Rebecca Smith – Page 3

Lydia: ‘Illuminate’ Tour

Posted on April 7, 2014April 7, 2014 by Rebecca Smith

There truly is nothing better than being at a show surrounded by dedicated and enthusiastic fans. It feels as if time has stopped, and the only thing that matters in the world is about to walk out on stage and put on a show just for you. I was lucky enough to be a part of that phenomenon at Lydia’s sold out show in Atlanta, where the band played their beloved album Illuminate from start to finish.

Lead singer Leighton Antelman walked out to the middle of the modest stage with white sheets in the background, illuminated (no pun intended) with colorful lights. They began to play “This Is Twice Now,” a sort of melancholy song that the crowd sang along to with fervor. Transitioning into “A Fine Evening For a Rouge,” an initially calm track that climaxes towards the end, the crowd belted out “don’t you ever get lonely!”

When Antelman began to play “I Woke Up Near The Sea,” the crowd lost it, and I heard someone proclaim, “This is what I came here for – this damn song!” With hard-hitting drums and powerful lyrics – which Antelman had to scream to be heard over the crowd’s raucous singing – it’s not surprising this song is a fan favorite.

“Hospital” started, and Antelman alternated between singing softly to yelling and dancing around the stage during the drum and guitar solos. For “Fate,” he asked for some vocal support from the crowd, which was happy to oblige.

What started out as a bitter ode to a misguided love affair, “Sleep Well” turned surprisingly upbeat. Former band member Mindy White had a prominent role on the track, a responsibility given entirely to the crowd as Antelman supervised, blown away at their ability (and enthusiasm) to sing her part.

“Stay Awake” is another crowd favorite that starts out slow but packs a powerful punch. The crowd once again belted out every lyric, never missing a beat. The song climaxed, and Antelman did a wonderful job trying to sing over the crowd during this up-tempo track.

“All I See” started out with ominous guitar and keyboard, making the song a mix of beautiful and creepy. A steady drum beat and Antelman’s suggestive lyrics combined to make this mellow track superbly sexy. “One More Day” followed the pattern of the album’s tendency to switch from mellow to upbeat without warning. The song features a beautiful guitar solo, pulled off with excellence.

“Now The One You Once Loved Is Leaving,” a track that heavily features White on the album, was sung almost entirely by Antelman with grace (though, of course, he had some help from the audience).

It isn’t difficult to see why this album resonates so deeply with fans. An amalgamation of soothing guitar and keyboard that morphs into intense cautionary tales of broken hearts accompanied by high impact drums is Lydia’s recipe for success. However, the special ingredient to this tour seems to be the devoted fans that follow Antelman faithfully in and out of his moody lyrics, stirring the pot of a delicious dish that anyone can appreciate.

Be sure to check out our interview with Lydia here!

Lydia x Vinyl Mag

Posted on April 4, 2014April 7, 2014 by Rebecca Smith

The much-anticipated Illuminate Tour has had dedicated Lydia fans excited for months. We caught up with lead singer Leighton Antelman at his sold out show in Atlanta to figure out exactly just what it is about this album that is so important to fans. In the process, we also found out the indie singer’s feelings about Internet piracy, his preference of libation and the scoop on Lydia’s future projects.

Vinyl Mag: You guys have been on tour for exactly a month now – how has it been? Any major highlights [from the tour] we should know about?

Leighton Antelman: Just that the fans have been crazy. This is probably one of the best tours we have headlined so far, and we’ve just been blown away by how cool the fans are.

VM: Not that anyone’s complaining, but why now? I mean, most bands wait until the 10^th Anniversary of a beloved album to dedicate a tour.

LA: Well, it was just the five-year anniversary of Illuminate this past fall, and we just couldn’t fit it into our tour schedule for the fall. We didn’t want to just throw a tour together, so we decided to wait until spring to do it properly.

VM: What do you think it is about Illuminate that resonates so deeply with your fans?

LA: I mean, I don’t know. For me it’s just another record we did, but to the fans… they really like this album. Your guess is as a good as mine.

VM: Thinking back to the writing/recording of the album, is there anything in particular that sticks out in your minds as special? Did you sense at the time that this would be such an important album for you and your fans?

LA: It was our second album that we ever did, and it was kind of the first album that we took seriously. We weren’t at home just screwing around, but I definitely didn’t know it was going to be such an impact on the fans.

VM: You’re newest album Devil came out last year. How was writing and recording that album different from Illuminate and other albums from before your hiatus?

