Shaky Knees Diaries: Day 2

Posted on by Buket Urgen

Shaky Knees Diaries: Day 2

Make sure to check out my recap of Day 1 if you haven’t already!

1:00 p.m. – Carlie Hanson

We get to Central Park with the rest of the early birds to catch the first few shows of the day. I really appreciate that all the events start after noon at Shaky Knees, because damn, did I need to sleep in. First up is Carlie Hanson on the Peachtree Stage. Hanson walks out on stage with her freshly, freshly = three weeks ago, shaved head, and I am bemused by the thought that I would hate to perform bald with the sun beaming me during the hottest part of the day (Can you get sunburnt on your scalp?). From where I’m watching, this doesn’t seem to slow her down at all. Her performance is energetic and dynamic. She shows sincere love for the people of Atlanta. Meanwhile, I am sitting on the grass feeling slight to moderate levels of existential dread after realizing she is younger than I am.  

1:30 p.m. – Kid Sistr

We leave Carlie Hanson’s show a little early to catch the end of Kid Sistr’s performance on the Criminal Records Stage. I had not previously listened to the all-women band before then, but so many friends recommended the act that we had to check them out. Happy to report that I’m pleased we got to see them perform. The trio clearly consists of seasoned and charming musicians, who are tremendously down-to-earth. Kid Sistr gained a steady following using TikTok during the pandemic and released a six-song self-titled debut EP. To me, it was obvious they were grateful to be back on stage, performing their first festival show. 

2:15 p.m. – Arlo Parks

We arrive at Arlo Parks about 15 minutes early and take our places near the stage, which is set up with vibrant flower decorations and a simple yet elegant banner with her name on it. As the show begins at 2:30 p.m., I glance behind me. The field has gotten significantly more crowded. To be honest, I’m surprised Arlo was placed at such an early slot with only 45 minutes of stage time instead of a full hour. She certainly has the streaming numbers to justify a longer set; and although I couldn’t see the full extent of the crowd from the front, it seemed like a big one. Her performance was striking and endearing to witness. During the middle of the set, she plays three of the biggest crowd-pleasers back-to-back, going from “Too Good” to “Caroline” to “Eugene”. It was definitely a set worth seeing all the way through. 

3:15 p.m. – 6:15 p.m. – During this three-hour period, my boyfriend and I don’t really commit to any of the shows. We catch a little bit of everything from Neal Francis to The Collection to Mercury Rev to Larkin Poe. We enjoy the pleasant October weather, thankful for a fall Shaky Knees, which is as perfect as the weather in Georgia can be. It’s warm but breezy. I almost wish it was in October every year, and I think a lot of people would agree. 

For all the acts so far, we have enjoyed the show from a distance or in a sparse crowd by the stage. Tonight is going to be different. We’re going to get as close as we can to see today’s headliner – Run the Jewels. But this is a marathon, not a race. Getting front row at a festival requires perseverance and a little bit of prep. 

So, first up: dinner. This time we go to the main food truck area by the two bigger stages where the food options are grand. They have everything from noodles to pizza to smoothies. Luckily, the food lines are pretty short compared to the lengthy bar lines. I settle for a chicken gyro and my boyfriend gets a pulled pork sandwich. These are much better than yesterday’s chicken fingers and salty fries. I grab a few lite snacks (Oreos and Nutter Butters) from the press lounge for the road (AKA holding our spot). 

Before we stop by Peachtree Stage to scout the situation, I finally cave and use a porta-potty. I managed to go without them yesterday, but I know today I can’t risk it. But hey, here I am, I survived to tell the story. 

6:30 p.m. – Garbage’s set on the Peachtree stage ends in 15 minutes. We sit by the grassy hills once again and watch everyone rock out to “When I Grow Up” (no, not the Pussycat Dolls’ song sadly). The set ends at 6:45 p.m. As expected, there’s a good crowd by the stage that doesn’t seem to be moving. So, we decide to join them and make our way down there to wait for the next set. At this point, we’re about six people away from the stage so things are looking good. There’s a group of women in front of us who say they’ve been here for six hours to see Portugal. the Man from the front row – that’s festival life for you.    

