Emily Gainous

Athens Artist Spotlight: Shameless James

Posted on by Emily Gainous

Based in Athens, Georgia, alternative rock trio Shameless James delivers a mixture of music genres to the city’s local venues and bars. The band is made up of Zac Connely on bass and vocals, Dallas Wiggins on drums, and Zach Tellano on guitar and vocals. Together, they’re diverse music tastes and inspirations creates a unique sound of melodic basslines, explosive drums, and soulful vocals with a hint of psychedelic sounds mixed with hard rock, metal, jam, and jazz influences. Each member’s unique music taste contributes to the band’s diverse genre that has a little bit of something for everyone. 

Their performances are energetic and dynamic as they always strive to keep the audience engaged with improvisation and ever changing setlists to keep each show a unique experience. Switching between genres keeps the audience’s attention and keeps them guessing what genre they could hear the band incorporate next into their set. Shameless James performs frequently around Athens and Atlanta at multiple venues such as the 40 Watt Club, Nowhere Bar, and Smith’s Olde Bar. They also performed and helped host an Earth Day Celebration event at Southern Brewing Company that raised $4,000 for The Eco-Incubator in Athens. 

Shameless James will be performing later this week on November 19th at The Roadhouse, and more shows are to be announced around Athens and Atlanta. 

You can check out their website here.

Follow Shameless James on social media: Instagram // Facebook // Spotify

New Artist Spotlight: Wim Tapley

Posted on by Emily Gainous

After making the move from Virginia only a few months ago, singer-songwriter Wim Tapley has started making a name for himself here in Athens. He wasted no time once he started attending the University of Georgia in the fall, as he was already playing gigs around town within his first month in the state. 

Wim’s music can be considered folk/rock with his own twist that incorporates Americana and pop that fits his raw, real and confident voice. He is a talented multi-instrumentalist with his own creative direction in every aspect of his music career. He produces his own music including his recent EP The Woodlands, which is impressively played, recorded, and produced all by himself. In this EP, Wim uses elements of fuzzed-out guitars, pianos, horns, and his unique vocals to take on the genre of folk-pop while using inspiration from musicians such as Bill Withers, Chris Stapleton, and Ed Sheeran.

Not only is Wim’s music strikingly inspiring and unique, but he is also a new, bright light in the Athen’s music scene. He loves to attend other band’s shows in support, and he is always trying to make new connections around town and play as often as he can. He has already built an impressive fanbase and draws a crowd at every location he plays, including the 40 Watt Club. His self-generated motivation shows through his discography, his lively performances, and his continued effort to create new things and express himself and his love for various genres of music. 

Wim’s last solo gig for the foreseeable future is at Akademia Brewing Co. on Thursday, November 11th. He will still be performing around Athens, but as a band under the name of Wim Tapley & The Cannons who will start playing shows in late November. Wim is definitely an artist to watch coming out of Athens, as he has already taken the city by storm in the short amount of time he’s lived here. With a drive and talent like his, he is surely to rise quickly to the top of the music scene here in Athens and beyond.

Check out Wim on his website here, and keep with him on social media: Instagram // Twitter // Facebook // Youtube // Spotify

Athen’s Band CLOUDLAND Announce Hiatus

Posted on by Emily Gainous


Only a couple of months after releasing their album, “Where We Meet”, Athens local alternative rock band CLOUDLAND announced that they would be going on an indefinite hiatus. After four years of touring around Georgia and putting out original music, the band has decided that it’s time for each member to focus on their individual endeavors. In their meaningful Instagram announcement, they made it clear that this is of no wrongdoing of any band member, but merely just an opportunity for each band member to grow individually. These individual endeavors could mean music careers, but also some of the bandmates are recently married and ready to explore that part of life as well. 

Fans were deeply saddened by the news of their favorite small local band no longer playing shows around Athens and Atlanta. However, CLOUDLAND did have one final show at the Vinyl in Atlanta a few weeks ago where they showed their fans how much they appreciate the support from over the years. Hopefully we will see CLOUDLAND perform at the 40 Watt again someday, but for now it will be interesting to see what the bandmates do individually whether it’s music or a brand new path. 

Following their last show, the band posted on their Instagram, “These people will forever be the reason we did this. As well as you, the friends we’ve made along the way. Absolutely incredible people, beautifully unique. Thank you for everything. Our hope is that you take our songs and keep them with you. We will always have you on our minds as we pursue our individual dreams. If you ever have the chance to play music with your best friends, in any capacity, take that chance. Follow that dream, whatever it may be. Be kind, forgiving, gentle, and stay excited while you do so. You won’t regret it. If Karmen, Zach, Hogan and Aidan were in a band together, they’d call it CLOUDLAND.

