Kristen's Concert Picks: Getting back to the August rock!

August is a time of change, so let our town's tunes be your rock in a sea of uncertainty.  Prepare your ears for this awesomeness!

Thu, Aug 1: Cicada Rhythm @ 8:30 PM @ Georgia Theatre

There's no better way to kick off the month than with Cicada Rhythm's unique lilting harmonies!

Thu, Aug 1: Brothers @ TBA PM @ Flicker Theatre

Old school-style rock with an indie pop angle, you'll love Brothers' sound!

 Fri, Aug 9: Lazer/Wulf @ 9:30 PM @ Caledonia Lounge 
Lazer/Wulf's noise rock melodies will blast your ears with joy!

Sat, Aug 10: Efren @ 7:30 PM @ The World Famous

Folk rock at its gritty and raw best, Efren is always worth a listen!

Tue, Aug 13: The Viking Progress @ 8 PM @ WUOG

Head on down to the WUOG student-run radio station at Tate Center on the UGA Campus or tune in to 90.5 FM to catch the sweet distorted rock of the Viking Progress.

Fri, Aug 16: Ken Will Morton @ 4:30 PM @ Georgia Theatre
If you're craving a bit of an americana sound, Ken Will Morton is your guy!  Check out this daytime show during the middle of the month.

Fri, Aug 16: Seven Handle Circus @ 8 PM @ Georgia Theatre

I've never heard another band like Seven Handle Circus.  Their bouncy, upbeat folk tunes are sure to put a smile on your face!

Fri, Aug 16: T. Hardy Morris and the Outfit @ 9 PM @ Caledonia Lounge
T. Hardy Morris is one of the most talented musicians in Athens, no doubt.  Get on over to the Caledonia Lounge for this show!

Sat, Aug 17: Dangfly! @ 10 PM @ Caledonia Lounge 

There's no doubt you'll love Dangfly!'s trumpeting folk rock sound!

Thu, Aug 22: Powerkompany@ 9 PM @ 40 Watt

Electronic and ethereal, Powerkompany's melodies will blow you away!

Thu, Aug 29: Emily Hearn @ 7 PM @ Georgia Theatre

Nothing is sweeter than Emily Hearn's voice.  If you haven't caught one of her shows yet, now is the time!

Thu, Aug 29: Feather Trade and Death on Two Wheels @ 10 PM @ Green Room

What a wild combination!  Feather Trade and Death On Two Wheels both have dark alt rock sounds that should complement each other perfectly.  Best of all, this show is free!  You won't want to miss this one.

School may be starting soon, but with this lineup of bands, the fun of summer is showing no signs of slowing down!  Pumped for another local show not on this list?  Be sure to comment below and tell everyone all about it. Hope you have a wild one, my friends!

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!

Kristen's Concert Picks: July's tunes keep it cool

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Is all of this intense heat getting you down? Let these rockin' tunes cheer you up!

Wed, July 4: The Skipperdees @ 5 PM @ Athens Farmer's Market

These girls infuse their southern folk with heart and soul. Celebrate the Fourth of July with the Skipperdees!

Thu, July 5: Qurious @ 9:30 PM @ Caledonia Lounge

Ready for an almost mystical experience?  Playing with Thick Paint, Reptar singer Graham's DJ act, Qurious is sure to deliver the insanity!

Thu, July 5: Cicada Rhythm @ 10 PM @ Georgia Theatre rooftop

You'll love Cicada Rhythm's blend of unique folk voices!  Catch 'em up on the Georgia Theatre rooftop.

Thu, July 5: Showtime with Lowdive @ 10 PM @ Max

If you're craving some awesome hip hop and rap, look no further than this year's Flagpole Award winner Showtime with their pals Lowdive rocking it out along with them! 

Fri, July 6: Thayer Sarrano @ 9:30 PM @ Caledonia Lounge

I caught Thayer Sarrano at this year's Athfest, and she's got a sweetness in her voice that makes her certainly worth a listen!

Sat, July 7: Tealvox @ 9 PM @ 40 Watt

Tealvox is the definition of pure, incredible rock.  Trust me, you'll want to be at this show!

Thu, July 12: Betsy Franck & the Bare Knuckle band @ 9 PM @ Georgia Theatre

Let Betsy Franck's strong, soulful voice inspire you!

Sat, July 14: The Viking Progress @ 8 PM @ 40 Watt

What a lineup! With the acoustic distortion of the Viking Progress along with solid rockers Easter Island and John French & the Bastilles, this will be a show to remember!

Thu, July 19: Sam Sniper @ 10 PM @ Georgia Theatre rooftop

Southern tunes with a unique rock flavor, Sam Sniper has long been one of my favorites.  Be sure to get a taste of their tunes!

