Tag: athens
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Justin Townes Earle at The Melting Point
There’s just something about Americana music that’s endearing. Maybe it’s the people who play it. Maybe it’s the music itself. Or quite possibly it’s a combination of the two that reminds us of the humble, determined spirit that comprises the culture of both America past and America present. This was certainly the case when Justin Townes Earle partnered with Whatever it Takes and took to The Melting Point stage to raise money for impoverished children and families in the Athens, Georgia area.
Whatever it Takes is an Athens-based organization whose goal is to ensure “that all children in Athens are healthy, safe, engaged in the community and on course to graduate from a post-secondary education.” As openers Eliot Bronson and Jonathan Byrd and the Pickup Cowboys graced the stage with their guitars it was no surprise that honest, passionate artists such as these were performing for such an admirable cause. Eliot Bronson’s smooth solo vocals had the crowd clapping for more as he gave way to the twangy tunes of Jonathan Byrd and the Pickup Cowboys. As Byrd and his band crooned their way through violin-led love ballads and harmony-laden lullabies, the floor filled with dancing fans who gave the band the first curtain call for an opener that I have ever seen.
By the time Jonathan Byrd and the Pickup Cowboys finished playing their well-deserved encore, the crowd was pining for the soulful sounds of Justin Townes Earle. Earle, a singer/songwriter who combines the best of blues with folk and Americana made his way to the stage amidst a rapturous applause. Justin stood alone with nothing more than an acoustic guitar when he greeted the amped Athens crowd. “Let’s see what I can forget the lyrics to tonight,” laughed Justin before opening with “They Killed John Henry,” a song that he informed us was written for his grandfather. Next up was “Memphis in the Rain,” a blues-heavy hit from Earle’s new album Nothing’s Gonna Change the Way You Feel About Me Now. Earle’s bluesy influences were apparent as he played a cover of Bo Carter’s “Your Biscuits are Big Enough for Me,” as well as Lightnin’ Hopkins’ “My Starter Won’t Start This Morning,” a song that was once performed by Townes Van Zandt, for whom Justin Townes Earle gets his middle name.
As Earle fingerpicked his way through his set, he displayed the same sort of honesty that makes Americana music endearing. He shared intimate stories from his past involving turbulent relationships that he’s been able to transform into songs. Each song was a story, and Earle graciously shared not only the songs with us, but also the stories behind the songs.
“If I drink or do narcotics I break out in handcuffs,” Earle said through a grin as he plucked his way through fan favorites like “One More Night in Brooklyn” and “Mama’s Eyes.” At one point, Earle even stopped playing mid-song to inform the audience that he had forgotten a line. “It doesn’t mess me up when I forget lyrics, because I’m human,” Earle confessed. “I don’t put myself on a pedestal, because I’m only human. That’s what happened to Pete Rose. We put him on a pedestal and he disappointed us. But if ya ask me I think they need to let ole Charlie Hustle in the Hall of Fame for being human,” said Earle. Honest moments like these not only made the evening more intimate, but they made it obvious why Earle is such a talented songwriter.
Earle only briefly left the stage before being beckoned back by the audience’s roaring applause. After plucking and slapping away at his strings, Earle concluded the night with “Christchurch Woman,” a hopeful love song that displays Earle’s ability to tap into heavy heartache and create songs that have both lyrical weight as well as graceful guitar melodies.
Justin Townes Earle exemplifies the endearing honesty of Americana music. His music is reminiscent of a simpler time while remaining hopeful for the future. His honest and vulnerable songs made it feel as though he were confiding in us his deepest hopes and fears. And as he shared his stories, he made us feel as though we were a part of those stories.
In the Dark with Ryan Graveface
So I saw The Casket Girls at South by Southwest, and I kicked myself for not getting into them beforehand so that I could interview them there (dudes, you should see this band live. It’s quite an experience). Lucky for me, it wasn’t even two months later that they showed up in Athens to play at the Caledonia Lounge. I guess they believe in second chances.
I met up with CG member Ryan Graveface (yes, the same Ryan Graveface from Black Moth Super Rainbow), and we had ourselves a nice little interview (it is important to note that this interview took place in a stationary van that sits outside of the Caledonia Lounge and serves a backstage area…and the power was out, so we were completely in the pitch black dark for the duration…appropriate). So turn off your lights and have a listen.
Backstage with Deadstring Brothers
Listen up. I got to hang backstage with Nashville-by-way-of-Detroit-based Deadstring Brothers at their show at the 40 Watt, and now you get to listen in and pretend you were there.
