Went Out On A Whim, Danced My Ass Off!

Last Thursday (October 9th) I was driving home after a long day and as I passed by the Green Room, I saw that Cosby Sweater was playing with local DJ Andy Bruh, and duly noted my night was far from over.

Andy Bruh is an animal – a real bass head who spins those low, juicy beats that rock you to your core and make you whomp around on the dance floor. I first caught him at the Umphrey’s McGee After Party at New Earth Music Hall back in September after emerging from the back room where the Kinky Aphrodisiacs were playing. I posted up in front and got down… way down.

Bruh works hard to deliver notable original content with some great covers and remixes of hard rolling standards. Still developing, some of his transitions aren’t quite there yet, but the quality of what he’s giving his audiences is so good that any (unintended) glitches are immediately excusable. He definitely holds roots in dub step – particularly from industry giant, Bassnectar – but Bruh clearly brings his own unique spin to the music he produces. I fucking love the grumbly lion growl he throws in throughout his sets! I’m looking forward to catching a lot more of him in the future!

I first saw Cosby Sweater in Burlington, VT at Higher Ground‘s Showcase Lounge back in June of 2013 and I must have got hooked on a loose thread, because man did I unravel that night. They throw down a pretty awesome show with a distinctive sound that has only been developing since then. At the Showcase Lounge show, they were still very DJ oriented, with their general feel leaning towards heavy, pounding beats embellished by some gritty sax and live drums. Because they’ve split the roles over three musicians, they are able to take on little more distinctive interaction between the instruments elements and keep more of the music mixing without looping or using prerecorded tracks.

I caught them again at Camp Bisco X (RIP?) and enjoyed a similar sound, but at the Green Room, I noticed a different, somewhat more mature dynamic in the group. These days Cosby Sweater seems to have found a greater balance between its members, giving them much more of a livetronica/jamtronica than they used to have, and it sounds fantastic! The drums (Jeff Peterson) really shine through as an aggressive participant now and the sax (Nicholas Gerlach) takes on lengthy, raging solos on the tenor and the EWI that are an absolute blast. David Embry keeps the energy high with his mixing, production and vocals, and knows just when to bring the energy up and down.

I Can’t Go… But You Should!

Painful as it may be to let something go, sometimes there is no way around it. This week I find myself departing for a week-long adventure to New York and then to Boston for the English Institute at Harvard. While I can’t say I feel I’m making any compromises here, I will be unable to attend some great shows coming to Athens this weekend.

Thus, Sharing in a Groove celebrates the rise of a new segment, which we will call for now “I Can’t Go… But You Should.” In these posts – of which I’m sure there will be many more of as I continue to fill in my schedule – I will bring attention to the events in town I think should be checked out, but that I cannot make. It would be awesome for anyone who takes me up on these suggestions to leave comments about their experience at the show, share pictures, or tell about any other interesting music and arts events they attended that I failed to mention.

First up, on Wednesday, September 18th, The Heavy Pets are playing at New Earth Music Hall with The Fresshtones and the Halem Albright Band. The Heavy Pets have been on my list for a while now, but I recently saw the Halem Albright Band at the Green Room and they were a great time! You can read a review I did on them here. The show is only $5, so it’s a great deal too!

http://blog.newearthmusichall.com

Speaking of the Green Room, another new favorite local band of mine, The Kinky Aphrodisiacs, are playing there on Saturday, September 20th with Andy Bruh and and Robbie Dude. I saw the KA’s and Andy Bruh at the Umphrey’s McGee after party at New Earth a few weeks ago and had a blast! This is not one I would miss if you’re in town. It’s sure to be a raucous and dance-happy time, and it’s fo free! Thank me later, thank the musicians first.

http://greenroomathens.com/calendar

I’ll be sure to update this post if I find more going on, but those are my current highlights. Get out there and share in a groove!

Full House for Myriad

Myriad Interactive Arts & Music Exhibition, previously known as Perennial Fest, experienced a huge turnout this past Tuesday night. New Earth Music Hall was packed; finding a place to stand proved quite a bit more difficult than weeks past. All in all it made for a very different atmosphere, a feeling of being inside an event rather than an intimate open mic. When I say “inside” I mean it! The perception of a barrier between the stage and the audience was broken down, adding to the interactive nature of the event.