7:45 p.m. – Portugal. The Man

Before Portugal’s set begins, one of the band members steps out onto the stage. He explains that for every place they get to perform, they ask someone from the indigenous community in the area to begin with an Indigenous land acknowledgment. So tonight, a member of the Atlanta Indigenous Peoples Association joins us over a video to acknowledge that the land originally belonged to the Cherokee and Muscogee communities. She goes on to say that for many Indigenous communities land is considered sacred. She asks for a moment of silence. Once it’s over, a video clip starts interloping Portugal’s hit single Feel It Still with other various clips. It gets the crowd going immediately. Their set is minimal except for a projector that plays various psychedelic images and videos for the entirety of the show. They range from declarations of love from the band to their fans to lots of naked dolls. Not once did the band stop to talk, except for maybe four words I don’t remember anymore. They played songs non-stop. It was a show that was immensely fun to see so up close and personal.   

8:45 p.m. – Portugal the Man wraps up right on time. Promptly, Alice Cooper takes the stage at the Ponce de Leon, but unfortunately, we cannot make it. We’ll have to settle for hearing it in the distance. (From the looks of it though, we missed quite the show. Alice Cooper seemed to have taken the Halloween theme to heart.) Anyways, back to me. Shortly after Portugal’s set ends, their fans dutifully leave the crowd. I weasel my tiny self from the sixth row right up to the second. The girls in front of me say they’re not staying for the full set for the headliner and that we can take their place once they leave. Everything is going according to plan.  

For the next hour, we watch as the stage is broken down and set up again. At this point, it’s gotten colder, and I’ve put on the new hoodie my boyfriend bought at the merch stand. It’s fluorescent pink with an image of the iconic Run the Jewels logo. On the stage, the crew suspends a larger-than-life version of the same logo above everything else. And if you don’t know what I’m talking about, check it out below. 

9:45 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. – Run the Jewels

Alice Cooper fades out in the distance and the anticipation where we’re standing picks up. Right at 9:45 p.m., the crowd begins to chant “RTJ” repeatedly. Then, the DJ steps out onto the stage for the introductions with a remix of “We Are the Champions” playing in the back. The crowd responds by putting up a fist with one hand and a pistol with the other. Killer Mike and El-P step out onto the stage and the show picks up. The speakers in front of the stage are so loud, I can see the cardboard trash can in front of me vibrate. I have a lot of regrets in my life. Getting to the front of the stage for this show is not one of them. Neglecting to bring earplugs is absolutely one of them. There’s so much that happens during the next hour and 15 minutes that I’m not sure I can even do it justice, but I will certainly try. 

El-P lovingly jokes that he never sees Killer Mike get nervous to perform, but tonight it seemed as though Mike was in fact nervous to perform for his home city of Atlanta. On top of that, this is the duo’s fourth show in three years. Needless to say, it certainly feels like a special event for everyone. Thirty minutes in and the girls in front of us leave as planned and so, I am now at the barrier still wearing the pink RTJ hoodie.

Run the Jewels, who are known for their politically charged lyrics and activism, interlace a lot of it into their shows. Like when the crowd chants “look at all these slave masters posin’ on yo’ dollar.” At another point, during “Close Your Eyes (And Count to Fuck)” I raise my camera up to record the show, and right at that second Killer Mike spots me and performs his lines pointing directly and me and my camera:’) – an absolutely unforgettable moment. 

Later on, somebody behind us throws their shoe on stage and security immediately jumps over the barrier to find the culprit that everyone is already pointing at. On the stage (unrelated to the shoe incident), Killer Mike preaches “developing empathy and compassion is gold. Love is gold. And every woman in this crowd deserves to be loved and cherished.” The audience responds sincerely to his sentiments.

Then, the duo does something unusual for a festival. They say their goodbyes ten minutes early and leave the stage. A minute passes, the “RTJ” chant starts back up, and they burst back out for an encore. They perform a few more songs. Finally, Mike takes a moment to bring his kids out onto the stage and asks them to stay for the final song. The show is over but Killer Mike and El-P come back out after the lights go out to thank everyone, but the mics were already cut so we couldn’t hear them. We join the crowds and depart after a second successful day at Shaky Knees.

Shaky Knees Diaries: Day 1

Posted on by Buket Urgen

7:15 a.m. – It is Friday morning. My alarm goes off and I am not quite ready to leave my bed, but I know I must because Atlanta traffic is a bitch and I’m coming in all the way from Athens for Shaky Knees. So, I haul ass out of bed. I shower, put on my first-day outfit, and pack a few last items. I make my coffee and head out the door. 

8:30 a.m. – I pick up my boyfriend and we are headed to Atlanta. For most of the ride, we listen to the artists we’ll be seeing this weekend and get hype. 

