Kristen's Concert Picks: June will blow you away!

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

June is the month for tunes.  From Athfest to the many smaller shows happening this month, your ears will have a veritable feast of sounds to enjoy in the coming weeks!

Sat, June 2: Manray @ 10 PM @ Caledonia Lounge

Kick off your June with a blast of noise and rock courtesy of Manray.  It's quite a way to start the month!

Tue, Jun 5: The Skipperdees @ 7 PM @ Melting Point
A southern twang and a great helping of talent make the Skipperdees a must see.  Check 'em out at the Melting Point.

Tue, Jun 5: Wowser Bowser @ 11 PM @ Georgia Theatre rooftop
If fun is what you desire, look no further than Wowser Bowser.  Their crazy tunes will have you dancing in no time!

Wed, Jun 6: Rachel O'Neal @ 6:30 PM @ Melting Point
I greatly enjoyed Rachel's soft acoustic guitar and lovely voice at my very first Athfest years ago, and it will no doubt be wonderful to hear her sweet melodies again!

Thu, Jun 7: Grinnin Bear & Death On Two Wheels @ 9:30 PM @ Caledonia Lounge
Folk tunes with a sense of fun, Grinnin Bear is always worth a listen.  And pairing them with heavy rockers Death On Two Wheels?  That'll be one amazing set!

Fri, June 8: Sam Sniper @ 8:30 PM @ 40 Watt

Gotta love the unique southern folk rock of Sam Sniper!

Mon, Jun 11: Madeline @ 9 PM @ Caledonia Lounge
You'll truly enjoy Madeline's dark melodies with a southern touch.  Catch her over at the Caledonia!

Tue, Jun 12: The Gold Party @ 11 PM @ Georgia Theatre rooftop
What do you get when electronic indie tunes have a fling with 80s era pop?  The Gold Party, of course!  Soak in their sound up on the Georgia Theatre rooftop.

Thu, Jun 14: Lullwater @ 9:30 PM @ Caledonia Lounge
Would you like a hint of folk with your hard rock?  Lullwater will be serving up some awesome sounds in the middle of the month.

Thu, Jun 14: Lera Lynn @ 8:30 PM @ Melting Point
Lera Lynn channels a power and a passion into her dark melodies that makes every one of her shows an experience. You won't want to miss her set!

Wed, Jun 20: Powerkompany, Little Tybee @ 8:30 PM @ Melting Point
The ethereal Powerkompany and the soft indie sound of Little Tybee are sure to complement each other perfectly at this Melting Point show.

Thu-Sun, Jun 21-24: ATHFEST @ All Day @ Downtown Athens
Athfest 2012!  Over 150 bands, many of them awesome blog favorites, will be gracing stages all over downtown for this multi-day event.  Get your advance wristbands right here before it's too late, and stay tuned for prep guides, coverage of the event, and a special version of our concert picks coming in the next few weeks!

Well, we knew Athfest was going to be amazing, but who could have guessed so many other incredible shows would be taking place in Athens during the rest of the month?  Got a show you're dying to share?  Comment below, and tell the world all about it.  Can't wait for all these tunes.  June is going to be wild!

Get pumped for the Flagpole Awards and Athfest 2012!

Athfest 2012 is on the horizon!  Are you ready for it?  Here at Echoreyn of Athens, we're totally pumped for our favorite June festival.  A few of the bands we love are reuniting at Athfest after a long hiatus, others are headlining the outdoor stages, and still more will be rocking venues all over town.  Dying to know who will be taking the stage this year?  The official Athfest website has got you covered. You can find nearly all of the 150+ bands playing this year up on their list, so check it out and start picking out your must-sees.  You know I've already scouted out all of my new potential favorites!

And that's not all.  Don't forget to cast your vote for this year's Flagpole Athens Music Awards right here! Make sure your favorite local bands and musicians get the recognition they deserve.  Voting ends this Friday, June 1st, so be sure to fill out your ballot today!

This is going to be an awesome summer, you guys!

An Explosion of Art and Music with Tigerbird, Atlas, and Flight of Ideas

Throwback: Atlas performs at my birthday party in 2009 

It's been almost a week since the final Tigerbird art expo of the semester, and I still can't get over how awesome it was.  I swore I'd update the blog whenever I experience a memorable, incredible night on the scene, and that evening definitely fit into this category!

Being the ridiculous person that I am, I arrived at the house for the expo long before anyone else showed up.  As the third in a series of great monthly community art and music showcases, I knew I would be treated to a house full of original artwork, photography, and sculpture by an ever-changing group of local young artists, and once again, I was not disappointed.  Room after room featured stunning and thought-provoking creations, most never-before-seen by the public.  Being an art lover, it was simply magnificent!

Since the showcase fell on the same night as the ever-popular Twilight Criterium, there were concerns that no one else would really show up, but luckily a crowd arrived just in time for the bands and wordsmiths to begin rockin' the house!  First up was a spoken word artist (whose name unfortunately escapes me).  Sharing his often insightful poetry with us as a band set the mood in the background, we all adopted the appropriate coffeehouse manner for this type of performance and snapped as he finished. Then it was time for Flight of Ideas, a quite talented rap duo.  The rap scene is one I haven't really seen much of here in Athens, but apparently, I've been missing out.  These guys were brilliant!  Their lyrics dug far deeper than those of the rap artists you hear on the radio, and everyone in the crowd enjoyed their performance immensely.

