for fans of music & those who make it volume 1, issue 7

CHAIRLIFT DEAF JUDGES THE DUMPS JOKER’S DAUGHTER LADY ANTEBELLUM THE ROOTS TINTED WINDOWS SPRING TIGERS ERIN MCCARLEY & MORE!!!! 10 Questions with GEorge thorogood jaime pressly: working girl saving music maria education from dust to digital taylor PLUS! summer gets lucky festivals not to miss! ben foldS: Big Man on campus 75+ Bands on 4 Stages INCREDIBLE NEW SITE FOR 2009! THE BLACK CROWES GOV’T MULE SOUND TRIBE SECTOR 9 Yonder Mountain String Band Les Claypool Matisayhu G Love & Special Sauce Cross Canadian Ragweed Galactic Shpongle Buckethead DIGABLE PLANETS Sly & Robbie Railroad Earth Steve Kimock Crazy Engine feat Melvin Seals Perpetual Groove Porter Batiste & Stoltz JJ Grey & MOFRO Jimmy Herring Band The Egg 20/20 Soundsystem Lucero Split Lip Rayfield AND DOZENS MORE! JUNE 4th-7th MULBERRY MOUNTAIN OZARK, ARKANSAS SEE THE FULL LINEUP AND PURCHASE TICKETS AT WWW.WAKARUSA.COM

Ad Name: We Recycle Closing Date: 4.16.9 Trim: 8.375 x 10.875 Item #: PEN20099489 QC: RR Bleed: 8.5 x 11 Job/Order #: 600865-202967 Pub: Athens Blur Live: 7.875 x 10.375 cover story maria (16) Make no mistake - Maria Taylor knows there’s no place like home. Now, if she could just figure out taylor where home is… gets lucky —Alec Wooden

27 years( after40 the )release of his flagship blues tune, is George Thorogood still “Bad George to the Bone?” tenquestions with Thorogood — Zac Taylor DUST (45) From a college DJ booth to the TO biggest stage in the music indus- try, Lance Ledbetter’s passion for out-of-print rarities is becoming DI GI TA L an unavoidable phenomenon. by Erica Schwartz (49) —Alec Wooden (60) With the economy on the fritz, it’s no surprise schools are cutting costs, cutting teachers, and cut- ting programs. Athfest saving musicone school education at a time — Nicole Black (56) BEN (65) Working Girl FOLDS: Jaime Pressly talks doing TV, big man on campus making movies and raising a 15 A Capella groups get the chance of a lifetime — child. thanks to pop music’s perpetual undergrad

— DeMarco Williams — Alec Wooden

ATHENS BLUR MAGAZINE 3 music 19 COLUMNS EDITOR’S PLAYLIST: 6 Ten Tunes Worth Noting THE FIRST WORD: 9 Indie is the New Punk WHAT’S YOUR MUSICSCOPE? 80 24 Astrology for Musicians spotlights 13 Pains of Being Pure At Heart 11 Roxy Epoxy & The Rebound 12 Lady Antebellum 13 20 The Belleville Outfit 14 Maria Taylor 16 Joker’s Daughter 19 Chairlift 20 Psychostick 21 The Dumps 23 Erin McCarley 24 Tinted Windows 25 The Roots 26 Deaf Judges 27 12 The Airborne Toxic Event 28 Spring Tigers 30 EAR CANDY: Album Reviews 32 21 27 UPCOMING CD RELEASES 35 THIS DAY IN MUSIC HISTORY 38 ALSO: TOUR DIARY: 36 Dead Confederate Takes On The UK ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT MOVIE PREVIEWS: 62 Worth your money? UPCOMING DVD RELEASES 64 25 36 FOOD MEALS FOR YOUR BROKE ASS: 68 62 Grills Gone Wild! ALSO INSIDE: CALENDAR OF EVENTS: 70 Go Ahead, Make My Date ATHENS LIVE: The Month in Photos 75 68 ATHENS BLUR MAGAZINE 5 FROM THE EDITORS BLUR FROM THE editor’s playlist FROM THE EDITOR Who We Are old or new, 10 songs we can’t get enough of this month Editor-in-Chief Dear Readers, The Athens Nicole Black [email protected] Nicole Black Alec Wooden Editor-in-Chief Executive Editor Like springtime, new things are blossoming here at Blur and in this issue we are introducing Blur Magazine a new recurring section called, “Tour Diary”, where a local band shares their thoughts with P.O. Box 7117 Executive Editor us during their road travels. Kicking off this launch, Brantley Senn of Dead Confederate WHO WEBLUR WHO ARE “Does This Mean You’re Moving On?” “Geraldine” Glasvegas Alec Wooden The Airborne Toxic Event (TATE) journals his ten days on a recent European tour with the band. Athens, Ga [email protected] “The Feeling” Peter Bjorn & John “Bad Influence” Pink As a new magazine on the verge of turning one, we continue to make small changes in 30604 “All This Time” Sara Watkins an effort to polish the overall look and feel of our magazine that some of our avid readers Director of Sales “Champagne” Trances Arc “Just Pretend” may have been noticing with each new issue. As we continue to move forward with this Main Office Stephen Simmons “If You Want Blood, You’ve Got It” The Fascination Movement publication, there will undoubtedly be more to come but we do so in order to make this [email protected] AC/DC Georgia’s ultimate music variety magazine. (706) 353-7799 “Me No” Clem Snide Account Executives “A Little Less Conversation” That said, we have finally decided on a slogan that sums up what we feel is The Athens Blur JXL Remix, Elvis Presley “Up To Our Nex” Magazine, a magazine for fans of music and those who make it. And of course, we sprinkle Robyn Hitchcock & The Venus 3 Sales Adrienne Klein “Gasoline” TATE our pages with a little variety such as movie previews, interviews with actors/actresses, [email protected] “Woods” Bon Iver investigative features, and our infamous food section, Meals For Your Broke Ass. (706) 207-9091 “Personal Jesus” Johnny Cash version Jim McGahee “Rain, Fire, and Brimstone” Madeline And speaking of new…we have recently discovered the joys and addiction of Twitter. [email protected] “Bad Company” Bad Company For general comments “Shotgun Wedding” JazzChronic Already on MySpace and Facebook, Twitter will surely help put us on the map as we and inquiries: “Sometime Around Midnight” TATE Advertising Interns aimlessly update our status and join our fellow competitors, musicians, and new and current [email protected] “Rebel Side of Heaven” readers. Also, be sure to continually check www.athensblur.blogspot.com for daily buzz “My Generation” The Who Langhorne Slim Elaine Emma Kelch, worthy news and noise. In all seriousness — we really are in the process of a website but, For advertising Morgan Kelly, Julia Ott as the saying goes, all good things come to those who wait. opportunities: [email protected] Design looking for blur? As always, keep your comments coming, and support our local businesses! The Athens Blur Colin Dunlop, Lily Feinberg Magazine issue 7, copyright©2009 Lauren Mullins, Carlye try here: By The Athens Blur Norton, Alec Wooden Magazine, INC. All rights 40 Watt Club Moe’s reserved. No part of Editorial Interns ABC Package Music Exchange this publication may be Barberitos Musician’s Warehouse reproduced in whole or Will Hackett, Lindsey Lee Barnes & Noble School Kids Records part in any way by any Kristen Lee, Julie McCollum Beef O’Brady’s Tall Boy Beverage Co. means unless written Erica Schwartz Nicole D. Black permission is received Blind Pig Tavern The Burger & from the publisher. Contributing Writers Borders Bookstore Cheesesteak Factory Published monthly Copper Creek The Georgia Theatre except for each summer Jacquie Brasher, Espresso Royale Cafe The Globe issue in the United Melissa Coker, Jimmy John’s The Taco Stand States of America and Natalie B. David, Chris Jittery Joe’s Coffee Transmetropolitan distributed free of charge Homer, Ed Morales, Jon Ross, (limit one copy per J’s Bottle Shop Trappeze Pub reader, each subsequent Zac Taylor, PT Umphress, Lay-Z Shopper Village Wine & Spirits DeMarco Williams, copy is distributed Jenni Williams Little Italy Vision Video at a charge of $4.95). Locos Deli & Pub Wuxtry Records Postmaster send address Melting Point Your Pie changes to The Athens Blur Magazine, P.O. Box Or grab a copy at two publication boxes downtown — at the corner of 7117 Athens, Ga. 30604 ON THE COVER: Maria Taylor, College and Clayton, in front of Wuxtry Records, and across the street photo by Autumn De Wilde, in front of The Fred Building. courtesy Nettwerk Music Group FOR MORE LOCATIONS, VISIT ATHENSBLUR.COM 6 ATHENS BLUR MAGAZINE ATHENS BLUR MAGAZINE 7 THE FIRST WORD FIRST BLUR THE MUSIC INDIE IS THE NEW PUNK the attitude is gone — all that’s left is a shell of the genre.

In the genesis of any unique genre of more accessible. Suddenly major label sup- music, there is a clearly defined sound and port is harder to justify — every band mentality existing within the typical fan wants to be independent. and/or creator of said sound. As time goes And so, as with punk, at one time “indie” on, that sound and mentality may increase rock identified a particular sound, but now, in popularity — inspiring sub-genres, because so many artists have latched onto spin-offs and the ever-despised fakers. the indie attitude of DIY, we have artists Whatever the case, as a given genre grows from all genres going “indie.” and evolves, it becomes less and less the A shining example of this is Radio- plays indie music. defined seed of creativity and more a thin- head. Yes, that Radiohead — a band that But then again, what the hell is indie ning root of inspiration running through could sell out Madison Square Garden ev- music anyhow? A particular sound de- the various offshoots. fined by some elite panel of hipster judg- This is why “indie” is the new “punk.” Similar to es? It’s easy to see why musicians them- Early on “punk” had definition, both a selves eschew genres, since a band can unique sonic experience and a rebellious, early punk, be defined differently depending on who middle-finger mentality toward the es- early indie rock had you ask. Take Wilco. It can be called in- tablishment. Fast-forward a decade or a uniform and recognizable die, folk, rock, country, Americana, or even two and things get mighty blurry. Now- pop. Are any of them entirely right? Are adays, everything can be a little “punk” if sound and attitude. any of them entirely wrong? it wants to be. Modern mainstream “punk” Bands weren’t Any of those genre adjectives mean isn’t dangerous or sincere — it’s trendy and in it for the fame and a number of things to different people. purchasable. True punk never cared to be They’re just vines of inspiration, winding mainstream, and that’s exactly why it blew money, didn’t dress in and out of various bands down through up — there’s nothing cooler than some- to impress and shied the years, and as time goes on, they thin out. one who does their own thing and couldn’t away from major labels It’s rare a new band goes so far back to the give a shit what you think of them. (or were simply roots in which it is inarguably definable — Enter indie rock. Similar to early punk, ignored both in sound and attitude — as that core, early indie rock had a uniform and recog- by them). They put source genre. They still exist — dyed in the nizable sound and attitude. Bands weren’t their albums on wool punk and indie bands — but sure- in it for the fame and money, didn’t dress to vinyl — before it was ly they themselves cringe when attempting impress and shied away from major labels to explain their place in the musical spec- (or were simply ignored by them). They cool again. trum, knowing their hard-earned, well-de- put their albums on vinyl — before it was served adjective is meaningless to anyone cool again — for crying out loud. ery night of every day of every year, forev- else. And it can never go back. Enter the digital revolution. Pro Tools, er. Clearly not a bottom feeder, Yorke and We live in a world where Avril Lavigne home recording rigs, MySpace, Facebook, company are “indie” nonetheless because has been called “punk” and “indie” bands P2P filesharing services, torrents. Sud- they have no major label backing. They do go platinum overnight by popping up in denly the means of self-production, dis- it all on their own. They may not sound in- an Apple commercial. And there’s not a tribution, and promotion are cheaper and die, but they operate indie. goddamn thing the hardest of the hard- Then there’s “indie music,” which is core or the indiest of the indie can do to where the watered down nature of the term change that. becomes most evident. Let’s see… there Indie is the new punk. But hey, it was a are indie bands that don’t play indie music fun ride while it lasted. (Minor Threat or Reel Big Fish), bands that play indie music that have major label sup- — The lethal combination of PT Umphress port and thus are not truly indie (The Shins and Ed Morales contributed to this column. or Manchester Orchestra), and then you’ve Got something to say? Send your thoughts to got Sufjan Stevens, who is an indie artist who [email protected]! ATHENS BLUR MAGAZINE 9 MUSIC ALTERNATIVE 11 — Ed Morales — Ed Morales

Berman appreciates appreciates Berman

WEB ATHENS BLUR MAGAZINE ATHENS THE HEART

“I know it’s hard for people ABEL ST RELEASE ATE L slumberland Records L at of Being Pure Pains The Heart (2008) ON - www.thepainsofbeingpu reatheart.com it all, realizing it wasn’t long ago he wanted to sit where he is right now. After all, being cool happens when you’re not forlooking it. to understand, but was a no super cool one 13-year-old listening to and The Meat Whiplash,” he said. Flatmates “We were pretty much typical teenagers into Nirvana learned and about Theand Vaselines began to these other amazing bands like know about Teenage Fanclub, The Pastels, Beat Happening, underground pop bands of the and about worry Don’t ’80s. and the ’90s because lots being of cool, cool music isn’t ‘cool’ — I we mean, all jam out ‘SiamesePumpkins’ to in Dream’ Smashing the tour van more than people might assume.” retro-yet-new-sound retro-yet-new-sound rise prominence. to - AT

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W he T eldman HEART AINS OF BEING PURE AT ourtesy C eggy Wang (key Wang eggy

WHO erman (guitar, erman (guitar, ’S ’S THE P RE PU lex Naidus (bass), lex WHO A Kip B Kurtvocals), F (drums), P vocals) board, FORMED 2007 in Brooklyn, N.Y. “We “We did a tour to Athens Those smallshow days are the band grabbed a Saturday afternoon slot at Popfest, and stage, the took it before hour an the Black Kids leapt into indie buzz history with a blazing set frenzy. a into bloggers sent that And though Pains missed the online bustle that day, it did stumble upon something just as satisfying. Popfest and there than were 10 people at every show,” less Berman remembers. wonderful thing was, we were wasn’t it fun, much “The so having all disappointing in We ate a the lot of Dairy Queen, least. especially in Georgia, where it and August, in degrees 105 was discovered Jagermeister. — at ‘we’re in cheek tongue a in first but then...” way, doin it’ long gone, as the Pains hype grows. Pitchfork called LP one of the the year’s best and NME and TheTimes New praised York the band’s

EING B

OF Thosedreams are sowed on “Growing up, we loved so Pains saw the Internet’s PHOTO: ANNIE POWERS PHOTO: Tallahassee Tallahassee to between three and six people,” Berman said. they really are.” “But now, LP, initial Pains’ of strength the a collection of shoegaze gems and bouncy beats forlorn belied lyrics by (“Can’t you see his arms are a hell and won’t ever leave?” Berman sings on “Stay success single found Alive”). You,” With “Everything and steady airplay on XM. Sirius Signed to Records slumberland (home indie to pop bands), dreamy finds the POBPAT label suits itsmusical tastes. and commercial many of the bands theyout put — Rocketship, Girl, Velocity Aislers said. Set,” “Thanks to the Berman Internet and home recording, a great there’s leveling of the playing becausefield, now a bandon a record still can label indie small for cheap, get attention distributed.” and power firsthand. Touring support to its debut EP in 2007,