Curtis Vorda

American Mannequins‘ frontman Curtis Vorda felt no hesitations jumping down off the stage and strolling through the crowd during their performance. The group, a five-piece  “from Athens, GA… mostly,” started off the evening with a set of expressive and driving rock. While they definitely have a harder edge to their sound, American Mannequins are difficult to pin down. Their music is at once alternative as it progressive, indy, and punk as well. Influences seem to come anywhere from the raw to the exotic, from the heavy and rhythmic to the melodic. They never quite reach a transcendent state, but bring about at times an uplifting sense with their soaring and sweeping melodic capability. The lyrics play a big role in their music, touching on a number of topics on all things cerebral and personal; from growing up, to the dangers of methamphetamine. As he sung, Vorda has an quirky stage presence, somewhat reminiscent of Thom Yorke. Throughout the show he prowled the stage and worked himself into the occasional shaky fit. American Mannequins brought a great energy and set the tone for experimentation with sound for the night (Vorda occasionally plays on a machine that amplifies feedback and frequencies).

Out on the patio, featured artist Marc Lineberger had some of his paintings on display as he worked on a new piece. Watching Lineberger paint was a treat in and of itself. His process feels improvised, on the fly, but at the same time is painfully exacting and calculated, often employing the use of a ruler to get perfectly straight lines and correct measurements. This comes out in his finished paintings as a captivating and divine harmony of the natural, the cosmic, the geometric, and the surreal. If Escher and Dali candy-flipped together and collaborated, Marc Lineberger’s work would be the end result. His sense of fluid in motion throughout the mathematic, interlocking patterns he creates is inspiring, to say the least. Each painting is an adventure, a discovery of a path through the cerebral chaos that permeates the natural world.

The open jam started off with a customary Talking Heads jam before diving headfirst into an evening of super funky, rock oriented, and blues-heavy playing. The turnout for this week’s jam was fantastic! New Earth was teeming with musicians; it seemed like everyone there could play something. The variety was excellent as well! Thrown in the mix were two harmonicas, a trumpet, and a saxophone, and Curt Vorda even jumped in briefly on his noise machine. It was a truly interactive night, with musicians jumping in and out of the jam throughout. You never knew if the person next to you was going to get up and grab an instrument.

This Tuesday’s Myriad was an amazing event! Don’t miss out on next week. See you there!

I even wrote and recorded a poem at the end of the night. Check it out:

Ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-changes!

source: Facebook

It’s worth noting that Perennial Fest has undergone a transformation in the last few days. The weekly event, still held Tuesday nights at 9:30pm at New Earth Music Hall will henceforth be known as Myriad Interactive Art & Music Exhibition.

This week’s exhibition will feature live music from American Mannequins and artist Marc Lineberger as he works on a new creation in-house. Other pieces from Lineberger will be on display and possibly for sale.

An open jam will follow the performances as usual. See you there!

 

9.10.2014 || Greenhouse Lounge w/The Main Squeeze Tickets on September 10, 2014 at New Earth Music Hall in Athens, GA from New Earth Music Hall

Since moving down here to Athens, I’ve seen some DJ’s, and I’ve seen some bands, but it’s time to combine them into that genre that feels so good. I need some of that livetronica! Time to pump up the beat and get some of that ol’ euphoria going.

Greenhouse Lounge of Jacksonville, FL will be bringing the beats to Athens on Wednesday, September 10. Self described as an “electronic musical trio that combines the computer based production of a DJ with rock guitar leads, staggering sample manipulation, [and] heavy analog bass accompanied by a live drummer” (Soundcloud) the group sounds too good to pass up! They will be accompanied by The Main Squeeze.

9.10.2014 || Greenhouse Lounge w/The Main Squeeze Tickets on September 10, 2014 at New Earth Music Hall in Athens, GA from New Earth Music Hall.

It’s at New Earth Music Hall too, so it’s bound to be a good show. This venue has yet to disappoint. I’m bringing my dancing shoes. Hope to see y’all there!

A review will be forthcoming following the event.