Next on the makeshift stage was a very old favorite of mine, Atlas.  Longtime readers of the blog might remember these musicians making sweet and haunting melodies at my birthday party way back in 2009.  Hearkening back to their old style, they played song after beautiful song during what turned out to be their farewell performance.  Then, in a touching tribute to their start as Athens musicians, they finished with "Black Gold," one of my favorites of their old tunes.  I have to admit, I got a bit emotional during their performance, remembering the times when I sat with them on the Myers Quad so many years ago as they crafted this very song.  I just love it when music goes full circle!  As they ended, singer Parker announced that he would be off to California soon where I am sure great things will follow for him. And as for the remaining members of the band?  Well, they all regrouped as the next act, Tigerbird!

Now, you may not yet have heard of Tigerbird, but over the past few months, they've been carving out a place for themselves in the scene in a very unique way.  Debuting at the first of these art expos a couple of months ago, they've already gathered together a bit of a following, and these fans are certainly well-deserved.  With a soulful, soft and sometimes jazzy sound, their tunes range from originals to uniquely arranged covers, and their a-capella style singing is often quite incredible.  During their set at the showcase, the crowd leapt up and began dancing wildly, with gleeful abandon.  Always a fun sight to see!  Then this particular show became even more awesome than usual when, after being encored, all of the multi-talented band members switched up instruments and mics and launched into an open mic rap set and jam session.  Amazing rappers seemed to appear out of thin air as various members of the audience took to the stage and shared their inspired craft.  It was just such a cool experience!  This is the true underground scene of Athens that I've been dying to be a part of again.

It was, without a doubt, a crazy and wonderful night.  Wishing you too could have been there? It seems these awesome art and music showcases will start back up in August with the new school year, and I'll definitely let you all know when the next one is happening.  Indeed, here's to nights like these that make us fall in love with the Athens scene all over again!

Echoreyn of Athens turns 3 and gives you a chance to win CDs!

Wow, I can't believe it's been three years since I began experiencing and writing about our amazing music scene as Echoreyn of Athens!  It seems like it's been both much longer and much shorter than that.  On one hand, I can hardly remember what my life was like before I had this scene and these musicians and this music.  I've seen bands emerge victorious, bands bid their final farewells, and bands reborn again.  I've weathered the losses of favorite venues and favorite rockers.  But, in the scheme of things, I've also found that I have so much yet to experience.  I've only had a taste of touring, a hint of the struggles musicians face, and a small glimpse of what large-scale success looks like.

I must say, though, this year has been a wild one for Echoreyn of Athens.  I attended my first Music Midtown, traveled with one of my favorite bands to New York City, and had the night of a lifetime as a Reptar house party exploded into an event that will be talked about in the scene for years to come.  And so much more joy awaits us in the scene!  Athfest 2012 is fast approaching, and you can count on Echoreyn of Athens to feature extensive coverage of the festival as always.  There's also sure to be even more exciting events we have yet to even dream of as we enjoy our next year on the scene.

And hey, why don't you join in our birthday celebrations!  How about we turn the tables this time, and give you a gift instead as a thank you for being such loyal readers of this blog.  A few of our favorite Athens music CDs are up for grabs to the first person (in the continental US) who sends a message to echoreyn@gmail.com with the answers to the following questions below:

1. What is the current and former name of the band that opened for Reptar at their memorable house show in mid-February?

2. What are the names of at least two of the bands besides Coldplay that played at Music Midtown this past year in Atlanta?

You can find answers to both of these trivia questions here on the blog.  Good luck on your search, and thanks for three incredible years in the scene!

~ Kristen

Beyond Amazing: the night ruled by Reptar

Monday night.  These words do not usually evoke feelings of shock, amazement, or pure joy.  But then, there's truly never been a night like this past Monday night. Indeed, last night Reptar gave a performance the people of Athens will likely be talking about for years to come.

It all started at a house party off Prince Avenue, in the backyard of a rather cool guy named Scott.  My friend Andy and I arrived early, determined to stake out our place for the surprise Reptar show that had been mentioned on Twitter a mere two days earlier and had already gained a guest list of nearly 200 people on Facebook.  Figboots, the band formerly known as Bigfoot, kicked the night off just before 9 PM to quite a sizable crowd. As they played, more and more people gathered in Scott’s backyard to get their Monday night dance on.

Then finally the golden moment arrived. Reptar took the metaphorical stage, and, after hinting that the police would probably come to break up the show soon, threw themselves into their set. Just a few rockin’ songs in, the police did indeed make good on that threat, issuing not just one but three noise violation tickets and effectively halting the show. Disappointed, the fans loitered around the backyard as the band scrambled to figure out some way to satiate the crowd’s need for more Reptar. Ideas ranged from the unlikely to the impossibly insane, and Andy even suggested that they storm the Georgia Theatre now that Tom Green’s comedy show had ended. Just 20 minutes later, the band made their announcement. It was official. Reptar really was going to take over the Georgia Theatre! Texting their friends, people flocked out to their cars in droves, eager not to miss a second of this promised show.  Moments later, we found ourselves herded into a short line in front of the Theatre. By the time the doors opened for us, that line had quadrupled, and soon people were flooding into the venue. And that’s when the real madness began.