10:40 a.m. – We arrive in Atlanta with miraculously little traffic along the way, and we head over to pick up our wristbands at will call. 

(There is a brief intermission period here in which I take us in the wrong direction heading to the festival gate, which means we take a 20-minute detour going around the park. And then, I take us in the wrong direction inside the festival trying to find the first act we want to see. The sad part is I was looking at a map both times. Hereafter, I am no longer allowed to navigate anywhere, ever again.)

12:00 p.m. – Specialists

Even though my poor navigation skills cost us a good bit of time, we manage to reach the Criminal Records Stage just in time to catch the Specialists kick off the festival. Hailing in from New York, Specialists have certainly brought the heat (and a few of their friends) for their first-ever show in Georgia. These guys are more than ready to party hard at noon. The energy they have on stage is insanely fun. Once the show ended, I couldn’t help but think “what a perfect way to kick off this weekend.”

12:45 p.m. – Tejon Street Corner Thieves

Then, we walk over to the Ponce De Leon Stage to catch Tejon Street Corner Thieves. Truthfully, I had no idea what to expect from this show. (Looking back on it, I still have no idea what I witnessed.) Tejon Street Corner Thieves gave the audience Americana galore, and they loved it. Much to my surprise, I also loved it. One of them was playing what they called a “washboard skateboard,” which is (get this) a skateboard with a washboard and cymbal attached to the bottom hanging around someone’s neck. There were so many songs about whiskey I lost count. Before ending their set, Tejon Street Corner Thieves ask the audience to circle dance and the audience quickly forms an oval in front of the stage and dances away. Perhaps the most unique act of the day?

1:30 p.m. – It’s been a long day already and having skipped breakfast, I am hungry. For lunch, we turn to the festival food stand, and today, we settle for chicken tenders and fries (at an exorbitant price I would never pay in any other scenario – except perhaps at the airport). The fries are so salty they burn my lips but I’m still happy to be here. 

3:00 p.m. – After lunch, we decide we want to sit down and map out the rest of our afternoon and evening. We walk across the grounds and head towards the main stages. Right as we are about to walk away, the next act at the Peachtree Stage begins. A few seconds in, my boyfriend and I exchange a look that says “damn, this sounds good.” So, we sit on the hills that look out towards the Peachtree Stage and find out who it is that made this killer entrance. Turns out to be Noga Erez, an Israel-based electronic musician and producer. 

After a few short minutes on the hill, we decide it’s too good and we must get closer. I am immediately glad we do. She looks up close as cool as she sounds from afar. She knows how to occupy the stage so well that I am shocked when she says this is the biggest stage she’s ever performed on. During her set, she covers Kenrick Lamar’s Black Friday and makes it entirely her own. I was surprised that such a small international artist on her first U.S. tour landed on the biggest stage, but whoever made that call behind the scenes at Shaky Knees knew what they were doing. It was clear from my surroundings and the reactions online that everyone who overheard Noga’s charismatic performance would return home and stream her songs (and I certainly did).   

4:30 p.m. – The Cults have 15 minutes left on Zelle on Piedmont before the next act is up. I can hear them perform Always Forever in the background as I snack on some Oreos and search for the best place to sit for the next act I am excited to see. 

4:45 p.m. – Dermot Kennedy

Like clockwork, Dermot Kennedy takes the Peachtree Stage as soon as the Cults fade out. He establishes a powerful presence immediately. His live performance sounds a lot more rock than his records, but the intensity remains the same. His voice is clear and strong. Enjoying his poetic lyrics with the warm Georgia-November sun shining down, sitting on the grassy hills, and a lively frisbee game happening on the field in front of me, the show was nothing short of perfect (but I might be biased). 

5:45 p.m. – Dominic Fike is up next on Zelle on Piedmont. For the life of me, I could not figure out what genre this man was trying to convey, and I am not sure he knew either. When introducing his band, he very pointedly fawned over his “sexy ass drummer” who was “looking so good tonight.” This prompted my boyfriend to say, “this guy sounds like he wants to fuck his drummer.” And that’s really all I can recall from this show. 

6:45 p.m. – St. Vincent

St. Vincent came prepared with an hour-long Broadway performance for her sunset show complete with a city backdrop, backup dancers in costumes, props, and spoken interludes. It was the most theatrical performance I had seen on the stage so far and incredibly fun to watch. Even from a distance, it was clear to me that she was a performer in every sense of the word, missing no details at all. 

