Atlanta Music Guide

Janelle Monae Working on New Music, Touring with No Doubt This Summer

Janelle Monáe has been blogging about the work she's been doing at her Wondaland Arts Society studio. She also mentioned that this summer she'll be going on a tour with No Doubt, among others:

I have always been a big No Doubt supporter, so I am thankful that I was asked to play alongside such an amazing band! Really cool artists like Bedouin Sound Clash, The Sounds, and Paramore will also be on the tour! Can't wait to meet them all!:)

Here are the dates Janelle posted:

6.19.09 (Darien Center, New York) Darien Lake Performing Arts Center w/ No Doubt

6.20.09 (Boston, Massachusetts) Comcast Center w/No Doubt

6.24.09 (Uncasville, Connecticut) Mohegan Sun Arena w/No Doubt

6.26.09 (Holmdel, New Jersey) PNC Bank Arts Center w/No Doubt

6.27.09 (Wantagh, New York) Nikon at Jones Beach Theater w/No Doubt

Win Rockstar Taste of Chaos Tickets!

The Rockstar Taste of Chaos Tour will be rolling into Atlanta on March 19, with bands like Thursday, Four Year Strong, Bring Me the Horizon, Pierce the Veil and Cancer Bats in tow. We have 10 pairs of tickets to give away to the Tabernacle show. Email us at win@ticketalternative.com for your chance to get a pair!

Rumor Alert: Joaquin Phoenix @ Lenny's Tonight!

We're not sure if we should still be calling it a rumor, since it's on Lenny's MySpace page, but tonight we're supposed to welcome into this city, onto Lenny's stage, none other than Joaquin Phoenix. He'll be rapping along side the likes of Yelawolf, Brittany Bosco, Priceless, Young Trimm, Killer Mike, Pill, Gripplyaz, Collective Efforts, Wheeler Boys, and Animal House. Tickets are only $5, which is a bargain without the possible "performance" of Mr. Phoenix.

UPDATE: Aaaaaand we're being told it's, coincidentally, all a hil-ar-ious hoax: http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2009/02/joaquin-phoenixx-in-atlanta.html

Not massively surprising, we say.

CD Review: Golden -- Night Reminds the Day

Golden

Night Reminds the Day

Self-released

By Leila Regan-Porter

Golden makes their mark on the Atlanta music scene by managing to mix up a slew of genres to keep their music constantly interesting. Mostly veering on the side of alternative rock, with Joshua Golden's strong and clear vocals (reminiscent of Train's Patrick Monahan) leading the way. The echoing guitar of Adam Knight frequently gets to shine, leading the band into jam territory, but it's always pulled back just in time to keep the songs focused and succinct; like in the unearthly "Gravity," which goes from airy to heavy and complex in a matter of seconds with Knight's screaming guitar.

Likewise, on "The Giant," moody guitars and stormy drums swirl with ethereal vocals wordlessly resounding somewhere in the background, giving the impression of a storm approaching, as the band comes close to venturing into prog rock. But the band can turn right back around and do a delicately pretty acoustic ballad like "Lauren" just as easily, as well as a country-tinged pop song like "Seventeen Days, dominated by uplifting piano, country fiddle and slide guitar.

On the whole of Night Reminds the Day, the band takes intricate bass, shimmery guitars and sometimes-philosophical lyrics to mix up blues, jazz, country and soul with their solid form of rock, changing sounds and tones all the time, but constantly oozing with passion.

Golden's CD Release Party is tonight. RSVP at party@goldentheband.com to get in!

Network with Local Business Owners at The Meeting Before The Meeting

S&B Business Solutions are hosting a networking event for business owners new and old at Decatur's cozy Carpe Diem. Entrepreneurs can learn about incorporating their business, getting grants, building websites and marketing techniques from folks who are building successful companies. It's a great opportunity to learn as well as meet like-minded people starting or building their own businesses.

There will be live music, hors d'oeuvres, live jazz and wine tasting for all ticket holders. Special guest State Representative Dee-Dawkins Haigler will also attend. Buy your tickets here.

Golden's CD Release Listening Party Tonight!

Atlanta band Golden is having a CD Release Party from their new record Night Reminds the Day (review coming up later today!) tonight at The Warren City Club, which is above the Dark Horse Tavern in Virginia-Highlands. The party is free, but you must RSVP at party@goldentheband.com first in order to be able to attend.

Athens' Pink Floyd Tribute Super-Group Pigs on the Wing at The Loft on April 3

Pigs on the Wing has members from great Georgia bands STS9, Maserati, Cinemechanica, Velveteen Pink, Collective Efforts and more. As if that wasn't enough to perk a local music fan's interest, the group is also a Pink Floyd Tribute. Pigs on the Wing will play The Loft on April 3. You can get your tickets here.

Jay Reatard and Gentleman Jesse & His Men at Lenny's Bar on April 11!

Memphis' best-known mad punk Jay Reatard is coming back to Atlanta on April 11 to play with our own Gentleman Jesse & His Men at Lenny's Bar. Jay has been well-known throughout the region and the country since he was signed to Memphis' famed Goner Records when he was merely 15. Jay's working on new music right now, due to be released later this year. GG King and The Stolen Hearts will also be playing. Get your tickets here now!

Missy Higgins & Justin Nozuka at Center Stage Sold Out!

After moving from Vinyl to larger venue Center Stage, Missy Higgins has sold out her February 27 Atlanta show. She'll be playing with Justin Nozuka, and it promises to be a great show, so if you got a ticket have fun!

Lots of Tickets to Giveaway for Smith's Olde Bar!

We have a slew of tickets to give away from Smith's Olde Bar today, so get emailing!

First up is Rebirth Brass Band with openers Soul Stash, who we mentioned last week are playing an early show for younger fans that same night (tickets for that early show available here). To enter to win tickets to the Rebirth show on February 28, email us at win@ticketalternative.com or buy your tickets here.

Next up is Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers, who bring their Americana flavor to Smith's on March 10. Email us at win@ticketalternative.com to win tickets or buy them here.

Acoustic guitarist Andy McKee plays the following night. To win tickets email us at win@ticketalternative.com or buy tickets here.

Lastly, Sonia Leigh will play on March 14. We have a couple of special competitions lined up for Sonia, with the prize for one being that you can have Sonia Leigh play in your own living room. Simply buy your tickets through Ticket Alternative (here) and you'll be entered to win your own show in your own house! We'll have more on that later, but go and buy your tickets now to be entered to win!

Alternatively, try your luck at winning tickets to see Sonia at Smith's by emailing us at win@ticketalternative.com. If you're not familiar with Sonia Leigh, check out the video above of her being interviewed by Jay Harren for Comcast Bands on Demand, above, just over a year ago.