S S AIN P

It resounds in a rush — Rocketship? Mice? Field The “I grew up in suburban Started in a warehouse to “I always used to joke with THE YORK CITY AND NEW HAMMY OVER MY OONS BETWEEN M CAUGHT fuzzed out guitars crafted big in city streets, punctuated by lyrics of drug sound The addiction calamitythe love. of and — unmistakable, yet fresh — elicits ’80s underground rock and forgotten bands such The as Field Mice,Tambourine. and Black Rocketship Where do 20-somethings find inspirations? These bands? these Unknown depths of coolness wrought from tales city of excess? Think Moons Over My big darker. No, someplace Hammy. Pennsylvania with my and mom hung out with my friends, three sitting smoking in Denny’s section smoking, drinking bottomless but cups not of anarchy coffee, and anything discussing cool wondering would happen,” if said Kip Berman, lead singer and principal songwriter TheBrooklyn’s Pains of Being of Pure at Heart. “We’d were but punk and shows stuff, go to punks. real the as punk as never We’d talk about was how never anything to do, but there I think that looking back on it, fun all had the time.” we celebrate the birthday, POBPAT keyboardist’s from (“taken unpublished the children’s book,” Berman notes) title still isn’t made of of real punks, but finds itself with plenty an to do. Comprised of Berman, drummerFeldman, Kurt singer-keyboardist Peggy Wang and bassist Alex Naidus, the embarked on band an international recently tour to promote its self-titled full length debut and in process, far the exceed its wildest expectations. Peggy, ‘all our coming true’ — like dreams when we are played a sandwich shop in COUNTRY MUSIC ON THE REBOUND ante up! Former epoxies fronTwoman finds a new sticky situation two georgia boys and a great scott unite ROXY EPOXY & As they say, great things THE REBOUND come in three — and that fact rings true with trio Lady Antebellum. WHO’S WHO All are steeped in influential Roxy Epoxy (vocals), Qat background ingredients. Multi- MUSIC ALTERNATIVE Bergler (Guitar), Drat (gui- instrumentalist/harmony tar/vocals), Jarius Dathan vocalist Dave Haywood is from (keys), Lola Gold (bass/vo- Augusta, where he met Charles cals), Ryan Moore (drums) Kelley (tenor) at Riverside Middle School. While the FORMED LADY ANTEBELLUM 2006 in Portland, Ore. two started writing together at the University of Georgia, LABEL Nashville is where they met the Metropolic Records group’s feminine side — alto WHO’S WHO Hillary Scott, who actually Hillary Scott (vocals), LATEST RELEASE approached Kelley after having Charles Kelley (vocals), Band-aids on Bullet Holes Dave Haywood (vocals, seen/heard him on MySpace. guitar, mandolin) PHOTO COURTESY LADY ANTEBELLUM (2009) The daughter of Grammy- winning artist Linda Davis and FORMED many may expect from the and a half ago,” he adds. “We ON THE WEB three, but they’re still living kept it up, in what we now call www.roxyepoxy.com musician Lang Scott, she hails 2006 in Nashville, Tenn. from Nashville (better known in fast forward. Fresh off the ‘Webisode Wednesdays.’” as “The Athens of the South”). LABEL ACM’s, they’ve found their Haywood’s really needled Capitol Nashville “I’m the analytical next good time with Kenny (in a good way) if a fan shares Chesney. Suiting up for some a story of how a song’s affected to land at the goth/industrial perfectionist, Hillary brings LATEST RELEASE sun fun with Chesney and them. label Metropolis. the silliness and the emotion, Lady Antebellum (2008) the boys aboard the acclaimed “‘One Day You Will’ has “It’s appealing to self-release and Dave is the calming glue,” concert-thrower’s hot “Sun inspired a lot of listeners,” he these days because the music Kelley observes. “Everyone ON THE WEB PHOTO COURTESY ROXY EPOXY www.ladyantebellum.com City Carnival Tour,” they join says. “We had a girl tell us it industry is so unpredictable, balances everybody else out.” fellow fire starter Miranda helped her dad get through which kind of makes it fun as Their balance has already The shoes of Siouxie Sioux, going on, but there’s definitely The songs that would Lambert with dates booked during his cancer struggle. It’s far as I’m concerned because brought numerous successes. Joan Jett and Chrissie Hynde a degree of starting over again, become her debut with The now through August’s end. amazing to give such hope, you get to figure out all these They’ve been certified Gold most exciting things for us,” are hard ones to fill, but Roxy which is pretty cool actually.” Rebound, Band-aids On Bullet “We keep our shows loose especially when we put so new ways of doing things,” she (complete with a surprise exuded Haywood, while Epoxy slides her toes into Before unofficially breaking Holes, had been partially and spontaneous,” Haywood much of ourselves into these says, “but we went through a plaque presented on The Ellen already in Vegas for rehearsal those ass-kicking boots and up in late 2007, The Epoxies written and set aside during shares. “Probably my favorite songs.” label because we had no money DeGeneres Show), garnered two nights before the ceremony. laces up with ease. The former gained a loyal fan following for her tenure with The Epoxies. song to play live, though, is Lady A will shine their heart to record.” Grammy nominations, a Top 5 Their previous single – frontwoman for synth-infused its sci-fi influenced punk and But the resulting sound finds ‘All We’ll Ever Need.’ It’s first on you in Alpharetta on May As for touring, gone are the hit (“Love Don’t Live Here”) “Lookin’ for a Good Time” – punk band The Epoxies, Roxy new wave sound, as well as for Roxy embracing more rock one we wrote together, a really 28. days of stage show gimmicks and can now say they’ve been still holds its own in the award vocally channels DEVO’s the group’s penchant for over- ‘n’ roll influences, which she special, personal song. Being a “This is the tour to be on with her former band. Although on the iTunes Top 10 country world. In particular, CMT is Mark Mothersbaugh in equal the-top stage shows, which credits to Drat, her significant ballad we do in the middle of this summer,” says Scott. “Not The Rebound’s personality is albums chart for a full year. praising its video counterpart. measure to her feminine punk included smoke machines, other and songwriting partner, our set, people really sit back only will we be playing in front still being determined, Roxy Last year, they took trophies It’s up for three “Video of the predecessors for a sound that is guitars equipped with lasers, whose musical background and take in the lyrics. I get to of hundreds of thousands of sounds confident that, for now, at the ACM Awards for “Best Year” awards for their fan- uniquely her own. and costumes made of duct is entrenched mostly in goth, play piano on it. And you know, die-hard country music fans she has all of the right bases New Vocal Group” and CMA voted award show which airs On a phone call from a tape all in conjunction with rock and glam. Georgia’s our old stompin’ over the next few months, but covered. Awards for “New Artist of the June 17. Though set up as a friend’s house in Seattle, Roxy Roxy’s commanding stage “We just spent a long time at ground. We love getting to Kenny is just the most gracious “I think that we’re putting on Year.” This year, they crossed clean-cut back in time TV is easygoing and immediately presence. home figuring it out between play such a big show for the host and has already made us a great show just physically as- the line with a nomination in show, the video does get pretty amiable. It’s the second-to-last But an end to The Epoxies work, because of course we both hometown crowd. A bunch feel so welcome. We couldn’t is, which is the first thing that the even more elite “Top Vocal dirty — and even a little oiled date on the inaugural tour for didn’t mean an end to Roxy still have day jobs,” she remarks of my friends are coming feel any more fortunate that you need to make sure is going Group” category. An even up. That is, there’s a mechanic Roxy Epoxy and The Rebound, Epoxy. When asked if she ever of the demoing process. “Punk out, tailgating…we’ve all got he invited us to come out with on,” she says. “If you’re going bigger bestowed honor was who deigns to dirty up Dave her new band, and her first thought the breakup meant the rock don’t pay the bills.” friends coming out. Hillary has him.” to see a band you want to see getting to perform their new with a slightly smudgy tap outing since The Epoxies called demise of her musical career, she Despite Roxy’s fiercely ties to Georgia too.” From the sound of it, Lady something good or you could’ve single, “I Run to You,” on a on the shoulder, producing a it quits. laughs, “I got pretty stubborn DIY ways (she created all the Videos the band’s uploaded A have forged their way from just stayed home and listened special stage with enthusiastic don’t-you-dare response. “It’s been really good,” she right away. It was intimidating, artwork for the album and tie in heavily to their shows. on the fringe to inside music’s to the album, especially ‘cause fans crowded around them. “Time” included, the trio says of the tour. “It’s been but I just went for it and tried even lived at the Seattle studio “We put a video up for just circle — thanks to a career that’s we’re all broke these days.” “It was unbelievable [to had a hand in ten of the eleven interesting to see what the to see what would happen, and during recording), the demos about every single show on the already taken great shape. play “Run”]…actually getting album tracks. “Run” makes crossover might’ve been from I’m pretty psyched about how were mailed out to various to perform was one of the Martina [McBride] tour a year my old band. There’s a little bit it’s gone so far.” record labels, finally coming — Natalie B. David a much slower sound than — Melissa Coker 12 ATHENS BLUR MAGAZINE ATHENS BLUR MAGAZINE 13 LOOKING FOR A NEW OUTFIT? BELLEVILLE MIXES BLUEGRASS AND ROCK FOR A PERFECT MATCH THE BELLEVILLE OUTFIT

MUSIC COUNTRY WHO’S WHO Rob Teter (guitar, vocals), Connor Forsyth (piano), Jonathan Konya (drums, vocals), Jeff Brown (bass, vocals), Marshall Hood (guitar, vocals), Phoebe Hunt (violin, vocals) FORMED 2007 in Austin, Texas LABEL independent LATEST RELEASE Time to Stand (2009) ON THE WEB www.bellevilleoutfit.com PHOTO: JOHN GRUBBS

When three kids out of direct result of touring for a down. We all write songs, so That’s exactly what happens Spartanburg High School in growing fan base and having we’ve all got stuff, got ideas, at a Belleville show. According South Carolina formed The nothing to leave behind. “Our but you really have to learn to to Teter, with old American DesChamps Band, most people goal was just to get something compromise to get the album musicians’ influence like Ray thought they were “cute,” a trio out,” Teter says. “We were you need.” Charles and Muddy Waters, emulating the late Champ touring with no disc so we said, Almost every song is “people are just spinning and Hood’s Uncle Walt’s Band and ‘Ok, we’ve got 12 tunes. Let’s written by several members, twirling all over the place” at playing gigs around the city for make it happen.’” Their self- a collaboration if you will, of their shows. And with 200+ “fun.” released album did “better than the talent across the board days on the road, playing But for members Rob Teter, we ever thought it would,” Teter within the various members of for a party like that makes it Marshall Hood and Jeff Brown, admits, “but it didn’t transmit the Outfit. They consist of the worthwhile — not to mention it meant much more. They were the energy people found in our original Spartanburg three, plus makes them all a little more actually writing their own songs live shows.” Jonathan Konya and Connor confident in that “college later” and doing it for more than just Thus,Time To Stand followed, Forsyth from college days with decision. good times. When high school bringing a more cohesive track Teter in New Orleans, and Like no bluegrass you’ve ever ended and college carted them flow and a true identity for Phoebe Hunt, a friend Hood heard (think rock, alternative farther West, their potential was Belleville. picked up in Austin. Although blues, and even some swing), anything but lost. A booking in “We sequenced it to be more still shy of the official Time To The Belleville Outfit truly Wilkesboro, N.C., for the 2007 like our live show and something Stand release, the group plans represents its music. Lyrics MerleFest simultaneously did that was radio-friendly.” A to get started on a third album from their debut album, like, two great things for this group crossover from the smorgasbord as soon as this one releases. “if I lost it all — if I lost of bluegrass boys; it reunited of sound their first disc offered, “We’re on the fast-track everything I knew, I’d want to the DesChamps talent, adding this one sounds more like now,” Teter says. And it shows. love somebody like you,” proves some new sounds and faces, bluegrass, yet still maintains the Not only have they shared the what their music is, something and before a few months could Belleville originality that the stage with Lyle Lovett, Ricky you’d want if nothing else in change their mind, birthed a first carried. Skaggs, Kentucky Thunder the world was right. brand new touring outfit—The It was a learning process and the Del McCoury Band, It makes you feel good and Belleville Outfit. for this group of young the Belleville Outfit attracts a makes you want to groove, and School went on hold, 20-somethings, Teter says, wide audience of listeners with the best part is this group has a (although each member plans explaining that “when you Time To Stand, and, according lot more music to come. to return one day) and in 2008 get serious making an album to Teter, “makes you wanna they released Wanderin’ as a you really have to whittle it dance.” — Jennifer Williams 14 ATHENS BLUR MAGAZINE FOLK MUSIC a southern lady brings it all home(s) “I don’t know if I did it on purpose, but I definitely allowed myself to feel (at home) in more places,” says the artist who has thus far in her already lengthy (though still quite young) career set up shop in numerous musical hotbeds. Born in Birmingham, Ala., Taylor began in her hometown with the band Little Red Rocket at the ripe age of 15. Since, she’s had mailing addresses in Athens, Ga., with the likes of Azure Ray and Now It’s Overhead, as well as Omaha, Neb., with the Conor Oberst/Bright Eyes/Saddle Creek Records crew. “There’s no place like where PHOTO: AUTUMN DE WILDE you grew up, so probably Birmingham feels like home in any setting, be it recorded MARIA TAYLOR again helped Taylor crank out the most,” she continues. “But or live. Largely known for her what promises to be another I do love that, where I feel that intensely personal, stripped in her trend of critically- I have all these homes. When I down acoustic tracks, she does acclaimed records, LadyLuck. have the ability and propensity WHO’S WHO “I definitely felt like this get close to Athens or Omaha, Maria Taylor (guitar, vocals) I’m already making plans to to rock out — and does so on a album felt very inspired,” she see all my friends — and now multitude of instruments (she FORMED says. “Everything in my life was Los Angeles kind of feels like spent a stint as the touring 2005 in Los Angeles, Calif. changing, so it seems natural home, and I can’t wait for the drummer for Bright Eyes). that some of these songs were maria “I love playing drums, but LABEL going to be filled with more last show (of the current tour) Nettwerk Music Group there.” I have friends that are much emotion than some of my other Speaking from Birmingham, better drummers than I am,” LATEST RELEASE songs.” Taylor is just days removed she says modestly — though, LadyLuck (2009) The documentation of that from a lengthy European run while not discounting her talent change has resulted in one of behind the kit, she’s probably ON THE WEB the most introspective and (and prepping for a stateside www.myspace.com/mari- run) with fellow folk-artist right. When it’s suggested she ataylor personal records Taylor has taylor simply title all her new albums produced to date — yet, she Joshua Radin — a tour played mostly solo with some backing Maria Taylor Has Cooler doesn’t feel any discomfort with help from Radin’s regular Friends Than You, she laughs my sound by working with allowing fans into her open guitar player. — but they easily could be. The them,” she says. “They bring wounds, if only metaphorically. gets lucky “When you’re by yourself, production and performance inspiration, that’s for sure. But “Sometimes I get you’re in control of all the efforts of her previous solo it’s not just their talent. I love uncomfortable (letting the fans dynamics and I feel like you can records, 11:11 and Lynn Teeter being around them on every in) after the fact because people She probably doesn’t have an “Auntie still have a dynamic set,” she Flower, featured the likes of level — they’re all just beautiful want to know even more,” says. “I really enjoy performing Mike Mogis, Conor Oberst and people and that inspires me to she says. “But as I’m writing, Em” or a land plot in Kansas. It’s doubtful both ways, and it’s cool to be Nate Walcott (all from Bright be a better person and a better I don’t think about it. I can’t she owns red slippers or a little dog named able to let people hear the songs Eyes), Andy LeMaster (Now musician. And we’ve all spent keep secrets. I’m an open book. both ways. But I am excited to It’s Overhead), David Barbe so many years together that So I try to be honest in my Toto. But make no mistake - Maria Taylor pull out the electric guitars and (Sugar), Jim Eno (Spoon) and we definitely feel like we’re a music — and the way I write distortion pedals for this tour.” Doug Easley (Cat Power). family.” songs is pretty similar to how I knows there’s no place like home. Now, if Taylor is a bit of a musical “I’m fortunate to have a lot of That “family,” along with communicate as a person.” mystery, tough to nail down friends who are super talented a new helping hand from she could just figure out where home is… so I don’t have to compromise R.E.M.’s Michael Stipe, has — Alec Wooden

ATHENS BLUR MAGAZINE 17 FOLK MUSIC getting the last laugh uk songstress collaborates with danger mouse on debut

Joker’s Daughter, the mon- was at such an early age, I don’t iker of the ethereal synth-pop think it affected the sponta- band fronted by UK-based neity that goes with not being Helena Costas, has just re- classically literate as it were. I leased a highly anticipated de- improvise more than I calcu- but full-length album, The Last late when it comes to the actu- Laugh. A collaboration with al music-making process. I can acclaimed producer Danger have the best of both worlds Mouse (Gnarls Barkley), the where I can use the classical record has a sonic and emo- training that I had to be able to tional depth that pulls you in hear string arrangements and and out of her dark, mysti- want to use them but in a way cal world. As the featured new that can be experimented with. artist of New York indie label So no, it never gets in the way Team Love (Bright Eyes, Jen- — on the contrary, it enhances ny Lewis), Joker’s Daughter the creative process. has some serious momentum. ABM: How do you prepare to Athens Blur Magazine: make the songs and overall stage What was it like collaborating JOKER’S show shine and keep the audience with Danger Mouse? How did DAUGHTER engaged in your world? you initially hook up with him? HC: I did have quite a theat- Did you discuss a lot of the sonic rical image in my head of how textures in detail, or did you both WHO’S WHO I could perform these songs on Helena Costas create the soundscapes as a team stage, with multiple visions fly- PHOTO: STEPHEN DOWLING (vocals, guitar) as you went along? ing around. I want to convey Helena Costas: It all started parts where I play the violin FORMED the sounds you hear on the al- when I was playing an acous- 2003 in London bum as much as possible, and tic set of my songs at a bar in experimentally, and some sam- ples were used, too. I’d like to have more visuals to Soho, London, and a friend of LABEL create the illusions in some of his approached me and said he Team Love Records ABM: How important is this the songs that are fantasy-rid- knew someone who may be in- den. I will be experimenting terested in my songs. So I sent production to the emotional im- LATEST RELEASE pact and weight of the songs? The Last Laugh(2009) to see what works and what Danger Mouse some comput- doesn’t. Initially, I think it will er recordings, and it just kept HC: Enormously! The dif- ferent layers fill in the gaps of ON THE WEB be a simple affair...for now, that going from there. If he liked www.jokersdaughter.co.uk is! a song I would send over the the initial skeleton parts of the songs. It brings them all alive. parts so that he could add to ABM: What aces do you have them. When I heard what he ABM: How has your song- up your sleeve from here on did to them I loved it straight with inspiration and allowing writing style evolved leading up out? Are you looking forward to away, it was like I had the for any possibilities. touring? songs, but there was only so far to this record? HC: My style has shift- HC: An Ace of Wands for a I could go with them, and he ABM: Do you keep a note- ed significantly. When I com- creative adventure, and an Ace knew instinctively what to do book, or record quick ideas into a pare my first songs to what I of Cups for flying high but with them. This was where his laptop, etc? write now, I have grown to re- staying grounded! Touring will amazing talent would step in HC: I’ve got a notebook for alize what my strengths are be great fun! and make the songs go to plac- lyrics, and I also record my in writing and tried to evolve es I hadn’t seen before. guitar strumming and sing- them—I will always learn ABM: What will the live act ing onto my Blackberry Dict- something new and be con- consist of? ABM: Did you use aphone — it’s easily reachable stantly changing. The songs on HC: The live act will proba- samples or real strings for the or- for quick ideas. bly consist of a few other mu- chestral sounds? this album were picked from material over five years, so the sicians on stage and myself. HC: Danger Mouse used the ABM: With regards to your diversity in styles are prom- I want to recreate as much of Sonus Quartet to record live early classical training, how inent. Sometimes I like to the sound you hear on the al- strings on the album, which I much of it do you actively use in crossover styles; I don’t like to bum as possible, so there may absolutely loved, and it created your current compositions? Does set boundaries, as I think song- be laptops involved, too! such texture in the songs that I it ever get in the way? writing for me is about playing could not record. There are also HC: Because the training — Zac Taylor ATHENS BLUR MAGAZINE 19 METALMUSIC doing more than handstands not your standard pb&J chairlift starts the ride to the top of the music mountain but a sandwich all the same Comical heavy-metal band, CHAIRLIFT Psychostick, is bringing fans PSYCHOSTICK ‘humor-core’ once again with Sandwich, a follow up to the WHO’S WHO WHO’S WHO Aaron Pfenning (guitar), band’s debut, We Couldn’t Think of a Title. Songs on the new Rob “Rawrb” Kersey (vocal- Caroline Polachek (vocals, ist), Alex “Shmalex” Preiss MELTING POT MUSIC MELTING keyboards), Kyle McCabe album like “Caffeine,” “Vah- (drums), Joshua “Joshy” (bass) Jah-Jah” and “Do You Want a Key (guitarist), Jimmy “Jim- Taco?” promise to deliver the mychanga” Grant (bass- FORMED same raunchy, entertaining ist), Jake “Jackermeister” 2006 in Boulder, Colo. metal songs as before, but this McReynolds (guitarist) time with more tracks. LABEL FORMED Columbia Records Rob “Rawrb” Kersey phoned 2000 in Tempe, Ariz. in from Arizona to chat about LATEST RELEASE the album and magic carpets. LABEL Does You Inspire You (2009) Rock Ridge Music ABM: Did you guys all sit ON THE WEB together and write the songs on LATEST RELEASE www.chairliftmusic.com the album all at once? Or was Sandwich (2009) this a collaboration compiled over ON THE WEB a period of time? www.psychostick.com Rob Kersey: When we “I think [the re-release] were starting to get ready to completes the world that record put together a new CD, we got magic carpet, but decided to Courtesy The Weepies PHOTO COURTESY BIG HASSLE MEDIA is,” said Polachek. “To me that signed and started touring so get a van instead. I wanted to record is kind of a cinematic we didn’t really have time to [get a magic carpet] because The newest iBand may not several genres. The band comfortable talking about trip, and I think it had a feeling sit down and finish writing a it would save us a lot of gas be a household name yet, but has said that their original anything in front of each of incompleteness before, like record. So a lot of it was already money. Unfortunately that I bet you know all the words to intention in forming was other,” Polachek said. “I think you ended up at the ending put together. Then we brought technology doesn’t exist like it their single “Bruises,” of iPod to create a soundtrack for a it’s more being able to be alone, without a full explanation in Jake (McReynolds) and used to. commercial fame. haunted house, and Polachek’s to have the time and space to of how you got there. The Jimmy (Grant), the two newer PHOTO COURTESY PSYCHOSTICK You know the one — “I tried voice is a beautiful, spooky think of [personal] things like two new tracks make it more members, who are both very ABM: How do you think gas to do handstands for you/I instrument that goes beyond that.” symmetrical and satisfactory.” talented writers and creative happens around us. And there’s RK: As far as Psychostick prices and the economy will affect They are also working on tried to do handstands for simply singing. Polachek explained how, in all around. Half was ready always something happening is concerned, it will always your tour? several new music videos, an you,” by the Brooklyn-based “I think the way we think of today’s fickle music industry, to go and the other half was around us, always. A lot of the be humor, metal-hardcore; RK: Usually in a recession experience Polachek describes trio with Colorado roots is our music is pop the way we song writing requires more just about sitting down and times we’ll just start singing “humor-core” as we call it. But like this a lot of people turn as “just as much fun as making certainly catchy, but don’t think want pop to be,” Polachek said. attention to detail than ever finishing it up to get it ready to funny lyrics and then one of we ( Josh, Alex and myself ) to entertainment to distract music,” which will debut soon everything from Chairlift’s “It’s pop that isn’t one- size- before in music history. record. them starts throwing a riff with do have a side project called themselves from their debts on their Web site and merge art debut album follows in the fits-all, it’s not put through “If you can get people to their mouth. It’s so much easier. Evacuate Chicago. Any time and pain and suffering. I think and sound (Polachek studied vein of the twee pop ditty. the meat grinder. It’s got a remember a hook, that’s like ABM: Do you get tired of It just feels natural for us to we have a song that doesn’t fit the entertainment world will do “People are approaching our whole range of feelings, but it the same thing as getting art in college). playing the “Beer song”? just fine as far as this recession The trio is poised to see their write funny songs rather than Psychostick it will go there. album with the idea of getting is hooky and catchy. It appeals them to remember a song 20 RK: No, actually, it’s a lot songs about how my girlfriend goes. That’s what I predict. a whole record full of “Bruises” to people from the lyrics to the years ago or something. It’s careers in the music business of fun. People ask me that broke my heart. ABM: What can fans expect which is not what we’re about,” melody.” just microscoping, you have really take off. What started question quite a bit, but I don’t when they come to a show? ABM: What’s your guilty said a thoughtfully speaking Polachek and guitarist Aaron to fit the whole concept of the with the iPod commercial because it’s a lot of fun to play ABM: Do you ever worry RK: Expect the unexpected. pleasure song? Caroline Polachek, the lead Pfenning share song writing song into just a couple lines was followed by touring with — everybody loves it; I love it. what you find funny isn’t so Don’t go in there thinking it’s RK: (laughs) I listen to a lot vocalist of the trio. “But at duties, writing songs that are, because that’s how people music’s new golden boys Everybody in the band loves it. funny to others? going to be a standard rock of Jewel! the same time, I think a lot of in Polachek’s words, “about sample music. That’s how fast MGMT — but Polachek hasn’t let any of it go to her head. RK: Honestly, when we’re show. The further up or closer people are being surprised by abstract things going on in our someone will come up with an ABM: Is it harder to write ABM: How would you describe “I don’t feel famous in the writing we’re not even thinking to the front you are, the more the rest of the record in a way lives. Or maybe they’re more idea of whether or not they like dark lyrics versus humorous your music to a deaf person? ‘coke, rockstar’ kind of thing,” about if people will laugh at it. heckling you are going to get that they really enjoy. A lot of abstractions of our real lives.” something. It’s very fast.” lyrics? RK: I would flail my arms up she explained. “I feel like I have If it makes us laugh, then we’re — from me, in particular. I will people are finding themselves Either way, they write alone. The band re-released its RK: Absolutely, I think it’s and down, let me think…yeah, a job that involves getting to happy. We try to make it funny interact with you; you will be with a record of kind of “We don’t jam,” she insists. debut album Does You Inspire way more difficult to write. I meet a lot of people, which is to where everybody will get it part of the show. just jump around like a monkey, experimental music who would “Our song-writing is pretty You April 21 via Columbia mean, how many times can you flailing my arms around and never otherwise.” solitary, either me or Aaron by Records and will see two new really really fun.” but it’s still funny to us. say ‘this pain inside’? The thing ABM: Do you travel by bus or throw lots of stuff at them. Chairlift’s music is a kind of ourselves.” tracks added to the original about writing what we write, hybrid pop that incorporates “I think we are totally slate of 11. ABM: Will you ever write a van? — Lindsey Lee it’s all based off of just what serious song? RK: We tried to travel by — Nicole Black 20 ATHENS BLUR MAGAZINE ATHENS BLUR MAGAZINE 21 METALMUSIC the revival of recordings local metal group dumps the progressive music model