You can read the band’s full statement on their Instagram page, @cloudlandband.

Nuçi’s Space Jam: Midnight Mac & Underground Springhouse

Posted on by Emily Gainous

Nuçi’s Space Jam is back again with another amazing lineup of locally loved bands. Midnight Mac and Underground Springhouse will be performing at the venue on Oconee Street on November 3rd. The previous Nuçi’s Space Jams this year have been successful, and locals are eagerly anticipating this promising lineup provided by the students of the MBUS program. 

Midnight Mac is a rather new musical duo that consists of roommates Ryan Ward and Brooks Todd. Together, they incorporate multiple instruments into their music such as piano and guitar combined with vocals. Both band members are students in UGA’s music school and offer a fresh, unique sound that is new to Athens. Come out and support an up-and-coming band who are beginning to play around Athens, including Hendershot’s where they played at their New Faces Night earlier this week.

One of Athen’s most recently successful bands, Underground Springhouse, will also be taking the stage Wednesday night. They are easily one of the most well known bands around Athens and beyond as they tour throughout Georgia and surrounding states. This rock band also incorporates other genres and influences such as reggae and funk into their music to create a unique dynamic. The band has had a very successful year as they released their debut, self-titled album a few months ago and since then have played the Georgia Theatre and 40 Watt Club. They have also opened for esteemed artists such as The Wailers, Sunsquabi, and The New Mastersounds to name a few. They are sure to draw a big crowd to Nuci’s Space and create a memorable night at the intimate venue. 

Doors for the show open at 7:00 PM and the show begins at 8:00 PM. Tickets are $5 at the door or can be sent on Venmo. Parking is available across the street from Nuçi’s Space at the School of Social Work. Merch and refreshments will be available for purchase at the event. This event is expected to have a great turn out, so plan accordingly and come out and support the local music scene!

Photos + Show Review: Nuçi’s Space Jam

Posted on by Emily Gainous

UGA’s MBUS program kicked off their series of Nuçi’s Space Jams last Monday with Cam and his Dam Jam Band and The Dazy Chains. The turnout was amazing and helped get the ball rolling for the program as they continue to throw more shows throughout the semester. 

Cam and his Dam Jam Band opened the night with a lively set that dictated the mood for the rest of the event. The band connected with the crowd by gifting them a one-of-a-kind, personal show. They opened with “How You Found Me” and included fun covers such as the crowd favorite, “Ghostbusters” theme song. Their captivating stage presence created an amazing atmosphere that was enjoyed by all. 

The Dazy Chains closed out the evening with a special set featuring the entirety of their new album, Electric Sunshine. The small, personal atmosphere of Nuçi’s Space allowed the band to play new songs without pressure from a larger crowd. Given the excitement to be playing their new music for a crowd of local Athens music enthusiasts, the energy in the room was immaculate.

Overall, the night was relaxed and laid back; perfect for a small Monday night show! The MBUS program did an amazing job planning and organizing their first event as it ran smoothly and received great feedback. The next Nuçi’s Space Jam is Monday, October 18th with AD Blanco and Jacob Mallow performing. Tickets are $5 at the door and masks are required. Doors open at 7:00 and the show starts at 8:00.

If you missed the first one, be sure to catch at least one this semester and support the Athens music scene!

Show Announcement: Nuçi’s Space Jam

Posted on by Emily Gainous

For several years, students in the Music Business program have put on Nuçi’s Space Jam during fall semester at the renowned Nuçi’s Space, a non-profit recording studio off of Oconee Street. Students are responsible for organizing the entire show from booking the bands to show production and everything in between. Typically, local bands are showcased as this event highlights the unique music scene in Athens. 

This unique event is meant to teach MBUS students about the process of planning an entire show while also celebrating the amazing music that is created in Athens by giving local bands the opportunity to perform and expand their fanbase.  Nuçi’s Space Jam is a recurring event throughout the semester, typically on a Monday in October or November.

The first show is Monday, October 11, and The Dazy Chains and Cam and his Dam Jam Band are headlining the event. The Dazy Chains are known for their diverse combination of psychedelic rock, grunge, and jazz and are very well known around Athens and Atlanta. They just released their debut album, “Electric Sunshine” on October 4th, so expect a special show featuring their new music that all of Athens is eager to hear and experience. Cam and his Dam Jam Band also falls into the psychedelic rock genre and is a very cherished jam band around Athens.  

Tickets are $5 and can be paid through Venmo at the door or beforehand. Doors open at 7:00 PM and the music starts at 8:00 PM. Masks are required, and parking is located across the street next to the School of Social Work parking lot. This event is perfect for anyone looking to support both the MBUS program and local Athens bands while enjoying unique psychedelic rock with two up-and-coming bands.