 Less than an hour after they had announced their impromptu free Georgia Theatre show, Reptar rocked the stage for a crowd of what had to be at least 300 people (apparently, there were actually more than 600 people going wild in the Theatre that night). The show was unbelievable, mind-blowing even, better than I've ever seen them before! They even dedicated one song to comedian Tom Green who was in the audience, watching the craziness unfold. Due to the sheer insanity of the whole situation, the Reptar fans were even more wild than usual. Andy dove onto the stage and then crowdsurfed, starting a chain of crowdsurfing as the lead singer Graham followed suit. Then several others joined the game, diving onto the stage only to find themselves dragged off by the now wary security guards. And wow, the band itself played through nearly all of their songs as the crowd just ate it up. After a dose of Houseboat Babies and several other tunes, some of them repeats from the house party earlier that night played for the benefit of the ever-growing and now massive Theatre crowd, the band finished their set only to find themselves encored back onstage by the eager fans, many yelling, “Play all night!” Obliging, the band struck up yet another tune as first the keyboardist Will, then the singer Graham dove into the crowd once more, even managing at one point to surf atop a crowdsurfing fan.  One song later, the history-worthy show ended, leaving everyone who experienced it in total awe. But the night was not quite over yet. Hearing a bit of a buzz about Tom Green, we turned to find him hanging out right near the stage. Pumped to finish the night on yet another high note, we went over and shook hands with the comedian before high-tailing it out of the venue.


Honestly, I’m still in shock from all that happened. Even the members of Reptar themselves could not believe it.  2012 has only just begun, and already I deem this the most amazing night of the year in Athens music.  I just can't imagine anything could top that show. You can bet this will be a Monday night the people of this town will never forget!

Bidding farewell to 2011... Here comes 2012!

2012 is upon us, my friends!

But before we welcome in the start of a new year, let's look back on our 2011.  Between all of the breakups, awesome shows, departing bands, and festival opportunities, this has been quite an eventful year in the scene!  Indeed, I'd say it's the perfect time to break it all down in another year end review...

Echoreyn of Athens: 2011

January 2011: We first experienced the awesome sound of Sam Sniper at a backyard party on one of the coldest days of the year.

April 2011: Rocking out with six bands in one night... Hey, it's just another night on the scene!

May 2011: People putting their lives on the line to party like animals?  At a Reptar show, you'd expect nothing less. These guys are hitting the big time!

May 2011: Echoreyn of Athens featured its first music video week!

June 2011: We caught tons of bands including Marcy Playground of Sex and Candy fame at Summer Side Show in Columbus, Ga!

June 2011: Yet again, Echoreyn of Athens goes wild at Athfest, capturing every insane moment and every unbelievable event!

September 2011: Of Montreal gives us a feast for our senses!

September 2011: Echoreyn of Athens miraculously nabs tickets to the rebirth of Music Midtown in Atlanta.  This year's festival featured the Constellations, the Joy Formidable, the Black Keys, Cage the Elephant, and Coldplay!

October 2011: We teamed up with Athens Music Junkie to seize the airwaves for a few hours at UGA's student-run radio station WUOG!

October 2011: Hitching a ride with the ever-awesome Misfortune500, Echoreyn of Athens gets a taste of the CMJ festival in New York!

December 2011: Hey, we can't forget the fourth annual Squidmas!

Also, don't miss our end of the year video wrap up above featuring live footage from tons of bands including never before seen shots of Coldplay at Music Midtown!

Wow, what a year 2011 has been! We bid our final adieu to one of Athens' most iconic bands, R.E.M., and waved goodbye to many others like blog favorite Bambara as they journeyed to their new homes outside of our town.  Indeed, I'd say that 2012 is ripe for the taking.  I hope you're listening, new bands and budding musicians!  Need some inspiration?  Well, this year saw Reptar blowing up the scene as well.  Maybe, if you're lucky, some of their magic will rub off on you too!

So what can we look forward to for Echoreyn of Athens in 2012?  Well, we're actually planning to bring the blog back to its intensely excited roots. This means we'll be dropping our structured publishing format in favor of returning to a more laid back form where we'll blog when we feel exceptionally passionate about something we've seen or heard.  If it's an unforgettable experience, you can bet you'll be reading about it here.  What about the monthly show picks?  Well, of course we'll keep that up!  We've got the details on all of the shows you won't want to miss this year.  And will we cover Athfest again?  Hey, you know there's no way we'd pass that up!  When June 2012 rolls around, we'll be your one-stop guide to Athfest before and after the massive festival just like last year.  We're simply keeping things fresh here and attempting to complete a few novels too in our off hours.  So don't hesitate to continue coming to visit us every once in a while.  We'll be here with all the most exciting details of the scene you know and love!

Enough looking back and thinking ahead...  Let's celebrate the here and now!  It's almost New Year's Eve, and that means it's time to party!  Not sure where to go?  We've got you covered!

