many more!

With Lights and Screens: Misfortune500, Heypenny, and the Orkids

All photos courtesy of Page Walker

Wow, the luck just keeps on following me! I can't believe how many amazing lineups I've seen since I returned to Athens. This Thursday night was no exception. In fact, I'd say the Orkids/ Misfortune500/ Heypenny show has to be one of my top favorites!

Just after my friend Page and I stepped into the venue I affectionately refer to as my home (the Caledonia, of course!), Heypenny struck their first chord. Now, to be honest, I'd never heard of these guys before, but after this show, I know everyone

here will be buzzing about this Tenessee-based band! Surrounded by tons of TV screens that were cable-linked to their guitars to display digital art in time with their music, this band's show was a visual feast. These experimental indie rockers had a sound and style that could only be compared with kings of the Athens scene, Reptar. Complete with prominent keyboard tones and quite a range of falsetto, Heypenny had a clear sense of fun that permeated the whole room. And wow, their energy was unbelievable too! These guys used the whole stage as their playground, leaping up from their instruments to dance and move as they gave us tune after joyous tune. The next time they come to Athens, I know you'll want to check them out!

Moments later, it was time for Misfortune500 to wow us with their tunes. Now, naturally, I've been dying to see them live ever since I interviewed them about their Popfest show in August, so this was the fulfillment of dreams! And truly, it was. These guys blew my face off with their incredible alt rock sound! Without a doubt, they ruled the genre like no other band I've seen. The whole experience - the rockstar lights, the amazing tunes, the wonderfully dark style - was essentially perfection. Their music made me feel so alive! Honestly, I struggle to find words to describe the sheer awesomeness of it all, and that is something I definitely don't say too often. I was so sure that I would be able to keep from adding to my list of ten local favorites for a while at least, but it seems that I was very wrong. You can bet I'll be seeing Misfortune500 again soon!

Then the Orkids rocked out the night with those ever-exciting dance tunes of theirs and some brand new ones too! And, in a super crazy turn of events, they gave us some hilarious impromptu covers of Ace of Base's The Sign and R. Kelly's I Believe I Can Fly among others as well. The crowd was so into their music that when singer Sandra Gallardo pointed the microphone offstage, the words were clearly heard from every corner of the venue. What a spectacular ending to an unbelievable night!

Spectacular Bands Galore: The Orkids, The Premonitions, the Caste, & VIS!

Four must-see bands in one lineup? Impossible, right? It's a rare occasion when there's a show filled to the brim with bands I love, but lucky for me, that was my Friday night.

As I got in line to enter New Earth (yes, there was a line!), I could already hear the Caste rockin' the stage. What!?! A show that actually started on time? What are the chances? Their fun yet dark pop rock sound already had the crowd pumped by the time I got close enough to see the band. Ah, such fun! About half an hour later, the Caste jammed their way out with style, leaving their fans begging for more.

The Premonitions took over the stage next, ready to show off their new sound. This band's been on my radar for a while, but last I'd heard of them, they had played their final show in Athens. What a surprise it was then to find that they were rocking a new member lineup with some of my favorite bands! I'd been looking forward to experiencing their super unique tunes live for some time, and the band did not disappoint. Giving

us a wild mix of hard and dark southern rock, swing melodies, and hints of electronica, their set was eerily perfect for their name. Lead singer Kara McKenney's strong, deep voice drove the songs forward, and every member of the band was fully absorbed in their tunes.

Just after the Premonitions finished their last song, longtime favorites Venice is Sinking began to play. Watching them this time, I finally realized why I can never get enough of this band. You know that beautifully satisfied feeling you have after you hear a massive classical orchestra play a rock cover in a huge auditorium? That's what Venice is Sinking feels like. Amazing as always!

And then, it was time for the band that's getting all kinds of buzz around town lately, the Orkids! True dance pop/electronica bands are few and far between in Athens, but this band has got it covered. Seriously, their songs are just undeniably awesome in every way. Hearing them play live again was happiness-inducing to the extreme! Their set had the whole crowd going absolutely crazy. They even made singing Happy Birthday to lead guitarist Adam Monica into a memorable moment with their hilarious attempt at an impromptu unique tune. Just thinking about the band has got me smiling again. When they had played their last note, I knew I couldn't live another minute without their Paper Dolls album, so of course, I had to get it. I'm not kidding... they're just purely unbelievable!