Thu-Sat, July 19-21: Slopfest @ 7 PM @ Little Kings Shuffle Club

Are you ready for another spectacular music festival?  Catch a bunch of your favorites from Athfest and many more including Bambara, Life Coach, and the much buzzed about Manray at this three day fest!  Don't forget to make the most of this wild lineup with a multiday wristband bought at the door.

Fri, July 20: White Violet @ 7:30 PM @ Georgia Theatre

Is soft rock what you crave? White Violet is pure quality sound!

Fri, July 20: The Athens Band @ 8 PM @ 40 Watt

Youth rockers take it old school with a sound that's miles beyond their years.  Always a sight to see!

Fri, July 20: Grinnin Bear @ 10 PM @ Caledonia Lounge

In the mood to enjoy yourself with some awesome folk tunes?  The members of Grinnin Bear don't take themselves too seriously, but I can promise that you'll just love them!

Fri, July 27: Grass Giraffes @ 10 PM @ Caledonia Lounge

These guys are way too much fun.  Don't miss their set!

Tue, July 31: Reptar DJ Set @ 11 PM @ Georgia Theatre rooftop

Dying to hang with the members of Reptar? End the month with them, and dance it up to their DJayed tunes!


Looks like July's going to be extremely exciting!  Know of any other shows you think everyone should see?  Comment below, and give us all the details.  And have a good one, you guys. See ya around town!

Athfest 2012: the always wild Flagpole Awards!

Thursday, June 21st, 2012 

Flagpole Athens Music Awards show

Dancing bananas?  Waving octopus arms?  Clowns throwing glow sticks?  No, you're not having a bad trip... it's the Flagpole Athens Music Awards 2012!

We've come to expect all sorts of ridiculous shenanigans at the Flagpole Awards ceremony every year, and this year's show was certainly no exception.

Traveling by time machine to get to the Morton Theatre, the wildly costumed band Like Totally kicked off the night with a short set of quirky tunes and enough glow bracelets for everyone in the crowd.  And that was only the beginning. Truly, the night was rife with classic Athens madness!  Hope for Agoldensummer accepted a win for Best Folk Group via speakerphone, presenter Jeff Tobias had an unnamed assistant give his speech for him, and Reptar insisted on Texas two-stepping across the stage to collect their second award of the night for Best Live Band.  Pure, beautiful insanity!

And the night got even more ridiculous from there.  Between house band and multiyear Best Jazz Band winners Kenosha Kid's pitch perfect covers of hits from every award winner to the impromptu rap performance and Humpty Hump dance from presenter/WUOG DJ Akeeme Martin, the show had me smiling from beginning to end.  I just loved having a small second taste of the sounds from indie rockers Viking Progress and masters of fun the Grass Giraffes, and I certainly enjoyed Cicada Rhythm's soft lilting folk vocals as well.  And the Sprocket's music video and audience choice winning videos?  Hilarious and awesomely made!

Undoubtably, one of the coolest parts of the night, though, was musician Kishi Bashi's incredible and fascinating performance!  Like an art installation for the eardrums, he created unique and complex melodies with just his voice and a violin, melodies that left the audience enthralled and in utter awe.  What an experience!  It was really no surprise that some guy yelled out, "Holy shit!" just before the audience got up to give Kishi Bashi a well-deserved standing ovation.  Indeed, the whole crowd, led by the show's host, joined together for a collective "holy shit" after that set!

And then, once Flagpole editor Michelle Gilzenrat Davis had introduced her successor Gabe Vodicka with a series of amusing quips and the band the District Attorneys had swept the awards including Band of Year, the Flagpole Athens Music Awards 2012 came to an end.

But, of course our first night of Athfest wouldn't be complete without the 40 Watt Kickoff Party!  White Violet, a band I've loved since the first time I saw them and who seem to just get more and more incredible as time goes on, were finishing up their set as I stepped in the door.  Then Texas act Buxton jumped onstage to give us a bit of their awesome southern rock before it was time to go home and rest up for the first official day of Athfest 2012!

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! Also, for a complete list of winners of the Flagpole Athens Music Awards 2012, check out the AMJ blog!

Kristen's Concert Picks: March will be a month to remember!

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On the tail of a stormy raincloud, March dances in, bringing us warmer temperatures and fresh, new tunes!

Thu, Mar 1: Tealvox @ 9 PM @ Georgia Theatre

There's no better way to kick off the month of March than with Tealvox's strong, quality rock. Catch them as the opening act on the Georgia Theatre stage!