LA: This one was different, because I had a different team of people around me. Lydia has always kind of been a collective project. I just like to write and play with different people, because it keeps it interesting.

VM: How is it different to play a set that consists of an album in its entirety compared to a typical show? Are there any songs in particular you find it difficult to revisit after years of not playing?

LA: No, it’s actually really fun, because some of the songs we haven’t played in years. It’s something new, and we’ve been having fun with it. We’ve obviously never [played] a record all the way through, so the whole tour has been really new and cool for us in that regard.

VM: Back in November, you told us that some of the songs Mindy White [did vocals] on were difficult to play live. How did you meet that challenge when playing on this tour?

LA: Well, there are two other people that sing on stage with me now, and they’ll do some of the falsettos and harmonies and what not. Some of the parts that she sang, I’ve just adapted and made my own version of it.

VM: You guys have been touring for so many years now; do you have any interesting stories that would solidify Atlanta’s reputation for being totally weird?

LA: [Laughing] I don’t think you guys are totally weird.

VM: I mean, we are pretty proud of our weirdness.

LA: I have my other project, Cinema, and this is where we write and record, so I spend a whole lot of time in Atlanta. I probably spend the most of my time between Atlanta and home, so I’ve always thought it was pretty cool place.

VM: A little birdie – Vinyl writer and huge Lydia fan, Samantha [Gilder] – told me you were a big whiskey fan. Any recent favorites you want to share?

LA: [Laughing] Not really to be honest, I’m just a big fan of Jameson. It’s my go-to.

VM: This question is a bit political, but recently there’s been a lot of discussion about free online listening services like Spotify and Pandora and how they affect bands livelihood. What are your thoughts on them? Do you see them as a tool or a burden?

LA: I absolutely view it as a tool. I don’t understand when bands get fired [up] about music getting out for free. If somebody wants your record, they’re going to get it whether it’s free or not. I just think, even if it’s free, that just means more people coming out to shows, and who could be mad about that? I think you just have to embrace it at this point.

VM: Obviously fans are glad to have you back from hiatus and have had a positive response to your latest album, Devil, but what can we expect from Lydia in the future once the this tour wraps up?

LA: After this tour, we are going to take a month or two off. We already have a handful of songs; we just want to get some more. We all write the songs and then just send them back and fourth to each other, and we’re getting very close to having enough for a new record, so we’re going to focus on that when we get home. It’s about time for that.

*Be sure to check out our review of the show, here!!

RAW Natural Born Artist: PIXELS at Terminal West: Music

Posted on February 27, 2014February 25, 2014 by Rebecca Smith

I’m not sure if everyone at Terminal West Wednesday night was prepared for the amalgamation of creativity that was to take place inside the brick walls of the former steel foundry, but I know I certainly wasn’t. Courtesy of RAW Natural Born Artists, an international organization that connects artists of all kinds, the Pixels showcase featured three talented, up and coming musical acts as well as fashion, art, photography, and performance art from the Atlanta area.

Four Flats, a trio comprised of David Blackmon and Brad Garner on guitar and Courtney Rogers on lead vocals was first to take the stage. Their set consisted mostly of covers with a southern influence such as Otis Redding’s Sitting on the Dock of a Bay, Dolly Parton’s Jolene, and Whipping Post by The Allman Brothers, a band in which Rogers said has had a huge influence on their direction as a band. Despite the fact that Four Flats has no original compositions yet, they show real promise as a band.

The second act of the night, and undoubtedly the crowd favorite, was Bonnie Bordeaux. Bordeaux and her powerhouse of a band, who have only been collaborating for a few months, used their contagious stage presence to transport the audience to the 1940’s. They performed mostly original songs, which were innovative and unique. Never a boring moment, the set combined Pop, Jazz, and R&B. Bordeaux also performed an ambitious cover of Settle Down by Kimbra, which she pulled off stunningly. Between Bordeaux’s musical range and ability to put on a great show, this group has grand potential to be the next big thing to come out of Atlanta. Bonnie Bordeaux will also appear at SCAD Atlanta on February 28^th.

The last musical act of the night was Athens-based rock band American Mannequins, who have become a steady presence in the greater Atlanta music scene this past year. Lead vocalist Curtis Vorda, effortlessly hit high notes belting out melodies that ranged from uplifting to haunting. Although their involved prog-rock arrangements and somewhat awkward stage presence didn’t strike a chord with all audience members, their solid musicianship was more than redeeming.