Ah, Athens makes adding new rockers to my list of favorites so easy. Shows just don't get better than this!

Kristen's Concert Picks: September rocks its way in

Hey guys, it's September, and you know what that means... That's right, it's time for even more rockin' shows! Downtown is waiting for you.

Thurs, Sept 2: Leaving Araby @ 9 PM @ 40 Watt
Start off the month with a few of Leaving Araby's soft pop tunes!

Thurs, Sept 2: Yo Soy Bean @ 10 PM @ Caledonia Lounge
I've heard good things. Check 'em out!

Fri, Sept 3: Bambara @ 10 PM @ Caledonia Lounge
I knew it. You've been waiting all summer to see the kings of noise rock the stage again. Well, here's great news... They're back to blow us away again!

Sat, Sept 4: Athens & Tealvox @ 9 PM @ 40 Watt
And the youth will inherit the rock! This is certain to be one show you won't want to miss.

Thurs, Sept 9: The Beat Geeks @ 10 PM @ Caledonia Lounge
Luke Galloway of the Novanauts finally brings his Atlanta-based dance pop project to Athens! Are you ready to move?

Sat, Sept 11: Of Montreal @ 9 PM @ 40 Watt

Guys dressed as pigs throwing spaghetti? Flying feathers and giant screens of color? It's Of Montreal... need I say more?

Mon, Sept 13: Nate Nelson @ 9:30 PM @ Caledonia Lounge
This guy is pure voice. Your ears need his songs, trust me.

Thurs, Sept 16: Half Dozen Brass Band - CD Release @ 9 PM @ Melting Point
Sometimes lyrics are overrated. The Half Dozen Brass Band takes this notion and swings with it. Ooh, and they're releasing an album too. Nice!

Fri, Sept 17: Madeline @ 9 PM @ 40 Watt
Soak in the beauty of Madeline's tunes! Ah, how refreshing.

Sat, Sept 18: Reptar & Kuroma @ 9 PM @ 40 Watt
Gotta love Reptar! These crazy fools for pop will have you dancing all night. And Kuroma? This band's been on my list of rockers to check out for a while. Sounds like a party!

Thurs, Sept 23: The Orkids @ 10 PM @ Caledonia Lounge
Yes, the Orkids are back again! These guys and gals are some of my newest favorites. Get ready for some electronic pop that will have you moving your feet in no time!

Without a doubt, September is going to be wild! Of course, if you want to let the world know about a show not listed here, feel free to tell us all about it in the comments. And be sure to check back often to find out about all of the latest shows coming to a venue near you! See you around town, my friends.

Kristen's Concert Picks: August brings it back around

For most of us, August marks our triumphant return to Athens, the city of music. There's no better way to celebrate this joyous occasion than to fill our nights with some rockin' bands! And for those of you lucky people who have spent the summer in this lovely town, these tune-filled treats are sure to ease you out of the heat in just the right way. It is definitely time to party once again!

Wed, Aug 4: Matt Daniel @ 9 PM @ Melting Point
Multi-talented musician MAtt Daniel takes the stage to give us a solo act ruled by keyboards, guitars, and vocals. You may know him from the band Leading Edge, but he's got a nice style all his own too!

Thurs, Aug 5: Josh Perkins @ 9 PM @ Melting Point
This year's Athfest certainly gave us whole a list of bands we just can't wait to see again, and Josh Perkins was definitely one of them! Fill your ears with his softly southern rock.

Fri, Aug 6: Kaitlin Jones and the County Fair @ 10 PM @ Caledonia
Here's another one of my Athfest discoveries. I knew I loved Kaitlin Jones' dark southern rock sound almost instantly!

Fri, Aug 6: Ken Will Morton @ 8 PM @ 40 Watt
And here's yet another example of a rockin' band I first heard at this year's Athfest. With a bit of americana-style, Ken Will Morton's tunes are sure to brighten your day.