7:45 p.m. – Amigo the Devil

We left St. Vincent’s performance a couple of minutes early to catch the beginning of Amigo’s set over at the Ponce De Leon Stage, and it did not disappoint. The whole reason I wanted to be there was that I got the general vibe that he was very weird, and I needed to see him live. Amigo proved to be as theatrical as St. Vincent except that he was a one-man show – just a guy, his guitar, and his guitar pedalboard. It was violently graphic and humorous at the same time – perfect for a guy named Amigo the Devil. He fooled most of the audience with a slow take on the classic “Pina Colada Song” (not me though), sang (multiple) songs about murder, and dropped nuggets of wisdom like “life is like a sewer. You get out of it what you put in.” Remember when I called Tejon Street Corner Thieves the most unique act? Amigo definitely gives them a run for their money. I think it’s no coincidence they’re signed to Amigo’s label, though. 

8:45 p.m. – The Foo Fighters

The weekend’s biggest headliner takes the stage right on time. We hang back for this one too but that’s because we know we’ll be fighting for that front-row seat tomorrow. The Foo Fighters are pros at this point and know how to work a crowd. Everyone is having a blast and it is a wonderful end to the first day of Shaky Knees 2021. 

Shaky Knees 2021: An hourly breakdown of must-see artists

Posted on by Zeina Khalife

As we lead into my most anticipated Georgia festival, infinitely more so that I’ve been robbed of all gratifying festival experiences for years now, I am ecstatic to share with you the many acts I will be spiritually bracing as the moments inch closer to Shaky Knees.

Foo Fighters, Alice Cooper + More to Play 2021 Shaky Knees Fest

Although not able to supplement a far more groundbreaking pre-pandemic lineup, Shaky Knees is nevertheless widely and eagerly anticipated by most, if not all, indie Georgians alike. It’s projected to be the ultimate make-up fest to compensate for all recent failures, although I do advise all attendees (both now and forever) to keep their high hopes at bay, as we still attempt to recover from the live music abyss.

I feel strongly about careful creation of festival schedules, not only because I love living by them through the weekend, it’s also how I get my friends to the same sets in time. So let’s dive in friends, and I’ll see you there!:

Friday, October 22nd.

12-12:45 – Glove

Allow your first performance at Shaky to be one that transports you. Glove are a funky, Tampan four-piece that sport a groovy union between dance-rock, 90s post-punk, & new wave. They’re a nostalgic glimpse at a distant music era’s past, and simultaneously future-driven techno. All of Glove’s releases so far are mindlessly danceable, making their set perfect to kick off the rest of the magic that is Shaky Knees weekend.

2:15-3:00 – White Reaper

You haven’t heard about White Reaper yet? They’re only The World’s Best American Band, no big deal. White Reaper are a modern rock staple, and effortless revivers of power punk and garage rock. They’ve earned the right to flaunt their vintage band persona, with three delicious studio rock albums under their belt. Not only are they an objectively phenomenal and seasoned band, they’ve been one of my top anticipated act for years now. Check out the time Vinyl got to document these guys’ Sasquatch moments via film disposables!

3:45-4:45 – Cults

A mid-day trance welcomes you in the Cults crowd. Cults’ twinkling experimental indie pop is an ideal cool-down set after some White Reaper carnage.

5:45-6:45 – Ty Segall & The Freedom Band

Swinging back into the knee-shaking, head-banging, mosh material that brings me back to this festival every year, Ty Segall’s set will be a definite one to remember, as all of his past and current projects have been. I’m infinitely ready to experience this fuzz god in all of his glory.

6:45-7:45 – Black Pistol Fire

Black Pistol Fire are the explosive, blues-rock moment that is quintessential to the energy of Shaky Knees. Channeling an arena-rock sound that is signature to any indie festival, you won’t want to miss the discernible spirit of their set.

Saturday, October 23rd.

1:45-2:30 – Geese

I’m psyched to see Brooklyn-based Geese make one of their debut performances this weekend. As a young band with implosive potential in the realms of psychedelic and punk, they were readily signed to renowned indie label Partisan Records, joining britpunk favs IDLES and Fountaines D.C. And it’s no mystery why. With only a few released singles and a plethora of unreleased music under their belt, Geese have rightfully earned considerable buzz in NY’s underground scene.