Dying to jump right into the madness?  Then you can catch Reptar going wild on the Georgia Theatre stage! Is harder rock more your speed?  40 Watt will play host to the Whigs for the night as well!  But maybe you want to see the next generation of rockers before they hit it big.  Well, then Hendershots is the place to be when the Athens band and Tealvox ring in the new year! Aching for a bit of Of-Montreal-flavored excitement?  While the whole band isn't playing this year, you can party with the members of the band as Kevin Barnes DJs a dance set and Yip Deceiver and the Gold Party rock it out for the 21+ crowd at Go Bar! Or perhaps dancing through a cascade of money sounds like the perfect way to start 2012.  If that's the case, DJRX's set at Bad Manor will be your show of choice!

Whatever you choose to do, I hope you all have an incredible New Year's Eve.  Catch you in 2012, my friends!  

Kristen's Concert Picks: January's tunes will knock your socks off!

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

The cold winds of January are blowing deliciously fresh tunes our way.  Get ready to brave the cold for these incredible bands!

Fri, Jan 6: Tumbleweed Stampede @ 9:30 PM @ Caledonia

Kick off 2012 with some soulful dance tunes from Tumbleweed Stampede.  This show is definitely going to be tons of fun!

Wed, Jan 11: Yo-Yo Ma @ 8 PM @ UGA Performing Arts Center

Known the world over, famed cellist Yo-Yo Ma will be sharing his musical gifts with us to start off the spring semester!  If you haven't gotten tickets yet, though, don't get too excited.  Unfortunately, this once-in-a-lifetime show sold out very quickly so you might find it rather difficult to get your hands on one.

Thurs, Jan 12: Futurebirds @ 8 PM @ 40 Watt

You won't want to miss southern rockers Futurebirds as they take the stage with the Drive By Truckers during the first day of their three-day 40 Watt takeover.  This is the only DBT show that hasn't sold out yet, so grab your tickets while you can!

Wed, Jan 18: Lullwater @ 9:30 PM @ Caledonia

Craving a bit of hard rock with a folk edge?  Sounds like Lullwater's your band!  Check them out over at the Caledonia.

Fri, Jan 20: Bambara @ 9:30 PM @ Caledonia

Bambara is back!  Our favorite noise rockers are finally making their triumphant return to Athens near the end of the month.  Be there to catch them in action once again!

Sat, Jan 21: Easter Island @ 10 PM @ Caledonia

Easter Island is bringing us another taste of their soft, melodic rock on the 21st.  Excellent!

Thurs, Jan 26: Yo Soybean @ 8 PM @ WUOG

Yo Soybean's southern rock adds a hint of badass to every occasion.  Sample their sound on WUOG 90.5's Live in the Lobby radio show or even venture out to UGA's Tate Center to see them rock it out!

Sat, Jan 28: Packway Handle Band @ 8 PM @ Georgia Theatre

From what all of my friends tell me, Packway Handle Band is bluegrass with a side of amazing.  This is certainly a worthy band to finish out the first month of 2012!

What a January this promises to be!  If you've heard a hint of any other unbelievable Athens shows coming up, be sure to let everyone know about them in the comments below.  Hope you all have a spectacular month to start off an incredible new year!

Dear Santa... (2011)

Dear Santa,
Wow, it looks like it's already that time of year again!  I can't deny it, 2011 has certainly been a wild ride of ups and downs, especially for the Athens music scene.  Here's hoping our town, filled with some of the nicest (and okay, the naughtiest too) people the world has to offer, will have an exciting year in 2012.

You see, Santa, my biggest Christmas wish is that our own little music scene here revitalizes itself with new bands, new fans, and new sounds for the new year!  Help those of us in this famous town and beyond have even more awesome experiences and make more amazing memories.

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

Rockin' December sights

We've got a bunch more pics from two awesome shows up on the Echoreyn of Athens facebook page today!  Missed the Athens band rockin' Bad Manor or the merry event that was Squidmas 2011?  Want to relive them all over again?  Check out these visuals!  A few of our very favorites are below:

Chase and Justin of the Athens band rock some tunes

Larry of Doctor Squid brings the Squidmas cheer

Holding up a lighter for Beau of the Athens band

See all of the pictures from these shows and tons more in our latest Facebook album.  Enjoy!

A Squidmas full of festive cheer!

Wow!  I've been waiting for Squidmas for twelve whole months, and now it's finally happened.  Every year, these celebrations full of holiday cheer and massive amounts of festive wonder just get better and better, and this year's show, the fourth annual Squidmas event, blew it out of the water!  This time around, the bands took over the Melting Point stage and rocked their Christmas-flavored hits for a crowd of extremely eager, red-and-green-clad fans.  So much fun!

 Newcomers to the Squidmas scene, 50s inspired band Groove Tangent kicked off the night with their very own version of Jingle Bell Rock.  Then they eased us into the shocking news that it's really our moms putting the presents under the tree rather than Santa with a clever little tune.  I've got to say, for their very first Squidmas show, they sure did an awesome job changing up their songs to add a bit of holiday spice to them!  But the band didn't stop there.  They brought a slew of guest musicians onstage, recruiting some of their most talented friends to to help them rock the songs.  My favorite of these guests had to be Meghan, whose amazing voice gave their version of Santa Baby just the right measure of sultry sweetness.