Wed, Aug 11: Novanauts & The Caste @ 9:30 PM @ Caledonia
LOVE these bands! From electronic to indie pop, these bands will definitely leave you dancing. Go to this show. Seriously, you will not regret it!

Wed, Aug 11: Doctor Squid & Groove Tangent @ 9 PM @ Melting Point
Oh, please someone, avenge me for this cruel fate! How can there be two such amazing shows just a few days before my return to Athens? Looks like the city will be filled with some of my absolute favorites this night as Doctor Squid, Groove Tangent, and Jason Harwell of the Warm Fuzzies take over the stage and pure joy to all who are lucky enough to be at the Melting Point.

Thurs, Aug 12: Popfest featuring Reptar @ 7:30 PM @ Caledonia
If you haven't experienced the insanity that is Reptar, do it now! You never know what these guys will surprise their fans with this time, but I can guarantee you it'll be fun.

Fri, Aug 13: Popfest featuring Madeline @ 2:30 PM @ Caledonia
Oh, the soft and lovely melodies of Madeline... Yes, they're beautiful.

Fri, Aug 13: Popfest featuring Bambara @ 7:30 PM @ Caledonia
Bambara's loud and crazy rock style has everyone in a frenzy. You've got to catch their show!

Thurs, Aug 19: Incredible Sandwich @ 9 PM @ Melting Point
Take a trip down to the tropics with the incredible sandwich! This band sprinkles a bit of jazz in here and there too for a super smooth ride.

Thurs, Aug 26: Aman Amun @ 10 PM @ New Earth Music Hall
Experimental, electronic, indescribable... Art, music, and innovation combine to make this a show like nothing you've seen before. And this one should be amazing. After all, the last Aman Amun show I saw at New Earth completely blew me away!

Fri, Aug 27: The Orkids, Venice is Sinking, & The Caste @ 10 PM @ New Earth Music Hall
Wow, this is a can't-miss show! With the Orkids, the Caste, Venice is Sinking, and the Premonitions on the bill, it'll be nothing short of unbelievable. Oh man, I am absolutely dying to hear the catchy tunes of the Orkids again after their awesome Athfest show!

Fri, Aug 27: Nate Nelson, Gift Horse, & Modern Skirts @ 9:30 PM @ 40 Watt
Ok, this is seriously going to be one of the BEST nights for Athens music ever! It'll be nearly impossible to choose which show to see... This one features kings of the Athens pop scene, Modern Skirts, along with the amazing voice of Nate Nelson and the pure rock of Gift Horse. Insanity!

Sat, Aug 28: The Shut Ups @ 10 PM @ Caledonia
It's true! The Shut-Ups will bring a smile to your face as you dance along to their electronic tunes. What fun!

Wow, this month is just filled with excitement, isn't it? I can't wait for all of these rockin' shows to start! As always, I'll add to this list as I hear of more awesome shows, so make sure you remember it whenever you're planning a tune-filled night. And hey, if you know of a show that you just can't let your fellow music lovers miss, let us know in the comments below. See you all around town and happy listening!

Athfest 2010: Ecstatic about The Orkids!

Saturday, June 26th, 2010

The Orkids

I had been hearing little things about this band through the grapevine for a while, but before Athfest, I'd never had the chance to check the Orkids out. Let me just say, WOW! I am so happy I made sure I was there for their show. With their purely crazy electronic indie pop, they almost immediately became one of my Athfest favorites. Ah, such fun! Their energetic tunes made me want to dance all over the place!

You could tell the band members were having tons of fun too. Excitement surrounded them as they rocked all over the stage. And I can't forget to give a mention to singer Sandra Gallardo's fashion sense as well. I noticed (and loved) her outfit before I even knew she was in the band. Really, the whole set was like a party for the eyes and ears! Since the show, I've had quite a bit of fun bouncing around to their online tunes whenever I can. Oh yes, I will definitely be seeing them again!

For all of our coverage of Athfest 2010, click here! I'll be blasting you with updates regularly, so be sure to check back often. Also, look out for Athfest concert videos and vlogs, coming soon to http://www.youtube.com/echoreynofathens!