Atlanta Music Guide

New event added: Nina Nastasia

A laste minute show has just been added in Atlanta! Touch and Go artist Nina Natasia will be playing the super cool DIY space 11:11 Teahouse in Atlanta this Saturday, Feb. 2. If you haven't been by the Teahouse before, it's located near Inman Park at 753 Edgewood Avenue NE. The lineup is rounded out by two other great artists: The Landy Vanishes and Long Knives.

Nina is a gifted singer-songwriter based in NYC. She was discovered back in 2000 by famed DJ John Peel (who called her record "astonishing"). Peel then passed on a copy to producer Steve Albini who has worked closely with her ever since.

Get your advance tickets from Ticket Alternative!

Supergrass to release new CD

With a new album entitled Diamond Hoo Ha, a brand new home on Astralwerks in the US SUPERGRASS is back!

After a dozen years, Supergrass (Gaz Coombes–Vocals & Guitar, Mick Quinn–Bass & Vocals, Danny Goffey-Drums & Vocals, Rob Coombes-Keyboard) have rolled back home, and rolled back the years, while marching firmly into the future. “We wanted a record where you got all of Supergrass,” says frontman Gaz of this decisive return to form, “The joy, the intensity, the darkness, the melodies. All of those have always been important to us and still are.”  Hence Diamond Hoo Ha (release date: April 15^th, 2008) an energetic album bristling with hooks to hang your coat off and melodies to lose your shoes to.

For more info visit www.supergrass.com

Panic At The Disco & Avril Lavigne are headed to Atlanta

Panic At The Disco are headlining the Honda Civic Tour, which will be cruising into Atlanta on Saturday, April 26th at the Tabernacle. Supporting Panic are Motion City Soundtrack, The Hush Sound, and Phantom Planet. Tickets go on sale this Saturday, February 2nd at 10AM. For show and ticket information, visit LiveNation.com. Panic's new album Pretty.Odd. hits record stores March 25.

Pop-punkster Avril Lavigne is bringing her Best Damn Tour to Philips Arena Friday, April 18th. She will be joined by special guests Boys Like Girls. Tickets go on sale this Saturday, February 2nd at 10AM. For show and ticket information, visit LiveNation.com. To check out an Atlanta Music Guide review for Boys Like Girls current album, click here.

Eric Hutchinson: Sounds Like This...and That

Eric Hutchinson

By Kim Burdges

You may not know singer/songwriter Eric Hutchinson, much less one of his songs; however, once you hear his album Sounds Like This you will insist that you have heard his sound from somewhere. You have.

Hutchinson’s chameleon-like sound morphs from song to song. On “Ok, It’s Alright With Me” and “You Don’t Have to Believe Me,” he is a young Billy Joel pounding the keys of his piano, while singing his heart out. “Outside Villanova,” he picks up the tempo and banter to echo contemporary Jason Mraz. And, Paul Simon would be proud of the toe-tapping folk hit “Rock & Roll.” Although Hutchinson’s sound is familiar, it is still fresh which makes it so appealing.

“I always try to make music that sounds fresh and new, but also familiar,” says Hutchinson. “I like to think of it as pop music with intelligence or acoustic soul music; just music I believe in.”

Many more are starting to believe in Eric Hutchinson, too, as his popularity begins to rise. He is currently touring with OneRepublic. On January 24, Hutchison and OneRepublic kicked off the 2008 NHL All-Star Weekend with a concert at Atlanta’s historic Tabernacle. Although the crowd was packed, the Q100 generated crowd was more concerned with socializing and hearing One Republic’s “Apologize” than enjoying the impressive musicianship being displayed by both Hutchinson and OneRepublic.

“Taking in one of my shows is a good way to get introduced to me,” Hutchinson says.

He’s right. At his January 24^th show, Hutchinson sneaked on stage wearing a Washington Capitals jersey, showcasing his team’s spirit and fervor for the NHL All-Star weekend. Although he took the stage rather inconspicuously, he soon made his presence known as he delivered an impressive solo-acoustic set. He alternated between piano and guitar, without any accompaniment, singing several songs from Sounds Like This, including “Food Chain” (one of his favorites to perform live), “Outside Villanova,” and “Oh!”. However, he really grabbed the mostly radio-pop audience’s attention with a Justin Timberlake medley of mockery.

Hutchinson cleverly played several of Timberlake’s biggest hits showing how they mostly share interchangeable lyrics and rhythms, in turn illustrating his impressive guitar and singing skills. It is Hutchinson’s ability to play such a wide range of instruments that keep you engaged in his music, even when he is the only one on stage.

“[Playing multiple instruments] gives me more options to a make a show more exciting,” says Hutchinson. “I like a lot of crowd interaction. It’s like being the host of the party; I want to make sure everyone is having a great time.”

Catch Eric Hutchinson’s party on the road with OneRepublic! For more information and show dates, visit Hutchinson’s MySpace.