They’ve been compared to 70’s-era Rolling Stones. They have been called a country band. They’ve been called a blues band. Whatever they are – I’d say a cocktail of all of the above – it works, and we are ready for more.
I sat down with Kurtis Marschke (the original Deadstring Brother) and J.D. Mack to talk about their new album, Cannery Row, as well as Nashville’s influence on their sound, their experience at South by Southwest, and their upcoming album and tour. So have a gander, and then go stalk their music.
SHOW REVIEW: Tame Impala at the Georgia Theater
Some concertgoers can’t get enough of upbeat, high-energy shows that keep them dancing all night. Others prefer a more laid-back musical environment, one in which they can simply bob their heads and let the music soak into their skin. We give you the best of both worlds: Australian fivesome, Tame Impala. Their show at the Georgia Theater in Athens on February 23 was a constant mix-up of both types of tune – one song heavy and bouncing with the energy of a thousand guitars, the next transcendently mellow.
As the band walked onstage and began to play, we couldn’t refrain from thinking that their outfits – tee shirts, jeans, sneakers, and shoulder-length mops – were a bit reminiscent of a high school band. But once the steady drumbeat ushered in “Apocalypse Dreams”, all thoughts of amateurism vanished immediately. The crowd was swept into a psychedelic, undeniably Jefferson Airplane-esque paradise, and instinctively swayed happily in unison. The band and audience gained speed through the next few songs, along with the screen behind the stage, which warped from simple, colored lines pulsing to the beat to undeniably 60s-inspired, exotic rainbow patterns. This energy peaked with “Elephant”, arguably Lonerism’s catchiest track. As lead singer Kevin Parker crooned in that oh-so-John Lennon-ish voice, “Well, he feels like an elephant, shaking his big, grey trunk for the hell of it…”, we were all pushed over the edge into an earful of blues-y perfection that we couldn’t help but move to.
Soon, Tame treated us to a trio of our favorite tracks. With “Feels Like We Only Go Backwards”, the insatiable toe-tappers in the crowd became smooth sailors on a wave of chill psychedelia. When repeated whisperings of, “Gotta be above it, gotta be above it…” introduced Lonerism’s first track, though, the audience began undulating excitedly all over again, feeling Parker’s inspirational lyrics washing over us. Finally, the band transferred us to Haight-Ashbury circa 1967 during “Mind Mischief”, a tune with a very – well, there’s no other way to properly sum the vibe up – cool guitar sound.
Tame finished up with the upbeat, drum-focused “Half Glass Full of Wine”, and after an incredible, lengthy jam session – and this comes from someone who typically can’t stand when live bands jam – those at the Georgia Theater were begging for an encore. Thankfully, the crew came back for “Nothing That Has Happened So Far Has Been Anything We Could Control”, a very optimistic song with some unabashedly dark lyrics. I have to say, though, that our moods as we were leaving were much more similar to the song’s mood: as we exited the theater, we felt like we were floating atop a mind-bending whirlpool of rainbow-bright colors and dynamic sound.
Backstage Beers with Jimmy LaValle of The Album Leaf
The Album Leaf just came to the Georgia Theatre (if you’re from Athens and you didn’t go, just…seriously?) on their tour with Tycho. And guess who got to interview them? Damn straight. Me. And it was awesome.
This was another big one for me. I have been a mad fan of TAL since some forgotten-but-much-appreciated friend of mine introduced me to In a Safe Place back when I was 14 years old.
The interview took place after their set (which was crazy good—they put so much into their shows, and experiencing it is extremely rewarding). My videographer and I headed backstage to wait for them immediately after they finished up. While we were waiting, we may have run into Scott Hansen (Tycho). NBD.
So, Jimmy LaValle- nicest, most patient guy. He was perfectly happy to let us wait around backstage and chat while Tycho and everyone got ready to go on. There was no sense of “let’s get this over with” from him, which would have been totally understandable considering that he had come straight from giving a killer performance.
I could seriously go on about this for another couple of pages, but I’m just going to let the interview speak for itself. Go ahead and check it out, and be sure to hit up The Album Leaf and Tycho on their tour if you haven’t already!
Being able to hear Tycho in the background during this interview really sets the mood
Photography/videography by Amy Anderson
Tour Dates
Sep 21 Black Cat Washington, DC
Sep 22 The Trocadero Philadelphia, PA
Sep 23 ATP “I’ll Be Your Mirror” New York, NY
Sep 25 The Waiting Room w/ Mono, Chris Brokaw Omaha, NE
Sep 26 Fox Theatre Boulder, CO
Sep 28 Artiface * VENUE CHANGE w/ Drew Andrews Las Vegas, NV
Sep 29 The Satellite Los Angeles, CA
Sep 30 Bottom of the Hill San Francisco, CA
Couch time with Space Ghost
VINYL Mag sits down with the guys from Space Ghost to discuss their formation, their influences, and their upcoming debut EP, Museum.
