Authors | Flagpole Magazine | Athens, GA News, Music, Arts, Restaurants

Blog posts by Dan Mistich

Q&A: Lee Bains III Talks Trump, Resistance and the Southern Thing

Blog: Homedrone

Photo Credit: Wes Frazer

Lee Bains III (left) and his band.

There are plenty of progressive, thoughtful bands from the South, but few have the fury of Lee Bains III & the Glory Fires. Following in the tradition of the Drive-By Truckers, who mused about the “duality of the Southern thing,” for the Glory Fires' 2014 release, Dereconstructed, the band brought hellfire and guitars along with meditations on the Civil Rights Movement and how the South is implicated in American history, warts and all.

In anticipation of their follow-up of Dereconstructed (due later this year on Don Giovanni Records), Bains and company bring their ethically infused rock and roll fireworks to the Caledonia Lounge on Thursday, where they’ll be joined by Athens mainstays Five Eight and T. Hardy Morris.

By Dan Mistich | January 25, 2017
Live Review: Jason Isbell and Will Johnson at Georgia Theatre

Blog: Homedrone

Photo Credit: Sean Dunn

It was little surprise that Jason Isbell sold out three consecutive nights at the Georgia Theatre last week. After his meteoric rise following his move to Nashville, Isbell has become a household name among those who consume popular music outside of Top 40 charts. It certainly didn’t hurt that he had former Centro-matic frontman Will Johnson in tow.

By Dan Mistich | December 5, 2016
Q&A With Former Centro-matic Frontman Will Johnson

Blog: Homedrone

Photo Credit: Matt Pence

It’s not unfathomable that a currently inactive band like Centro-matic can have its legacy positively—and constantly—reconfigured in our digital age. Thanks to recently tweeted endorsements from artists like Jason Isbell, the indie darlings from Denton, TX are experiencing something of a renaissance, despite disbanding in 2014. Frontman Will Johnson is keeping his former band’s brand of rock and roll abstraction alive through contemplative solo releases and incessant touring. Johnson takes a break from an Undertow Music-endorsed living room jaunt around the U.S. to perform at Normaltown Hall on Sunday, Oct. 9.

By Dan Mistich | October 4, 2016
Live Review and Photos: Built to Spill, Hop Along, Alex G at Georgia Theatre

Blog: Homedrone

Photo Credit: Sean Dunn

Built to Spill

Sometimes, it takes a while. This statement might be something of a mantra for Built to Spill, the perennially under-appreciated indie band (by virtue of its sonic aesthetic, not its business practices, of course). Now performing live as a three-piece, the Boise, ID-based group proved that less is, if not more, plenty sufficient to captivate a nearly sold-out crowd at the Georgia Theatre Saturday evening.

By Dan Mistich | September 27, 2016
Q&A With Lera Lynn

Blog: Homedrone

Photo Credit: Alysse Gafkjen

A onetime fixture on the Athens scene, Lera Lynn left town several years ago to pursue opportunities elsewhere. It’d be hard to argue that it hasn’t paid off. After connecting with Americana guru T-Bone Burnett, Lynn found herself acting on season two of “True Detective,” playing a unnamed bar singer opposite superstars Vince Vaughn and Colin Farrell. Several of her songs were also featured on the HBO show’s soundtrack. This month, she’ll release her fourth studio album, Resistor. She returns to Athens Wednesday, when she’ll headline the Georgia Theatre.

By Dan Mistich | April 11, 2016
Q&A With Sparklehorse-Documentary Filmmakers Bobby Dass and Alex Crowton

Blog: Homedrone

Mark Linkous

Few artists maintain the kind of haunting mystery after their passing like Sparklehorse’s Mark Linkous. Much like Athens’ Vic Chesnutt, Linkous suffered bouts of severe depression and paralysis before committing suicide in 2010. To celebrate Linkous’ life, British filmmakers Bobby Dass and Alex Crowton directed The Sad and Beautiful World of Sparklehorse, which screens at the 40 Watt on Tuesday.

Flagpole caught up with the filmmakers and Angela-Faye Martin, a singer-songwriter with close ties to Linkous, to discuss the film and Sparklehorse’s legacy.

By Dan Mistich | April 4, 2016
Q&A With Asleep at the Wheel Frontman Ray Benson

Blog: Homedrone

Photo Credit: Wyatt McSpadden

Formed over four decades ago in Paw Paw, West Virginia, Asleep at the Wheel has been introducing Western swing to audiences around the world through a relentless touring schedule. Most recently, the band released Still the King, a tribute record to Bob Wills and The Texas Playboys, which features contributions from many country music legends and newcomers in the genre. And yesterday, that album took home the Grammy award for Best Recording Package.

Flagpole connected with the band’s leader and founder, Ray Benson, over email to answer a few questions about the band’s history and their stop in Athens at The Foundry this Friday, Feb. 19.

By Dan Mistich | February 16, 2016
David Lowery Is Suing Spotify for $150 Million

Blog: Homedrone

Photo Credit: Jason Thrasher

As you might’ve heard by now, Cracker and Camper Van Beethoven frontman David Lowery is the lead plaintiff in a class-action lawsuit against music streaming service Spotify seeking $150 million.

