ATHENS, GA—The town renowned for cultivating R.E.M. and the B-52’s has long been a haven for indie rockers; the rent is cheap, the locals are always buzzing around concert venues, and starting a band is so easy that virtually everyone and their mother is in one. Over the decades, the outfits at the forefront of…
Top 15 Artists to Watch: Shaky Knees 2018
Shaky Knees season is upon us. If you have your tickets and don’t quite know who to go see tomorrow (or if you’re wondering if you’d like to jump on it last-minute) we present to you our 15 picks for emerging artists who we believe are most worth your time (and sweat!) at this wonderful festival: Rolling…
5 Upcoming Smaller Music Festivals You Need to Know About
While many might know about mega-festivals like Coachella and Bonnaroo, there’s a whole other subsection of festival culture that frequently gets overlooked: smaller, local festivals. While mega-festivals have the pull of huge superstars and ~cool~ locations, smaller festivals have the pull of helping one discover fantastic new music while not having to fight crowds of…
Track Premiere: Michael Flynn – “Professional Network”
Oh man, how many notifications do I have right now? There’s at least 300 for Whats-App on my phone at any given time. I can’t imagine how many LinkedIn notifications songwriting folkster Michael Flynn (formerly of Slow Runner) must have gotten to inspire this song: “I wrote this song from beneath a giant pile of LinkedIn invitations. …
A Shout-Out to the Types of Dancers at Concerts
Oh those who dance at concerts, no matter what way you move and groove at a live show, this one’s for you. There’s so many different kinds of dancers that deserve praise but today I’ll just be shouting out a few. Here’s to you, Head-Bobber. Your ability to retain the same dance move no…
Meet The Next Generation of Athens, GA Music Scene
Boasting R.E.M., the B-52’s, and the Drive-By Truckers, it’s no secret that the Athens, GA music scene has a rich history. The Music Business Program housed within the University of Georgia—just steps from downtown Athens—is continuing this tradition, now raising much of the next generation of this local scene. “We try to take people from a standpoint…
Track Premiere: Saw Black – “Mama Knows”
Are you feeling comfortable right now? Wrapping up in a blanket might be the best move for listening to this one. Richmond, VA folk artist Saw Black’s new single “Mama Knows” is so pillowy and lush, that anything less than your coziest outfit will seem out of place once you press play. While his voice never…
Staff Picks: Record Store Day 2018
Record Store Day is coming up on April 21st, and we here at Vinyl Mag are very excited! In an effort to convey our joy, we got the staff together to list their most anticipated RSD exclusive releases for your reading pleasure! We’ve got something for everyone here, from booming ambient shoegaze (Brian Eno + Kevin…
Rainbow Kitten Surprise: ‘How to: Friend, Love, Freefall’
On paper, Rainbow Kitten Surprise should be a complete disaster: A North-Carolina five-piece playing moody folk-rock music with spurts of rapping, paired an ultimately ridiculous name. Yet somehow, the band has beat the odds and gained quite a reputation for incredible shows and a distinct sound. On RKS’ third studio effort How to: Friend, Love,…
HINDS: ‘I Don’t Run’
Hinds is back with the release of their much-anticipated sophomore studio album I Don’t Run, and they haven’t strayed from their ultra-cool, garage-tinged rock. Despite Hinds hailing from Madrid, I Don’t Run sounds like it was recorded in an American garage by four dogged women who aren’t putting up with your shit – oh wait,…