Tag: monsoon
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Punk’s (fortunately) Not Dead: Monsoon as a Riveting Reminder at Chase Fest
Is there a name for the feeling of suddenly becoming consumed by an energy you’re seeing or experiencing for the first time? When in the presence of some force that’s bigger than you, bigger than any one person could be? Something transformative, some naturally explosive potential, that you feel everyone else needs to be in on or else they’re brutally missing out? Perhaps this feeling comes fairly often to impassioned music fans, and even more narrowly to frequented concert goers. It comes to me most especially as I’m first discovering an artist, or art, in real-time. All I know is that if there were a name for this distinct feeling, then I’d use it quite precisely to describe my experience at Chase Fest the other weekend.
Chase Fest was a wonderfully DIY arrangement of four artists playing outside a warehouse at Chase Park, with the night’s lineup featuring Henry Toland, Heffner, Fishbug, and Monsoon. Everything about the evening felt dynamic, metamorphic, and revitalizing, with all credit due to the intensity that the bands brought. Needless to say, the feeling noted earlier would only amplify as the performances continued through the night.
All were exhilarating live acts relentlessly erupting with raw talent, but the closing act, Monsoon, left an effortless impression on the crowd and vitality of the festival. Monsoon are a punk three-piece as well as a tremendous volume of energy beaming out of Athens, GA; with Sienna Chadler on guitar and vocals, Joey Kegel on drums, and Roan O’Reilly on bass. Perfectly encapsulating the spirit of the evening mini-fest with their high energy songs, their performance was a stark, inconceivably stimulating reminder of the kind of fiery energy I’d felt missing from life alongside the prolonged void of live music.
Aside the near-instant elation, thrill, and passion felt just by once again being immersed in a semi-‘normal’ musical atmosphere, I was also completely staggered by the sheer talent of Monsoon and the intoxicating energy that they casted over the crowd. Shortly into the start of their set was a prompt opening of the pit, and the near-forgotten punk tradition of moshing ensued till the show’s close. Being able to once again be consumed by the enriching energy of a pit played a huge role in affecting Chase Fest into this wildly collective hysteria that I felt infinitely lucky to be a part of.
Monsoon’s sound is fervidly punk, yet striking in its diverse styles and exotic lyrical quirks. Tracks like “Speakeasy” and “Miss Cadillac” off 2015 debut album Ride a Rolla flaunt their capacity for genre fluidity and transcendence within the realms of punk and rock, whereas “Dead,” “Monsoon,” and “Tuck Me In” exhibit a dual ability to merge with the sounds of more commercially refined punk. Upon hearing Ride a Rolla for the first time, I couldn’t help but feel immediately drawn to the music’s unique, comparable distinction to 80s & 90s era primal punk. I found Monsoon’s organic styles to range from Ramones-esque, classically uncut NYC punk to the socially stimulating, riveting riotgrrrl energy of Bratmobile and the Raincoats. And with the electrifying force of a female-led punk rocker, Monsoon are en route to what feels like a resurrection of authentic femme punk.
Stylistically straightforward, fast-tempo’d, and delightfully hardcore, Monsoon is surely on the come-up with an already released collection of diverse, energizing tunes. Through songs like “Geriatric” and “Intro,” we hear dynamic punk versatility, and an exciting glimpse into what could be next through Monsoon’s stylistic development, as we anticipate the release of their new record. If you’re probing for that distinct feeling of abundant and infinite potential, stream Monsoon’s Ride a Rolla, and stay closely tuned for future album and show announcements!
Check out their music, available on Bandcamp and all other major streaming platforms. Also, check out all the entrancing moments captured by talented photographer Kyler Vollmar–link to the show’s digitals, as well as the rest of his lively, visionary projects at https://teethinabag.com/work!
15 Must-See Artists At AthFest [PLAYLIST]
You already know you can count on Vinyl Mag for all your AthFest coverage needs, and we figured that with such a killer lineup this year, you might need help cherry-picking which artists to see. Peep this playlist of some of our favorite bands, both big and small. As per the usual, don’t overlook the deep cuts.
As with every year, the free outdoor stages are fantastic – but you’re REALLY missing out if you don’t do the club crawl. Get your wristband here.
15 Must-See Shows at Slingshot 2015
Ahh, spring. That magical time when the freezing rain subsides, the hillsides grow wild with kudzu, and Slingshot slingshots itself back into town. This year’s lineup is as eclectic as it’s ever been, but with significantly bigger names set to fill the marquees of Athens.