2:30-3:15 – Arlo Parks

Parks is acclaimed for her laid-back, relatable, charismatic nature; present in her lyrics, in every note of her songs, and in her charming musical persona. She combines lo-fi bedroom pop with up-lifting, crisp hip-hop sounds, creating an incredibly graceful and immersive style of music. Your weekend won’t be complete without giving due praise to this London-based poet mid-day Sat.

5:45-6:45 – Garbage

Shake-up your Shaky schedule by catching 90s experimental rock novelties, Garbage. I’m not alone in my excitement to find that Garbage has made an epic return over the last year with the release of new record, No Gods No Masters. Garbage began as grunge game-changers, and have since blossomed between varying influences of electronic, hip-hop, and arena rock, now returning with a vengeance to embody their myriad of musical quirks.

6:45-7:45 – The Hives

I was both ecstatic and surprised to find these iconic 2000’s Swede rockers on the bill for this year. Known for their otherworldly live performances, The Hives are an act you may not have the opportunity to catch again any time soon. I already feel grateful and thrilled to watch these raucous Swedes perform on Saturday evening.

8:45-9:45 – IDLES

I’m stoked to welcome Shaky second-timers, IDLES—the pinnacle of Brit-punk angst—back to the stage this year. Their 2019 set consisted of a raging, non-stop mosh, start to finish. So, if you enjoy hard-hitting, belligerent, and heavily British punk, IDLES is the act for you. Warning: bodies may very well be thrown.

Sunday, October 24th.

4:30-5:30 – Orville Peck

How could you even bring yourself to miss this groundbreaking, majestic cowboy once finding out they exist? An anomaly to the country music world as we’ve always known it, Orville Peck has been envisioned as an abstract dream for months now, and as the days lead closer to their performance, I must recurrently pinch myself awake. A genuine mystery box famously labeled as “The Masked Cowboy”, Orville Peck’s voice alone is enough to shake the world of country down to its core, all besides the magnetic charisma, the flamboyance, and the iconic mask + outfit combos.

6:30-7:30 – Black Midi

Nearly wrapping up the weekend are British post-prog + punk fusion crusaders, Black Midi. A project whose sound is pretty impossible to describe in simplistic musical terms, Black Midi are quite the avantgarde-ers of our time. They’ve complicated and experimented the genres of post-punk and progressive rock into an unforeseen oblivion, meshing together art rock, prog/math rock, jazz, noise, in a massive, fiery, non-conforming cauldron. Lest I say Black Midi are an impeccable delight to catch on the last ‘eve of Shaky.

7:30-8:30 – All Them Witches

All Them Witches have taken psychedelic and stoner rock to an entirely new level of prowess, and passion. Since their formation 8 years ago, they’ve released six full-length studio albums, each bursting with unceasing momentum, through which we’ve discovered an incredible fervor for psychedelia, prog metal, and classic psych rock. I don’t know about you, but I’m already bracing the excellence of them witches. All of them.

8:30-10:30 – The Strokes <3

Not only does it feel like I’ve waited my entire life, in both the conscious and subconscious realms of existence, to finally revel in The Strokes live—it also feels like I waited a past life or two. Unparalleled in the history of band fall-outs and re-formations have we witnessed such a transformative, invigorating reunion. One that had the power to restore broken spirits, mend insoluble heartache, heal deep emotional wounds, right all wrongs, and salvage the nearly-forgotten feelings of ecstasy one only knows to be true when listening to their favorite band knowing they’re still out there rockin’. If you, too, feel like you’ve been eternally preparing for the moment you see these dudes do their thing on stage, I’ll catch you in (or on top of) the crowd, Sunday night at Peachtree. May The Strokes live on, quite literally, forever.

See you this weekend.

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!

Jameson Tank Plays Paloma Park

Posted on by Sydney Amling
Photo by Jeff Vernon

This past Saturday, directly after the Dawgs secured yet another win, Jameson Tank took the stage at Paloma Park. Let me preface this review with a disclaimer: I turned 21 last Sunday, so this was my first game day where I could legally drink. How that influenced my experience of the show is up to you to decide. 