The Pixels showcase put on by RAW Natural Born Artists featured musicians with raw natural born talent and an eclectic variety of music that the audience appreciated. Check out these great new artists and upcoming RAW events here.

RAW Natural Born Artists: PIXELS at Terminal West: Art

Posted on February 26, 2014February 25, 2014 by Rebecca Smith

Where can you find feminist, hiphop performance art, utensil jewelry, and photos of naked women standing near Atlanta landmarks? You’re best bet is a Raw Natural Born Artist showcase like the one held last Wednesday at Terminal West. Pixels featured music, art, photography, fashion, performance and make-up artists.

The visual pieces were hung on display on chain-linked fences that surrounded the main stage where three talented music acts would perform. Jewelry booths were set up in the adjoining room while performance art and a fashion show completed the evening.

Photographer Q. Oliver’s portion of fence was swarming with interested people all night. His stunning black and white photographs featured women of all shapes and ethnicities standing completely or partially nude in the middle of some of Atlanta’s busiest streets. I was told he captures the photos in the early morning hours to avoid too much attention from passer-byes and law enforcement. Check out Q.Oliver’s photos here.

Jewelry designer Mallory Wingo of WingostarrJewelery incorporates natural gemstones with everyday items like forks and spoons to create some very unique pieces. She strives to make customized pieces with the time consuming process of hammering letter stamps into the metal of her designs. Shop WingostarrJewelery here.

Danielle Deadwyler a.k.a Didi Xio’s performance art incorporated hiphop beats and social commentary on gender and race stereotypes. She first engaged the audience by having a man hold one end of a noose, wrapping herself up in the other end and pulling on it violently while she recited poetic verses. She then took the stage in a fierce mental rap while including the audience in a game of dice. Deadwyler’s performance was powerful and hard-hitting. Preview Didi Xio’s musical storytelling here.

These are just three of the many incredible artists on display at the Pixels showcase. Raw Natural Born Artists is an international organization connecting local artists to their community while providing them the creative freedom to perfect their craft. You can learn more about this organization and support local artists here.

Winter Wren Grand Opening

Posted on February 11, 2014March 6, 2014 by Rebecca Smith

1I5A2046 — Located at 1004 N Highland Ave., Winter Wren is a shoppers delight with affordable designs from Free People, BB Dakota and Michael Kors.

Atlanta’s newest fashion boutique, Winter Wren in Virginia Highlands, celebrated its grand opening Thursday night with a chic evening of great food and drinks, while offering 20% off all store merchandise. The soiree, which lasted from 6-9 p.m., was an opportunity for the retailers to show their appreciation for the neighborhood, which has already embraced their new addition, as well as their other boutique, 310 Rosemont.

Complimentary Sushi was provided by Genki Sushi, a local staple located just a few steps from Winter Wren in Virginia Highlands. Refreshing cocktails made with Cathead Honeysuckle vodka mixed with lemonade, mint and cucumber, combined with warm spring fashions almost made the crowd forget it was February. A jazz trio comprised of bass, saxophone, piano, and beautiful female vocals complemented the store’s elegant atmosphere.

Complete with a Free People shop-in-shop, the boutique also carries designer fashions from Michael Kors, Rebecca Minkoff and 7 Jeans, just to name a few. There are presently numerous sales throughout the store including some as high as 50% off on Michael Kors bags.

Carrie Cala and friend in front of the fabulous wall of bags at Winter Wren

Store Manager Carrie Cala said, “Winter Wren comes in at a lower price point than 310 Rosemont and includes designs targeting younger customers, while maintaining sophistication. It will be a good opportunity for women in the area to get the brands they want without having to drive to Lenox Mall.” Besides factors of convenience, Winter Wren can also offer young women something most other design retailers do not; a student discount. Show your student ID and receive 10% off!

Winter Wren looks like the closet every girl dreams of having. With an eclectic variety of designs there is truly something for everyone, at prices everyone can celebrate.

Fashion Night Out ATL 2014 Industry Mixer

Posted on February 10, 2014March 6, 2014 by Rebecca Smith

The third edition of Fashion Night Out ATL was held last Wednesday night at The Loft in Castleberry Hills to celebrate the kick off of New York Fashion Week. The event, which included a fashion show featuring some of Atlanta’s most talented designers and a silent auction, was an opportunity to raise money for two non-profit organizations.

