Atlanta Music Guide

CD Review: Courtney Fairchild -- 11 Chances

Courtney Fairchild
11 Chances
Stanley Recordings

By Al Kaufman

In 2006, Courtney Fairchild divorced her husband, left her friends, and moved from her hometown of Dallas, Texas to Philadelphia, Penn. The result was her 2007 album, Quit. The following summer, sequestered in her friend's guest house with huge amounts of bourbon and a high fever, she realized she still had not exorcised all her demons and 11 Chances was born.

CD Review: The Noisettes – Wild Young Hearts

The Noisettes

Wild Young Hearts

Mercury

By Chris Homer

With their second album and debut for Mercury Records, The Noisettes continue their unique blend of soulful pop and electro-dance music. Judging from the five song press sampler of Wild Young Hearts alone, it is easy to see the UK trio’s versatility.

Vocalist Shingai Shoniwa has a powerful voice that brings to mind the style of Atlanta’s own Janelle Monae. She uses it with great success on “Never Forget You,” where swooning orchestral lines mix beautifully with a simmering bass part. The overall effect of the song is like being transported back to the 1960s at the height of soul and R&B. However, The Noisettes aren’t merely imitating this sound, the band still sounds believable when compared to other artists of the past era.

CD Review: Company of Thieves -- Ordinary Riches

Company of Thieves
Ordinary Riches
Wind Up Records

By Eileen Tilson

Oscar Wilde was one of the greatest celebrities of his time. He ran with the upper circles, hobnobbing with the rich through his status of famed playwright. He had an uncanny ability to remain in-tune with his culture and upper-class society, and yet made fun of them in his work. He famously reflected that “Ordinary riches can be stolen, real riches cannot. In your soul are infinitely precious things that cannot be taken from you.”

His words resonated deeply with Chicago-based trio Company of Thieves, whose debut album Ordinary Riches was not only based upon, but their first single, “Oscar Wilde,” is directly dedicated. The band's driving force is to create songs that give a cinematic view of a world full of turmoil, all while trying to reveal the deeper truths. And yet, it is singer Genevieve Schatz’s voice that grabs your attention. “We’re influenced by a lot of different artists,” Schatz adds. “Everything from jazz and Motown to Billie Holiday and The Beatles. Seeing how they expressed themselves helped us to figure out another way to express ourselves in music.”

CD Review: Wilco -- Wilco (The Album)

Wilco

Wilco (The Album)

Nonesuch Records

By Eileen Tilson

Perhaps it’s the fact that there is a camel named Alfred on their latest album appropriately titled, WIlco (The Album), that gives the indication that after 15 years of migraines, drugs, band fights, anxiety and depression, Wilco has finally decided it is time to lighten up. After years of Woe is Me Wilco, Jeff Tweedy has come out with an album that wants to have some fun. This is the seventh album from the band, and rose quickly to their third top 10 album in the U.S. pop charts.

Sam Holt, Sonia Leigh, Stovall and More for Smith's Georgia Theatre Benefit This Wednesday Night!

Smith's Olde Bar is hosting a benefit show for Athens' historic Georgia Theatre, which recently suffered extreme damage from a massive fire. The show is this Wednesday night, tickets are only $10, and you'll be getting some excellent music and the knowledge that you are helping a great institution get back on its feet. There's also supposed to be a rollicking jam at the end of the night.

The final lineup is:
Sam Holt & Friends
Sonia Leigh
SolShakr
I'm Chinese
STOVALL
Bradley Cole Smith & Friends

Music Man--All Grown Up

In September of 2007 I was a panelist at the Atlantis Music Conference in Atlanta. It was basically a session where several colleagues from different labels and I shared with the attendees our knowledge of the industry; everything from what we look for in a band, to how to find a good manager to how not to behave at an A&R panel (e.g. don’t argue with the panelist when they tell you your hybrid of rock and rap is a bit dated).

I’ll never forget looking out into the capacity crowd and noticing a young band sitting on the front row eagerly listening to everything we were saying. I think one of them was actually taking notes. I was struck by how young they looked, and how much they stood out from the majority of the rest of the bands in the audience. There was something different about them for sure.

 After the panel I stepped off the stage and into the seated area to collect demos from the bands that were handing them out. As I was stepping down, one of my colleagues who had refused to accept demos that day said to me, “What? Do you think you’re actually going to find a band out there that will actually be worth listening to?” Maybe.