Starting a band can sometimes be a religious experience — but more often than not, it proves quite the opposite. “I was just at a point in my life where I was pissed off at everything — in the dumps, if you will,” remarks guitarist/ vocalist Andy Hollingsworth. While The Dumps remain, at their core, punk/metal with the three original members, the addition of Patrick Ware creates a nostalgia in its sound for bands (i.e. Motorhead) that played in “smoky/sweaty/ shitty” venues and eventually saw their names at the top of marquees. The indie-laden town of Athens is a tough place to set oneself apart, but the way The Dumps see it, the music scene in the Classic City is a perfect place to run a business model that today’s music industry PHOTO: MIKE WHITE requires. As bassist Jeff Rapier puts it, Athens for nearly a decade, talking with The Dumps, it is “We’re happy with recording THE DUMPS sustainability is one of their an eclectic nature that, in fact, five or six songs at a time and fortes. ties everything together more releasing EP’s, just to keep our “To me, touring and playing cohesively and helps to make name out there and remind WHO’S WHO shows is great and everything, sense of it all. people of what we’re all about.” Andy Hollingsworth but making a good record is the Having members from In other words, distribution is (guitar, vocals), Jeff Rapier ultimate,” says Ware, “because Georgia and Ohio along with everything. (bass, vocals), Jason Rich- that’s what people dig up — influences from all genres of ardson (drums), Daniel Ray On the current state of (guitar, vocals) recordings are timeless.” music, The Dumps embrace the industry, Hollingsworth As these words come from their individual differences predicts, “I think it (the music FORMED Ware’s mouth, there is a sense and use them to fuel their industry) will all level out. It’s 2005 in Athens, Ga. of confidence and calmness cohesiveness as a group. As just a difference of how people that fortifies what The Dumps drummer Jason “Mohawk” LABEL consume music — it’s really independent are all about: communicating Richardson puts it, “the four going to fuck up the big names with fans and making awesome of us have been influenced by a and big labels more than LATEST RELEASE records. whole bunch of different sorts anyone else.” EP 1 (2009) “I mean that’s why we’re on of music.” Sitting in a smoky room planet Earth,” he continues. However different those ON THE WEB in the backstage of 40 Watt, www.myspace.com/the “Fuckin’ dig that shit up and influences are, The Dumps there is a moment of clarity dumps listen to The Dumps.” have been able to fortify their on how Athens music thrives Looking at the backstage sound into their records and in today’s cutthroat business. walls, you will see years and live shows and in turn have It’s both a respect for the past years of random thoughts of created a solid following from and anticipation of the future provide a sustainable project. musicians — a process that Texas to the Northeast. that forces today’s musicians to As all four members of The doesn’t seem to have any realize whether or not they can Dumps have been playing in pattern or any method. After —Will Hackett ATHENS BLUR MAGAZINE 23 POPMUSIC

Hansons, pumpkins, fountains and tricks - oh my! love can save the empty Meet the bizarro-world supergroup tinted windows rising star offers hope through music Apart the members of Tinted

MUSIC POP If any of you watch “Grey’s EM: One highlight was the Windows have played, written Anatomy,” “One Tree Hill,” day my record came out…I and sang on some of power- or “Ghost Whisperer,” you was in New York, my favorite pop’s most memorable tunes — may be familiar with breaking city, and [I performed on] from “1979” and “I Want You to artist Erin McCarley’s catchy Letterman, and that whole day “Want Me” to “mmmBop” and pop tunes from her debut I’m preparing for that, which “Stacey’s Mom”. Together their album, Love, Save the Empty. was so exciting. Then, that music epitomizes the genre with McCarley’s had multiple tracks night, I played a record release loud guitars, ample hooks and appear on such shows and most show at Joe’s Pub, where it was plenty of radio-ready energy. recently the title song appeared always a dream of mine to play on the soundtrack and in the there. It was a pretty big day. A bizarre grouping, the lineup last scene of the romantic includes Taylor Hanson, the comedy “He’s Just Not That ABM: Why was Joe’s Pub so big-voiced middle brother from Into You.” Signed to Universal special and unique to you? Hanson, James Iha, former Republic Records after her EM: I guess whenever I was lead guitarist for the Smashing performance at last year’s starting to write… I would Pumpkins, Adam Schlesinger, SXSW festival, McCarley always research people who bassist for Fountains of Wayne has received nationwide ERIN MCCARLEY were doing what I wanted to and rampant pop songwriter, recognition and praise for her do and see where they were and Bun E. Carlos, the legendary songwriting abilities and her playing and you know, just kind drummer for Cheaap Trick. soulful singing voice. Taking a of follow their career. However strange the band break after a month-long tour WHO’S WHO Erin McCarley may seem to outsiders, when we were able to catch up with ABM: Why should one of our speaking to Schlesinger, it McCarley to talk about her readers pick up Love, Save the FORMED all seems to make sense. The debut album and adjusting to 2005 in San Francisco, Calif. Empty? her music career. PHOTO: REID ROLLS EM: I just think it’s real nucleus of the group, Schlesinger PHOTO COURTESY BIG HASSLE MEDIA had known both Hanson and ABM: So what do you do to LABEL because I’m talking about a Athens Blur Magazine: How Universal Republic lot of things that people will Iha for years when, finally, three really just four musicians that guitars and ample “oh ohs” and calm your nerves before you go years ago he brought them TINTED have you adjusted to life on the onstage? say out loud, ‘Oh, this is one came together and had some “cha chas.” Full of slick love road? It seems like it’s easier for LATEST RELEASE of those situations you always the idea of slotting Hanson’s overlapping tastes and thought songs peppered with hooks and EM: I usually try not to Love, Save the Empty (2009) WINDOWS guys to travel on a tour bus for drink too much, just have a get yourself in,’…and it’s about unique-yet-familiar vocals over we could do something cool. abundant energy, from the start weeks. How is it being a girl on shot or like a glass of wine or ON THE WEB wanting [fulfillment] and loud, power-pop guitars. Both WHO’S WHO We didn’t have any illusions of of album opener and lead single the road? something, and um, whoever www.erinmccarley.com [having] something to release were immediately on board. Bun E. Carlos (drums), being super.” “Kind of a Girl” the album Erin McCarley: (laughs) I I’m playing with, I usually and not having that void inside “Once we came up with the James Iha (guitar), Adam Brand names or not, the moves furiously through its 11 don’t know if it’s harder, well, get them to sing the “Never anymore. idea, it sort of made sense to Schlesinger (bass), Taylor band members are recognizable. tracks without ever stopping for I guess it kind of is because Hanson (vocals) Ending Story” with me as a everybody right away,” he says, Although the act has certainly a breath. However, with only guys get to wake up and throw attending college in San Diego ABM: And is that kind of warm up [before] I play. “even though it was a little bit FORMED benefited from the shock factor a few shows at SXSW under something on, and they can after living for some time in what Love, Save the Empty bananas.” actually wear that to the show means? 2007 in New York City of its lineup, Schlesinger thinks its belt and a few dates lined ABM: After the first song Nashville? The last remaining challenge and look normal and cool. But EM: Oh yeah. Definitely. once people hear them, the up for summer, it still remains or two do you get over the EM: I grew up on pop. I LABEL that’s probably the hardest part was acquiring a drummer. With focus will shift from who they to be seen whether Tinted nervousness? didn’t grow up on country. some songs written, the group S-Curve Records for the girl; there are just so There was nothing to grasp ABM: I read that the are to what they’re doing. “We Windows will live beyond the EM: Yeah, I think so. I think began tossing around ideas for many different pieces to your from country for me. I learned songwriting that went into this LATEST RELEASE knew people would do a little one-off album. Schlesinger says I ease up. A lot of the times the drummers, all in the vein of outfit even if you are non-high whole first song I give myself to write country later on, but debut was a search for authenticity Kind of a Girl (2009) bit of a double take to see these that Tinted Windows exists in Bun E. Carlos. maintenance. a pep talk, of, ‘Okay, don’t take it’s not what is innately inside, in yourself and others. Did you four people,” he says, explaining conjunction with its members’ yourself so seriously, people you know. When I was in find what you were searching “Then we thought we ON THE WEB that the band wasn’t announced other musical obligations and ABM: Do you get nervous or are coming here to escape and San Diego, I did find myself for? should just ask Bun E. Carlos,” www.myspace.com/tint- until after the record was the band’s future relies primarily edwindows anything or do you just get excited listen to music, and they’re getting more country and it EM: (laughs) I don’t know. Schlesinger says matter-of- completed in an attempt to off- on how enjoyable it continues to perform? entertained probably more was so weird because…I tried No, not yet. factly, mentioning that both set any quick judgments. “We to be. EM: I always get so nervous. easily than you are, and they my favorite country songs, but Fountains of Wayne and the think that once people hear the “The whole reason we’re I’m really not like the normal ABM: That will be the second pronounced musical pedigree, just want to have a good time, I could never deliver right. I Smashing Pumpkins had music, they’ll understand where doing this thing is just to have artist who wants all the album? Schlesinger downplays the and let them.’ (laughs) And I could try and have a country played shows with Cheap Trick. the idea came from, and it will fun, so that’s really as far as I’ve attention on them…I’m a group’s status as a so-called just say that to myself a lot. thing, but it just [wasn’t] “We thought it was a long shot, stop being such a weird concept, thought it through,” he says. pretty private person and when EM: That’ll be the second “supergroup.” natural. but he just wanted to hear the and it will just be a band.” “We just want to enjoy it.” I go up there on stage, it’s a one. Hopefully, the second one “We don’t think of ourselves ABM: What made you decide music. He heard it. He liked it. The group’s eponymous little nerve-wracking, but I’m to play pop music instead of ABM: What has been the will be a little bit [happier]. as, alone, being brand names And he said ‘Yes.’” debut is 100 percent pure — Natalie B. David getting better at that. country, since you were playing highlight so far of this musical that are worth something all by Regardless of their power-pop with overflowing in a country cover band while journey you’ve begun? — Nicole Black themselves,” he laughs. “This was 24 ATHENS BLUR MAGAZINE ATHENS BLUR MAGAZINE 25 RHYME, RHYTHM & SOUL RHYTHM RHYME, MUSIC the root of the solution making some noise hip-hoppers try the late show on for size and we can hear it loud and clear If you thought Athens was just a swirling melting pot THE ROOTS of indie, rock and pop bands, think again. The hip-hop scene is starting to make some legit noise, and whether you want to WHO’S WHO Tariq Trotter aka Black hear it or not, it’s there — and Thought (MC), Ahmir it’s getting louder. Thompson aka Questlove Deaf Judges, Athens’ favorite (drums), Leonard Hubbard hip-hop group (according to aka Hub (bass), Kamal Grey the 2008 Flagpole Athens Mu- (keyboard), Frank Walker sic Awards) agree that though aka F. Knuckles (percus- the hip-hop scene doesn’t al- sion), and Kirk Douglass ways make itself as present as aka Captain Kirk (guitar)

MUSIC RHYME, RHYTHM & SOUL the indie or rock ‘n’ roll scene, FORMED it’s there. 1987 in Philadelphia, Penn. “And definitely, like I wish there was more interface in LABEL general between other hip-hop Def Jam groups and rock groups and stuff because there is good tal- PHOTO COURTESY NBC LATEST RELEASE ent out there and they get pi- PHOTO: MIKE WHITE Rising Down (2008) geon-holed like, ‘This is rap The Roots probably aren’t hip tapping! — since its magical this crew’s really cashed in and night,’” says Austin Darnell that night [their first show] like geeks!’ And I was like, ‘OK, hop’s first green band. They’re debut, Do You Want More?!!!??!, separated itself from nearly ev- ON THE WEB (aka Produceman) in a raspy www.theroots.com compared to even last night” we’re kinda nerdy’ and he was just its most well-known. was released in ’95. eryone else is with its insane voice thanks to a show at Farm DEAF JUDGES says Louie Dangerous. “People like, ‘No, you specifically!’ And “In 2009,” begins Roots Others have come (A Tribe touring schedule. The Roots 255 the night before. seem to be into it and excited.” I was like, ‘Right on,’ and he drummer Ahmir “Questlove” Called Quest) and gone (Di- have been known to be on the For that reason, the Judges You can’t possibly talk about was like, ‘But you killed it!’” Thompson, “you can’t afford gable Planets), but the Roots road 200 days out of the year try to expose themselves to all WHO’S WHO four white dudes trying to “We’re an inspiration to fat not to be somewhat on the road have kept to its, well, roots and (they’re scheduled back in At- different types of audiences by Rorshak, Produceman, make it in the rap world with- kids everywhere,” adds Louie, Sorry, guys. playing with bands that are not to that direction. I mean, we’re remained germane. lanta on June 10). Louie Dangerous, DJ out mentioning the big ele- the apparent goof ball of the However, if you have ac- hip-hop at all. Their first show not 100 percent green as is, you “It has something to do Of course, with their new Cubenza phant in the middle of the hip- group. cess to NBC, you can still see in Athens took place on New know, our house isn’t convert- with longevity,” explains Black gig as the official house band hop scene. Though the boys have played The Roots looking surpris- Year’s Eve in 2007 with Music FORMED ed or solar-powered. But we’re Thought, an MC who far too on “Late Night with Jimmy “It’s such a little piece of the around in different bands from ingly dapper every weeknight Hates You (metal/punk), Dark 2007 in Athens, Ga. slowly making a move there. I often is excluded from anyone’s Fallon”, the guys’ long bus rides puzzle as far as that element blues to punk to metal, it seems as they “Slow Jam the News” Meat (psychadelic) and Mous- know that right now my [Toy- “Best Rapper” discussions. “I to shows in Richmond, VA, goes,” says Louie Dangerous. they’ve all found their niche with Jimmy or come up with er (pop), and they have been LABEL ota] Scion is sort of easy on gas mean, the fact that people still and Burlington, VT, have to “It becomes an issue in the here in the Athens hip-hop wacky birthday songs for the slapping mad beats all around EC Ruins guzzling but I would eventu- care what The Roots is doing stop, right? Nope. MTV kind of sense, but that’s scene and hope to break out of talk show’s guests. Though town, and the Southeast, ever ally like to get off the waiting at this late date in our career is “We’re still touring,” insists LATEST RELEASE not the kind of shit we’re try- it real soon. they appeared a bit nervous the since. list for a Prius. That’s probably success.” Quest, who also reveals that All Rise (2008) ing to work in anyway,” adds “‘Rolling Stone and the first couple of nights, Thought, “That’s why it’s so fun to do the hardest car to obtain now Questlove continues, “As the band just started record- Produceman. “And under- Playboy mansion,” Louie says these bills,” says Produceman, in the tri-state area.” long as we’re working, that, to ing its ninth album, How I Got Quest and the others have ON THE WEB ground has always been open of where he sees the band in “because we like good music www.myspace.com/deaf- Lead vocalist Tariq “Black me, is successful. There’s not Over. “As it stands now, there’s eased into your TV sets much to everybody who loves music five years. and there’s a lot of people in judges Thought” Trotter adds, “I’d love too many people from the class probably 10 weeks of tour- like their matchless brand of and that’s the cool thing about “This is honestly my hope,” this town making really good to have a Prius, but I have to of 1992 that got signed when ing that we will do spread out hip hop has worked its way into it; it’s pretty non-judgmental.” adds Produceman. “It sounds a stuff so it’s great just to be able settle for my CR-V.” we got signed that are still able throughout the year. We’re def- your speakers over the years. And by the looks of the little bit ridiculous, but I would to come together with peo- While it’s unclear if the crew to make a living in 2009 doing initely still doing shows on the “I think,” offers Questlove, like everything and pull from Judges, you would never think definitely like for us to be tour- ple where we like what they do rode in a vegetable oil-run- what we’re doing.” weekends.” “that this will probably show everything from Vanilla Ice to to yourself, “Now these guys ing like 300 days a year in the and they like what we do. It’s ning tour bus from its native That leads us to the oth- Whew, that was a close one that there’s absolutely no chal- their single biggest influence, look like rappers.” They give next couple of years and Eu- totally genre unrelated. It’s just lenge or obstacle that we can’t Wu Tang Clan. off a sort of geeky vibe, but this rope for sure, getting out of Philly to Washington D.C. for er green growing synonymous for The Roots’ international good music.” master, if given to us. I just And though the album has works to their advantage. America for sure if we can do late February’s environmental with The Roots. With seven following. The rap quartet released its think this is the ongoing linear been well-received, it’s their “We have had some good re- it. That’s my goal in the next summit Power Shift ’09, we do studio albums, ranging from “People in the States shouldn’t debut album, All Rise, last year voyage of The Roots, you know. high energy shows that im- sponse in that regard because two years. And so five...hope- know that The Roots rocked brilliant (Illadelph Halflife) to have anything to worry about,” boasting unique beats and lyr- Not necessarily the end of a press people most and keep people underestimate us like fully we’ll be somewhere for the house with snippets from blah (The Tipping Point), that clarifies Questlove. “I don’t ics slightly comparable to the sentence — just another chap- them coming back for more. hell,” says Produceman. “This real in five.” its forward-thinking catalog have reached as high as No. know if people in South Africa Beastie Boys but with a little ter in our history.” “We’ve just been fortunate guy came up to me after a show of jazz-infused hip hop. But 4 on Billboard, the Grammy- will see The Roots in any time- Southern rap twist. Produce- enough to have people seem and he was like, ‘Dude y’all got that’s been the group’s M.O. — winning band has seen success ly manner, or when we’re going man feels the music itself is a — Kristen Lee —DeMarco Williams like they’re into it ever since on stage and y’all just looked Touring! Thoughtfulness! Toe- at the cash register. But where back to Macedonia.” reflection of the fact that they 26 ATHENS BLUR MAGAZINE ATHENS BLUR MAGAZINE 27 an intoxicating event sometime around midnight THE AIRBORNE TOXIC EVENT