With that out of the way, the show was fucking awesome. You knew they were either gonna be amazing or the worst thing you have ever heard from the moment they came on stage. The band’s eponymous frontman Jameson Tank (full name Jameson Tankersley), indistinguishable from the sea of frat boys in his Georgia jersey and athletic shorts, but for his shoulder-length straight hair, reminiscent of Gregg Allman during the Allman Brothers Band’s heyday, was front and center. Next came lead guitarist Bryce Burnette. Before I give you this man’s description, I want to tell you that I had just started drinking when I saw him and am confident my description is fair and accurate. That being said, this man looked like a Guitar Hero avatar come to life: red, cheetah-print motorcycle jacket, a mess of curly hair so long it obscured everything but his mouth, and a cigarette that I’m sure he smoked purely for aesthetic purposes. In contrast to Burnette is the band’s drummer, Conner Ankerich, who I can only describe as looking kind. He seemed like the golden retriever kind of frat boy rather than the rapey kind. Rounding out the foursome was Javier Solozardo on bass. He looked like a man who watched a lot of TikTok during quarantine and took note of what girls liked. Fluffy hair that seemed to float when he moved, painted nails, a patterned, short-sleeve button-up shirt, well-groomed beard, and a single gold earring for good measure. 

Before Jameson Tank played a single note, I could tell Tankersley was well versed in how to work a crowd. He looked at the mass of day drunk UGA fans and instantly saw the best way to get them on his side: Call home the dawgs. The familiar chant, with its closing bark, instantly connected the crowd to him and set the basis for an amazing performance.

They kicked off their set with some classic rock with Queen’s “Fat Bottom Girls” and Ozzy Ozborne’s “Crazy Train” before starting their run of early 2000s tunes with a cover of The Red Hot Chili Pepper’s “Scar Tissue” that has every white male in a golf shirt (which made up well over half the crowd) eating out of their palms. Throughout the night they covered a wide range of songs from SmashMouth’s “Allstar” to Olivia Rodrigo’s “good 4 u.” What all these songs had in common was that almost everyone knew the lyrics and could sing along. 

They were also sure to intersperse two or three original songs throughout their set. I’ll be honest that man could have been reciting the Declaration of Independence into the microphone, and I would not have known. The combination of guitar, drums, bass, and Georgia fans ranging from tipsy to blackout effectively ended any chance I had at making out a word he was singing. However, I am optimistic it was catchy as hell because the music was amazing. It evoked a sense of the vinyl-era classic rock they’d been covering all night with a dash of early 00’s pop-punk that helped the song pack the extra punch needed to get the crowd jumping up and down to a song they’ve never heard, and if they’re anything like me, don’t know the name of.

I think the show was so enjoyable because every one of those boys knew what live music is about more than just the music. It is about how an artist can engage, excite, and energize the audience, and Jameson Tank was able to do just that. I started the show sitting at a table with a good view of the stage; four hours later (and yes, they played for four hours straight), my calves were sore from jumping up and down for the past 3 ½ hours with my voice strained and raspy from singing along. The group, particularly Tankersley, lacked the awkwardness I’ve found inherent in a lot of newer artists’ live performances. He was able to transition the band and the crowd from one song to the next without awkward pauses and, in doing so, kept the audience growing until I was being pushed by those trying to get closer (and to be honest doing a bit of light shoving myself). Overall, I had an absolute blast, which is exactly what I wanted from the show. 

Listen to Jameson Tanks’ original music on Spotify or Apple Music, and be sure to catch them playing Warehouse on November 12.

Side note: Towards the end of their set Solozardo, who had only sung a song or two, provided lead vocals to the band’s cover of AC/DC’s “Thunderstruck” that literally caused my jaw to drop. I swear to god, the ghost, the very essence of Brian Johnson (who is very much alive) entered Solozardo while the rest of us chanted “thunder.” It was unreal. I feel we may have been bamboozled, and Solozardo was doing some very convincing lip-synching while Tankersley worked a boombox. That is the most logical explanation for what I heard. Well, that and that I had my first long island iced tea about thirty minutes prior. 

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. 

Review: The Dazy Chains: “Electric Sunshine”

Posted on by Buket Urgen

The Dazy Chains, a relatively new homegrown Athens band, didn’t let the past year and a half stop them from writing, recording, and releasing their debut full-length album Electric Sunshine, which came out Oct 8th at midnight. The album cover, like the contents within the album, is a psychedelic piece of art. It features the iconic steeple located on Oconee Street as an homage to Nuci’s Space, where the album was conceived, recorded, and mastered. On Electric Sunshine, the band travels through and merges multiple genres. Elements of psychedelia, rock, grunge, and funk converge with the distinctive vocalizations of Hannah Meachum to top it off. The end result is a garage rock album with different genres peeking through at select moments – a unique tribute to why making music with your friends matter. 