CD Review: Destroyer -- Trouble in Dreams

Destroyer
Trouble in Dreams
Merge Records

By Micah McLain

Dan Bejar makes unique music - whether it be flawless indie rock as a part of the New Pornographers, challenging avant-garde pieces with Swan Lake or laid-back orchestral pop under the cover of Destroyer. Trouble in Dreams, Destroyer's eighth release on the Merge imprint, picks up right where his previous effort (2006's excellent Destroyer's Rubies) left off. The songs are built up through the use of acoustic guitar with the gradual addition of keys, percussion and electric guitar.

Trouble in Dreams is more of a "studio" album than Bejar usually makes under the Destroyer moniker, as it takes on a much dreamier, layered sound when compared to his earlier work. Bejar continues to employ his impressively lazy drawl, making it sound as if he's simply wandering through the songs draping his lyrics over the sparse drum beats and atmospherics.

CD Review: T Bird and the Breaks -- Learn About It

T Bird and the Breaks
Learn About It

By Al Kaufman

T Bird and the Breaks bring the funk. They bring the soul. The bring the horns, the soul, the swagger, the sweat and everything else that comes with being a 10-piece soul/funk ensemble.

While critics have been drooling over themselves trying to come up with comparisons for Black Joe Lewis to James Brown, Austin bands have been performing the horn-drenched soul/funk thing for years, and T Bird and company are just the latest incarnation. However, after just a year in existence, they have already garnered wide attention in the Live Music Capital of the World, including during their riveting SXSW showcase.  

Team Luis Presents The Bohannons and More @ Star Bar, July 11

We strongly recommend checking out this show at Star Bar on Saturday night. Luis has impeccable taste, and these bands look hot to trot:

Alive Records' Left Lane Cruiser
UK's High Plane Drifters (music featured on "CSI Miami")
Chattanooga's The Bohannons

Texas country punk Restavrant

Black Keys’ Drummer Patrick Carney's New Band Drummer @ EARL, October 16 - Free Song Download

Drummer, the new band from Black Keys' Patrick Carney, is coming to The EARL on October 16, just after the September 29 release of the debut record from the band, Feel Good Together. We have a little taste of what to expect from the album in the form of a free download of the title track, which is available here. And, by the sounds of it, you can expect some nice fuzzy guitars, a good college rock sound, dreamy vocals and, obviously, some great, enigmatic, hypnotic drumming.

The band also has members from Teeth of the Hydra, Party of Helicopters, Beaten Awake, Houseguest and Six Parts Seven. All past drummers. You can buy tickets for The EARL show on Ticket Alternative starting Friday, July 10 at 10 a.m.

Free Download for Today The Moon, Tomorrow the Sun's "Never Always Good (Free Magic Remix)"

It's nearing the end of the week and for many of us it's also getting to that time when we need a little boost to see us unto the weekend. Luckily Atlanta's own Today the Moon, Tomorrow the Sun is here to give us that much-needed shove. That shove comes in the form of a free download of "Never Always Good," remixed by Brooklyn DJ Free Magic. Download the song here.

The band has a ton of Atlanta dates coming up so be sure to catch them lots this summer. They'll be at the Drunken Unicorn July 10, The Graveyard July 18, Star Bar July 23, 529 August 3, and finally back to Drunken Unicorn August 20 (tickets for that gig available here).

CD Review: Dave Daniels -- Just Like Ghosts

Dave Daniels
Just Like Ghosts

By Al Kaufman

Atlantan, by way of Florida, Dave Daniels has a cute little story in the liner notes of his CD. It seems he was arrested for jaywalking and when the jail guard asked him what type of music he played, he couldn't answer him. The angry guard locked him up for the night. Daniels ends his story with this line: "On this record, finally, I can answer him with just one word: American."

A3C's URB Showcase Announced! October 2 @ 529

We've just gotten the lineup for the first showcase of the A3C Hip Hop Festival, coming up this fall in East Atlanta. The URB Showcase will featuring B.o.B. AKA Bobby Ray, Spree Wilson, Buff 1 and Those Chosen, and will take place at 529 on October 2. Tickets for the festival are already available on Ticket Alternative.