WHO’S WHO

MUSIC ROCK & ROLL Mikel Jollet (lead vocals, guitar), Steven Chen (lead guitar), Noah Harmon (bass), Anna Bulbrook (vio- lin), Daren Taylor (drums) FORMED 2006 in Los Feliz, Calif. LABEL Majordomo Records/Island Records PHOTO COURTESY BIG HASSLE MEDIA LATEST RELEASE The Airborne Toxic Event (2008) “A lot of these songs were written in some ON THE WEB real isolated times…There was a real sense of www.theairbornetox- wanting to bring people into that moment. icevent.com Like the moment would be so much better if it

PHOTO COURTESY BIG HASSLE MEDIA was a shared one and I think that is very much important as well at an Airborne show.” Imagine you and your friends and into Europe, where they writing, locking himself in his under the circumstances that just formed a band and have sell out venues in London. The emotional world for a year the group remains partnered — The Airborne Toxic Event — barely finished recording a self-titled debut album released before joining forces with fellow with indie label, Majordomo, single when you get a call from there in February broke the band members. Together, and that the record is left the biggest terrestrial station in UK’s Top 40. they combine orchestra, rock unaltered. Since acquiring songs were written in some The creative band members existence, L.A. base KROQ. “We’re like a little art project and poetry to create musical the backing of a major label, real isolated times…There have also made a 10-part They inform you that your disguised as a rock band,” brilliance and a unique sound T.A.T.E. just finished their first was a real sense of wanting to acoustic video series of the new single will be in rotation reveals lead singer and guitarist not heard on mainstream radio bus tour. “We started off in our bring people into that moment. songs appearing on the album, on their station, and that Mikel Jollett, phoning in from today. “I didn’t even know what own cars when we first started Like the moment would be so using confined places such as a they would have called your Nevada before getting on a a hook was,” he admits. touring,” Jollett shares. “We much better if it was a shared pontoon boat, where drummer manager or label first, but you plane back to his home in Despite lacking the standard were touring within a month one, and I think that is very Daren Taylor never misses don’t have either. Such was the California. “We never expected song-writing formula, the after we formed the band… much important as well at an a beat while being captain case for one of L.A.’s indie- all of this. I never thought our album continues to impress we went from the caravan to a Airborne show.” — and inside a van where he rock bands, The Airborne Toxic song would be on a fucking the music and entertainment passenger van to a sprinter, to The band is becoming demonstrated his ability to Event (T.A.T.E.), who created radio, for sure. We’re an indie- industry (Carson Daly declared a larger sprinter, to a sprinter renowned for engaging the keep rhythm using the roof of a phenomenon in the music rock band from L.A. We “This is the kind of band you with a trailer, to now a coach audience during shows by the vehicle as his drum. “He’ll world with their no-hook- home-recorded and produced bet the farm on”). T.A.T.E bus.” inviting fans to dance on stage get drunk at a bar and just start or-chorus single, “Sometime the record and put it out.” generated even more hype What you hear on the album with them. One such show banging on anything,” Jollett Around Midnight.” It would be Before his musical journey after a January performance is what you can expect to hear in England left Jollett with a jokes. the first time in over ten years began, Jollett was a writer on The David Letterman live, only the experience is bruised eye. “We invited the With all the media frenzy KROQ included an unsigned working on his first novel, and show. A usually indifferent heightened to a higher level. whole audience on to the stage surrounding the group, Jollett band in their regular rotation. in one week his mother was Letterman responded with “We’re primarily a live band,” he for awhile,” he recalls. “And [a remains grounded. “There’s a lot The song is a story about the diagnosed with cancer, he with genuine enthusiasm after they says. “Our record was recorded guy] was really into the show, of bands that come as far as we emotions of seeing an ex leaving a genetic autoimmune disease, performed and applauded — live…our record’s basically a like head banging, and the back have and then just fall on their a club with someone else, and and, to add to the string of not his usual polite one time, shoddy re-creation of our live of his head hit my eye…I kept faces” he reflects. “We don’t feel the music only emphasizes the unfortunate events, he and his but twice. “I was surprised by show. I think it’s usually the singing…and the audience was like we’ve done much…we just melancholy tone of the lyrics, long-term girlfriend broke how much his reaction was other way around.” really into it. I had this huge go on tour playing shows like which most of us at some point up. While some of us might like a big deal to other people,” Jollett said in a recent black eye for like the next week every other rock band.” in our lives can relate to. experience a fit of depression, Jollett admits. interview that they didn’t and we had all this press to Since then, T.A.T.E.’s music Jollett instead released his The band was recently picked use pro-tools as most bands do.” — Nicole Black has spread massively nationwide emotions through music and up by Island Def-Jam, but only do these days. “A lot of these 28 ATHENS BLUR MAGAZINE ready to spring band puts down roots, puts out album SPRING TIGERS

WHO’S WHO Chase Prince (vocals,

MUSIC ROCK & ROLL drums), Kris Barratt (guitar, vocals), Eli Barnard (bass, vocals), Shane Davis (gui- tar, keys), Stephen James (keys) FORMED 2007 in Athens, Ga. LABEL Bright Antenna LATEST RELEASE debut forthcoming ON THE WEB www.myspace.com/ springtigers

PHOTO:MIKE WHITE

Spring Tigers may be fair- Barrat has quickly grown to songs to be a bit more emo- to me.” ly new faces to the Ath- love the Athens music scene. tionally engaging. Not emo Like Barratt’s unconven- ens music scene, but the band “I loved all of the Elephant though, just a bit more shiv- tional song-writing style, the has quickly established itself 6 stuff back in the day,” Barratt ery in parts,” Barratt explained. group’s upcoming six song since forming in 2008. Com- said. “Olivia Tremor Control “That feeling you get when “mini-album” used a record- posed of Kris Barratt (vocals, is my favorite band from that someone hits that perfect, un- ing process that’s downright guitar), Shane Davis (guitar, scene. It’s funny, I sort of end- expected note and you get a spacey. keys), Eli Barnard (bass, vo- ed up here by accident, I think tingle in your spine. I felt that Spring Tigers turned to en- cals), Chase Prince (drums, vo- a lot of people do. It’s like an the Capes stuff was maybe a gineer Sep V. in Oakland to re- cals) and Stephen James (keys), indie rock Bermuda Triangle. bit shallow and one dimen- cord its debut. In addition to the synth-friendly rock group Or Narnia. You walk through sional. I want this stuff to con- being a member of the Irani- is preparing their debut album a closet and end up in Athens nect more.” an royal family, he uses NASA for release on Oakland label, and never leave.” Spring Tigers has a more ad- equipment to record. He also Bright Antenna. Barratt also points out the vanced sound in Barratt’s eyes, owns the tape machines that Remarkably, Spring Tigers cheap living-cost of Athens as but his love for infusing rock NASA used to record the mes- has played SXSW, landed a a major benefit to musicians. parts with electrifying key and sages within deep-space probes management deal and a record “It’s pretty easy to get by fi- synth melodies has remained explaining what the human contract all within the first 12 nancially here and focus on just constant. race is to any aliens that may months of being a band. How- making music,” he said. “After “I like to have a lot of dif- one day find them. ever, vocalist Kris Barratt could the Capes broke up, my work ferent textures in recordings. “It sounds like a lie, but be considered an indie rock visa would only allow me to Plain old guitar, bass and drums it’s actually true,” Barratt veteran. A native of the U.K., earn money by playing music, sounds really dull to me for my promised. Barratt was previously part of so I had almost a whole year at own stuff,” Barratt explained of Spring Tigers currently has synth-rock outfit, the Capes. home just writing songs, which the Spring Tigers’ style. “Oth- demos of the tracks from their Barratt’s first group split ways was amazing.” er people like Sonic Youth can debut on MySpace. It’s a sur- after conflicts developed with While it’s easy to see a hint make new textures with their prisingly diverse set of songs its label. of the Capes sound in the guitars, but I’m not so good at that varies from the frantic- “It made me a lot more care- high-spirited, rock-meets- that. So I tend to layer on a lot paced synth-rock of “New Im- ful about who I worked with, electronica style of the Spring of synths and percussion.” proved Formula” and “Beep as we were totally ripped off by Tigers’ songs, Barratt says that “To be honest,” he continues, Beep” to the smart, catchy pop- our label,” Barratt said of his his newer band has several im- “I find it really difficult to even melodies of “Car Song” and experience with the Capes. portant differences. put acoustic guitar on any of “Suddenly.” Since leaving the U.K., “Creatively, I wanted the my tracks. It sounds too vanilla — Chris Homer 30 ATHENS BLUR MAGAZINE Western Civ Shower the People You Love With Gold

I’m all for retro music, and this is why I initially enjoyed Western Civ’s Shower the People You Love With Gold. It sounds as if it were created in 1987, fighting for college radio air- time with The Connells and The Railway Children. But here- EAR CANDY in lies the problem: It’s one thing to be from 1987, but quite another to sound like 1987. The album was great for a listen, but it just made me run back to my Waxing Poetics’ cassette. New artists too often borrow, trying to mask these ap- propriations with subtle flourishes — an added bridge here, a guitar solo there. As “I Am A Waterfall” kicks in, it hits me: Lloyd Cole! Yes, that was a good al- bum. With “Rally” I’m with the Lemonheads, before Evan Dando lost any sense of reality. “The Disturbing Presence of Chachi” brings Robyn Hitchcock and his MUSIC ALBUM REVIEWS Egyptians to the fore, while “Paper Hornet Parade” puts Let’s Active front and center. The last one can’t be pinned too much on Western Civ — Mitch Eas- ter, Let’s Active founder/lead singer, serves as producer on Shower the People. Western Civ created a greatest guitar riffs from my youth, and it’s good for a vis- it. But when bands of today such as M83 and Oxford Collapse take old school to new Mike Pardew depths, playing music ripped from the past makes a band as relevant as a Betamax. Azul Wovenhand So thanks for offering a ride, Western Civ, but you’re a little late. By about 22 years. Ten Stones The HEAP Jazz-fusion is proba- — Ed Morales Deluxe bly the most unrewarding Listening to this album The DecemberistsThe Hazards of Love Larry Keel & Natural genre on the planet. There’s was like pulling teeth...and The new record from Bridge a stigma that either you’re not the baby ones. It’s not Athens-based The HEAP is Long-form concept music has a rich history. From Jethro Backwoods Medeski, Martin and Wood, the musical composition if anyting -a good time. They Tull’s 1973 album, A Passion Play, to NOFX’s The Decline, aural or you’re not — and that’s that got me, it’s David Eu- recently put on a P-Funk narratives have prospered in a variety of genres. The Decem- a pretty tall mountain to gene Edwards’ harsh, mono- Larry Keel & Natural cover show, which is a huge berists have made a career of toeing the line between songs of climb. Yep, Jazz-rock fu- tone voice that turned me Bridge’s Backwoods fuses hint at what kind of music traditional pop length and involved musical epics. The Hazards sion can be a tough sell. away from what could have bluegrass of new and old you can expect to find on this of Love finally tips that balance into the narrative column, fin- But Portland’s Mike Pardew been a sufficient album oth- for an album with a freshly release. These aren’t exactly ishing what the band started in 2004 with The Tain. sells it well on Azul – an in- erwise. The heart-catching classic appeal. Keel’s just-broke-up-with-the-love- Complete with fully developed characters (lead singer Colin telligent and unpredictable drums and smashing guitars passion for preserving of-your-life-for-the-third- Meloy and guest artists Shara Worden and Becky Stark each have title roles) Hazards collection of tunes not at guide you through this jun- mountain music fuels his time tunes, with lyrics like of Love spins a baroque tale of love and death. While the record can be broken up into all unlike MMW and other gle-like album with the ban- unparalleled abilities as a “Blame it on the Alcohol.” The songs, it’s best listened to all at once. heavyweights of the genre. jo, bass, piano, and accordion flatpicking guitarist. His songs start to sound similar, The music is pure Decemberists prog-rock fare broken into themes that pop up again The record is under taking their stand, as well. band flavors the album with but there are a few stand- and again; the same melodic structure is manipulated across the entire album. This the- Pardew’s name, but he Edwards plants his lyrics in powerful plucking and fiery outs, including the opener, matic material is heard right off the bat in the “Prelude,” where it rises from a din of doesn’t necessarily go out Biblical imagery and waters fiddling, giving this group “One of Those Days,” and sustained organ notes, settling down as a weaving undercurrent on acoustic guitar for of his way to make sure the them with Native Ameri- an unmistakable sound. “8 lb Hammer,” the kind of “The Prettiest Whistles Won’t Wrestle the Thistles Undone.” Lyrics and musical images listener sees him as the star can legends. This he can at- Add Keel’s smooth yet song that gets stuck in your fade in and out of the piece, sometimes in slightly altered form. of the show. There’s as much tribute to his grandfather, a gritty voice and you’ve got head for a full 24 hours. The Hazards of Love is an exceptional album that makes good on the band’s storytell- to be said for the moments Nazarene preacher who has that kind of “Dark Horse,” HEAP thoughtfully included ing promise. But after such a strong showing, the album peters out one song too soon. when he wisely allows the been said to be the biggest Johnny Cash sound to his a bonus instrumental version Choosing a lethargic goodbye, “The Hazards of Love 4,” for the final music is a slight record’s co-conspirators influence on Edwards’ ee- music. Backwoods highlights of all of the songs for those misstep in a pleasurable and listenable album. to the forefront as there rily unique style. It wasn’t the best of bluegrass with a who aren’t into the vocal is for the moments when until “Quiet Nights of Qui- refreshing new spin to Tom stylings of Bryan J. Howard. — Jon Ross he is, indeed, making your et Stars” that Wovenhand fi- T. Hall’s “Faster Horses” and For those who are, he and head spin with his techni- nally got a hold on me. It’s a surprisingly impressive his band mates deliver nine cal romps around all-things here where Edwards reveals Psychostick Sandwich remake of the Beatles’ catchy, horn-heavy funk minor and modal. More to us the extensive range of “Mother Nature’s Son.” Also, tunes with sing-along hooks correctly, let’s call Azul a his voice, weaving in an old- Phoenix, Ariz. metal/comedy group, Psychostick, has finished working on their with original tracks like ideal for a live show. Listeners co-bill with his bandmates timey sound, and still keep- latest album, Sandwich. A follow-up to the 2006 release, We Couldn’t Think of a “Diamond Break” and “They,” who don’t crack a smile while — bassist Damian Erskine ing a creepy quality to it. Title. it includes an amalgamation of celebrations of food, email spamming, vah- Keel’s Backwoods offers they’re listening to this is flashy but not masturba- The album was gripping jay-jay’s, bad directions and more food. They even proclaim that P is the best everything you could want need a serious injection of tory and drummer Micah and not boring in any sense letter in the alphabet. Psychostick practices a PR tactic in their track “373 Thank in a bluegrass record – a little adrenaline to the heart, Pulp Kassell is expertly unpre- of the word, yet it never lost You’s” by personally thanking the 373 people who donated $50 or more to help twang, a little grit, a little Fiction style, because this is dictable in keeping the con- its ability to scare the hell the band pay for studio time and studio equipment—the track is over 14 minutes romance, a little something the kind of music that makes sistent inconsistency of the out of me — is that a good long. With the conglomeration of track imagination and thoughtful selling tactics, old and a little something the average person want to polyrhythmic joy ride that thing? It’s worth giving Ten Sandwich promises to deliver to Psychostick fans a good effort in continuing their new. Hats off to Keel and bust a move. is Azul. style of meshing metal and comedy. The album is set for release in mid-May. company on this one. Stones a listen for yourself. — Erica Schwartz — Julie McCollum — Alec Wooden — Kristen Lee — Will Hackett