Fri, Mar 2: Lera Lynn @ 8 PM @ Georgia Theatre

Lera Lynn's powerful vocals will captivate you from the start.  Best of all, she'll be releasing her new 7" vinyl and EP at this show, so you'll have a chance to get your hands on her latest tunes!

Fri, Mar 2: T. Hardy Morris & the Outfit @ 8 PM @ 40 Watt

The first time I saw T. Hardy Morris and the Outfit, their soft indie folk songs blew me away. Don't miss this one!

Fri, Mar 2: White Violet @ 10 PM @ Caledonia Lounge

You're sure to love White Violet's soft rock tunes, tinged with darkness!  Check 'em out at the Caledonia.

Sat, Mar 3: the Athens band and Showtime @ 8 PM @ Nuçi's Space

Our town can't get enough of the Athens band!  These young rockers will be sharing the stage at Nuçi's with rap act Showtime.  Nice!

Sat, Mar 3: Manray @ 10 PM @ Caledonia Lounge

Craving a bit of dark, noise rock?  Manray will satisfy your needs over at the Caledonia!

Mon, Mar 5: Little Tybee and Viking Progress @ 9:30 PM @ Caledonia Lounge

Little Tybee joins the Viking Progress at the Caledonia for a night of soft indie tunes and sweet melodies.  Quite a combination!

Wed, Mar 7: Tumbleweed Stampede @ 8 PM @ Georgia Theatre

Dance it up with Tumbleweed Stampede at the Georgia Theatre.  Looks like this show's going to be tons of fun!

Sat, Mar 10: Grogus @ 8 PM @ Georgia Theatre

Want to add a dash of spice to your life? Athen's own Latin band Grogus will have you grooving to a delicious beat in no time!

Sat, Mar 17: The Donner Party @ 7 PM @ Melting Point

Just in time for St. Patrick's Day, the Donner Party is back to give us some festive tunes for the occasion.  Get your green on and enjoy!

Thu, Mar 22: Powerkompany @ 8 PM @ WUOG 90.5

It's time for another helping of Powerkompany's strong yet ethereal sound.  Tune into WUOG 90.5 or hear them live at UGA's Tate Student Center!

Tue, Mar 27: Reptar @ 11 PM @ Georgia Theatre Rooftop

Did you miss last month's unbelievable Reptar event, a night that will go down in Athens music history?  Don't miss out again!  These guys are on fire!

Fri, Mar 30: Abbey Road Live @ 9 PM @ Melting Point

Beatles fans, rejoice!  Abbey Road Live is back again to quench your thirst for those old school tunes.  Plus they're doing an all-request show, so be sure to submit your favorite tunes to info@abbeyroadlive.com to be included in the setlist!  

Sat, Mar 31: Dangerous Ponies @ 9 PM @ Farm 255

Dying for something totally different?  How about a bit of old school-flavored indie dance pop?  That's just the sort of exciting madness you'll get from Philadelphia band Dangerous Ponies!  These guys are always worth seeing.  

Sat, Mar 31: Oryx & Crake and Viking Progress @ 10 PM @ Caledonia Lounge

Don't miss the Viking Progress's album release at the end of the month.  You'll never forget this musician's unique style, and as an added bonus, you'll get a taste of Oryx and Crake's gorgeous pop rock sound as well!

Wow, what a month of album releases and incredible bands!  And don't forget, if you know of another awesome show rocking Athens this March, tell us about it below in the comments. Have fun, my pals!

Kicking off the school year with Brothers and the Viking Process

Well, this semester is off to a great start so far! After all, there's just nothing better than listening to a couple of rockin' bands in a bar on a Sunday night.

First up on the small Highwire Lounge stage was the Viking Progress featuring solo musician Patrick Morales. Very sweet, often melancholy, lyrics characterized his songs as they flowed into live acoustic guitar tunes and beautiful melodies brought into being with a bow drawn across the strings of a banjo. Using a live recording method to create repeating backing vocals that resembled a ghostly chorus of voices, he harmonized with himself, building a rather unique style of sound. Morales also incorporated other curious tools into his music including snatches of sound from an old radio before ending each of his songs rather abruptly. I love musicians that bring something different to the metaphorical table!

I must say, though, it was quite an interesting experience to watch a full show performed at the Highwire. Every time I've been there in the past, it was merely a bar filled with people screaming to be heard. But shows like these bring it fully into the scene!

Moments after the Viking Progress had played his last note, Brothers stepped onstage to mix it up with their fun, indie pop take on classic rock. The band's all-encompassing sound was, without a doubt, music to groove to, and the growing crowd took notice, standing up and dancing as they played. After a while, I found myself so immersed in the show that I got completely lost in the tunes, any sense of time or place passing out of my awareness. What a show!