 She also joined the band for a gorgeous harmony during their take on Feliz Navidad which featured two of their brilliant pals on trumpet and sax as well.

 Soon after, the Warm Fuzzies gave it a go with some rock-infused holiday covers of their own.  I truly enjoyed their amped up versions of some of the most well-loved, traditionally soft and slow Christmas songs.  And remember those free, new Fuzz of the Month tunes the band keeps releasing?  Sprinkled throughout the set, these melodies gave us bit of that quirky Fuzzies style that we know so well.

And then it was time for the creators of Squidmas to show everyone how it's done.  With a "Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown," Doctor Squid launched into a set that had every person in the venue dancing and singing along.  Honestly, I don't even think it's possible to keep from joining in the fun at a Squidmas celebration!  And, most unbelievably, this one had the events of past years beat with even more brand new holiday mixes of some of their latest songs including those from their album Doctor Squid Changes the Channel, released at this very show.  I'm still amazed at just how easily all of their biggest hits seem to meld with some of the most beloved Christmas songs.  I will never understand what magic they employ to make that happen.  All I know is that I can't get enough of it!  The crowd clearly felt the same way, as cheers grew louder and louder after every song they played culminating in a chant of "Doctor Squid" and "encore" that brought on yet another tasty musical morsel.  They've done it again.  Doctor Squid has given us the best Squidmas yet!

Fun, film, and family!

Can it really be the end of November? How has the year gone by so quickly?  Well, somehow it's already the week of Thanksgiving which means that many of you are away visiting your families and preparing yourselves to enjoy a bit of time off and a selection of tasty foods.  Well, how would like a serving of scrumptious tunes to go with your delicious meal?

First off, I'll start with something you may be familiar with: the Fuzz of the Month!  Every month, local joy-inducing band the Warm Fuzzies gives out a newly released free song on their website.  How awesome is that!  Go ahead and get yourself a taste of their latest tunes right here.

Lucky for us, the Warm Fuzzies aren't the only band sharing some free tunes right now!  Doctor Squid has gotten in on the action as well.  Every week for the next few weeks, they'll be debuting a fresh new song, and they're releasing the latest one today!  You can get your hands on these songs over on their website.  Best of all, you'll be able to catch both of these bands in action on December 5th at the fourth annual Squidmas event over at the Melting Point.  I just can't wait for this year's festive celebration of tunes and cheer!

And finally, if you're craving even more awesome songs, we've just uploaded a bunch of the videos that we've recorded over the past few months onto the Echoreyn of Athens YouTube channel.  Feast your eyes on tons of live show videos, like the Constellations one above, from this year's Music Midtown and more!

Hope you all have an amazing week!

More than Music: Creative Merch and Promotions

There's no doubt that the tunes bring the fans to shows, but what keeps them coming back for more? How can bands ensure their fans will share their latest rockin' discovery with all of their friends? Sometimes it takes a little more than music. Here's where a bit of creativity and some great merch can make all the difference!

After choosing a name, recording a few songs, and playing a couple of shows, most bands take the next logical step and arm themselves with EPs and t-shirts to sell to the masses. Many even give out something small, like a button or a sticker, to potential fans for free to keep their name fresh in fans' minds. This is, indeed, one of the best ways to get your name out there! But some bands have forged their own path with regards to merch and advertising. Putting their creativity and ingenuity to good use, they've thrown a whole new spin on the idea.

My first true experience with merch tables and band promotions was at this year's Summer Side Show in Columbus, GA where I was lucky enough to be traveling with a band who were masters at the art. The very first thing Misfortune500 did when they arrived at the festival was set up a professional-looking merch tent complete with nicely arranged tables and well-displayed items for sale. After all, you've got to think big to make it big! Displays like these lend bands the illusion of great fame, and that really does wonders when you're playing for an unfamiliar crowd. They also took account of their audience for the festival. Hot weather? Well, then there's no better idea than selling water bottles with the band name on them! Other bands around the park also embraced the festival layout, guiding potential fans to their tents with signs and even writing messages on their friends' chests. Definitely eye-catching!

Here in Athens, I've seen some amazing promotional ideas as well. Several years ago, the Warm Fuzzies released their tunes on a bubblegum-scented CD. No fan is ever going to forget a band like that! I can vouch for the fact that, even weeks later, my friends and I could't get enough of telling our pals about them and letting them get a whiff of that sweet song-filled goodness.

Reptar, on the other hand, mixed it up in the early days with their t-shirts, making handmade pieces of one-of-a-kind art using just fabric paint and old clothes they'd found. Back when Allison Weiss lived here, she opted to go for printed t-shirts instead, but they certainly weren't any less memorable with sayings like "Allison Weiss is ok I guess." Ye Olde Sub Shoppe even went so far as to print headshots of one of their unwilling friends on their shirts. Having a sense of humor about their merch is an awesome way to keep the fans amused and excited!

Some bands step even further outside of the box when making their merch. Screamin Eagle, a soft indie pop band from Florida, sold small, hand-drawn books filled with the notions and themes they'd shared in their songs. It was such a unique move that you can bet I've never forgotten their show!

And hey, a band can even stand out in the way they sell their merch. Bambara and Misfortune500, among several other bands I've seen, have begun accepting credit cards at their shows as well. How is this possible? Well, all you need is an iPhone, a small addition to swipe cards, and an app to make your merch table into a legitimate portable business! You can't deny it. That is pretty cool!