 

Perennial Fest V

I am the student of my teacher, and my teacher was a master

Carl Lindberg of Grogus headlined the fifth happening of Perennial Fest on Tuesday night. Attendance down at New Earth was larger than the previous week, with more members of the audience there as viewers and not just participant musicians there for the open jam at the end. Anyone who missed this week should start rethinking their Tuesday nights!

Carl Lindberg, JANKA!

Lindberg’s solo act, JANKA, is a special kind of musical experience. He poured his soul out into his simple, but profound songs, giving the audience what could be the definition of an intimate performance. The depth and consciousness behind his music is a force, not to be reckoned with, but a force of communication and spirituality. It’s earthy, worldly, and matches the pacing of his surroundings, giving it a very natural energy. The heat and the humidity can almost be felt swirling through his songs. “With this,” he says of JANKA, “I can really fulfill my blues entity.”

Adriana Thomas

Sure enough, the music strongly rooted in a blues sentimentality, but there is more to it yet. Images, ideas, and influences were pulled from sources such as “a love poem written by a tai chi master”. His voice is incredible too, and he can wail the blues like on other, with all the rawness bellowing contemplation of an old master. It really shined on his song about a caterpillar’s transformation, roaring at the end, “fly free butterfly fly, fly free!” It cannot go unmentioned that Lindberg can play just about any instrument under the sun. Where did he learn all of this? Well, as he told the audience, “I am the student of my teacher, and my teacher was a master.” Adriana Thomas, host of the event, accompanied Lindberg for a few songs, sitting in on drums.

Ember Fox

Also accompanying the music this week were two dancers. Ember Fox, of Ember Fox Fire Arts showed off her hooping skills, while Bex put on a lovely display twirling cloth and fans. They added a perfect touch to the music, providing very natural and organic motions and visuals.

Bex

The open jam this week went down a bit of a funkier route than last last weeks’s jazzier feel. Aside from the fun of watching the rotating musicians keep up some fairly extended improvisations, there were some nice covers in the jam including some Talking Heads and even a brief “Inspector Gadget” theme. Bartender Andrew, formerly of The Royal Noise also sat in on the congas again.

Next week will feature American Mannequins. Be there!

“In the spirit of creative abundance,” get involved: drithomas@gmail.com

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Perennial-Fest-Arts-Music/956954664330781?sk=timeline

http://www.reverbnation.com/grogus

http://www.emberfoxfirearts.com

http://www.reverbnation.com/americanmannequins

http://www.reverbnation.com/theroyalnoise

 

 

Things Get Kinky

The Kinky Aphrodisiacs at New Earth Music Hall

Upon exiting the Classic Center on Friday Night, there were two main options for after parties: Dank Sinatra and Funk You at the Green Room, or The Kinky Aphrodisiacs at New Earth Music Hall. Little four-up flyers were strewn across the streets and being doled out countless promoters. For yours truly, Dank Sinatra and Funk You were recognizable names from festival lineups over the last few years. It seemed like a good idea; the words “dank” and “funk” beckoning relentlessly. Kinky Aphrodisiacs was a different story. What could it be, a drag show? A freak fest? An orgy?!

Gabe Sugarman

The sudden intervention of one mustachioed man altered the course of the evening, insisting with all sincerity that The Kinky Aphrodisiacs were the choice to make. “They’re kind of like RAQ,” was all the comparison needed to tip the scales in their favor. If a band is similar to a psychedelic progressive group from Burlington, VT, then have to be at least worth checking out. As an added bonus, the after Party at New Earth was free with a Umph’s ticket stub (Green Room was $5).

Ending up again at New Earth was far from a disappointment. This venue is just an awesome place to go listen to music; not once has it been a let down over the last few weeks. Friday night at New Earth was quite a bit fuller than previous visits. There was a regular crowd there, many of whom were recognizable faces from Umphrey’s McGee. On stage, the band was still setting up. They looked like the meant business. New Earth, by the way, plays the best music at set breaks.