32 ATHENS BLUR MAGAZINE RELEASE CALENDAR RELEASE MUSIC

Venice is Sinking Azar The latest offering from local group Venice is Sinking embodies upcoming CD releases a sort of rueful sadness that has me imagining it as the score to a Release dates are subject to change. Check artists cool indie film about coming-of-age. or store websites as these dates approach. “Okay” has an up-tempo pop feel that just begs to score a night out on the town, while “Wetlands Dance Hall” is the perfect may 5 Hey local bands! Got a release date coming up? Let background music for the dance of the cool kids at the party they us know at [email protected] put on in lieu of going to the prom. For the heartbreaking scene Akron/Family where the protagonist cries on her bed, “Young Master Sunshine” Set ‘Em Wild, Set ‘Em Free should play softly in the background. Roll credits to “Iron Range.” J.B. Beverly & The Wayward Drifter In an age where the art of “the album” is often lost due to the rise of a singles-driven Watch America Roll By market, Azar is comprehensively crafted and complete. While each song is incredibly Ciara 25 well-crafted and comes across as thoughtful, there is variety across the tracks, but an may Fantasy Ride overarching theme pulls them all together. Phoenix The Dangerous Summer The overall sound of the record is spacey and oh-so pretty with layered guy-on-girl vocal Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix Reach For The Sun harmonies that lend a rich texture to the album as a whole. The guitars sparkle while the Simple Minds Ben Harper & Relentless7 vocals soothe. Graffiti Soul The album whispers, rather than screams, and is instantly likable, though it gets better White Lies For Dark Times WAND (James Jackson Toth Proect) the more you hear it. It has a quiet presence that, while underwhelming, is hard to ignore. Hatebreed Hard Knox or Are You Sure Hank Jr. For the Lions — Lindsey Lee Done it This Way?: Home Recordings 1999-2007 Loxsly Robert Gomez Jazz Chronic Tomorrow’s Fossils Pine Sticks & Phosphorus Share The Wealth may12 Art Brut Loxsly’s new record, To- Robert Gomez is a master Athens band Jazz Chronic has recently re- Art Brut vs. Satan 26 morrow’s Fossils, manag- of his craft. He has dabbled may in almost every genre of leased their first full- Bricolage es to find a title which Grizzly Bear sums up the whole sound music: classical guitar, jazz, length album entitled Bricolage Veckatimest of the band: familiar yet latin (he once headlined in a Share the Wealth. The Crisis In Hollywood new. They sound some- band called The Latin Pimps genre-jumping produc- Safe And Sound Marilyn Manson where between The Killers — classy, I know). He even tion incorporates soul, Steve Earle The High End of Low and Death Cab for Cutie, did a short stint with The funk, acid-jazz and rock Townes Mandy Moore with a splash of old school Ringling Brothers and Bar- to literally share the Amanda Leigh Flaming Lips. Songs like num & Bailey Circus. Thank- riches of musical tal- “Pet Results (The Dog fully though, Gomez has set- ent and collaboration. That Talked Back)” have tled into an indie-folk phase This innovative and cre- the quirk factor to them that embodies his newest ative work truly creates may19 june 2 that makes you listen release, Pine Sticks and Phos- a powerful musical ex- closer. There is also more phorus. Think Elliott Smith perience that will, in the Tori Amos 311 experimentation than you meets wider instrumen- words of the band, “melt Abnormally Attracted To Sin Uplifter would see in mainstream tal arrangement — enter your mind.” As the latter Busta Rhymes Elvis Costello bands, such as the in- organ, flute, cello, French half of the band’s name Back on my B.S. Secret, Profane & Sugarcane horn. Gomez’s hushed sing- strumental tip-toe called alludes, be sure to stock- Eminem Dave Matthews Band ing over dreamy melodies “Mouse Pedals.” The ex- up on your MJ, sit back Relapse Big Whiskey and the Groogrux King perimentation has finesse and his exceptional guitar and realize the musical plays out like a foggy haze Iggy Pop Ryan Star though; there is a feeling experience. Titles such of quiet folk ballads pep- Preliminaries 11:59 that nothing in the record as “Do the Math,” and pered with darker elements. Jason Lytle was haphazard. While “Soul True” will be sure Songs like “On this Day” and Yours Truly, The Commuter some of the songs get to take the listener to au- “A Paper Figurine,” show- Chrisette Michele dangerously close to dull, dio-vana, a place of lis- others succeed, particular- case Gomez’s lyrical talents, Epiphany 9 tening heaven that all june ly the opening song, “Ped- while instrumental ballads Jazz Chronic fans have Passion Pit al to the Coast,” and “As capture Gomez’s unparal- 9mm Solution grown accustomed to. Manners the Constellation’s Arms leled musical talent in “At The Dream is Dead The group will be play- Lionel Richie Uncurled.” If you are a Nemili Bats” and “October ing numerous shows Just Go Black Eyed Peas sucker for indie music and Third Post.” This album qui- The E.N.D. ets your soul and sends your around Athens in the up- Ruben Studdard songs that have lots of Lil Wayne mind wandering. Favorite coming months, includ- Love Is slower, layer-heavy, spac- Rebirth ey jams with lots of re- song: “Open Your Eyes/Es- ing a 5/2 set at The Cale- Iron & Wine Sonic Youth verb, Loxsly is your band. cape From Burning Trees.” donia Lounge in Athens. Around the Well The Eternal ­— Julie McCollum — Erica Schwartz — Will Hackett

ATHENS BLUR MAGAZINE 35 TOUR MUSIC DIARY

Day 5 — Day 4 — Manchester Leeds/Nottingham tour diary: I of brantley senn Today is our first really like Leeds. It’s day on the road with our laid-back and not as “posh” as driver for the week, Ricky. We change some of the other cities in the UK, a comparison similar to how one might his name to Ricky Bobby immediately, describe Athens and Atlanta. It seems every- dead confederate because we’re jerks. Our Sprinter van has four one here loves discussing the differences in our vertical, stiff seats and a beanbag. A Sprinter is cultures as much as we do. One of the bouncers

MUSIC DIARY TOUR not anywhere close to the comforts of an American explains to me how he’s envious of Americans’ right Econoline. After the show I go for a walk to stretch to protect their homes. He tells how homeowners can out the ol’ sea legs. When I walk back in the venue, get sued if a burglar injures himself breaking in to your I’m wearing the hood of my sweatshirt over my home. He says if you kill or injure an armed person hat. The bouncers tell me I need to take the hood breaking in to your home, even if you’re protecting off my head and, apparently, the cops will tell your family, you will most likely get time in prison. I me the same. They have to be able to see a don’t know if any of what he said is actually true, Below is person’s profile at all times on the CCTV but for a minute, I feel really proud to be Amer- an account of Dead cameras around the city. Ooohhh, ican. We leave Leeds that night and stay Confederate’s first UK 1984! in Nottingham with one of Ricky’s tour with Darker My Love and A friends. They are obsessed Place To Bury Strangers. For the with Guitar Hero. purposes of keeping this tour diary interesting, I will skip most of the Day 6 — Oxford details of our shows. The tour di- ary below is more of an account There are Day 7 — Birmingham of the “other” stuff that a lot of really old The went on, music aside. buildings that are beauti- venue is located in ful and massive. Good lord our an industrial section of town country is young! The bar we play is that appears to be pretty run-down. There isn’t anything to do but sit at the Day 1 — Dublin where Radiohead played their first gig. Day 3 — Glasgow After the show, the promoter takes us to club and wait for the show to start. Tonight has the smallest crowd of the tour. This city a club. It’s three dance clubs in one giant The flight was only 7 a.m.rolls around could be easily confused for Birmingham, Ala., building where they play an awful lot in every way except the pronunciation (which seven hours, but we lost five pretty quickly. It’s a short of American music. I heard everything on the way. Everyone is giddy; it’s the flight to Glasgow. I grab lunch at is “Birming-um”, not “Birming-HAM”). kind of giddy people get when they are up Quizno’s, where the guy making sand- from Huey Lewis to Pantera. Some We’ve been very fortunate to have time past their bedtime and everything is hilarious, wiches is ecstatic and asks me if I’ve ever eaten people will dance to anything. Also, to sightsee and to play for good size for no apparent reason. We hop on a bus toward there before. Apparently, Quizno’s is a totally new not coincidentally, ecstasy is crowds thus far, so I can’t complain. downtown Dublin. The taxis are on strike today so thing and everyone is excited to have another sand- really popular here. At least I’ll get a good night’s we have to carry our bags and gear about a half-mile wich option besides Subway (America is apparently sleep. to the hotel. Our giddiness subsides. We realize later taking over the world one fast food joint at a time). that John’s luggage is still on the bus, and now we It’s kind of depressing. The show was fantastic to- know the tour has officially begun. We meet in the night. Glasgow has really enthusiastic crowds. The Day 8 — Day 9 — Day 10 — London hotel bar for our first pints of Guinness. After a Scottish accents are difficult to understand, and London Our few rounds, we take our drinking out on the Day 2 — Dublin even more so when you’ve had a few pints friend Bernard London We town. A realization hits me. Dublin and too many. I think I sold a Scotsman the gives us a music history tour Did spend the day Athens should become sister cit- rights to our songs. I’m not sure, London around the west side. We see: Abbey a good bit of lounging around a friend’s ies. Drunk, obnoxious sister but I definitely agreed to reminds me Road studios, David Gilmore’s old house, sightseeing today. There are house because everyone is too cities. something. of New York City but the Tabernacle where Pink Floyd first played lots of street musicians in Dublin, exhausted to really do much else. On our (back in the Syd Barrett days), Rough Trade cleaner and calmer. I could way to the venue the police stop us. They and they play mostly American music. records, the different neighborhoods where Punk, definitely see myself living search our van and verify our ID’s. They’re look- No matter how hard they may try, I still Glam and the Psychedelic music scenes blossomed, here. Sold-out, rocking show ing for terrorists. I suggest they search Walker hear the influence of Irish folk music in their respectively. We play a show with our old tour bud- because he looks like a redneck Osama. They covers of American songs. I guess it’s much the tonight. Perfect way to end dies, Manchester Orchestra, in the Camden Market are far friendlier than any American police I’ve same as how bands from the South will undeni- our tour with APTBS and section of town. I wonder, do people in the UK encountered. They don’t carry guns and I think think they are an orchestra from Manchester? ably sound Southern to everyone else, regardless Darker My Love. A late- that may play a part in why they don’t bully Arriving at the airport to fly home, it finally of their intentions. Tonight was the first show nighter is had by people. We play a headlining show at of the tour. I was more nervous than I thought all. The Victoria. It feels good to play rains for the first time since we’ve been I’d be about playing in a new country for the our own show with a full- here. Dead Confederate leaves think- first time, though all went well. A few of length set. ing it is 65 and sunny in the UK For more stories and pictures from the road year-round. the guys from the bands forget about with Dead Confederate, as well as the latest sleep and stay out drinking all news and exclusive downloads, visit them on . their Wrecking Blahg, night http://deadconfederate.typepad.com 36 ATHENS BLUR MAGAZINE ATHENS BLUR MAGAZINE 37 MUSIC THIS DAY IN MUSIC HISTORY MUSIC THIS DAY IN MUSIC HISTORY

1957 – Elvis Presley is taken to an L.A. hospital to have a cap from his tooth 1969 - John Lennon and removed from his lung after inhaling it. Yoko Ono begin their famous ten day “bed- 1995 – Stone Temple Pilots’ front man, in” in Montreal’s Queen Scott Weiland, is arrested in California Elizabeth Hotel. for trying to buy drugs in a motel parking lot. 1975 - Elton John releases Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy, which becomes 1968 – The Doors lead singer, Jim the first album to be certified as a million- 1996 - Bradley Nowell of Sublime is 1968 - The Beatles begin recording Morrison, incites a riot during a concert seller on its first day of release. found dead of a drug overdose at the the White Album. in Chicago. age of 26 in a San Francisco hotel room. 2000 - The Eagles file suit against a Dallas 1999 - Lenny Kravitz walks off a New 1974 - Eric Clapton records “I Shot the restaurant named “Hotel California,” claiming

ay Jersey stage after 40 minutes and Sheriff.” trademark violations. collapses from heat exhaustion. He

M had been performing in a fur coat.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

1969 – President Nixon 1969 - Jimi Hendrix 1971 - Peter has Stevie Wonder to 1957 - Buddy Holly 1979 - Genesis takes a turn in 31 is busted at Toronto Cetera (of the the White House. 1968 – Reginald and the Crickets the box office, selling tickets to International Airport for band Chicago) 1957 - The National Dwight officially audition for “Arthur 1974 – 43 its benefit show at L.A.’s Roxy. possession of narcotics and 2000 - is beaten up at Academy of Recording Arts 1995 – Former Guns changes his name to Godfrey’s Talent people are released on $10,000 bail. Britney a Cubs-Dodgers and Sciences (NARAS) is N’ Roses drummer, Elton John. Scouts” and are 1998 - Philadelphia mayor Ed arrested after Spears game by four established. NARAS is best Steven Adler, is rejected. throwing Rendell proclaims May 24th to 1989 – Employees of a releases men who known for organizing the arraigned on a felony 1991 - A judge in bottles outside be the official “Van Halen Day” in California jewelry store Oops!..I Did It objected to the Grammy Awards. count of possession of Macon, Ga., dismisses 1974 – Elvis a Jackson 5 Philadelphia. 1956 - Buddy call police to investigate a Again. length of his hair. heroin and two other a wrongful death suit Presley and Robert concert at RFK Holly is suspicious person shopping misdemeanor drug against Ozzy Osbourne Plant perform an Stadium in inspired to at the store — who turns after a local couple impromptu version charges. Washington, 1964 - Ella Fitzgerald’s write “That’ll out to be Michael Jackson fails to prove his music of “Love Me” after a 1958 - Jerry Lee Lewis D.C. More than cover of “Can’t Buy Me Love” Be the Day” after seeing shopping in disguise. inspired their son to concert by Presley. confirms that he has married 50 people are hits #34 on the U.K. charts, the John Wayne movie attempt suicide. his 13-year-old cousin, Myra. 1965 – Keith injured as a making her the first artist “The Searchers.” 1980 - The South African Richards is inspired 1970 –The result. to chart in the U.K. with a 2003 - The final manuscript government bans Pink to start writing Beatles release Beatles cover. Floyd’s song “Another Brick in the Rolling Stones’ their 13th and of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, which included the Wall (Part II)”. “Satisfaction” while final album, Let 1998 – A Hanson show annotations by the sitting in a Florida it Be. 2003 - Scott Weiland (Stone slated for June 29th at the composer, sells on the 1998 - Loretta Lynn hotel room. Temple Pilots) is arrested for Pine Knob Amphitheatre announces her decision to auction block for $3.47 1971 – A judge drug possession. (capacity 15,000 plus) in return to college and get a 1977 – Over 76,000 million. grants Jerry Lee Detroit sells out in less than degree. fans attend a Led Lewis a divorce 2003 – After an incredible 20 minutes. Zeppelin show 1944 –“You are My from his third run of 6,680 shows during 1964 – Cited for having a in Pontiac, Mich., 1986 – Dolly Parton opens Sunshine” songwriter, cousin Myra. 1985 – President 16 years on Broadway, “Les hair style “like Mick Jagger,” setting a new her own theme park, Jimmie Davis, becomes Ronald Reagan Miserables” closes. 11 boys were suspended record for the 1999 - The Manic Street Dollywood, in Pigeon Forge, governor of Louisiana. 1983 - Meatloaf presents Michael from a school in Coventry, largest audience Preachers refuse to perform Tenn. files for Jackson with a 1958 - Bobby Darin’s “Splish at a concert because Queen England. at a single-act 1990 – Rebellious 1973 - Clive bankruptcy. humanitarian Splash” is released as the first Elizabeth II is present. concert. songstress, Sinead Davis is fired from award. eight-track master recording The group had previously 1987 - During a show at O’ Connor refuses to Rome’s Flaminio Stadio, U2 Columbia Records 1998 – George Michael is fined, pressed to a 45-RPM disc. vowed to never perform for for misappropriating perform on “Saturday the monarchy because they sets off two neighborhood 1959 - Winners of the first Night Live” after given 80 hours community service $100,000. 1965 – While investigating the considered it outdated and earthquake alarms with its annual Grammy Awards are Andrew “Dice” Clay was and ordered to undergo counseling lyrics to “Louie, Louie” by The pointless. sound system. announced. announced as the host. stemming from charges for committing a lewd act in a park Kingsmen, FBI agents make a visit restroom. to Wand Records. 38 ATHENS BLUR MAGAZINE ATHENS BLUR MAGAZINE 39 questions withGeorge tenThorogood Blues-rock pioneer George Thorogood is one of the pre-eminent slide guitar players of the last three decades. With rock anthems like “Bad to the Bone,” “One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer,” and “Move It on Over,” George Thorogood & The Destroyers are a staple on any classic rock radio station. By Zac Taylor

1) How are you doing, George? Taylor. And everybody loved us. And record deal to go down there to get a that’s not an easy thing to do in that shot at opening for somebody like me. Bad. area — open for these blues legends When I was around and J. Geils was 2) Ha. That’s what I thought you’d say. and have people dig you — all the guys playing there, I’d go down and camp So way back when you were young in Muddy’s band and Howlin’ Wolf ’s out on the doorstep and say, ‘Hey, put and traveling from gig to gig, did you band said, ‘You guys are terrific! When me on first!’ That’s an exciting thing. sleep in the car? Were you making are you gonna put out a record?’ And But everything’s weird now. People that was the next step. lip-sync, play tapes, and do all sort of money? How did that go in the early years? Just whatever it took to survive. Get a Everything’s weird now... Our band is cheap motel room. Sometimes the club looked upon as a bunch of freaks because itself would put us up. Or sometimes we plug in the amp and play. we’d go to a town and there would be people who were sympathetic to poor musicians and would let us stay at their 4) In the last 30 years, I’m sure you’ve bizarre stuff. Our band is looked upon house. It was a very common story for seen a lot of development in the music like a bunch of freaks because we plug most bands starting out. industry. I’m surrounded by a bunch into the amp and play. I think the most 3) Was it frustrating? Or did you guys of young, aspiring musicians, like you exciting thing you can think about is feel like you were on a righteous path once were, and we get very frustrated the music itself. If you’re excited about and it was no big deal to rough it? trying to open for people and make the music you’re playing, that’s all the money and drive around New excitement you need. When I was in Boston in 1974, it England. In this current state of the 5) What are some of your favorite old was a real gas because I knew we had something good going. Pretty much industry, what would you find exciting school guitar toys you’ve had over the every place we played, especially in if you were a young musician? years that you can’t live without? Any Connecticut, we knocked people silly new ones? That’s a tough one. I don’t see anything with our show and our songs. After exciting... The time of a scruffy kid the middle of 1975, it started to get I play a Gibson 125. That’s all I can band getting together — you got to frustrating.You got to understand play. I can’t play any other guitar. You’d have a lot of push behind you to get — we were opening for people like be surprised at how few guitars I have. people’s attention these days. The Howlin’ Wolf, John Hammond, My guitars are the tools of my trade. exciting thing is there’s this House Muddy Waters, and Hound Dog I’m sure Brooks Robinson doesn’t of Blues in Boston. You don’t need a ATHENS BLUR MAGAZINE 41 we’re on the 7) Did you see that movie “Cadillac Records” with Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, and all those guys? interweb! No I didn’t see that one. I’ve seen Howlin’ Wolf. I’ve met Chuck Berry. industry industry I’ve been to Chess Records. That’s all news. noise. I need. I don’t need to go see a movie about it. 8) Who are some current bands that are rockin’ that you listen to? Jonas Brothers. Bacon Brothers. Cheetah Girls.