Just remember, whether a band is selling sunglasses and beer koozies or earrings and bracelets, they should always make sure their fans leave with their minds full of unforgettable memories and their hands full of incredibly creative merch!

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

Kristen's Concert Picks: The sounds of November waft in

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

Golden leaves flutter past your window as cool breezes pull them from their trees. Coats and boots become a fashion staple, and the scents of fall waft through the air. November has arrived, my friends, and with it comes an awesome selection of tunes!

Tues, Nov 1: Betsy Franck & Klezmer Local 42 @ 4 PM @ Little Kings
Powerful southern rock and a fun take on Hebrew-inspired tunes? What a mix!

Thu, Nov 3: Kenosha Kid & Grogus @ 8 PM @ Georgia Theatre
Kenosha Kid, one of the best jazz bands in Athens, teams up with the dance-inducing sound of Grogus at the Georgia Theatre. Here's another can't-miss lineup!

Thu, Nov 3: Manray @ 9 PM @ Caledonia
Craving some dark, noise rock-flavored melodies? Then you'll definitely want to check out Manray at the Caledonia!

Wed, Nov 9: Spring Tigers @ 9:30 PM @ Caledonia
The electro-pop of the Spring Tigers will have you dancing in no time!

Wed, Nov 9: Magical Athens Talent Show @ 10 PM @ Go Bar
Our town is full of talent, and this show's got feats and acts of all kinds! Check out these crazy displays of skill, and help 'em raise a bit of money for Nuçi's Space while you're there!

Thu, Nov 10: Groove Tangent @ 8:30 PM @ 40 Watt
You've been missing the awesome covers and the classic 50s style original tunes of Groove Tangent, haven't you? It's the 'Watt to the rescue! This Thursday, join the band for a Redcoat Band benefit that's sure to be tons of fun!

Fri, Nov 11: White Violet @ 9 PM @ 40 Watt
You won't be able to get enough of the solid, soft rock tunes of White Violet. Don't miss them over at the 40 Watt!

Sat, Nov 12: Powerkompany & Gold Party @ 9 PM @ 40 Watt
The sweet, ethereal melodies of Powerkompany join with the awesome electronic indie sound of the Gold Party to create yet another amazing lineup!

Thu, Nov 17: Perpetual Groove @ 8 PM @ WUOG
Headliners of last year's Athfest, you can catch this band at WUOG and then on the Georgia Theatre stage the very next day!

Thu, Nov 17: Gift Horse @ 9 PM @ 40 Watt
Soft, dark rock complete with artsy projections is Gift Horse's way. Enjoy!

Thu, Nov 17: Sam Sniper @ 9:30 PM @ Caledonia
One of my current Athens favorites, Sam Sniper's funky take on southern rock will blow your mind. Head on over to the Caledonia to catch these guys in action!

Sat, Nov 26: Easter Island @ 9 PM @ Caledonia
When you return from your celebrations of food and family, Easter Island will be taking the Caledonia stage to serve up some rhythmic, soft rock melodies. Perfect!

What a November this will be! If you know of another rockin' Athens show that isn't on the list, comment below and tell the world all about it. Also, don't forget to check back often to see what new shows are added to the list throughout the month. Catch ya at the shows!

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!

Feast your eyes!

It's that time again... time to celebrate the awesome sights we've seen around the scene! Undoubtably, some of the most mind-blowingly incredible images we have up on the Echoreyn of Athens Facebook page right now are from the unbelievable Of Montreal show at the Georgia Theatre. But that's not all. We've also got pictures of the Gold Party, Yip Deceiver, Brothers, and many more, so don't hesitate to make your way over to our page and check 'em out! A few of our very favorites are below.

The power of the angel

Sir Kevin Barnes

Overdramatic swine

Navigating the sea of people

To see the entire album of over 50 brand new pictures, click here! And hey, if you like our page, be sure to let us know.

For the love of the Georgia Theatre

Up until last Thursday, I had never set foot in the Georgia Theatre. It's hard to believe, I know. See, I was still brand new to the Athens music scene in 2009, and my very first Athfest was on the horizon. There, on my schedule, were several events and shows slated to take place at the theatre, and I was practically bursting with excitement for them all. Then, just days before Athfest began, the people of Athens were shocked to see the theatre go up in flames, leaving just a darkened, hollowed out shell of what it had once been. Feeling like a bit of an outsider, I too mourned for the city's great loss as best I could, yet I couldn't help but wonder if, just like after the death of a celebrity, the great love expressed for the theatre was the result of its sudden and tragic notoriety. I mean, I knew the history was there. Even bands I'd already seen and loved back then like Venice is Sinking had special ties to the iconic venue. But did it really mean so much to the average hipster on the street?

Then, over two years since the first time I almost had the chance to experience the theatre for myself, I stepped up to the freshly built box office to buy my ticket for Thursday's Of Montreal show. Luck was indeed with me that day as I was one of just a few people who had arrived so early that the doormen decided to let us wait on the rooftop balcony so we could claim our places in front of the stage before the doors opened to the public. After a long ride in a wonderfully spacious elevator, I had my first view of the Athens town from up above. As it was near sunset, some of the views from the various angles atop the theatre were simply stunning. A short while later, it was time to descend the stairs to the main floor of the venue, and on the way down, I caught glimpses of the beautifully designed uppermost floors filled with seating that overlooked the stage.