The host for the evening, Renee Knorr of My Beauti Network, was decked out in a flowing black gown worn previously by Rihanna. Knorr’s dress, as well as others in the show, was donated by CAUSE For Elegance, a non-profit organization that accepts used garments at low or no cost for re-sale to fund charities like the United Negro College Fund. Knorr explained that events like these are important for Atlanta to “empower fashion through sharing” and thanked the audience for participating.

As the show began, models wearing Baba G’s gold winged earpieces and large collar necklaces walked the runway. His “wearable art” is a nod to African tribal fashion and has been worn by the likes of Lady Gaga, Erykah Badu and Willow Smith.

2013 Fashion Showcase Winner Alex Holliman’s designs were graceful displays of eye-popping sequins and unique pleats. They included a flirty black party dress with a leather bustier and a grey sequined gown with a mesh top and open back. The crowd applauded as his final piece, a red off-shoulder gown that flowed down the runway.

Designs by Linda Bezuienhout and H2G menswear were also featured in the show, as well as numerous donated red gowns from CAUSE for Elegance. The red dresses were part of a theme for February’s American Heart Disease Awareness Month. Funds from the auction also went to Easter Seals, which provides financial assistance to disabled and special needs adults and children.

For more information about Easter Seals please visit here. To purchase these red carpet looks, check out the Cause for Elegance Facebook page.

For more photos of this event, check out the album on our Facebook page!

Neutral Milk Hotel at Tabernacle in Atlanta

Posted on November 11, 2013November 11, 2013 by Rebecca Smith

The crowd at the Tabernacle last Saturday night seemed particularly anxious and with good reason. When the elusive Jeff Mangum announced six months ago that Neutral Milk Hotel would be putting on a reunion show, diehard fans everywhere rejoiced. For some, they had been waiting almost 15 years to hear the band live.

As the show began Mangum, almost unrecognizable with a long full beard, walked calmly to stage left and thanked everyone for being there. Mangum, known for his appreciation for privacy asked politely to keep cell phones and cameras off for the entirety of the show, a request that miraculously almost everyone was happy to oblige.

Mangum started to sing “Oh Comely” weaving in and out of verses first powerful then melancholy while playing acoustic guitar. Right before the songs climax, Scott Spillman joined on stage and began to blow the trumpet fiercely. For the last 45 seconds of the song the rest of the ensemble joined them on stage including well-known members Julian Koster, and Jeremy Barnes.

During the “King of Carrot Flowers parts 1, 2, & 3”, Koster introduced the accordion masterfully before switching to the banjo while Spillman blew the horns. Barnes picked up the tempo on drums, and the song evolved into a rowdy chorus that the crowd agreed is worth a little enthusiasm.

Giving the crowd a small opportunity to catch their breath, Mangum belted out the lyrics to the slow-paced and twisted “A Baby For Pree” before launching into “Gardenhead/Leave Me Alone”, all singles from high energy album, On Avery Island.

During the beginning of “Holland 1945”, the band experienced some feedback issues with microphones but sorted it by the end. The extremely fast paced ode to Anne Frank gave the singer little time to take a breath, and Mangum had some minor difficulty keeping up with the melody.

Perhaps one of the most well known songs off In The Aeroplane Over The Sea is the song of the same name. One of the band’s most uplifting songs, “Aeroplane” is an amalgamation of horns and the eerie musical saw, which Koster and Spillman brought to life.

As the rest of the band retreated off stage, Mangum, adorned in faithful mountain wool sweater and cap, picked up an acoustic guitar and began to sing “Two Headed Boy”. The crowd went crazy and began to sing along as he belted the majority of the song at the top of his lungs, never missing a beat. The band returned and followed with the “The Fool”, complimenting the previous track with trumpets and accordion.

The band closed out the show with “Ruby Bulbs” and “Snow Song Part One”, lesser-known songs that Mangum asked crowd members who knew the words to sing along to.

During the encore the bands played three songs from In the Aeroplane Over The Sea including “Ghost”, “Untitled” and “Two Headed Boy Part 2” which caused the crowd to become very emotional. At this time Koster exited the stage for the last time, leaving Magnum to finish the show by himself and the crowd to send him off with a heavy applause.

As Mangum finished up his encore, and his seventh bottle of water, he looked out to each tier of the Tabernacle’s balconies and thanked his fans for their unyielding support over the years. Neutral Milk Hotel pulled their reunion off almost flawlessly, giving die-hard fans an experience that was absolutely worth the wait.