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The Kinky Aphrodisiacs are a three-piece based right here in Athens, consisting of a guitar (Ryan Banks), bass (Kyle Denis), and drums (Gabe Sugarman). It doesn’t really get much more simple than that, but simple structuring doesn’t mean simple music. The band describes itself as sounding like “The Beatles one minute, Rage Against the Machine one minute, and Phish the next,” with “solid drumming and driving bass” complimenting “melodic and some times grungy guitar.” They made their way into the jam scene in 2009 and have been staples in the southeast since then, playing solo gigs as well as opening for bigger names names, such as The Heavy Pets.

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Ryan Banks and Gabe Sugarman

Finally set, the three band members took to their microphones and broke into a powerful and spectacularly harmonized vocal opening. The energy produced from this could be felt rising up and out of the three musicians, circling around them and pouring over the audience. Just as the vocal sound bath had begun to subside, they erupted forth into a heavily percussive song introduction. It was aggressive, pounding, anthemic, and yet somehow uplifting; a sign of something magnificent to come.

And was it ever something magnificent! The Kinky Aphrodisiacs took its audience through a rip-roaring set of long, complex, highly composed and energetically-jammed songs that got everyone grooving, moving, jumping and thrashing around. The feel changes up regularly, and the synthesis of sounds could form a list too convoluted to bother with. Their music has the driving danceability of STS9 and the argumentativeness of Lotus, but with a distinctively raw and non-electronic sensibility (moe.?). That’s not all! The Kinky Aphrodisiacs take on a distinctive Southern sound, call it a “nuts and bolts twang” that’ll have you kicking your heels out. It’s a veritable progressive hoedown! Not to mention the guitarist can shred like a ’94 Trey.

Kyle Denis

Not only do The Kinky Aphrodisiacs rage the stage, but they have amazing audience interaction. Throughout the set, they kept up contact and connections with members of the audience, spreading around the energy even more. It made for an extremely intimate, while still high-octane show that had the kind of atmosphere one would hope for at any show. This band is a must-see if you’re in their touring area. They bring something to their music that makes them truly unique and leaves a feeling of friendliness and welcome. I know I will be seeing a lot more of these guys in the future!

The Kinky Aphrodisiacs next play next on 9/5 in Valdosta, GA and 9/6 in Milledgeville, GA. Go see them!

 

 

https://www.facebook.com/TheKinkyAphrodisiacs/timeline

 

 

 

FranAllen Jam V

 

“For those of you who don’t know Mark, he’s a high-in-the-sky hippie.”

As I’ve learned from my friends in Monadnock region of New Hampshire, nothing beats a homegrown jam. The best local bands are always there, throwing down a little extra, and the headiest people in town come together, making for a delightful atmosphere. Good vibes are all around – it’s impossible to NOT be in a good mood.

Saturday night I was a bit down in spirits. I spent the greater part of the day inside, searching through job postings and thinking about my ever-draining bank account. Around 8pm I realized I’d better climb out of the dark hole dug myself into and do something fun. At the Athens Farmers earlier this week (held at Creature Comforts), I picked up a poster for the Fifth FranAllen Jam at New Earth Music Hall which now lay on the table next to me. After staring at the poster for a minute (it’s a pretty cool poster), I decided to go check it out.

Fran Cooper and Mark VanAllen – “FranAllen”

From the website, I learned that the FranAllen Jam is the creation of Fran Cooper and Mark VanAllen, and started out as what may be the most incredible wedding gift ever conceived. The first Jam was a showcase of bands that Mark, a killer pedal steel guitarist, had played and recorded with over the years and took place at a venue called Eddie’s Attic in Decatur, GA. It changes locations from year to year, with the number of acts varying as well. FranAllen Jam would be a benefit for the Athens Farmers Market and the UGA Honey Bee Program.

New Earth is tucked away on West Dougherty St. in Athens. During the day, passersby might not even notice the place exists. When I arrived there however, the patio was scattered with guests and warm light was pouring from the front door. The Jam, which started at 4pm, was well underway, and Wiley Eyes, Kristen Englenz, and the Shane Bridges Band had already played their sets by the time I arrived. I paid $12 at the door – not bad for a whole night of music – and got in just in time for Kick the Robot take the stage.

The inside of New Earth is surprisingly cozy and charming, The walls are covered with pieces from local artists and it the rough wood beam stage and sound booth give it the feel of a barn show. The light rig is phenomenal – they run it like pros – and the sound in the venue is superb. For me, New Earth is a familiar and friendly environment, it reminds me greatly of Nectar’s/Metronome in Burlington, VT, where I spent probably more time than I should have during my college years.