Arcade Fire’s Win Butler will be doing a DJ set as DJ Windows 98, as will James Murphy of LCD Soundsystem. Reptar will be playing a Georgia Theatre album release show, and cameos will be made by Jamie XX of the xx and Andy Hull of Manchester Orchestra.
As always, your best bet is to buy a three-day pass. Here are the 15 shows we’re looking forward to the most.
15. Every Art Installation (seriously) (Thurs-Sat @ Creature Comforts)
One of the most unique things Slingshot brings to Athens is the wide variety of thought-provoking electronic art installations. Last year saw hand stitched QR codes, weather balloon projectors, and a ton of reinvented psychedelic imagery. Though the installations are spread across downtown, they’ll be somewhat centered around Creature Comforts. Check out the electronic artists page to see what you’re in for.
14. Ruby The Rabbitfoot and Viking Progress (Friday @ Hendershots)
Athens’ favorite chill pixie dreamgirl Ruby The Rabbitfoot will be playing Hendershots on Friday, in support of her recent release New As Dew as well as even newer material like “Hooky Queen.” She’ll be joined by The Viking Progress, whose appropriately boat-themed songs use the same sad, droning horn sections of Neutral Milk Hotel‘s past.
13. Cottonmouth and SEX BBQ (Thursday @ Go Bar)
Though the billing may sound like a picnic gone horribly wrong, don’t sleep on either of these bands. Cottonmouth‘s alien sounds would fit in well with the electronic art crowd – though “avant hip-hop” is thrown in occasionally, this is a group of whacked out sonic explorers. Atlanta-based SEX BBQ are a little more Ath-traditional, with surf guitars bumping up against coy vocals and playful rhythms.
12. Shehehe, Little Gold, and Pinecones (Thursday @ Little Kings)
Shehehe are a good time any way you slice it. Whether it’s the straight-ahead punk of “Rollin'” or the Corin Tucker-aping “Hail Vagina”, they are in the lucky position of keeping several punk traditions alive. Little Gold, on the other hand, bring trashy Detroit-inspired rock and roll to the table. But what would an Athenian fest be without some indie psych? To be sure they are (generally) a psychedelic band, and their sound is concise but sometimes hard to pin down. Their recent single “Sleep Is Forget” plays like the Byrds fed through Ian MacKaye’s tube amp.
11. Salad Days Screening
Speaking of Ian MacKaye, every punk and hardcore band Athens has ever hosted owes much of their sound to the D.C. hardcore scene of the 80s and 90s. Obviously artists like Minor Threat, Fugazi, and Government Issue ring out, but Salad Days digs deeper into the Dischord vault. Check out the trailer here.
10. Normaltown Records Showcase feat. Dave Marr, Cicada Rhythm, and Daniel Romano (Saturday @ Caledonia)
Here at Vinyl Mag, we love ourselves some Normaltown, so their showcase on Saturday is a must for those getting overwhelmed by the explorative nature of psychedelic rock. Rootsing things down will be Cicada Rhythm with their particular brand of almost jangle noirgrass, plus the back-to-basics country crooning of (somehow Canadian) Daniel Romano. Athens legend and Man About Town Dave Marr will also be there, so, you know, ’nuff said.
9. Comedy Night feat. Kurt Braunohler, Ron Funches, and Kyle Kinane (Saturday @ Morton)
Slingshot also brings the laughs every year, and in 2015 we’re lucky enough to host these big names in alt comedy. That podcast you listen to? Kurt Braunohler has most likely guested on it. And don’t forget his IFC gig hosting the absurd gameshow Bunk!. Ron Funches has rolled through various late night standup corners to muse about Black tuba players and the inherent freakiness of identical twins. Kyle Kinane has guest starred in a ton of shows and movies, and his specials Whiskey Icarus and I Liked His Old Stuff Better show his wide comedic range.
8. Ryley Walker, Roadkill Ghost Choir, and Andy Hull of Manchester Orchestra (Thursday @ GATH)
Like the Normaltown showcase, Thursday’s GATH shows will be stripped down and based in purer southern traditions. Roadkill Ghost Choir play a shimmering, steroid-popping type of noirgrass that occasionally slips into War on Drugs territory. Andy Hull of Manchester Orchestra drops the yowling southern shoegaze affectations when he goes solo – most of his songs are him and an acoustic, featuring more personal and plaintive songs about growing up as a pastor’s kid. And Ryley Walker’s Voice Of The Seven Thunders-esque guitar work is a can’t-miss; he’s also something of a vocal dead ringer for Jim Morrison.
