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

Blog posts by Gabe Vodicka, Editor

Mothers, Muuy Biien, New Madrid to Play Athens in Austin SXSW Party

Blog: Homedrone

Muuy Biien

The cultural behemoth that is South by Southwest is fast approaching, and once again some of Athens' finest, including Flagpole, have teamed up to present the Athens in Austin day party at The Side Bar (602 E. 7th St.) on Saturday, Mar. 19.

By Gabe Vodicka | March 1, 2016
Michael Stipe Stumps for Bernie Sanders in Rolling Stone Interview

Blog: Homedrone

If you've been hoping that Athens' most famous part-time resident would weigh in on the 2016 democratic primary, wish no longer: R.E.M. frontman Michael Stipe tells Rolling Stonehe is supporting Bernie Sanders for president in a new interview.

Says Stipe:

By Gabe Vodicka | February 26, 2016
Here's a Trippy New New Madrid Video

Blog: Homedrone

Athens rock foursome New Madrid are prepping a new full-length, magnetkingmagnetqueen, which'll drop Apr. 29 via local imprint Normaltown Records. The follow-up to 2014'sSunswimmer looks to expand on that record's subtle psychedelic edge, and new song "Knots" hammers the point home with effects-laden guitar work and a spaced-out vocal delivery from singer Phil McGill.

By Gabe Vodicka | February 24, 2016
Win Tickets: Pylon Reenactment Society Plays 40 Watt Saturday

Blog: Homedrone

The Pylon Reenactment Society plays the 40 Watt Club on Saturday with Dressy Bessy, and we've got a pair of tickets to give away. To enter, tell us why you deserve to go for free in the comments below. We'll choose a winner Friday at 4 p.m.

Read our feature on the PRS here.

By Gabe Vodicka | February 19, 2016
Stream Mothers' Stunning Debut Via NPR

Blog: Homedrone

Photo Credit: Erez Avissar

If any local band is currently Having a Moment, it's Mothers, songwriter Kristine Leschper's solo project turned full-band stunner. After turning heads on tour with of Montreal, taping an NPR Tiny Desk Concert and earning praise from Stereogum, Brooklyn Vegan and other tastemaking blogs, the group is set to release its debut LP, When You Walk a Long Distance You Are Tired, Feb. 26 via Grand Jury.

Now you can stream the album in its entirety thanks to NPR, who premiered it via its First Listen series yesterday:

By Gabe Vodicka | February 18, 2016
Flagpole Premieres: Pylon Reenactment Society, 'Beep' Video (Live at Art Rocks Athens)

Blog: Homedrone

In 2014, Pylon leader Vanessa Briscoe Hay got the idea to assemble a crack cast of Athens musicians to pay tribute to the music of her legendary new wave band. The group, dubbed the Pylon Reenactment Society, played once that year as part of the inaugural Art Rocks Athens event, then again for the 2015 edition.

Now the band—Jason NeSmith, Kay Stanton, Damon Denton, Joe Rowe and Hay—is embarking on a mini-tour alongside E6 associates Dressy Bessy. The two groups will play the 40 Watt this Saturday, Feb. 20. (Check out this week's feature on the PRS here.)

Today we're pleased to premiere the live video for "Beep," filmed at last year's ARA. Check out the clip, produced by the Art Rocks Athens Foundation, below:

By Gabe Vodicka | February 17, 2016
Lil B, Crystal Castles, Ryan Hemsworth to Play Slingshot 2016

Blog: Homedrone

Photo Credit: Sebastian Demian

Lil B

Slingshot, the multifaceted Athens music, arts, comedy and tech happening, returns Mar. 31–Apr. 2, and organizers have just announced a bunch of new music performers, which you can check out on the festival's website.

By Gabe Vodicka | February 16, 2016
Athens Power Rankings for the Week of Feb. 15

Blog: In the Loop

Welcome to Athens Power Rankings. In the spirit of sports rating systems, through painstaking analysis, we rank the top movers and shakers in the Classic City each week. Who's hot? Who's not? Find out below.

Photo Credit: Joshua L. Jones/file

By Gabe Vodicka | February 15, 2016
Wuxtry Celebrates 40th Anniversary Next Month

Blog: Homedrone

Photo Credit: Joshua L. Jones

Crank up the stereo and break out the bubbly: Wuxtry Records will celebrate 40 years in business next month.