Kick the Robot got the crowd moving right away, throwing down some high-energy tunes. The three piece definitely “kicked the robot” out of their music, keeping it steady-rocking throughout the set. Featuring a hollow body electric guitar, their tone was heavily rhythmic, with great harmonizing on the vocals. As far as comparison goes, think Arctic Monkeys. They were a great band to start on, and they were fun to watch. The most impressive member of the band was the bass player, who was a stellar singer, and was gutsy enough to jump in and rage an impromptu bass solo when technical issues cut their guitar out for a moment. By the time their set was finished, I was in an infinitely better mood and was excited to hear the other bands.

“I love kids, but I’m fucking glad there are no children around.”

 

Before the next band, Greco, Fran and Mark took the stage to make a few announcements, thank the audience and bands for coming out, and even implied intentions to return the Jam to New Earth Music Hall in the spring. Mark then called up “some of [his] best friends ever,” giving introduction to Greco. “First things first,” frontman Johann Greco instructed before allowing the show to begin, “come a little closer.” The band then erupted into a heavy, blues-driven soulful rock. There was even some psychedelic sound in there, in the same sense that the Black Crows can be considered psychedelic.

Greco

I was really impressed with how heavy, but still well rounded their overall sound came off. Some of the beats had the kind of pounding rhythm to them that you’d expect from Audioslave. A little humor was thrown in during a song break, where Johann commented dryly, “I’m glad there are no kids here. I mean, I love kids, but I’m fucking glad there are no children around. I learned later that all the band members are actually brothers, with the exception of the guitarist on Les Paul/acoustic/keytar, who is their stepbrother.

VanAllen on slide pedal

Greco had me dancing hard the whole time, and I was happy to join forces with the one other person there who was doing the same. It’s a crowd activity! Dancing is always better with more people involved. Towards the end of the set, VanAllen joined Greco, sitting in on slide pedal for a few songs that took the band’s tone towards the soulful side of country, but still kept all the power of the rock machine they are. Johan said of VanAllen, “For those of you who don’t know Mark, he’s a high-in-the-sky hippy. He has some burnt-out commune stories.”

Van Allen stayed on the slide pedal to play with his band, Saint Francis, a six-piece group that knows how to put down a serious jam. They have a little funk in them, a lot of hot southern fuzz (think Allman Brothers Band), and the slide pedal adds a really neat element to their sound, providing a distinctive twang. I don’t usually go for the country sound, but they way Saint Francis blends it into their rocking rhythms and generous improvisation was quite impressive. The slide can create some crazy sounds and melodies, ranging anywhere from nostalgia and melancholy, to eerie and downright weird. I have never heard a band like Saint Francis before, and I’m super stoked to have been introduced to them – and at such a cool venue and event too! Notable songs were “Watermelon Man,” which Fran told me always makes her cry, and their classic, “Bubble.”

Saint Francis

To my delight, the last band up was Runaway Gin, a Phish tribute band from Charleston, SC. These guys were great! I’ve seen a couple other Phish tributes, all of whom have their own styles and areas of the music the focus on, but Runaway Gin is the first one I’ve heard that pulls of some great lengthy jams and can segue pretty damn well too. They opened up their set with “Divided Sky,” touched on other popular songs from “Chalk Dust Torture,” to the Ween cover, “Roses Are Free,” as well as a raging “Run Like an Antelope” and a “Tweezer” with a super funky jam. I made a few more friends during this set, geeking out over Phish and dancing around like it was Summer Tour.

Runaway Gin

FranAllen Jam was a blast, and I will definitely go again if they do return in the spring. Otherwise, I found some great new bands to keep tabs on all based right here in Athens. I was a little disappointed to see that the crowd was still relatively small at an event like this, but I still enjoyed myself thoroughly, and the bands played their hearts out regardless. New Earth Music Hall is an awesome venue too and I will definitely be headed back there with some degree of frequency. I am proud to be living in a community with such distinctive and great talent. Cheers to Fran and Mark for putting this together!