Once we had finally made our way to the dance floor in front of the stage, I eagerly drank in the sights of the theatre around me. Everything was beautifully and stylistically designed, from the wings that led backstage to the mind-blowingly massive fans that spun overhead. But surrounding us was the darkened, exposed brick that held the history of what this place had been and what memories it still held for the countless people who had fallen in love with the theatre before me.

This love, this passion, that the citizens of Athens have for the Georgia Theatre is real and true and well-deserved. There is some abiding beauty and depth in this place that it maintains and reveals, even in its newest incarnation. I finally understand... and I can truly say now that I, too, love the Georgia Theatre.

Of Montreal: the most deliciously insane dream I've ever had

Thursday night was, without a doubt, a night of remarkable experiences. Not only did I get to see Of Montreal again for the first time in a year and a half, but I also had the chance to step across the threshold of the Georgia Theatre for the first time... ever. Shocking, I know, but it was utterly and completely worth the wait. What a truly unbelievable night!

Now, I'll save my description of the amazing Georgia Theatre for another time as the events of the night were so awe-inspiring, I can hardly do justice to everything in just one post. Suffice it to say, my ridiculous habit of getting to shows much too early finally paid off with this one. Minutes before the masses were let in, a few determined fans and I were lucky enough to find ourselves already at the foot of the stage, fully prepared for the night's festivities. To conserve our energy, we sat under the convenient stage overhang, not budging from our highly coveted (and as past experience has taught us, likely dangerous) positions. To my great surprise and joy, I soon discovered that my particular chosen space was one of the best in the house.

When a cheer arose from the standing crowd, we, the understagelings, emerged from beneath the overhang to claim our spots as the music began. The Gold Party, a band I've seen and enjoyed at many an Athfest, kicked off the show with with their electronic and unique indie tunes. Straight away, they had the crowd bobbing and clapping their hands in time as the band played. About halfway through, guest musicians Karolyn (sporting yet another gorgeous dress - I swear, I am obsessed with her wardrobe) and Andrew of Powerkompany added a lovely taste of the strings to Gold Party's biggest hits. What a great hint of the fun that was to come!

Moments later, the eager, glitter-covered masses greeted the soft, funk-tinged, electro-indie sound of Yip Deceiver. A side project featuring Of Montreal's Davey Pierce, Nicolas Dobbratz, and Clayton Rychlik with Paul Nunn, they knew just how to keep the crowd enthused. Between their hilariously ridiculous banter, their high energy, mood-boosting tunes, and their penchant for rocking the extreme edge of the stage right in front of their fans, the crowd was wild for their style, leaping about with great zeal. Then, to top off all the madness, the lead singer instructed the fans to imagine what he would look like naked before jumping off the stage to sing in the middle of the dance floor packed with people. Utterly awesome, indeed.

After Yip Deceiver finished their set, the sea of fans arrayed in feathers, sequins, and hats in every style awaited the grand finale of the night, the surreal dessert to complete the unbelievable feast of tunes, Of Montreal. Changing it up from the last time I saw them, the band launched immediately into their first tune the moment they stepped onstage, forgoing any sort of fanfare... for a second, at least. Then bright displays of red, white, and blue exploded onto the screen behind them as flag-garbed players danced, leapt, and fought their way onstage. They followed this with their iconic hit, "Wraith Pinned to the Mist [etc]" before tossing ribbons of long balloons and handfuls of glitter into the crowd. As winged birds and angels fluttered through the air, the band members began playing at the very edge of the stages, touching our hands as they wove their unique tunes and lyrics into sustenance for our desiring ears.

Hands down, one of my favorite parts of the show was the defeat of the dragon-like monster. Monster, you ask? I kid you not. During one of the songs, lead singer Kevin Barnes killed a long, many-footed giant of a monster with a bit of fancy swordwork before being subsequently knighted by a man sporting a long white wig. Wow, how's that for unexpected? But that certainly wasn't the last of the surprises. Stripping seemed to be an unofficial theme of the night, with a few glittery caped creatures revealing massive fake boobs beneath their cloaks, bushels of fake money being thrown to the fans, and two girls in tiny little outfits dancing suggestively over the faces of those at the very front of the crowd during a song about a crazy girl. In fact, that particular performance was dripping with lust as Mr. Barnes and the girls simulated a delightfully shocking threesome as he sang. Even better of a moment though, was when, a short while later, he took the hand of a girl three people down from me in the audience and sang just to her as she mouthed the words right back to him. It was quite touching (and for someone who attends as many shows as I do, that's saying something)! Then, after a few pigs showed up, some idol worshipping went down, a wrestling match happened, and a burst of streamers flew threw the air, the show was over... Right? No, of course it wasn't! You can't forget the encore.

Ushered back onstage by what could only be described as skeletal aliens in pajamas, the band began their three song encore set with "For Our Elegant Caste," one of my very favorites. Hey, don't judge me. As the band approached the end of their spectacular musical adventure, fire worshippers pranced around and a raft holding several members of the band floated across the crowd before returning to the stage. Finally, the whole band transferred their powers to their violinist K Ishibashi, who was to play an after-show set, as the members kneeled in awe of his skills.