The Whigs CD Release Show @ The EARL

The Whigs

The EARL

Jan. 25, 2008

By Katie Bricker

It appeared all of Athens made the exodus to The EARL in East Atlanta to check out The Whigs's highly anticipated CD release show for Mission Control.

If you have been to The EARL, then you know how it can quickly turn into a sauna. So, thank God it’s winter otherwise I would have had a heat stroke due to the amount of people that were packed in there.

To be honest, I had never seen The Whigs before going to see them on Friday night, but after their high energy and tight performance, I can safely say that I am fan.

As the band set up and sprinkled the stage with their signature life-size cardboard cut-outs of celebrities with spray painted eyes, fans moved closer and closer to the stage to soak up every inch of their upcoming performance.

When the band finally jumped on stage, I found it nearly impossible to get in close for a shot. But then, they began to play and I understood why everyone was drawn to them. It was truly amazing how much sound they produced as a three-piece. Their songs were filled with hooks, their musicianship was solid and their fans stared up at them with Cheshire cat smiles as they sang along.

It’s rare to see bands that make it look this easy. Their unpretentious approach to their music was refreshing and inspiring to watch. Seriously, if you haven’t seen The Whigs, I highly encourage you to go check them the next time their in town. You won’t be disappointed.

Check out photos from the show here.

MGMT

I know it's been Whigs fever here in Atlanta with their massively successful CD release at The EARL last week plus an appearance on Letterman tonight....but, did you ever wonder what happened to their old bassist, Hank? Well, here he is! Hank has joined the ranks of Brooklyn band MGMT. Just like his Whigs brethren, MGMT had an amazing show at The EARL recently, and they even warmed Letterman's stage not too long ago.

If you are fan of Arcade Fire's anthemic choruses or Flaming Lips' bouncing psychedelia, then you can get into a little MGMT. Oh, and that is "M-G-M-T." Don't call them "Management" 'cause everyone will know you're not really hip.

"Time To Pretend” on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVnRzEjpUmE

Saul Williams adds Atlanta date

Saul Williams will perform at The Loft April 4, 2008 in support of his new Trent Reznor-produced record "The Inevitable Rise and Liberation of Niggy Tardust." Yes, this title has stirred up a fair share of controversy...but don't make any judgements without listening to the tunes first! Tickets for The Loft show go on sale Friday Feb. 1, 2008 at noon.

Listen! "Sunday, Bloody Sunday"- Saul Williams

Lez Zeppelin: Getting the led out

Lez Zeppelin
Emanation Records
By Al Kaufman

It sounds like too much of a gimmick to be any good; four women get together and form a Led Zeppelin cover band. Maybe good for a laugh or two, but that’s about it.

Except these girls rock. Sarah McLellan can croon and caterwaul just as well as Robert Plant. Steph Paynes manages to match Jimmy Page’s guitar note for note, not only technically, but passionately as well. Whether it’s the old time bluesy “Since I’ve Been Loving You” or the straight ahead “Rock and Roll” and “Communications Breakdown,” the girls pack all the fire, fury, and swagger of the ovarian-challenged originals. Their two original instrumentals, the Allman Brother’s influenced “On the Rocks,” and the softer “Winter Sun,” in which Lisa Brigantino’s mandolin recalls Zeppelin’s gentle “Going to California,” demonstrate that these girls are damn fine musicians in their own right.

Yes, they’re fun, but they are also real. Producer Eddie Kramer originally worked with Led Zeppelin (as well as Jimi Hendrix and Kiss), and George Marino, who mastered the CD, also digitally remastered, with Jimmy Page, all the original Led Zeppelin recordings. These are guys who would not sully their names by teaming up with some kind of gimmicky freak show. These are four great musicians who happen to love the testosterone fueled music of Led Zeppelin, and play it with just the right amount of creativity and reverence.

The only real question about them left to ask is, “Will they ever play ‘The Lemon Song’?”

Lez Zeppelin plays at Variety Playhouse on Friday, June 29th. 8:30 pm. $15. Find tickets

Hellogoodbye Review

Hellogoodbye
Zombies! Aliens! Vampires! Dinosaurs!
Drive-Thru Records
By Kim Burdges

If you have misplaced your ultimate 1980s mix-tape, don’t worry Hellogoodbye is to the rescue. In their first full-length album, the southern California quartet has created a blend of power pop ballads fit for any John Hughes or Cameron Crowe coming-of-age movie soundtrack. The breakout single “Here (In Your Arms)” with its swelling electronic score and catchy lyrics captures the excitement and uncertainty of new love. Tracks “I Saw It On Your Keyboard” and “Touchdown Turnaround (Don’t Give Up On Me)” are dance ready hits, in which these California boys are trying everything from heartfelt to comedic lyrics to woo the girl. In “Touchdown Turnaround (Don’t Give Up On Me),” lead singer John Kline proclaims, “little league ’93 taught me how to take defeat/ good thing there’s no mercy rule in love ‘cause I would long be beat”- keeping up with the nostalgic teenage sound of the entire record.