7. Kenosha Kid Album Release w/ Etiene de Rocher (Saturday @ Hendershots)
Athens being the Classic City, the old is bound to intermingle with the new. This juxtaposition will be in full swing on Saturday with the jazz stylings of our own Kenosha Kid, and Etiene de Rocher, an Athens transplant from the Bay Area. Kenosha Kid are known for modern reinterpretations of stalwart jazz ideas, and they play Hendershots all the time so they’re very comfortable in that space. Etiene de Rocher’s music is a grab bag of 60s and 70s influence, and songs like “Juniper Rose” sound like a newly-discovered section in “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes”.
6. Reptar Album Release w/ Skylar Spence, Fascinator (Friday @ GATH)
A hometown Reptar show is a special thing to behold, but throw in an album release and you’ve got grounds for another broken floor (hopefully the Theatre is built better than that.) The Joyful Noise recruits will be joined by Skylar Spence, who are similarly funk-sample laden. And make sure to get there early for Fascinator, whose of Montreal-emulating visuals pair nicely with their paranoid, ravine-jumping, Beastie Boys-emulating sound.
5. Single Mothers and Monsoon (Friday @ Live Wire)
The beach-punk-spazz stylings of Monsoon is probably the best live show in Athens right now, so see them any chance you get. Playing alongside them on Friday at the Live Wire (formerly New Earth) is the Canadian hardcore four piece Single Mothers, who sound uncannily like a pissed off Hold Steady.
4. Japan Nite (Thursday @ Live Wire)
Japan Nite 2014 was a festival highlight, so don’t expect anything to change this time around. Peelander-Z are making a colorful return to Live Wire, along with fellow Japanese punkers Tsu Shi Ma Mi Re, Quorum, Bo-Peep, and Zarigani$. The fin. will be there to slow things down a bit, with their melodic M83-influenced plinks. God Bless America and all that, but expect these whippersnappers to remind us what punk started as in the first place. There will be leather jackets, and there will be ‘tude.
3. Night of Too Many DJs feat. Michael Lacowski of Pylon, DJ Windows 98 aka Will Butler of Arcade Fire, and James Murphy of LCD Soundsystem (Saturday @ GATH)
Okay, when these names are all sharing the same stage, “too many” doesn’t really apply. Deejaying may not be the same as seeing these folks’ full ensembles, but consider the wealth of musical knowledge that will inhabit the Theatre on this night. This will be the dance party to end all dance parties.
2. Vinyl Mag Showcase feat. Prince Rama, Nightmare Air, and Dream Boat (Friday @ Caledonia)
Our showcase will be kind of trippy, man, so prepare yourself. Dream Boat do indeed sound like a boat to your dreams – they create experimental, faraway sounding beats that vaguely resemble church bells. Prince Rama are more concerned with melodies, but are similarly characterized by distance – their heady songs have Warpaint grooves and creepiness, with plenty of chanting, obviously. Nightmare Air are what you might imagine an all-werewolf band to sound like – dark, loud, and dangerous, but still pretty compelling.
1. Vinyl Mag Presents Nana Grizol and Mind Brains (Saturday @ Live Wire)
Mind Brains are one of the latest iterations of Athens’ storied psych scene, featuring former of Montreal and Olivia Tremor Control players. Like its predecessors, Mind Brains have invented a world for themselves; they classify themselves with monikers like “experimental” and “muffins”, and their press kit states thusly: “Mind Brains’ new album drops on Hamuary 666th, 1945, and hearing it is not unlike happening upon a horde of corrupted Gregorians using garbage-picked toys and circuit-bent home-aids to worship at the high pagan monoliths of Silver Apples, Tubeway Army and Chrome.” Nana Grizol use crunchy indie rock to backdrop singer Theo’s sad, emotive lyrics, and while they may not be as quirky as Mind Brains, they’re a little more danceable. Horns and handclaps will be plentiful.
Playlist: Slingshot 2015
This year’s installment of our beloved Slingshot Festival is fast approaching (March 26-28), and we can’t wait to see this year’s incredible lineup live and in person. Slingshot is an event that forces perspective, whether it’s through the mind-bending electronic art, horizon-expanding films, or worldly and forward-thinking musicians. Though no playlist could do these artists justice, here’s a collection of high-quality songs to give you a sense of just how diverse and talented this year’s acts are.
Juna / Waitress / Monsoon / Howling Tongues at 40 Watt on February 19
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This past Thursday night at the 40 Watt saw a packed, diverse evening of what rock has been up to in the past three decades. It was also the debut event for local startup Aria Promotions, and they did a damn good job – the show was almost sold out.