Wow, I honestly cannot believe that they succeeded in creating an even more surreal and unbelievable show than the one I saw so long ago, but indeed, they surpassed themselves magnificently. Theirs is a live show and an experience and a memory that every band should aspire to create. I'm already dying to see them again!

Out on your own, rockin' the scene

Say there's an awesome show coming up that's got you massively pumped, but your friends all have to cram for tests that night. What's a music fan to do? Well, you could just stay in and go to bed early, only to find yourself haunted by dreams of the unbelievable show you just missed. Luckily, there's a much better option. You can go it alone!

Alone? But that's no fun. It's too dangerous. Too lonely. Why would anyone go to a show alone? Well, I used to think the same way. In order to feed my voracious appetite for tunes, though, I eventually caved and began catching all the bands my ears desired, whether I had a fleet of friends by my side or just the company of my own shadow. Heading to that venue alone doesn't have to be a lonely, creepy experience. Here are some tips from a girl who's learned to love it.

Tip #1: Get to know the band. The best way to guarantee that you'll always have a friend at the shows you attend is to befriend your local band members. Just can't get enough of their sound? Don't hesitate to tell them! Better yet, offer to help them haul all their equipment after the show's over. Be genuine, and you'll never find yourself alone at one of their shows again!

Tip #2: Befriend other fans. More often than not, you'll find that you aren't the only one who decided to rock out on her own at a show. I've made some really great friends by just striking up a conversation with these other fans. You already know you've probably got something in common with them. After all, you're both there to catch the same lineup! Generally, people in the scene are pretty friendly once you make the effort to talk to them.

Tip #3: Bring a snack. Not as bummed about going to the show on your own as you are about missing out on that late night Grill run? Take your favorite snack along to the show. Not only will this cure the munchies you're sure to develop from all of that dancing you'll be doing, but it can also end up being a quirky conversation starter. Don't ask me how that works. Oddly enough, it just does. And hey, you could even bring some snacks to share. Everybody loves free food!

Tip #4: Bring a jacket. Are you most concerned about being just too damn sexy to walk back to your car alone at 2:30 AM? Well, that is a legitimate concern. After all, you ARE indeed damn sexy. Sticking to well-lit areas is a start, but sometimes you'll discover that the outfit that just looked flattering at 10 PM starts to look more like something out of a rap video to the blurred eyes of those stumbling around when 3 AM rolls around. A jacket to the rescue! Zipping up a jacket or even pulling on hoodie can do wonders to bring your sexiness to more manageable levels.

Tip #5: Celebrate your freedom. Most of all, embrace your independence. Want to catch one band here and another band there? It's completely up to you! Want to stay out till every last person leaves the venue? Go for it! Want to mix it up by rockin' out to a band on one side of town and then heading to a bar on the other? Why not. The scene is yours, and you've got the freedom to make the most of it!

Got some tips of your own? Share them with us in the comments below!

Discover the Athens music scene!

This one's for all the newcomers to Athens as well as those of you who've been curious about the scene but have remained on the fringes of it thus far. Not sure whether you want to join an already existing band in need of a new rockin' member or start your own music project during your stay in the Ath-town? Still working on learning those first few guitar chords? Love being a fan but wish you could take it to the next step? Whether concerts have always been your thing or the scene is brand new to you, there's a place for you here!

If you're attending the ever-awesome University of Georgia, you've got tons of options to help you carve out a space for yourself in the Athens scene.

• Interested in DJaying, learning how to set up a show, or just getting an introduction to the world of local musicians? Check out WUOG, UGA's own student-run radio station. Don't be shy! They seriously welcome all students to eager to help out, and they're conveniently located in the Tate Student Center.
• Perhaps you're ready to throw yourself straight into the business... Well, then the Music Business Certificate Program is just for you! During your music business classes, you'll learn all the technical details you need to know to make the music industry part of your career.
• Or maybe you just want to focus on the fun side of putting on shows featuring big name artists. If that sounds right up your alley, then you should join University Union's Entertainment division. As part of this club, students get to select artists and organize massive shows for the student body. They often get to meet the musicians themselves too. Added bonus! Past shows organized by this group of eager students have featured a huge variety of artists and groups including Ludacris, Augustana, Soulja Boy, and Bo Burnham.

If you're most interested in the music-making process itself, your first stop should be the famed streets of downtown Athens! Even if you're not yet 21, there are several venues around town that cater to the 18+ music loving crowd. These include the Caledonia Lounge, the 40 Watt Club, Nuçi's Space, New Earth Music Hall, the Bad Manor, the Melting Point, and even the newly reopened Georgia Theatre! Once you've seen a few shows and met a few of your favorite local musicians, you can begin networking to find your niche in a sea of bands and rockers. Making friends here is where it all begins!

Interested in writing about the scene and your experiences in it? You could always join the Echoreyn of Athens team and give us your take as well! Check out our About page for more information on many of the people who have gotten involved with us in the past and a link to our contact info.

One way or another, I hope you all make the most of Athens' amazing and ever-exciting local music scene!