George. C’mon. I got to listen what my daughter listens to. That’s the only music I’m exposed to, except for my own. Jonny Lang’s pretty good. We’re going to play with him. He’s not so much a youngster anymore, but he’s younger than me. He’s got a lot going for him. defender of 9) What’s the best blues record I have awesome. never heard of before that I should go athensblur.blogspot.com pick up? There’s two excellent records by John Hammond called Source Point, and John Hammond Solo. There’s an album by John Lee Hooker called Is He the Worlds’ Greatest Blues Singer? And The London Sessions by Howlin’ Wolf. There’s an album you got to get by Elmore James with a song on it called “Something Inside Me.” It’s the greatest blues song you’re ever gonna hear, ever — by anybody, not have a room full of gloves. They’re to say, or didn’t talk much. They’re just just Elmore James. His voice is just instruments of his occupation. I have saving their vocals. I drink a lot of tea. amazing. the ones I need — that’s it. Alcohol is not good for your vocal 10) Do you have any advice for 6) How about the other instrument cords. If you’re a heavy drinker, it’s bad because alcohol is acidic. It can tear prospective guitar students? There are you play — your voice? You have into your vocal cords. If you have one thousands of guitar players and not a a pretty badass voice, but I was or two drinks, that’s nothing. But if whole lot of jobs for them. wondering if you drink tea or anything you do it regularly, it wears the vocal to help with vocal strain before you cords down. [Tea] is healthier and I Play for fun. Play for the joy of playing, play? How do you maintain vocal drink a lot of that. Plus, the style of and all the things that you seek will health these days? vocal I do, its almost like the worse my come to you if you play with that voice gets, the better it sounds! I can’t attitude. Always make it fun first. And You’re not going to believe this, but explain that. But I’ve always been a two other things. Very important: stay limited use. A lot of times, it’s not fair gutbucket singer. I’m no kind of singer, away from fried foods and stay out of when you see a vocalist do interviews, really. But I’ll pick songs that are right Italian cars. B if he looks dull, or didn’t have anything for my voice. 42 ATHENS BLUR MAGAZINE DUST TODI GI TA L From a college DJ booth to the biggest stage in the music industry, Lance Ledbetter’s passion for out-of-print rarities is becoming an unavoidable phenomenon. by Alec Wooden

It’s a hazy Sunday in 1997 and, his voice. He’s a man on a constant what it was. I ordered a copy through though it’s barely mid-morning, mission to preserve and protect music the station and just took it home, and Atlanta’s downtown connector is and recordings of a time and medium it blew my mind. It was one of those crowded with well-dressed men and that seems nearly lost on the MP3- experiences you really don’t have too Your Vision. Amplified. women on their way to one of the driven Generation Y. often in life.” many churches that pepper the metro “I think the fact that so much of this That experience led Ledbetter to CAREER TRAINING FOR THE AUDIO AND FILM INDUSTRIES area. Perhaps they chat lightly, rubbing material was not available on record or take over the Sunday morning show sleep from their eyes and pondering cassette or CD, to me that’s a tragedy on the station, opening his eyes to the the possibilities of the forthcoming because even bands that are new now wide world of reissued classics in jazz, www.sae.edu sermon, all the while making plans that may not be doing traditional blues, folk and, particularly, gospel. CREATE YOURSELF WITH SAE for brunch after the service. music can still learn from the old “I started to, especially with the Tucked in a small DJ booth at material,” he says. “They can still Sunday morning radio slot here in the Georgia State University, Lance adapt it into their style or into their South, I wanted to find some really Ledbetter settles into his seat and songwriting. To me it’s something good gospel music for people to listen prepares a handful of LPs — sprinkled that needs to be heard by people to to going to church,” he explains. “So I with a few cassettes, no doubt — for keep this history alive.” started to track down record collectors his morning-ride specialty radio show As referenced, Ledbetter began that had reissue records we were using featuring rare and largely out-of-print his study of “America’s vernacular” put out on cassette, LP and CD.” SAE ATLANTA gospel recordings. in 1997 as a DJ at “Album 88” — Ledbetter’s passion became a time- www.sae-atl.com “It’s our culture – America’s on the dial at WRAS 88.5 FMz, the consuming hobby and, before long, a 404-526-9366 vernacular music. It’s what we have, official radio station of Georgia State full time labor-of-love job. Between you know, it’s our original music of University. classes at Georgia State, he tirelessly this country,” begins Ledbetter some “This buzz was starting around expanded his search for rare and out 12 years later, still speaking from the reissue of Harry Smith and the of print recordings, ordering two Atlanta but now doing so in the office Anthology of the American Folk Music, cassettes a week from some collectors of his self made anthology and re-issue which was on CD for the first time,” at a rate of 50 cents per song. Before company, Dust-to-Digital. Through recalls Ledbetter. “I’d read all tons of long, he no longer wanted these his reassuring and polite Southern music publications, and there was this recordings just for himself — rather, drawl, you get a sense of urgency in buzz around it, and I really didn’t know

44 ATHENS BLUR MAGAZINE ATHENS BLUR MAGAZINE 45 he became transfixed with the which honored Dust-to-Digital and And so that‘s what we’ve sort of done from some pretty high places. (and by) industry professionals. by Thomas Edison. idea of reissuing them for public Goodbye, Babylon with two Grammy ever since; we’ve always collaborated “We were getting ready for the “It was amazing. They called out our “In 1877, Thomas Edison was consumption and enjoyment. He nominations at the 2004 awards show. with someone on each release.” release party way back in November names, we walked up to the stage, and widely regarded as the first quit school, founded Dust-to-Digital While Ledbetter couldn’t have been Enter The Art of Field Recording, of 2007 and I sent out an email to our it was just a great, great experience. It person to record sound,” begins and immediately set about with his more pleased with the reception of a two-volume set that has become newsreader list, people who subscribed was pretty surreal to receive that level Ledbetter, showing off the first project of rare gospel recordings Babylon, he faced a serious problem: it DTD’s latest critical success – a to our newsletter, and one response I of an honor for the work,” he says. “I encyclopedic knowledge that is an entitled Goodbye, Babylon. had taken him the better part of four collaborative effort that drew largely got was from a reporter at the New felt really great for Art to be honored unspoken requirement in a field “We had so much material when years to complete the box set. Four from Athens, Ga., native and rare Yorker magazine,” says Ledbetter. “He for all the hard work he had done over like Ledbetter’s. all was said and done, so we had to years in the music business, even recording collector/archivist Art expressed interest in possibly doing the century, including putting all of Scott’s device was the look at the idea of a box set,” he says. when dealing with rare and ancient Rosenbaum. Rosenbaum’s inspired a story on Art and what we had put those recordings together.” PhonoAutograph, a crude device with “I think at one point we had over recordings, is an eternity. Not even guidance and tireless years of together. He came down to the release Ledbetter doesn’t strike you as the a horn for speaking into at one end 300 tracks for consideration and we a Grammy nomination guarantees collecting, coupled with the mission party in Athens and ended up staying sort of person to dwell on things — and a bristle to record the shape of whittled it down to 160. And it was a continued momentum over a stretch and drive of Ledbetter’s now- with us for a couple days the sound waves at the other. six CD box set. The whole thing took that long. Was Ledbetter willing to reputable company, fused into the afterward, and he made While this was the earliest four and a half years to do and we take that risk? magical combination at the core of another trip down later. In form of recording invented, finally released it back in October of “The question I sort of had to ask Field Recording. April 2008 the New Yorker Scott was never able to find 2003.” myself after Goodbye, Babylon was, “I mailed Art a copy (of Goodbye, published an article about a proper channel for playing Babylon became a critical darling ‘Do we do a normal album and have Babylon) and he invited me over to the Art of Field Recording back the audio he had of 2003-2004, building a steady material come out on a regular basis, Athens for lunch one day,” begins and Art’s work, and I captured - leaving clear sound reputation as one of the most or do we go away for another five Ledbetter on the story of the pairs think it really helped when waves on paper but no audio authoritative and compelling box years and come out with another introduction. “He took me to the we got nominated for a to boot. sets in recent memory. epic compilation or release?’” he says. University of Georgia archive at the Grammy — a lot of people “It wasn’t until last March of “People really responded to it “And you know, I started to think, library and we started pulling out that vote for Grammy 2008 that some people from strongly,” says a grateful Ledbetter, ‘Yeah, we’d be better off to have music he had collected over the last awards were more familiar America went over to Paris who admits there was “quite a bit material coming out on a regular half century. When we were listening with us than if that article and went through some of of debt” thrown behind the project. basis.’ But the problem was that in to those tapes, that same feeling had not been written.” Scott’s archives and brought “I wanted it to be something that order to have things coming out on came over me when I was listening So roughly 10 years back some of the sheets people could come to and it could regular basis there’s no way I could to tapes from the 78” collectors after beginning work on of paper and took them to sort of be an access point to all this shoulder all the work because it just gospel music, which is, ‘Why is this Goodbye, Babylon and California and scanned them great gospel music. The material that took so long, and we’d also set the music so hard to get to? Why is it not five years removed from on a flat bed scanner,” says was in print was sort of scattered bar so high because Goodbye, Babylon in print? Why can’t people listen to his first nominations, Ledbetter. around as a compilation here, or a came out with a 200 page book. We this?’ That’s when Art and I started Ledbetter again took his What they found on the complete retrospective there. There put emphasis on historic research, to hatch the idea of reissuing some of seat in Los Angeles’ Staple scanner was multiple snippets was no good way to approach that text, images, and we wanted to put his recordings.” Center, nervously scrolling of a young French girl (perhaps music that I could find.” that sort of aesthetic throughout Thanks to the success of his in his head the million or a daughter or relative of Scott And people found it indeed — every release. So, what I decided previous releases, there was a built-in so reasons why, for the himself) singing the famed Ledbetter sold more than he could to do was start collaborating with cult audience lying in wait for The Art second time, he wasn’t French Folk Song “Au Clair de have ever fathomed, (to this day, people. Some of these musicologists of Field Recording (as there had been about to win a Grammy. la Lune.” he still hand assembles each box we had met, instead of me doing the for smaller releases in between). That “We had gone out (to “So Edouard-Leon Scott set in Atlanta) and caught the editing, compiling, everything, we didn’t mean, however, he couldn’t L.A.) for Babylon, we lived to see Edison get the attention of the Recording Academy, started sort of sharing the work load. afford help — and loads of praise — were nominated for two credit for recording sound, categories then, and we but he knew I guess the whole didn’t win those,” he says of his 2009 not even Grammy Awards. Rather, time that he had done it first, and in Grammy mentality. “So in the back he seems the type to leave the stage, 2008 that was proven,” says Ledbetter, of my mind I was thinking, ‘Here we return to his seat and begin penning adding that the release would be of go again, another oh-for-two, so we’ll out the outline for his next release on the 45 RPM 7” vinyl variety and will just have a good time and celebrate an iPhone. It comes as no surprise, simply be titled Au Claire de la Lune. our loss and take it with a grain of then, when he can hardly hide the “We look forward to issuing that, salt.’” excitement in his voice over the next and hopefully it should be out in the Celebrate he did, but it wasn’t for a Dust-to-Digital project to be released middle of this year.” loss. When the famed envelope was later this year. Ledbetter plans If the release is on time, someone opened and the winner announced, to archive the early recordings of should start warning the Grammy Ledbetter and Rosenbaum found Edouard-Leon Scott de Martinville — voters — though if recent history themselves living an unparalleled the man who has only recently been repeats itself, they won’t be able dream sequence of accepting one of proven to have recorded sound before to avoid Ledbetter’s next batch of the highest honors bestowed upon the commonly accepted origin of such handiwork. B

46 ATHENS BLUR MAGAZINE by Erica Schwartz * lineups indicate artists listed as of press time — check websites for updates! 50 ATHENS BLUR MAGAZINE ATHENS BLUR MAGAZINE 51 * lineups indicate artists listed as of press time — check websites for updates! 52 ATHENS BLUR MAGAZINE ATHENS BLUR MAGAZINE 53 * lineups indicate artists listed as of press time — check websites for updates! 54 ATHENS BLUR MAGAZINE BEN FOLDS BEN

Ben Folds With Someone Sparks rocks out studio Else’s Money in Ben’s studio opens for Folds

With Someone Else’s Posing for a Money opens for Folds at The Taberncale. group shot in Nashville

h, college. The best four, five, is just nothing but two chords and a mixed-gender A Capella group, With Amaybe six years of your life. drum machine, it’s really not an easy Someone Else’s Money (WSEM). “A For Ben Folds, it’s been the best, thing to do for an A Cappella group lot of his songs have a great sense of well…20. And counting. Though because they don’t have anything humor to them, which makes them he’s a couple decades from the to work with. It gets old really fast. great for nerdy A Capella kids. That, undergraduate days, it’s arguable that There’s so much going on in the way of and his stuff has a lot of layers, which his presence on campus — any and chords, proper voicing, voice leading makes arranging easier.” all of them nationwide — has grown WSEM is a patchwork group of exponentially since. singers from various majors (unlike “I can’t seem to graduate,” said BEN FOLDS other University A Cappella groups, Folds, laughing. “I play universities the pursuit of a music degree is not all the time, so I seem to be reliving a prerequisite for joining). The dozen [the college days] at every show.” WHO’S WHO or so members gather twice weekly Though Folds is over 40 now, he Ben Folds (piano, vocals) when the school day is done to does indeed still center entire tours FORMED rehearse. Playful and restless between around college campuses but, even 1988 in Winston-salem, N.C. takes, they’re all business when the when he’s not playing on campus, songs begin — serious and focused, LABEL his music infiltrates the popular Epic Records but always exerting the maximum campus sub-culture of organized amount of energy. Since it’s inception and competitive A Capella singing LATEST RELEASE in 2001, WSEM has been much like groups. University A Capella (2009) any other college A Capella group in “Well, I spend a lot of time on shit ON THE WEB its propensity to cover a Folds tune – that goes pretty well unappreciated www.benfolds.com but it wasn’t until late last year when to the critical listening audience,” said Sparks happened to stumble upon Folds of his music’s popularity among a major opportunity on Folds’ Web the collegiate groups. “Like if you site — aimed directly at the college big man on campus listen to, you know, a Frank Sinatra and all that stuff, so I think this is groups. song, the voice will be perfect and it easier to work with.” “I just really liked the versions that will have interesting modulations and So easy, in fact, that it has long I was hearing, the A Cappella versions everything will be, you know, all this been difficult to sit through an entire of my music,” said Folds, adding it 15 A Capella groups get the chance of a lifetime nerd shit will be going down. That’s college A Capella performance without became an unavoidable part of playing really important when you are trying hearing some sampling of his music. the various campuses. “Then, as I got — thanks to pop music’s perpetual undergrad to sort of transcribe this for all human “His songs are fun,” said Jonathan into it I started realizing, it’s like a voices or an ensemble of some kind. If Sparks, lead arranger and member total scene. You know, the A Cappella by Alec Wooden you’ve just got a beat box, like if a song of The University of Georgia’s scene is huge, so it sort of grew out of 56 ATHENS BLUR MAGAZINE ATHENS BLUR MAGAZINE 57 that.” while we were performing it.” version of “You Don’t Know Me.” to Nashville gave the group a unique Cappella, you know I remember seeing, “It” was the idea for Folds latest After the work ended for the The arranger — and, moreover, the chance (literally, they were the only ‘The special’s going to be ‘Jesusland.’ record, University A Cappella – a small submitting groups, it meant only the fan — in Sparks was overwhelmed ensemble to record in Nashville). Well, let’s see,’ you know. And it was idea that became a nationwide call beginning of a massive undertaking when the reality of the situation sank “At first we couldn’t find the studio,” cool. So that was kinda neat.” for submissions of songs from the for Folds, who promised to — and in. said WSEM singer Rebecca Martin. Folds also walked the figurative Ben Folds catalog from any and all indeed did, every night after tour “I don’t think I really [felt the “One of the guys just opened a door, mile in the students’ shoes, tracking University-affiliated groups. stops – review every video submission pressure of the arrangement] at first,” and there was Ben Folds, just standing two songs A Capella himself in a “We came up with a big list of A personally. he said. “I was more excited, than there. Of course, we’re all kind of star- challenging exercise that served to, Cappella songs that would work,” said “It was tough,” Folds said of the anything, to do it. When I found it was struck. But he was so excited when he if nothing else, only enhance the WSEM member Steven Hutchings. process. “I mean the first thing I going to be on the album, I probably saw us.” appreciation he had developed for the “Then we put it out for everyone to did was an initial run-through for passed out.” The fan (and piano player) in stars of the new record. vote and came up with those two.” anything that struck my fancy. I Folds now faced a unique challenge Sparks, of course, soaked in every “Well, it was probably tougher for When the votes were tallied, With wasn’t being too picky, just keeping in finding the best way to record each second of being in the studio of one of me because I don’t get together with Someone Else’s Money put on their my interest in some way, just very group — geographical location wasn’t his idols. my friends three times a week and work best game face and settled into record not technical. So it must have come necessarily a submission requirement “I played on every piano in that If everything through all these things, so we kind two YouTube submissions — tracking down to 90 (laughs). So I’ve got 90 to and, as a result, the winners spanned studio,” he said, laughing. “And I have of had to work from scratch. Luckily, “You Don’t Know Me,” from Folds’ listen through on the second batch. I the entire nation. Bringing each group a picture of me playing on every piano goes to absolute I learned a lot by recording all these in that studio.” groups just in terms of arrangement latest album, Way to Normal, and kept narrowing it down. After I got it to Folds’ studio in Nashville wasn’t , it’s because “Cigarette,” from the 1997 Ben Folds narrowed down to pretty close to the really a feasible option — so, Folds While they say Folds pretty much shit and their technique,” he said. “It’s a Five breakout record, Whatever and number of songs on an album. I really went to them. “let them do their own thing” during there was no fiber. pretty incredible amount of work to Ever Amen. had to take into account sequence, “I recorded most of these people the tracking, some of his signature have to tear down over and over again. A relevant song – or one that first how many vocalists are high, low, on campus,” he said. “One’s in a personality from live shows seemed But this is like full I’d do eight hours of work and we’re to leak into the session - the singers leaving the studio at midnight and I’d helped to make Folds a household girls, boys. R&B approach versus more synagogue, one’s next to a bathroom , you name wasn’t necessarily enough to of a straight ahead or jazz approach, or a hallway. Sometimes there would commented on being able to see him of fiber go, ‘You know we gotta tear it all down catch the attention of Folds among just start sequencing it in a way that be an Achilles heel of some kind to the dancing and making motions in the know, All Bran. These and start again tomorrow.’” the masses of other video submissions was gonna make the best album. So recording, and sometimes that would control booth and flicking the lights And if nothing else, a newfound – rather, the group was faced with as soon as I got down to a certain just be, ‘This is a beautiful sounding on and off to the sound of the music. kids are feeling appreciation for the tireless making a video equal parts aurally number of songs, it stopped being room that has a really fucking loud air “Yeah, I gave ‘em a light show,” said extracurricular work of the students , and that means pleasing and visually appealing. about who’s the best and now what conditioner.’” a chuckling Folds. “I was so hoping the it seems to be the underlying sentiment “We had so much personality [in ‘makes the best album.’” While location wasn’t a requirement one with the light show would be the there’s a lot of that Folds took from his creation. the video],” said Tierney Cosgrove of When the dust settled, WSEM, in the contest, it did work our well in best take. I mean I just like [recording] “I have to say, I don’t think I could the recording. “We interacted a lot; we along with 14 other groups (see WSEM’s case. Good scheduling breaks to be natural. You know, sometimes it’s integrity. I mean have even [found the time to sing in a talked and interacted with each other sidebar), had made the cut with their and a drive of only around five hours a grumpy session and that’s just part it’s not as dramatic group in college], said Folds. “I could of the natural flow of getting it down. barely pay for it all, and keep going They were really cool and easy to work as I make it sound, and keep grades and stuff. I was just with and so totally understood what I but that’s probably sort of paddling, trying to keep up was saying so we could get beyond turd with life. It seems really easy to, even polishing. I could explain something what compelled at my age, to look back and say, ‘Kids and they got it, and therefore the next these days. They don’t do this, they thing to do is to make it fun. me to do this more don’t do that. They’ve been watching Just because something is accessible than anything – and video games, we had to practice. Blah and able to be molded for the sake of blah blah.’” an A Capella group, doesn’t mean that there’s nothing “There’s something about this it necessarily will work - and some of record,” he continues, “that I hope, in the tunes that made the final cut did more sort of some small way, when people hear it, so as quite a pleasant surprise to the gives people some hope that there’s songwriter. hopeful some fiber, you know? ‘Cause that “Well, I was really impressed with really is the problem at the end of the