Hellogoodbye breaks from their electronic pop sound on a couple tracks, including “Oh, It Is Love”- in which the synthesizer is released with a mandolin. With or without synthesizer there is no mistaking Hellogoodbye’s California sound. “Oh, It Is Love” and “Baby, It’s Fact” are two great summer songs that could have been unreleased tracks from The Beach Boys Pet Sounds. Zombies! Aliens! Vampires! Dinosaurs! ends on a musically not lyrically mature note with “Two Weeks In Hawaii.” The song is reminiscent of The Postal Service’s electronic pop sound, but with lyrics like “you’ve got Polaroid/ and you even know how to rhyme/ I’d be overjoyed/ if we could just hang out sometime;” the song is rooted in 1989. Whether wanting to muse over first love or looking for a new summer soundtrack, Hellogoodbye has created an album of pure music candy that will have kids of all ages wanting to indulge.

'08: Let's DO this!

Hey this is Elliott from 99X’s Sunday School. I’m gonna be posting stuff on this blog. Wow big deal….I know, right? Well, deal with it. I wanted to drop this first post to say "hey" and highlight some stuff that’s gonna be rad this year. I’m not one for rambling prose and over pontificating, so let get to this:

(In no particular order)

Vampire Weekend:
These dudes like vampires and weekends…sounds good to me. Check them out at The EARL on March 9th with The Walkmen (buy tickets). This album is gonna own you this year.
Vampire Weekend - "A Punk"

The Selmanaires:
Album numero dos "The Air Salesman" drops on January 22nd…it’s awesome. It’s like if the Talking Heads didn’t have all that annoying world music, and they were super rad and from Atlanta. Album release party at The EARL on January 26th (along with Anna Kramer and the Lost Cause whose album slays, too) (buy tickets).
The Selmanaires- "Broken Mirrors In The Mud"

The Whigs:
Apparently January 22nd is killer album release day. "Mission Control" hits stores that day, and they’ll be doing an album release show that Friday at The EARL (buy tickets). Their drummer has 6 arms and is Dave Grohl pt. 2...Esquire magazine said it, so believe it. Check out “Right Hand On My Heart”….it sounds like “Scentless Apprentice,” which means it’s better than everything your little sister likes.
The Whigs - "Right Hand On My Heart"

MGMT:
Some folks have compared these folks to Muse and Mew...Sure, I guess. All I know is that "Oracular Spectacular" sounds good to my ears. That’s all I care about. Check them out with Yeasayer January 18th at The EARL (buy tickets).

No Age:
One of the biggest buzz bands of ’07 hits town with Liars February 14th at The EARL (buy tickets). They recently signed with Sub Pop, so catch them now before your 60-year-old uncle who reads Paste starts asking you about them, and you feel like a loser 'cause your 60-year-old uncle is more on top of his shit than you.

Black Mountain:
Their self-titled album was easily my favorite album of ’05 or ’06...whatever year it came out. They’ve never played Atlanta….'bout times, dudes. The new record "In The Future" is coming out on January 22nd (see, I told you), and if you go to here you can get it early. Thanks, Jagjaguar! Check them out February 15th at the Earl with Blood on the Wall (A+ band name) or in D.C. on February 19th (buy tickets). Here’s a track….it’s like 14 minutes long.
Black Mountain - "Tyrants"

Kate Nash:
OK, so I’m gonna go ahead and say I’ve got a soft spot for attractive British female artists…I mean who the f*ck doesn’t? Her new album "Made of Bricks" just came out and, yeah yeah, she’s on MTV now and all that. So what? She’s cute and writes good songs, and your girlfriend like her, too. No harm no foul.
Kate Nash- "Foundations"

Atlas Sound:
Deerhunter pretty much ruled the school last year. They’re takin’ a little breaky time, which they certainly deserve. Bradford’s not loungin’ in Acapulco, though. He’s got a solo record coming out on Kranky soon, and is playing the Drunken Unicorn on February 19th (buy tickets). Check out his blog there’s a bagillion mp3’s you can download there. No rest for the wicked.

The EARL (buy tickets):
Damn folks, just realized that The EARL has like 10,000 amazing shows over the next few months.
Such as:
High On Fire
Dead Meadow
Bech House
Sons & Daughters
Nicole Atkins
Acid Mothers Temple
Fu Manchu
Clinic
And a ton of local shows that rule the school

Their food is not half bad either.

99X Sinner’s Ball w/ the Black Lips:
Yeah, I know I work there, but this show is gonna be off the rocker. They’re playing at Opera (WTF!?) on February 1st (buy tickets). Sounds like a rager! You can throw beads at the band and hope they don’t swallow them.