Debut album cover, Electric Sunshine. Featuring the iconic R.E.M. steeplechase at local nonprofit Nuçi’s Space.

The songs on the record are reflective and self-aware, not afraid to admit personal vulnerabilities or shortcomings. The admissions are curt and to the point. On “Counter-Clockwise,” Hannah passionately sings “you tell me I’m broken / well I don’t give a damn.” In “What You Are,” Hannah dryly admits, “you used me now / I’m not the same.” The admission is simple but there is a punch to the delivery. On “Hypnotize,” the narrator’s internal struggle is evident in the lyrics. With a clever shift in lyrics, the narrator’s perspective changes from being intoxicated with someone to feeling betrayed by them. It’s clever yet raw. These songs show that the band is in touch with their intentions and not afraid to vocalize their emotions.      

On their debut album, the Dazy Chains frequently time bends, speeding up and slowing down without warning. On “Flow,” slick and rapid guitar licks and drumbeats transform briskly (yet smoothly) into a slower funkier melody. It’s pretty fun to listen to on the record and I imagine it would be just as cool, if not cooler, live. 

Photos courtesy of Braxton Watts of Thinking Cap Media.

This album is a melting pot of genres, and it reminds me of why I enjoy listening to local acts and (yet) unknown bands. Making music one cares about is the most important part. Everyone has something they enjoy and being able to bring that to life is a gift. The size of the audience is the least significant part. Congrats to the Dazy Chains for bringing to life a vision of theirs on their debut. 

You can catch their album release show TONIGHT at Smith’s Old Bar in Atlanta with Alien Funk Academy and A.D. Blanco as the supporting acts. Doors are at 8 PM. Or you can catch them at this year’s first Nuci’s Space Jam on Monday.

Electric Sunshine by the Dazy Chains is out now on all streaming platforms.

Hot Picks Playlist // October 7th

Posted on by Zeina Khalife

Need something to accompany the warm tones and eerie, anticipative air of the fall? Explore some magical releases and recent replays from artists we cherish.

Featured artists from the tracks:

Fishbug, thundering femme-fronted punk for the soul. An exciting up-and-coming gem out of Athens. Beautifully reminiscent of 00’s pop-punk jams, reclaiming the energy of that era with raw, emotive rock. Check out Inchworm, their first full-length album.

For fans of Chastity Belt, Warpaint, and Paramore.

NOV3L, danceable and syncopated punk, fused with eccentric funk and disco tones. Notably evocative of 80s art-pop and new wave punk. Flaunting weaponized lyrics of desperate political cry-outs, they authentically usher a sense of social urgency through their music. Not to mention all of this rides joyfully on the back of addictive, angular, zingy guitar riffs. Pretty much everything about this band feels postmodern in an entirely fresh sense.

For fans of Preoccupations, New Order, Talking Heads, and perhaps even The Strokes.

Wet Leg: A sudden burst of talent out of Isle of Wight, England, nailing the present-day influx of mesmerizing yet deadpan punk, started by just two seeds of impeccable talent. Lingering influences of French punk and disco are only some of my favorite facets of this duo.

For fans of The Raveonettes, Dry Cleaning, Porridge Radio.

Dora Jar: Exhilarating pop-machine riddled with electronic, hip-hop, and indie folk-rock. Singlehandedly changing the game for bedroom pop, Dora Jar’s quite on the verge of blowing up.

For fans of MARINA, dodie, Arlo Parks.

Yard Act: An additional result of the collective British rendition of 80s post-punk, Yard Act too have the potential of taking the British intellectual band scene by storm. Already having paved a considerable path of brilliance with their few released singles, Yard Act, in a similar fashion to the undefined NOV3L, naturally acquire all attributes of doomsday punk music.

For fans of Arctic Monkeys, Sleaford Mods, shame.




Tasting Notes – Fall Heat Wave

Posted on by Jonathan Yim

Welcome to my new column here at Vinyl Mag: Tasting Notes! I have had this idea bouncing inside my head for a little while now yet for some reason haven’t gotten around to writing it. Each edition of Tasting Notes will feature a themed menu with a few projects that deserve your time. This week’s theme is Georgia’s Fall Heat Wave. With the weather unable to decide if we will be blessed with Autumntime here in Athens, might as well make the most of the heat and enjoy some tunes better fit for summertime. Let’s take a look at the seasonal menu!

salute – Condition ([PIAS] Recordings)

You’ll have to forgive me as this selection is not a 2021 release, however, Austrian-born producer, salute, has been making waves in the UK Garage & Bass scene with his sweetly infectious DJ sets throughout the year. With his 2019 effort, Condition, Salute curated a tracklist with some of the most refreshing dance music in recent memory. Remarkably light yet sugary, listeners would be hard-pressed to find a better group of tracks to pair with sunny and 85°. Oh, and this is the project that birthed the idea for this column!