“Jesusland” (from 2005’s Songs For and bright day. If everything goes to absolute Silverman) for two reasons,” said than that.” shit, it’s because there was no fiber. Folds. “One is that it’s an all female But this is like full of fiber, you know, Live at group, and you just have to be so much All Bran. These kids are feeling it, and the Tabernacle more inventive to make that sound that means there’s a lot of integrity. Live at good because they don’t have basses. I mean it’s not as dramatic as I make the Tab- The roof has been taken away from it sound, but that’s probably what Live at you unless you have a girl that can compelled me to do this more than sing and carry low notes. And also the anything – and there’s nothing more the Tabernacle song didn’t really seem conducive to A hopeful and bright than that.” B

58 ATHENS BLUR MAGAZINE we would be able to put more money back into education.” Lindberg’s audience proved a little more challenging, as he was faced with about 20 pre-teen females, a few of which had the ‘I’m too cool for this’ front. But Lindberg was eventually able to break through to all of the girls and had everyone participating through clapping while he hummed the blues and plucked his cello. “For now, it’s this basic introduction,” Bailey explains. “But, down the road we’re hoping to be a lot more. We’re also thinking that this program doesn’t have to be just in Clarke (Above) Joel Byron answers questions from his eager young audience recently at Burney-Harris-Lyons County Schools, and it doesn’t have Middle School. (Below) Byron explains various playing techniques to the students. to be in just public schools. It could be in the Montessori School, Athens Academy; you know the surrounding county schools. So, if it works well and we get some support, we can take this thing statewide — even nationwide.” Former Counting Crows drummer turned Clarke County kindergarten teacher, Ben Mize, shares his thoughts about the importance of music education. “My four-year-old son is in the bathtub singing songs he learned at school. It occurred to me that we (adults) take for granted what all Athfest saving musicone school education at a time we learned from music.” Mize adds, “What I know of my son’s learning I article & photos by Nicole Black know from the songs he sings: I can ways, even when they promise for of the committee meet once a month hear what he’s learning in these songs (hypothetical) example: ‘Oh, we have to plan upcoming classes, and find With the economy on the fritz, it’s no surprise school Most recently, local artists Joel Byron and Carl Lindberg and I can see his daily progress in the given each teacher a Sing a Song of more local artists to add to the current budgets are feeling the effects; cutting costs, cutting played teacher for an hour at Burney-Harris-Lyons Middle songs too.” Poetry book of nursery rhymes, and roster. The money raised through teachers, and cutting programs they do not deem of high School. In Byron’s room, 14 young kids piled onto the Mize shares a valid point. We are first we held a seven minute meeting at donations and fundraisers help pay importance on the education meter-such as Music and Arts. cafeteria stage behind a large curtain and eagerly took their introduced to our alphabet as well as each school where we emphasized the the musicians for their time. However, Jared Bailey, founder of Athfest and Flagpole, is seats. Byron started out playing some blues. By the time basic aptitudes, such as colors, states, importance of rhyme as a pre-reading “Although this is still in its infancy,” focused on keeping music an important part of education the second chorus came, some of the kids started tapping planets, etc., through song and rhyme. skill, and we have strongly encouraged adds Bailey, “We have been at this by working with local schools’ after-school programs to their feet in rhythm. The tapping spread up to their hands Music seemed to help us absorb what teachers to use these books.’” for over a year now, and we’re really educate and inspire children about music. and they began to clap in beat and soon after, like a wave we were learning at such a young age. He concludes his thoughts, “Not to excited about it. I think it’s got a lot “It’s the AthFest Education Committee,” Bailey shares. at a sporting event, the rest of the kids joined in. After he “There are entire emergent literacy/ mention the benefits learning melody of promise.” B “The program is called ‘AthFest After School.’ We want to finished he explained to his receptive audience, “blues is early reading curriculums based on and rhythm has on the pathways of the brain — if we can’t acknowledge Join the committee by emailing expand it so it’s in the daytime during school.” the foundation for all music you hear on the radio today.” nursery rhymes and singing and [email protected] The program is in its beginning stages but is already When asked how important Byron feels music is in there’s research that indicates that the value of musical intelligence in Donate by contacting Jared Bailey being received well by students and faculty members. correlation to education, he responded, “I think they’re kids with this experience read earlier and of itself, we can at least point to [email protected] “The response from the After-School Director for the really important. A lot of the focus with schools now is just and better than kids that don’t,” Mize the benefit of musical practice to ways For musicians interested contact whole district has been really positive,” says committee on academics. There’s no culture in academics...music and explains. “That is music in school, of thinking that helps one succeed [email protected] member Jennifer Kumnick, who is also a social worker art are very important. You learn about music and art, and and I dare say most of the teachers on standardized tests for the major for the Athens-Clarke County public schools. “She really it broadens your horizon and that’s really what kids need. I know don’t feel confident to really subject areas of reading, language arts A 50/50 Raffle is being held at Alibi Bar wants us to be more involved next year in the after-school We’re stuck in this computer-centric world and everything embrace musical learning in their own and math.” on the eastside Tuesday, May 12th from programs.” is viewed through a monitor.” He adds, “I think it maybe classrooms. It certainly shouldn’t be For now, the community can get 7 p.m.-11:p.m. Tickets are $2.00. Half Students participate in hour-long classes where local stems more from our country’s priorities than it does the assumed that they will. Nor should involved with Bailey’s mission by the money raised will go directly to the musicians perform songs, introduce the instruments they school’s budget. If we weren’t so wasteful with our money joining his committee or making Athfest After-School program and the we trust that school districts will rest to a randomly drawn ticket holder. perform with and give students a brief history of music. make up for the loss of music in other donations to the program. Members 60 ATHENS BLUR MAGAZINE ATHENS BLUR MAGAZINE 61 A&E MOVIE PREVIEWS ARTS &ENTERTAINMENT Management (May 15) (Stephen Belber) Jennifer Aniston stars in (what else?) a romantic comedy opposite Steve Zahn. Aniston’s character is a traveling saleswoman who has a fling upcoming on the screen with a hotel manager (Zahn), who then decides to follow her around the country in attempts to win her love. Aniston’s character’s boyfriend, played by Woody Harrelson, making sure it’s worth your money by Julie McCollum throws a wrench in his plans. Battle for Terra PREDICTION: You can guess how this will end before the previews are even over.

MOVIE PREVIEWS A&E MOVIE (May 1) (Aristomenis Tsirbas) This animated sci-fi adventure film is set on the peaceful planet of Terra. Two alien teens, voiced by Justin Long and Evan Rachel Wood, befriend an injured pilot voiced by Luke Wilson when the planet is invaded by humans fleeing from civil war. Soon they learn that with limited resources only one of their races will survive.

PREDICTION: The end-of-the-world premise is a bit of a departure Angels & Demons from the “Finding Nemo” brand of kid movie, but who said animation (May 15) (Ron Howard) Ron Howard tackles this film is just for the young ones? version of the novel which introduces the character of Robert Langdon, the Harvard symbolist featured in “The Da Vinci Code”, played again by Tom Hanks. In this story, Langdon tries to stop a secret society from de- X-MEn Origins: Wolverine stroying Vatican City. Easy Virtue (May 1) (Gavin Hood) This film tells the story of Wolverine’s violent and romantic past leading up PREDICTION: If you enjoyed the “The Da Vinci Code” to the events of X-Men, including his complex relationship with Victor Creed. Hugh Jackman re- film adaptation, this is a must-see. (May 22) (Stephan Elliot) This Hitchcock re- prises the role that made him famous as Wolverine, complete with retractable claws. make set in the 1930’s stars Jessica Biel as Larita, a glamorous American who hastily PREDICTION: Action for the guys, Jackman for the girls, and appearances by X-Men legends sprin- marries Englishman John Whittaker. When kled in for the die-hard fans; this movie will probably make box office bank. Whittaker takes Larita home to mom, her new mother-in-law has an instant aversion to her, and from there tries incessantly to run her off. Adoration PREDICTION: The monster-in-law plot is a bit played out, but the movie may deliver a fresh, (May 8) (Atom Egoyan) When Simon receives an assignment funny take. in his high school class based on a real news story about a terrorist who plants a bomb in the luggage of his pregnant girlfriend, he takes his story to the internet with false identi- The Brothers Bloom ty and thus begins a journey deep into the past. (May 29) (Rian Johnson) “The Brothers Bloom,” played by Adrien Brody and Mark PREDICTION: This quirky film brings something different from Ruffalo, are all-star con men millionaires who have decided to take on one final job: the usual onslaught of Summer blockbusters, so it might showing a beautiful and eccentric heiress around the world, and in the process ex- bring movie snobs out of hibernation and into the theater. tract $2.5 million from her. The con gets a bit complicated when Brody’s character Dance Flick falls in love with their lovely con target. PREDICTION: The perfect date movie: action, romance and laughs. (May 22) (Damien Dante Wayans) The Wayans Bros. bring yet another movie spoofing movie trends, in this case Next Day Air movies which feature lots of dancing (“Save the Last Dance,” “Step Up,” “You Got Served,” etc.). The premise Drag Me To Hell (May 8) (Benny Boom) This film tells the story of two inept criminals who mis- is that Thomas Uncles bonds with character Megan takenly receive a package of cocaine. The mistake turns into a battle for the White as they attempt to enter an epic dance battle. (May 29) (Sam Raimi) In this thriller, the director of “Spider Man” takes on the story drugs between the furious dealer who sent it, the frightened people who were of a loan officer who receives a supernatural curse when ordered to evict an elderly intended to receive it, and the criminals who plan to turn it into their profit. PREDICTION: If you were into “Scary Movie” and per- woman from her house. When her life is transformed into a living hell, in desperation haps even the subsequent knock-offs, you might en- she goes to a seer, who sets her on a frenzied course to break free of the evil spell. PREDICTION: The beat-the-clock plot promises action, and actors like Don- joy the over-the-top laughs in this movie, like a wom- ald Faison (“Scrubs”) and Mos Def add some comedy flavor that will bring all- an giving birth on the dance floor to a break-dancing PREDICTION: Up-and-comers Alison Lohman and Justin Long star in this movie, which around entertainment. baby. promises a few jump in your seat moments and a temporary fear of old people.

62 ATHENS BLUR MAGAZINE ATHENS BLUR MAGAZINE 63 upcoming dvD releases Release dates are subject to change. Check artists or store websites as these dates ap- may5 proach. Working Girl New Releases: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button Last Chance Harvey Smother may26 TV Box Sets: New Releases: Boston Legal: Season Five Hindsight Crusoe: Complete Series Killshot Doctor Who: Battlefield Lipstick Jungle: Season Two TV Box Sets: Mythbusters: Volume Four Gunsmoke: Season Three, V2 October Road: Season Two Law and Order SVU: Season Nine The Closer: Season Four Music DVDs: B.B. King: Soundstage Dazz Band: Best of Funk june2 New Releases: may12 Baby on Board Jaime Pressly Defiance New Releases: Revolutionary Road talks doing TV, Of Time and the City O Jerusalem TV Box Sets: making movies Personal Effects Army Wives: Season Two The Grudge 3 Quincy ME: Season Three and raising Possesstion Raising the Bar: Season One S. Darko: A Donnie Darko Tale a child The Jetsons: Season Two, Volume One Photo: Scott Garfield Underworld: Rise of the Lycans Weeds: Season Four By DeMarco Williams TV Box Sets: Penn & Teller Bullshit: Season Six hen you’re face-to-face with Jaime Pressly you success in Hollywood, the Kinston, N.C., native turns immediately notice the similarities, or lack dead serious: “I started my clothing line (J’aime) because The Best of Star Trek: The Original Series W The Jeff Foxworthy Show: Season Two thereof, between her true self and what you see portrayed I wanted something to fall back on and something else to Two and a Half Men: Fifth Season every Thursday night on the hilarious sitcom, “My Name do because I was kinda getting fed up [with acting]. But june9 is Earl.” Joy Turner, Pressly’s on-screen character, is very then the amazing Greg Garcia came around and wrote a loud, crass and arguably primetime television’s zaniest brilliant character for a woman, which is rare. And it sorta New Releases: dresser. In person, she’s modestly-attired, polite and well, changed my perception. I’m so, so blessed to be able to do Gran Torino only kinda loud. The point being, this likable 31-year-old what I love to do. I could never do a 9-to-5 job, although I may19 Powder Blue acts her tail off on TV. did 14 years ago. I had three at a time.” “I’m just very blessed,” Pressly says, “to be able to do what Now, thankfully, she only has two -- Golden Globe- New Releases: TV Box Sets: I love to do and to play characters that I love to play. I was nominated actress and new parent. The former might spark Paul Blart: Mall Cop Father Knows Best: Season Three not always so fortunate to be able to go to work and enjoy the finger-pointing at the airport, but it’s the latter that My Bloody Valentine 3D My Family: Season Three & Four myself or enjoy the character I was playing. If it wasn’t for warms Jaime Pressly’s heart like nothing else. “Dezi will be Valkyrie The Best of Whose Line is it Anyway? [“Earl” creator] Greg Garcia giving me the opportunity to two in May,” announces the proud mom, beaming from ear show what I can do and giving me the role of Joy, I would to ear. “From day one on our [‘Earl’] set, it’s always been TV Box Sets: Music DVDs: probably still… well, I might not even be in the business okay for people to bring their children to come and visit. 24: Season Seven Dave Matthews Band: Hope Springs Eternal anymore.” Dezi walks on set and says, ‘Ello! Ello!’ He walks around Friday Night Lights: On the small screen and in films like the March release and they bring him the roll with all the pretty tape on it. He “I Love You, Man,” Pressly is good for a few chuckles. But puts it around his neck. Then he climbs up on the camera the moment she opens up on the struggles of finding and goes, ‘And action!’ He’s not afraid by any means.”

64 ATHENS BLUR MAGAZINE ATHENS BLUR MAGAZINE 65 Pressly and Jon Favreau on the set of I Love You, Man.

I was not always so fortunate to be able to go to work and enjoy myself or enjoy the character I was playing. If it wasn’t for [“Earl” creator] Greg Garcia giving me the opportunity to show what I can do and giving me the role of Joy, I would probably still… well, I might not even be in the business anymore.”

— Jaime Pressly —

Jaime credits coffee and “a lack of sleep to where you get delirious” for all the energy she resonates. Plus, it doesn’t hurt that she shut down the clothing line. “Before Dezi,” explains the former international model, “I could do the show full time and run my company full time. But once I had Dez, it became almost impossible to go to work. I certainly wasn’t taking the clothing line over my son. If I had a day off, instead of wasting my time to drive downtown, I would just have [my employees] come to set or have the girls email me and I would do a lot of stuff. I would go in on Saturdays and stuff like that and bring Dezi with me. Things change when you have a baby. There’s so much more important than designing clothes.” Jaime’s only slightly less excited when speaking of her other baby, “My Name is Earl.” A show that’s part moral analysis and part poor white trash exposé, “Earl” is an out-of-nowhere hit that just laughed its way through a fourth season. But if you think seeing Joy Turner pick on kids in glasses or push around Betty White is a good time, Pressly swears you haven’t seen the half. “It’s the greatest job on the planet,” claims the woman Maxim once called the 30th hottest lady on the planet. “Everybody loves going to work. We all truly adore each other. We really enjoy each other’s company. We all know each other so well know. Our families are all friends. Our kids play together. We have amazing writers. We have amazing crew. We all genuinely respect and admire each other and there’s not a bad seed in the group. There’s no drama.” If you’re wondering why you don’t see Jaime Pressly in more movies, there’s no dramatic explanation there either. She simply says scheduling around “Earl” and Dezi hasn’t permitted leading lady roles to come her way. “I’ll be honest with you,” she states, “if I get to play really amazing roles and it’s five or six scenes –hell, if it’s three scenes with a really great cast- I’m fine being in the supporting cast because it still allows me some normalcy in my life. It allows me some time to be with my son. It gives me a break so I don’t get burnt out, which I’ve done so many times.” B FOOD

Veggie phase to delicacies dives Think veggies are not suitable for the MEALS FOR YOUR grill? Think again! Now that the warmer months are upon us, fresh veggies will be plentiful—and they are fabulous on the grill. Grilled Mixed Vegetables dives delicacies to more ways to pinch pennies with your grocery list 2 zucchinis, halved thickly diagonally By Jacquie Brasher lengthwise 2 yellow squash, Marinade:

FOOD Ah, spring. Everything’s in bloom, the weather’s lovely, and halved lengthwise ½ cup olive oil 4 salad onions, ¼ cup red wine suddenly staying indoors is the last thing you want to do. It’s the halved lengthwise vinegar Grills perfect time to drag out the barbecue grill. (they look like 1 teaspoon garlic These days, pretty much anything is grill-worthy. And the added green onions, only powder Gone bonus is, you don’t have to spend a ton of money to get great food with a bigger bulb 1 teaspoon oregano at the end) ½ teaspoon salt from a grill. Here are some easy meal ideas to make your spring and 1 eggplant, sliced ½ teaspoon pepper summer months a breeze. All these recipes should serve two people. Wild Directions: Mix the marinade in a small bowl. Whisk briskly to direct flame, by the way—just off to the side a bit. Grill Garlic–Lime incorporate all ingredients. Place the vegetables in for about three to four minutes on each side. If you Chicken Skewers a larger bowl. Pour marinade in with vegetables and like your vegetables crunchy, don’t grill them too long. toss to coat. Let stand for one hour. On a low-flame After you remove the vegetables from the grill, toss 2 chicken breasts, cut lengthwise into gas grill, place the vegetables flat side down. (Reserve with the reserved marinade. Serve on a platter as an thick strips the extra marinade.) Do not put the vegetables over accompaniment to your meal. 2 garlic cloves, minced Juice of 1 lime 2 tablespoons olive oil Burger Phase Zesty Burgers ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional) Burgers don’t have to be boring. You can add Salt and pepper to taste all sorts of ingredients to the ground meat to 1 pound ground beef make it explode with flavor. Try this burger 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce Directions: recipe for added zing! 1 tablespoon hot sauce Mix the garlic, lime, oil, pepper 1 minced garlic clove flakes, salt and pepper in a bowl. ½ onion, minced Add the raw chicken to the mixture Salt and pepper to taste and marinate for at least two hours in the refrigerator. Mix well. After the chicken strips have Directions: marinated, take them out and Mix all the ingredients into the ground beef. Your hands thread them on metal skewers. are the best tools, so use them! (Wash them well before Place skewers of chicken on a low and after.) After the beef has been thoroughly mixed with flame of a gas grill. (You can use a the ingredients, form into two big patties. charcoal grill as well.) Grill for about three minutes on each side or until Grill on each side according to how well you like your all the pink is gone. If the chicken burgers cooked. (If you’re adventurous, try mixing in about gets too dry, you can baste it with ¼ cup of finely crumbled bleu cheese to the ground beef.) a little more olive oil. Serve with a Note: Ground meats for the grill should have a little more salad and garlic bread for a light, fat in them. If you use leaner meats, they tend to dry out. flavorful meal.