Space Ghost is an Athens-based synthtastic band made up of Justin Belk, Michael Buice, Blake Lewis, and Grafton Tanner.
Be sure to look out for Museum, coming spring 2012.
Check them out at www.facebook.com/spaceghostathens
Also, just wanna thank these guys for letting me hang out and giving me a great interview and some truly delicious candy. This interview was a blast to do, and this band was so much fun to sit down with.
Join us.
Jimmy Eat World: Sometimes You Can Meet Your Idols
Living on my own in college, I take advantage of my independence by bailing on school every time a band I love goes on tour. Doesn’t matter the day or how far the drive is – I’m gonna be there if I love them enough. I definitely love Jimmy Eat World enough.
The show was in Athens on a Monday night…3 hours from my school. I had a 9:00 class the next morning. NBD. I called my best friend and fellow JEW freak, Katie (a student living in Athens), and that was that.
Predictably, the show was fully worth it. Pretty much blew my face off. In the middle of the show, guitarist and vocalist Tom Linton handed me a water bottle. Yeah….. it’s still sitting on my dresser.
The water bottle would have been enough. I was perfectly happy with that being the highlight of my night.
Until I met the rest of the band (way to bury the lead, right?)
Katie and I decided to wait outside the trailers in case they came out. Weirdly, there were only about 15 or so other people willing to brave the cold and wait around. First to emerge was Rick Burch, bassist, toting an impressive case of Terrapin Beer. (Brewed locally in Athens. Obviously, these guys have sources).
After some nervous hesitation, Katie and I approached him. We spent about 5 minutes geeking out over the show and making no effort to play it cool. However, once we regained our composure, we actually ended up having a simply delightful conversation.
Next out was Zach Lind, the drummer. He was the chattiest of the group, laughing with us and talking to each fan individually. He wanted to know where we were from and what the cool places to hang out in Athens were. He asked us all our names, and thanked each of us for coming out.
Once Zach and Rick peaced out and loaded themselves onto the bus, it seemed like the night was over. We were hoping to get to meet or at least catch a glimpse of Jim Adkins or Tom Linton, but it didn’t look like they were going to show.
After awhile, the small crowd got even smaller, and people started to give up and go home, one girl declaring, “If Tom or Jim show up, I’m going to hate all of you.” After about five minutes, out comes Jim Adkins.
Poor girl. Bummer.
When Jim showed up, people got a little weird. Now, I always thought that I was a little bit of a weirdo/creeper/nerd about music. When I love a band, I know the members’ birthdays, follow them on Twitter, watch their documentaries, read their biographies, and basically memorize everything there is to know about them. And I have found myself being distressingly uncool on the few occasions that I was lucky enough to meet some of my idols.
However, even compared to myself, I was unaware how obsessive some fans can be. Not to mention how presumptuous.
Back to when Jim showed up. We all crowded around him. Everyone wanted one-on-one face time, and everyone abandoned their nonchalance and gave in to near hysteria.
One dude, particularly star struck and shaky, told Jim that he had given Zach a gift intended for the band. The gift, he said, was a nickel and a dime (for those of you who don’t get this- and don’t worry, it’s a stretch- the lyrics to one of JEW’s songs called Futures are “we close our eyes while the nickel and dime take the streets completely”). Jim was gracious and appreciative, and the coin guy was elated.
One group really surprised me. I would never presume to critique the way a band designs their show. I appreciate that they put a lot of work into their set lists and their performance. Not everyone sees things that way. (Do I sound pompous? Unintentional).
There were a whole lot of “I wish you had played…” and “I can’t believe you left out…” comments registering complaints about the set list. Many people attempted to make Jim promise to play their personal favorite songs at their future shows. He politely promised to do the best he could to try to satisfy them next time around.
Finally, one girl said to Jim, “Ask Tom to come out. Not that meeting you isn’t great, but meeting Tom would just change my life.” Um….. Seriously?!
Jim took it well and made a joke that Tom was already inside wrapped up in his Snuggie (which he later confirmed was a vicious, vicious lie).
Tom never came out. But even so, I can tell you that Jimmy Eat World, apart from being one of the best groups I have seen live, is one of the nicest, friendliest bands ever. They truly love and appreciate their fans – no superior attitude. I’ll never forget the night I met them, and, though I didn’t meet Tom, at least I can say I have his water bottle.