CD Review: Elonzo -- All My Life

Elonzo
All My Life

By Eileen Tilson

Dan Bourdeau, drummer for South Carolina band Elonzo, explains that a lot of the inspiration his wife and brother-in-law received in putting together their debut album, All My Life, comes from the post-Victorian home on E. White St. in Rock Hill, S.C., that the three of them live in: “It remains beautiful despite being a bit dilapidated.” This illusion provides the perfect back drop to Elonzo’s sound. Despite the fact that their songs are simple and dripping of sad introspection of a self proclaimed sinner, they are an honest representation of a sweet southern town, in which time seems to stand still.

CANCELED: Vampire Lezbos at Drunken Unicorn on July 8

Tonight's Vampire Lezbos show at Drunken Unicorn has been canceled. No word on whether or not it will be rescheduled yet.

CD Review: Drew Smith -- Drew Smith's Lonely Choir

Drew Smith
Drew Smith's Lonely Choir
Fat Caddy Records

By Al Kaufman

Austinite Drew Smith is everything that's right with CDs, both musically and aesthetically. For the visual sense, this is a gorgeous CD. Dave Schwab's intricate pen and ink drawings are whimsical, and the artistry on the liner notes is brilliant. This is a wonderfully packaged CD.

What is so amazing is that the music is just as great. Andrew Smith is a gifted songwriter who wears his influences on his sleeve. In case you wondered who they are, he opens the CD with the bouncy piano tune, "Nilsson Sings Newman," about a loserish guy who thinks his life will get a little better if he can convince his girlfriend to listen to Harry's album of Randy's songs.

The Tom Collins Reunion, The Minus 5 and More for The EARL

We have a few awesome shows just announced for The EARL that we think are worth bringing to your attention.

First up is the reunion show for The Tom Collins, an Atlanta band who everyone has been waiting to awaken from their slumber. They'll play with Ponderosa on August 21, and tickets are available at Ticket Alternative.

Dark glam rockers Sleepy Sun will be joining Atlanta's NEC on September 5. You can get your tickets here now.

The Fruit Bats will be bringing their twee indie folk rock on September 6. Get your tickets at Ticket Alternative.

And finally, The Minus 5 (yes, that Minus 5, with album guest spots from members of Wilco and The Decemberists) will be touring with current members Scott McCaughey, Peter Buck, Steve Wynn and Linda Pitmon. They'll be stopping in Atlanta on September 27. Check out the marvellous bit of college pop goodness above in the form of the band's video for "Groove Supply." Tickets are on sale on Ticket Alternative now.

Limited Number of $33 A3C Three-Day Passes Available!

We have a limited amount of $33 three-day passes for the upcoming A3C Hip Hop Festival up for sale on Ticket Alternative right now, which get you priority access to many of the shows, as well as early access and entry to other special events, so get them fast before the full-price ones come along.

Cobra Starship @ Vinyl, August 19 - On Sale Wednesday, July 8 at Noon!

Known for their previous associations with Pete Wentz and currently for having Leighton Meester feature on their latest track "Good Girls Go Bad," Cobra Starship have been making waves with some pretty famous friends. But they're keeping their fans of their own accord, with some killer songs grabbing the attention - and keeping it - of many.

The band plays Vinyl with Friday Night Boys, The Plasticines and DJ Skeet on August 19. Tickets will go on sale on Wednesday, July 8 at Ticket Alternative.

Music Man--I've Got Friends (For Now)

I find and develop bands for a major label. People often ask me what a typical day looks like for someone who does what I do. The truth is there isn’t a typical day. Each day is very different from the next, each day is unpredictable…

A couple of months ago I flew to Chicago to meet an artist that a friend of mine told me about. He sent me her music over iChat one afternoon, and I instantly loved what I heard. It took me back to early nineties-era Liz Phair or Sheryl Crow. The attitude was cool, the lyrics (which she also wrote) were mature, and the song itself sounded like something I would listen to regularly. It sounded like something everyone would listen to regularly. He then told me the artist’s age…ELEVEN. I couldn’t believe it. Given the caliber of music I would have put money on her being in her early to mid-twenties with a lot of song-writing under her belt, but nope-ELEVEN. I had to see for myself so I quickly booked a trip to Chicago to meet her and her, well, parents (I can honestly say that this was the first time I met an artist that was interested in working with whose parents were my age). I wasn’t sure what to expect when I got to there, but it turns out she was the real deal. She had a solid voice live, she was a good guitar player, and she had that “it” factor that we all look for, but can’t quite place our finger on what “it” is.