68 ATHENS BLUR MAGAZINE ATHENS BLUR MAGAZINE 69 EVENT CALENDAR BLUR EVENT

May 14 May 19 Smith’s Olde Bar, 7p.m., $5 Room, 8p.m., $7/adv. Tony Lucca, Joey Degraw Nightwish Soul of John Black, Mike May 30 go ahead : make my date Masquerade-Heaven, 8p.m., Zito Andrew Hoover Smith’s Olde Bar-Atlanta $25/adv. Smith’s Olde Bar, 8p.m., $12/ Testament, Unearth, Room, 8p.m., $10/adv. upcoming events in athens and atlanta adv. Lazerus AD Pretty Lights and Dieselboy Masquerade-Heaven, 7p.m., $35/adv. in the Family The Horrorpops and Guests Masquerade-Hell, 8p.m., $15/ May 20 May 26 $22/adv. ATLANTA Masquerade-Hell, 7p.m., $12/ Masquerade-Hell, 7p.m., $13/ adv. Hermon Hitson, Noot adv. adv. Suburban Soul, That’s What Static-X, Bury Your Dead, The Bridge Lions and Scissors, Lake D’Noot She Said, The Humms Seventh Void, Dirge Smith’s Olde Bar, 8p.m., $12/ Inferior May 1 The Drunken Unicorn, $10/adv. Wye Oak, Pomegranates, The Drunken Unicorn, $5 Masquerade-Heaven, 6:30p.m., adv. May 6 Pretty & Nice The Drunken Unicorn, $5

BLUR EVENT CALENDAR Telepath, Eliot Lipp The Drunken Unicorn, $8/adv. Stanton Moore Trio (2 Full Parkway Drive, Stick to May 31 Masquerade-Hell, 7p.m., $10/ May 3 Comcast Bands on Demand, May 21 Sets) Your Guns, My Children, My adv. Vienna Teng, Ben Sollee, The Nigel Depree Band, Masquerade-Hell, 7p.m., $13/ Big Business, Tweak Bird Bride, As Dawn Breaks The Business, Flatfoot 56 with special guest Katie The Quazimotors, Elli Perry, Passafire adv. The Drunken Unicorn, 8p.m., Masquerade-Heaven, 6:30p.m., Masquerade-Heaven, 7p.m., Cursive Man Man Herzig Junior Dolan & Cash Masquerade-Hell, 7p.m., $10/ $10/adv. $12/adv. $12/adv. Variety Playhouse, 8:30p.m., Variety Playhouse, 8:30p.m., Smith’s Olde Bar, 8p.m., $10 adv. May 28 $16/adv. $15/adv. May 4 Amos Lee The Villains, Nathan Beaver, Variety Playhouse, 8p.m., $25/ May 15 Steve Baskin, James David Sean Mcconnell June 4 adv. May 10 Smith’s Olde Bar, 8p.m., $10 May 2 Protest the Hero and guests Damon Moon and the Carter Smith’s Olde Bar, 7p.m., $8/adv. May 29 Tab Benoit, The Legendary Masquerade-Hell, 6:30p.m., Cyril Neville Whispering Drifters, Owl JC’s VAST, Branded with Fear, $12.50/adv. May 6 Eyes Smith’s Olde Bar, 8p.m., $20/ Bonnie Prince Billy Smith’s Olde Bar, 8p.m., $17.50/ Stand Alone and Guests adv. The Drunken Unicorn, $5 for May 22 adv. Masquerade-Hell, 7p.m., $13/ May 5 The Supervillians, 50:50 21+, $8 for < 21 Variety Playhouse, 8:30p.m., adv. Marcy’s Playground $16/adv. June 5 The Gaslight Anthem, Masquerade-Hell, 7 p.m., $10/ May 11 Masquerade-Hell, 7p.m., $13/ Ben Harper & Relentless 7 May 16 Lefty Williams Heartless Bastards, A Death adv. adv. Variety Playhouse, 8:30p.m., Chain & The Gang, The Hive Smith’s Olde Bar-Atlanta Bassnectar and guests Dwellers, Pine Hill Haints, The Thermals, The Shakey El Ten Eleven, La Chansons, Hands, Point Juncture, WA Silent and Listen The Coathangers CD Release Show, Magic Apron The Drunken Unicorn, 8p.m., Masquerade-Hell, 8p.m., $12/ The Drunken Unicorn, $6/adv. adv. Cinemasophia, Ringfinger $8/adv. The Drunken Unicorn, $8 The Burning Hotels, TBA Horse Feathers, Joe Pug May 7 The Drunken Unicorn, $8/adv. WILX, Moontower Smith’s Olde Bar, 7p.m., $5/adv. Smith’s Olde Bar, 8p.m., $8/ Jimmy Herring Band Web Wilder, The adv. featuring Oteil Burbridge, May 12 Backyardbirds Greg Osby, JeffT insey, and Smith’s Olde Bar, 6p.m., $15/ Jeff Sipe May 23 Metal Blade Young Guns adv. Variety Playhouse, 8:30p.m., Tour 2009 Featuring: $20/adv. The Deep Vibration, Psyopus, Rose Funeral, Woe ***Contribute #2 to Roman Candle, The of Tyrants, Moltov Solution America Benefit FUCK YESSS DANCE PARTY, Rosewood Thieves, Masquerade-Hell, 7p.m., $10/ Smith’s Olde Bar, 8p.m., $20 Le Castle Vania, RRRump adv. The Drunken Unicorn, $5/adv. Ben Chapman and the For 21+, $7 for < 21 May 17 Accents May 13 The Drunken Unicorn, $8 Her Space Holiday, City May 8 Kreator, Exodus, Belphagor, Light, Mother/Father War Bringer, Epicurean The Drunken Unicorn, 8p.m., $10 May 24 Shpongle, Evolve, Ent, EP3 Masquerade-Heaven, 6:30p.m., Masquerade-Heaven, 7p.m., $20/adv. Reed Pittman, Magic Math Highland Blues, Sam $20/adv. Smith’s Olde Bar, 7p.m., $8/adv. Thacker Smith’s Olde Bar, 8p.m., $10/ MC Chris, Whole Wheat O’Brother CD Release Show, adv. Dignan, A. Armada Bread, I Am The Dream May 18 The Drunken Unicorn, 9p.m., The Drunken Unicorn, $12/adv. $6 for 21+, $8 < 21 Ty Reynolds, Ben Deignan & 6 Day Bender, Breaking May 25 Suburban Soul, Christopher Twilight, TBA Alan Yates, Tyler Herrin Duo Smith’s Olde Bar, 7p.m., $5 Justin Kennedy Band, The May 9 Smith’s Olde Bar, 8p.m., $8/adv. First Stone, Trees Leave BLUR EVENT CALENDAR Masquerade-Hell, 7p.m., $12/ F T June 8 adv. Smith’s Bar, Olde 8p.m., $10/ W Dale A T The Drunken Unicorn, $12/adv. Passion Pit $30/adv. Variety Playhouse, 8:30p.m., Little F June 6 $22.50/adv. Variety Playhouse, 8:30p.m., Layton Bramhall IIandC C A $15/adv. Masquerade-Heaven, 8p.m., latline, hreat Signal, he Downtown Executives, harlie Doyle Sexton, rc A heels ngels featuring rbor Band, eat T hy W T ill Be Done ill Be he A hris T he gonist, Room, 8p.m.,Room, $10/adv. Smith’s Bar-Atlanta Olde C adv. T Georgia Theatre, 10p.m., $10 Packway HandleBand M ATHENS adv. Variety Playhouse, 8p.m., $30/ F June 11 adv. Masquerade-Hell, 7p.m., $13/ Hunter, andG M June 9 emi K he H as Haley e ay 1 W ithout elp, O uti, KingSunny A blio, Y ou, uest T T he Starter he Starter he Dear

de Caledonia Lounge, 10p.m., $6 Spy C G The MeltingPoint, 8p.m., $100 R C 40 Watt Club, 9:30p.m., $5 Kits M Tasty World, 10p.m. Harrison udson E Death on Caledonia Lounge, 10p.m., $5 F 40 Watt Club, 9:30p.m., $6 System, Powers C Bit Brigade(as Georgia Theatre, 10p.m., $10 T M vs. DJD Shpongle withD M Tasty World, 10p.m. C O Romanenko, Soapbar, 40 Watt, 9p.m.,$5/adv. A M 10p.m., $5 Caledonia Lounge, Sweetbox, Sybris, +1 The Melting Point, 7p.m., $3 G T M Georgia Theatre, 9p.m., $15 David C Muppets Supernaut, Paster of Georgia Theatre, 9:30p.m., $20 elepath ree Lunch, J levation, astlebandia), Buddy huck Leavell withthe andall Bramblett Band ift H ift errapin alifornia ndy Davis eorgia Bluegrass Band nly LivingBoy, E ay 4 ay 2 ay 7 ay 6 ay 5 amera orse, A ook withR ook rizno andDJ T T T uesday: N wo he Shut-Ups, rizona, Russian azz C W heels, r. F hronic ureka yan Star ameus orth orth T riz F C A Benefit for M Tasty World, 10p.m. G M adv. Melting Point, 7p.m., $4.50/ F featuringSeries Smokey’s T M Caledonia Lounge, 10p.m., $6 Breath, Darsombra Lizaveta,Stinking H free The Melting Point, 7:30p.m., A M M Georgia Theatre, 9p.m., $15 C 40 Watt Club, 9p.m., $15/adv. States ofA Presidents oftheUnited M Tasty World, 10p.m. Band and theC Leigh,Sonia Levi Lowery Caledonia Lounge, 10p.m., $5 F C 40 Watt Club, 9p.m., $10/adv. T Y Pegasuses-XL, Georgia Theatre, 9p.m., $15 C Georgia Theatre, 2p.m., $15 Caledonia Lounge, 10p.m., $5 Buddy System errapin armland Band eahBig+KidStatic, riends riendly A he olt F olt F olt F anines with Bloodkin and anines withBloodkin nnual KidsH host, M ay 15 ay 13 ay 12 ay 11 ay 9 ay 8 W ord ord: Kid Special ord alkmen withK alkmen T ajik M ommunity H ommunity uesday Bluegrass ll A merica T ges Show rue Love oot arkers T ot uroma he ouse C Georgia Theatre, 10p.m., $10 Kinchafoonee C M TBD Georgia Theatre, 10p.m., Price T Caledonia Lounge, 10p.m., $5 Bastards Lazer/W M TBD Georgia Theatre, 10p.m., Price 3 F M D T M $27/adv. The Melting Point, 8:30p.m., A Brandie C M The MeltingPoint, 7p.m., $3 Mudflapjacks T M TBD Georgia Theatre, 10p.m., Price C M Tasty World, 10p.m. N H David andtheQuick Barbe ATHFEST CDRELEAEw/ Georgia Theatre, 10p.m., $7 Caledonia Lounge, 10p.m., $7 T The Melting Point, 7p.m., $3 Show errapin errapin he A hrones, C asper and theC asper aroline A lan I ooks, H ew C rovers O ott Swagger ay 30 ay 29 ay 28 ay 26 ay 21 ay 19 ay 16 rcs, G sakov itizen ulf, G T T oly Liars, Brave arlile andG uesday: uesday: ld iken hrissakes

ift H ift T aylord, C ime M orse owboys ookies ookies T T he he edicine regory regory lassic 40 Watt Club, 9p.m., $20/adv. H X, Steve Soto, June 12 with T June 11 The Melting Point, 7p.m., $3 Express T June 9 A June 8 T June 2 Caledonia Lounge, 10 p.m., $10 A Storm ofLight W June 1 Caledonia Lounge, 10p.m., $5 Lolligags C ( 40 Watt Club, 9p.m., $10/adv. the Saints free The Melting Point, 7:30p.m., The MeltingPoint, 7p.m., $3 String Band CD Release),M ed Leo & errapin errapin oast ( thF listed door timesare times earts olves inthe - maybead ed prices for subject to change. List- vance ticketsonly, and of thegivenof shows. We endar listing?Sendit suggest yousuggest ahead call blur.com andinclude to editorial@athens- the following:Name door timeandprice. of theAct(s),of venue, Hey bands!- Gotacal before heading out! heading before est Sampler H est Sampler T Calendar listings are itus A CD Release), T T uesday: Redline uesday: M T he Pharmacists ndronicus, A T T hrone Room, wisted arshmallow oot T ayhem he ll athens live seen around town

see your photos here! submit to [email protected]

ATHENS BLUR MAGAZINE 75 PHOTOS BY GEOFF POSS of VIII EAST GRAPHICS, LIZ BOESLER, adrienne klein, NICOLE BLACK

see your pics here! submit to editorial@ athensblur.com

see your pics here! submit to editorial@ athensblur.com

PHOTOS BY SANDRA GALLARDO, GEOFF POSS of VIII EAST GRAPHICS, LIZ BOESLER, ALEC WOODEN, NICOLE BLACK, ADRIENNE KLEIN ATHENS BLUR MAGAZINE 77 concert shots on the stage

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Get UNLIMITED Local & Long Distance .99 9 † $ Calling for only $24.99/mo ! † Per Month 11 12 24 SAY NO TO HIGHER PHONE BILLS! see your UÊ"ÕÀÊ«ÀˆViÊSTARTS LOW AND STAYS LOWSM. Satisfaction Guaranteed < SPECIAL OFFER pics UÊ œÊL՘`iÃ]ʘœÊ >ÃÏià p ÕÃÌÊÀiˆ>LiÊ« œ˜iÊÃiÀۈViÊ>ÌÊ>ÊÀiˆ>LiÊ«ÀˆVi here! EASY TO SWITCH, EASY TO SAVE TRY ONE MONTH 11 13 UÊii«ÊޜÕÀÊi݈Ã̈˜}Ê« œ˜iʘՓLiÀ ^ submit UÊ6œ˜>}i® works with your existing home phone and high-speed to Internet connection editorial@ 14 15 UÊÓxÊ*Ài“ˆÕ“Êi>ÌÕÀiÃÊ>ÌʘœÊiÝÌÀ>ÊVœÃÌ° See Below athensblur.com or For Details let us know when UÊÀiiÊV>ÃÊ̜ÊxÊÃiiVÌÊ ÕÀœ«i>˜ÊVœÕ˜ÌÀˆiÃÊ>˜`ÊV>ÊœÌ iÀʘÌiÀ˜>̈œ˜>Ê v FREE! you’re playing! you locations for as low as 1 cent per minute ! never know when Call: 1.888.898.4920 we’ll show up... FREE MONTH OFFER ON $24.99 UNLIMITED RESIDENTIAL PLAN ONLY. PLAN FEE WAIVED BUT ALL OTHER CHARGES APPLY. NEW SUBSCRIBERS ONLY. V Free calls to Eu- rope Offer (available only with Unlimited Residential Plan) does not apply to certain call types, such as calls to cell phones, and is limited to Italy, France, Spain, UK and Ireland. 14 Other International rates may vary. See http://vonage.com/intrates for details. Vonage 911 service operates differently than traditional 911. See www.vonage.com/911 for details. High-Speed Internet or Broadband Required. Alarms and other systems may not be compatible. † Rates exclude: broadband service, regulatory and activation fees and certain other charges, equipment, taxes, & shipping. International calls billed per minute. Offer valid in the US only. See Terms of Service for details. < 30-day money back guarantee Kris Davidson paints during STS9 @ Georgia Theatre (Wes Elkin) Ben Kweller’s band @ 40 Watt (Haleigh Hoffman) STS9 @ Georgia Theatre (Wes Elkin) is refunded for any paid activation fee, 1st month service charge, initial shipping charges and termination fee. Applicable only to first ordered line per account. Available only in Bloodkin @ 40 Watt (Nicole Black) Soulja Boy @ Legion Field (Geoff Poss/VIII East Graphics) Backyard Tire Fire @ 40 Watt (Nicole Black) Watson Twins @ the event of timely cancellation for subscribers who have not exceeded 500 minutes of usage and who obtain a valid return authorization number from 1-VONAGE-HELP, and 40 Watt (Haleigh Hoffman) Pigs on The Wing: A Pink Floyd Tribute @ Georgia Theatre (Joshua Payne) Ben Kweller @ 40 Watt (Haleigh Hoffman) . Pigs on The return of equipment in original condition and packaging within 14 days of cancellation. Refund will not include charges for taxes, international usage, payphone calls to Vonage Wing: A Pink Floyd Tribute @ Georgia Theatre (Joshua Payne) oulja Boy @ Legion Field (Geoff Poss/VIII East Graphics) The Arcs @ Caledonia Lounge (Daniel toll free numbers and directory assistance. Offer revocable. ^ Where available. The number transfer process takes approximately 10 business days from the time you confirm your Peiken) Twin Tigers/WUOG Prom @ Cine (Alyssa De Hayes) Chairlift @ 40 Watt (Alyssa De Hayes) The Interns @ 40 Watt (Alyssa De Hayes) transfer request. ©2009 Vonage. what’s your Astrology for Musicians by MISS TERIOUS BLUR MUSICSCOPES Musicscope? CAPRICORN AQUARIUS PISCES (12/22-01/19) (01/20-02/18) (02/19-03/20) No matter what your significant If you’re feeling uninspired to Remember these words, dear other says, do not try out to be write music this month, try Pisces: you’re only as good as lead vocalist in a local band. attending a music festival to your last album. That said, get Singing karaoke while intoxi- break the blockage and get your back in the studio and start cated does not merit you to be creative flow moving again. recording! the next Celine Dion. ARIES TAURUS GEMINI (03/21-04/19) (04/20-05/20) (05/21-06/21) You’re feeling more stressed Don’t let others dissuade you Your split personality is really than usual this month. What from picking up an instrument showing this month, and your better way to release your stress they don’t think is suited for fellow band members are tak- then to smash an old, used up you. Follow your instinct and ing notice — and not in a good instrument onstage. ignore the ridicule. way. CANCER LEO VIRGO (06/22-07/22) (07/23-08/22) (08/23-09/22) Make those finishing touches You and fellow band members An ex shows up at an upcoming on your EP and get out on the have been contemplating play- gig to try to get back together streets of Athens to saturate the ing a different style of music; with you, appearing to be “with town with your music. now is the time for that musical you” by staying close to your transition. side, scaring off any potential suitors. LIBRA SCORPIO SAGITTARIUS (09/23-10/23) (10/24-11/21) (11/22-12/21) Stop procrastinating. You’re A stomach virus causes you to Finally, someone takes notice never going to be a rock star miss an important show. Offer of your talent this month. Be sitting on the couch playing to play a free show to make up humble about the opportunity “Guitar Hero” all day, dreaming for your cancellation and keep they present to you or you could of being in a band. fans happy. blow it.

80 ATHENS BLUR MAGAZINE Job/Order #:594830-199138 Item #:PSE20089386 Ad Name:Full Flavor

Pub: Athens Blur QC: RR 1.7.9 Closing Date: Live: 7.5x10 Bleed: 8.75x11.25 Trim: 8.25x10.75

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