Light, Carbonates, Honeycrisp Apple, Ranch Water, Seabreeze, Chlorine, Fleur de sel, Lemon Zest, Pickled Radish

Ducks Ltd. – Modern Fiction (Carpark Records)

Toronto-based jangle-pop duo, Ducks Ltd., debuts their first full-length record on Carpark records in staggering fashion. Keeping pace with their debut EP Get Bleak, Modern Fiction satiates any indie-pop cravings with track after solid track of forwarding guitars and 4/4 drumbeats. It’s easy to draw comparisons to Ducks Ltd.’s influences and contemporaries (college rock guitars ala Real Estate meets UK post-punk DnB), yet the duo manages to use this to their advantage. Modern Fiction showcases Ducks Ltd.’s sprightly compositions and deft songwriting capabilities, perfect for dancing in a stranger’s living room.

Medium, Cinnamon & Almond, Hops, Coca-Cola, Cedar Box, White Pepper, Fennel, Bar-Tar, Morning Dew, Potato Leek Soup

Purple Kiss – HIDE & SEEK (RBW Inc.)

Where do I begin with Purple Kiss’ HIDE & SEEK? 2021 K-pop has required a savior after a glistening 2020… until HIDE & SEEK came along. RBW’s precocious girl group has proven themselves alongside the likes of K-pop veterans and label mates, MAMAMOO, in a little under 7 months. Title track “Zombie” is a Halloween dance party anthem emphasizing treat over the trick. “2am” contextualizes the ballad formula through a western lens with classical orchestration and pedal steel inexplicably reminiscent of early Faye Webster. The chorus begins: “I’m in love with this comfy mood”, explicating the project’s ethos with alarming self-awareness. Yet despite HIDE & SEEK’s candy-coated comfort, many of the tracks here focus on relational turmoil and questioning, namely standout: “So WhY”. I really couldn’t urge you enough to dance, cry, drive, or unwind with HIDE & SEEK… it’s all here.

Medium to Full, Grape Fanta, Acetone, Empress Gin, Crystal Rock Candy Lollipop, Oyster Shell, Pumpkin Flesh, Pour Over Coffee, Steel

Tems – If Orange Was A Place (Since ’93/RCA)

Breakout Lagos-born superstar Tems is following up an explosive 11 months of stardom, after fronting Wizkid’s mainstream hit “Essence” and finding herself on Drake’s Certified Lover Boy, with If Orange Was A Place. As if the music itself didn’t paint a vivid picture of the flavors incorporated, the title rounds this profile together quite neatly. Each track here oozes setting sunshine, almost as if you’re running out to the car before a long evening out. Lead single “Crazy Tings” opens on this liminal note; swirling rhythms and a one-sided monologue exclaim “So you need, someone to deceive/ And you’re trying to think that I’m the one for you”. Tracklist highlight “Replay” finds Tems in a moment of reflection and reassurance (“I’ve been distant to keep my distance/ Goodbye to a boring life”) amongst infectious melodies and syrupy-thick drum patterns. If Orange Was A Place is rich; a picture of a woman finding strength in herself lit only by the sun kissing the horizon.

Full, Pineapple, Lychee, Cashew, Ginger, Sea Bass, Magnolia, Worn-in Leather, Lanolin

Weekly Staff Picks – September 17th

Posted on by Vinyl Mag

Get ready for music recs! Introducing Vinyl Mag’s weekly hot picks — new releases, local jams, and whatever happens to be on heavy rotation —all meshed for you in one place.

This week: a medley of new and new-ish songs from some of our favorite artists, local and global alike. Highlights include new releases from cherished artists like Johnny Marr, Lorde, Charli XCX, and Dayglow, as well as exciting releases from local favorites — Monsoon (rock), Hiding Places (indie + alt-country), and Josey (dance+techno). Also included are artists on the watch worth raving about: Shygirl, slowthai, Cherry Cheeks, The Happy Fits, NOV3L, and more.

Happy listening! Stay tuned for next week’s collection.