By Dan Mistich | December 30, 2015
Q&A With Billy Bob Thornton and J.D. Andrew of The Boxmasters

Blog: Homedrone

Billy Bob Thornton is best known for his work in film, but he has a long musical history, too. His band The Boxmasters is currently touring behind a couple of new records, including Providence, recently released via the group's website. Flagpole caught up with Thornton and his bandmate J.D. Andrew in advance of Tuesday's show at the Georgia Theatre.

By Dan Mistich | August 24, 2015
Q&A With the Method Actors' Vic Varney, Playing Flicker Thursday

Blog: Homedrone

Songwriter Vic Varney is known to Athenians for his work with post-wave punks The Method Actors. Since his time in Athens, he has focused on a solo songwriting career. The New York City resident plays Athens for the first time in over a decade on Saturday, Jan. 31, when he takes the stage at Hendershot's.

Flagpole caught up with Varney for a chat.

By Dan Mistich | May 12, 2015
2015 Shaky Knees Festival in Review

Blog: Homedrone

Photo Credit: Joshua L. Jones

Friday, May 8

It didn't take long to get my bearings at Atlanta’s Central Park, the location of this year’s installment of the Shaky Knees Festival. That was a huge bonus, though there were choices to be made, as acts performed simultaneously on multiple stages throughout the weekend.

By Dan Mistich | May 11, 2015
Q&A With Dweezil Zappa, Playing Georgia Theatre Wednesday

Blog: Homedrone

For the last decade, Dweezil Zappa has toured with his Zappa Plays Zappa project, which celebrates the music of his late father Frank. The group hits Athens this Wednesday, May 6, for a show at the Georgia Theatre. Flagpole caught up with Dweezil for a phone chat.

By Dan Mistich | May 4, 2015
Q&A With NPR Music Critic Ann Powers

Blog: Homedrone

Adding to all of the hoopla surrounding the Drive-By Truckers' homecoming residency at the 40 Watt this weekend, NPR Music’s Ann Powers makes a stop in town Thursday to have a public chat with DBT frontman Patterson Hood. Flagpole caught up with Powers via email to talk about her appearance on campus, the role of a critic in today’s media environment and the Athens scene right now.

By Dan Mistich | February 10, 2015
Q&A With Lilly Hiatt

Blog: Homedrone

Photo Credit: Gregg Roth

Lilly Hiatt has steadily made quite a name for herself over the last few years, gigging steadily since the release of her 2012 debut LP, Let Down. The Nashville-based songstress releases her sophomore album, Royal Blue, on Mar. 3 via Athens' Normaltown Records. Hiatt playsHendershot’s on Friday, Feb. 6 with her band, The Dropped Ponies.

Flagpole caught up with Hiatt for a chat.

By Dan Mistich | February 3, 2015
Live Review: Centro-matic at Georgia Theatre

Blog: Homedrone

Photo Credit: Sean Dunn

The sizeable crowd at the Georgia Theatre last Friday included more than a few highly regarded local musicians and music industry insiders, many of whom had been in the Classic City for decades. Both in quantity and quality, Centro-matic had a fine crowd for its final Athens show.

By Dan Mistich | December 9, 2014
Five Essential Centro-matic Recordings

Blog: Homedrone

Also: Read our feature on Centro-matic, which plays the Georgia Theatre Friday, Dec. 5 as part of the band's farewell tour.

By Dan Mistich | December 3, 2014
Q&A With Howe Gelb

Blog: Homedrone

Photo Credit: Jane Mingay

Arizona-based musician Howe Gelb is no stranger to Normaltown Hall. He’s made a couple of visits to the cozy venue since his last record, The Coincidentalist, was released on New West. The enigmatic songwriter will enjoy an extended stay in the Hall this week, playing there Nov. 19 & 20, with Wednesday’s show featuring Mothers and Don Chambers performing Thursday. Both nights will also feature Grant-Lee Phillips.

Flagpole caught up with Gelb via telephone.

By Dan Mistich | November 17, 2014
Live Review: Big Star's Third on College Square

Blog: Homedrone

Photo Credit: Randy Schafer

Total obscurity seems unlikely for any band in our increasingly archived world. For the Memphis-born Big Star, though, that very fate seemed inevitable for quite a long time. Thanks to the hard work of UGA’s Willson Center for the Arts and Humanities and the Slingshot Festival, plus the help of star-studded guests from Athens and beyond, the band's legacy was kept alive on College Square Saturday evening.

By Dan Mistich | November 10, 2014
Win Tickets: Q&A With Emerson, Lake & Palmer's Carl Palmer, Playing Melting Point Friday

Blog: Homedrone

Drummer Carl Palmer is a key figure in the story of progressive rock, most notably for his work with the supergroup Emerson, Lake & Palmer. He plays the Melting Point Friday, Nov. 7 with his current project, Carl Palmer's ELP Legacy, which celebrates the music of his most well-known outlet.

We've got a pair of tickets, as well as a meet-and-greet with Palmer, to give away to one lucky commenter. To enter, tell us below why you deserve the prize package. We'll choose a winner Friday at 2:30 p.m.

Flagpole caught up with Palmer for a telephone chat.

By Dan Mistich | November 6, 2014
Natural Child Talks Music Row, 'Dumb and Dumber To'

Blog: Homedrone

Nashville is best known for Music Row-style country, but a burgeoning indie rock scene has been attracting national attention of late. Peace-punkers Natural Child are just one of the many bands from that contingent that have been tearing up the road with constant touring across the U.S. and the world.

By Dan Mistich | November 2, 2014