By Gabe Vodicka | February 11, 2016
Yes, That Was a Monsoon Song in That Toyota Commercial

Blog: Homedrone

Another day, another Athens band soundtracking a car commercial.

By Gabe Vodicka | February 8, 2016
Athens Power Rankings for the Week of Feb. 8

Blog: In the Loop

Welcome to Athens Power Rankings. In the spirit of sports rating systems, through painstaking analysis, we rank the top movers and shakers in the Classic City each week. Who's hot? Who's not? Find out below.

Photo Credit: John Roark

The six student protestors.

By Gabe Vodicka | February 8, 2016
AthFest is Hiring a Part-Time Event Coordinator

Blog: Homedrone

Photo Credit: Joshua L. Jones/file

The Baseball Project performs at AthFest 2015.

The AthFest Music and Arts Festival is hiring a part-time event coordinator to help plan this year's 20th-anniversary edition, which will take place June 22–26.

By Gabe Vodicka | February 4, 2016
Hear a Bangin' Tune from Eureka California's Upcoming Album

Blog: Homedrone

Photo Credit: Stacey-Marie Piotrowski

Local rock duo Eureka California is gearing up to release Versus, the band's third LP, on Mar. 25 via local label HHBTM Records. Recently, they dropped the album's first single, the fierce, fuzzed-out "Sign My Name With an X." You can stream the track below:

By Gabe Vodicka | February 1, 2016
Powerkompany Celebrates Fever and Chills Release

Blog: Homedrone

Photo Credit: Forrest Aguar / Michelle Norris

Local electro-pop duo Powerkompany have completed a new full-length, Fever and Chills—the follow-up to 2013's I Am More Than This—and celebrates the release of the album, out Feb. 5, with a show at Live Wire Athens on Friday.

By Gabe Vodicka | January 28, 2016
Athens Power Rankings for the Week of Jan. 25

Blog: In the Loop

Welcome to Athens Power Rankings. In the spirit of sports rating systems, through painstaking analysis, we rank the top movers and shakers in the Classic City each week. Who's hot? Who's not? Find out below.

Photo Credit: Joshua L. Jones

Classic City Rollergirls

By Gabe Vodicka | January 25, 2016
14th Annual Robert Burns Concert is Tonight at The Foundry

Blog: Homedrone

Photo Credit: Hana Hay

Nearly 15 years ago, local musician Bob Hay had the idea to dedicate a concert to the memory ofRobert Burns, the 18th-Century Scottish poet. The event took place on Burns Night, Jan. 25, the author's birthday. (The Telegraph has a nice explainer on who Burns was and why Burns Night became a thing.)

By Gabe Vodicka | January 25, 2016
Yes, That Was a Pylon Song in That Lexus Commercial

Blog: Homedrone

Recently you may have noticed, during a commercial break from "Vanderpump Rules"—or whatever it is you watch after work when it's only 6 p.m. but it's already dark out and pissing rain and you just wanna dissolve into your couch with a box of Bagel Bites and a jug of Carlo Rossi and forget about life, man—a familiar song emanating from your television.

By Gabe Vodicka | January 15, 2016
Win Passes to AthCon

Blog: Culture Briefs

By Gabe Vodicka | January 13, 2016
Athens Remembers David Bowie

Blog: Homedrone

To say David Bowie's influence was vast is to understate the significance his music has had in the personal and creative lives of hundreds of millions of people around the world. In our little corner of the globe, he remains a constant presence. Strains of Bowie's work can be heard throughout the history of Athens music: Pylon's throbbing post-punk; the Olivia Tremor Control's psychedelic soul-searching; the B-52s' cheeky pop; of Montreal's androgynous psychodrama.

By Gabe Vodicka | January 13, 2016
My Morning Jacket, Jane's Addiction, Florence and the Machine to Play Shaky Knees 2016

Blog: Homedrone

Americana mainstays My Morning Jacket, reunited '90s alt-rockers Jane's Addiction and English indie-pop sensaton Florence and the Machine will headline the 2016 edition of Atlanta's Shaky Knees Festival, organizers announced today.

By Gabe Vodicka | January 11, 2016