Opener Juna delivered sludgy, math-intwined boomers. Between the Prozac haze guitar chords, quirky time signatures, and buffet table drumming, they definitely qualify as new members of the emo revival. A few of their meandering guitar noodles seemed ripped straight from a Sunny Day Real Estate record. Despite technical issues at the beginning of the set, they were still able to churn out winding high-passion sonic explorations. Lead singer Hunter Whitehead is probably the most impassioned bassist the Classic City has ever seen, and I was halfway convinced drummer Sasha Schilbrack-Cole was gonna permanently maim his kit. They were also really, really loud – once again, thank the heavens for We’re hEAR For You.
Waitress was up next, and at this point it seemed that the night existed on an exponential \m/(>.<)\m/ graph. They sounded like a Black Flag-Descendents intermediary, and even on their slower, more intricate songs, they still sounded like a metal Dismemberment Plan. Lead Brian McGhee was beyond delightful, basically standing in as a stand up between their ultra-tight songs. He waxed poetic about everything from Clickhole to Cliff Bars, and was charitable enough to tell each of his bandmates just how hot they are. In terms of straight technicality, the night went to drummer Ryan Houchens, who gave me Whiplash if you know what I mean.
But then Monsoon took the stage, and holy SHIT. For just three Athens kids, they made a whole lot of really great noise. Singer and guitarist Sienna was a natural showwoman, prowling and climbing the stage like a feral bilingual lunatic. Their pseudo-Americanized J punk / coked up Beach Boys vibe is something I’ve been searching for my whole life and didn’t even know it. If Clocked were a band, it would be Monsoon. There’s nothing more enjoyable than watching three obvious best friends absolutely weird-out and wreck a set of songs that don’t quite sound like anyone else. I feel like an idiot for not having seen them before, and would now like to publicly swear my undying allegiance to this band.
Then Atlanta’s The Howling Tongues came on amidst smoke machines and a light show that would make Kanye West say, “Dudes, you’re doing a lot.” While a great technical band – they had clearly practiced their set and song changes ad infinitum – they were playing a bluesy brand of rock and roll that’s really not supposed to sound this rehearsed. They were pleasant enough, and on the surface they were great; but they felt an odd choice as city-slicker closers juxtaposed to the earnest, scrappy punk of the Athens bands that opened for them. Some garage rock bands who deal in Rolling Stones riffage fall victim to the uncanny valley of soul vs. precision, and it looks like the Howling Tongues are one such band. Their whole schtick felt too familiar – making a big show of chugging Jack Daniels; songs involving “I’ll give it to you” double entendres; women smoking cigarettes in red dresses. Every “Whassup Athens?!” and “How y’all doin’ tonight?!” platitude felt empty and forced. It didn’t help that lead singer Taylor Harlow asked permission to “play some rock and rooollll” from the audience between every.single.song, and his playful joshing of the crowd’s lack of energy became uncomfortable berating by night’s end. And I wasn’t the only one who noted the irony of the Tongues’ “Ain’t Too Proud To Beg” cover. Basically, this is a group who’s proper to their own detriment, and doesn’t appear comfortable in their own skin. Loosening up would do ’em a lot of good.
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Juna
Monsoon x Vinyl Video
We are all ABOUT some Monsoon over here. One interview in five months is just not enough, so we came back for more.
I met up with Sienna Chandler (vocals, guitar), Scott Andrews (bass, vocals), and Joey Kegel (percussion) backstage before their album release show at the Georgia Theatre (the only venue they hadn’t yet played in Athens) to talk about their upcoming shows, their favorite songs to play live, and – most importantly – their awesome debut, Ride A’ Rolla (stream below)!
WATCH: Monsoon: “Ride A’ Rolla”
Athens-based band Monsoon has released their first official video for their single, “Ride A’ Rolla,” off of their debut album of the same title. The band is known for their punk rock style and released their debut album on Jan. 13, 2015. The video for “Ride A’ Rolla” has an interesting concept as it features a fabulously frantic Sienna Chandler (vocals) running into different rooms – each with a different scenario – full of bright colors and handmade props (pretty legit though).
Scott Andrews (bass and vocals) and Joey Kegel (drums) also are seen in the video as the band boards a plane with some snazzy animation and “crashes” into a body of water with smiling fish. Aside from the video though, Monsoon’s “Ride A’ Rolla” is an infectiously catchy tune, and everyone should jump on the bandwagon.
Check out the video below!