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

Blog posts by Gabe Vodicka, Editor

Athens Power Rankings for the Week of May 19

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.

There can be only one.

1. Mayor Denson

Which one will prevail? Tuesday night, we'll finally know.

2. ACC voters

Y'all literally hold the power this week. Do the right thing.

By Gabe Vodicka | May 19, 2014
Listen: murk daddy flex Remixes American Football

Blog: Homedrone

American Football

In what has become a familiar move for second-wave emo acts of late, the Mike Kinsella-led indie outfit American Football recently announced it would be reconvening for its first live shows in a decade-and-a-half. The band's sole, self-titled album is also receiving a deluxe reissue courtesy of Polyvinyl.

A couple weeks ago, local beatsmith murk daddy flex dropped a surprise remix of "The Summer Ends," American Football's aching, snaking second track. (Hear the original here.) Today, the YouTube clip picked up traction, with Polyvinyl shouting it out on the label's Facebook page.

Not a surprise: It's really something. Check it out below:

By Gabe Vodicka | May 16, 2014
I Am the World Trade Center to Reunite for AthFest

Blog: Homedrone

What is this, reunion day?

Townies of a certain age and proclivity for party music will be thrilled to hear that I Am the World Trade Center, the collaborative project of producer Dan Geller (who DJs around town under the name Twin Powers) and vocalist Amy Dykes, will reconvene for a show at this year's AthFest.

IATWTC—which had a brief brush with notoriety after the 9/11 attacks and apparently continues to inspire discussion among conspiracy-theory wingnuts—released three albums of dreamy, danceable synth-pop before calling it quits in the mid-aughts. The band will get back together for a show Saturday, June 21 at the Georgia Theatre (other acts on the bill are upstart synth kidz Programs and hip hop oddballs Turquoise Jeep).

More info below.

By Gabe Vodicka | May 15, 2014
Jason Isbell to Reunite with Patterson Hood, Mike Cooley for Benefit Show

Blog: Homedrone

Jason Isbell (second from right) with Drive-By Truckers circa 2004

Here's a bit of news that should make Drive-By Truckers fans more than a little happy: On Sunday, June 15, songwriters Patterson Hood and Mike Cooley will reunite with former bandmate Jason Isbell for a full collaborative set at the Shoals Theatre in Florence, AL.

Isbell was responsible for some of the Truckers' most beloved songs, including "Outfit" and "Goddamn Lonely Love," butIsbell was responsible for some of the Truckers' most beloved songs, including "Outfit" and "Goddamn Lonely Love," but left the band in 2007 and has since enjoyed a fruitful solo career, appearing publicly with his former bandmates only occasionally. His latest LP, the highly acclaimed Southeastern, chronicled his battles with alcoholism and his budding relationship with now-wife Amanda Shires.

By Gabe Vodicka | May 15, 2014
Athens Joins the BandSwap Program in 2014; Here's How to Apply

Blog: Homedrone

This year, Athens joins the growing number of cities—including Portland, OR, Lafayette, LA and Charleston, SC—that participate in BandSwap, a program that pairs one up-and-coming band from each host city with a group from the organization's home base of Fort Collins, CO for a blowout show in the local band's hometown.

In our case, said show will happen at the 40 Watt Club in September. In addition, all BandSwap bands will travel expenses-paid to Colorado for the BandSwap Homecoming festival the first weekend in October.

Throughout the process, BandSwap will provide networking and educational opportunities, as well as marketing materials for each event and a sizable stipend for each band member.

Flagpole has been tasked with choosing this year's Athens BandSwap band, and we're opening the application process up to local musicians. If you're in a band, and the program seems like something you'd like to participate in—and everyone in your group will be able to carve out several days to travel to Colorado this fall—shoot an email to[email protected] by Wednesday, May 28 with the subject line "BandSwap application."Please include your band's name, a brief bio, a photo and links to any music/videos you have streaming online.

Feel free to include any questions you have about BandSwap or the application process. We'll choose Athens' BandSwap representative June 1 and notify the winner shortly thereafter.

Check out this informational video:

By Gabe Vodicka | May 14, 2014
The Coathangers, Axxa/Abraxas, murk daddy flex, Shade to Play Flagpole's AthFest Showcase

Blog: Homedrone

The Coathangers

AthFest takes over downtown Athens June 18–22, and many of the musical performers—including Reptar, Kishi Bashi, Drivin' N Cryin', Futurebirds, New Madrid, Dead Confederate and Family and Friends—have already been announced. Now, Flagpole is thrilled to reveal the lineup for our Friday, June 20 showcase at the 40 Watt Club.

By Gabe Vodicka | May 14, 2014
Hear a New Song from Reptar

Blog: Homedrone

It seems like forever since we've heard new music from the local synth-pop miscreants inReptar. A quick check reveals that Body Faucet, the group's Vagrant debut (Flagpole review), came out a whole two years ago. That is, indeed, an eternity.

So it came as a pleasant surprise when member William Kennedy posted a link to the band's SoundCloud page on his Facebook page with the following comment:

wowwwweeeeee reptar's got some new musak yall fer de first time in a sec! the A-side of a soon to be released 7" on Quality Faucet Records its gonna be super k00l listen now

You heard the man. Stream the dense, magnetic "Daily Season" after the jump.

By Gabe Vodicka | May 8, 2014
The Flagpole Athens Music Awards Ballot is Live; Watch the Music Video Nominees

Blog: Homedrone

This year's Flagpole Athens Music Awards ballot is live, and you can vote until May 30. After the jump, check out the nominees for Best Music Video.

By Gabe Vodicka | May 6, 2014
Tonight in Athens: DubConscious, Nurture

Blog: Homedrone

Dubconscious

A couple shows to get all excited about tonight. Start squirmin' after the jump.

By Gabe Vodicka | May 6, 2014
Flagpole Heads to Shaky Knees This Weekend

Blog: Homedrone

Modest Mouse

This weekend, Friday, May 9–Sunday, May 11, the Shaky Knees Festival takes over Atlantic Station, the monolithic live-work-play development on the edge of Midtown Atlanta. It's the fest's first year in the current location, which will up its capacity by several thousand and no doubt increase its visibility in the region and beyond. (Read an interview with Shaky Knees founder Tim Sweetwood over at Creative Loafing.)

The ante has been appropriately upped when it comes to the lineup, too: Alongside indie rock heavyweights Modest Mouse, The National, The Hold Steady, Alabama Shakes and Spoon sit perennial oldster faves like the Violent Femmes and the reunited Replacements. (Several bands with Athens ties will perform at the fest and/or its associated afterparty shows, too, including Reptar, The Whigs and New Madrid.)

Peep the full lineup, much of which skews toward the increasingly overarching "Americana" genre, here. Headed to the fest? After the jump, check out our primer, where we list a few of the undercard acts you'd be a fool to miss.

By Gabe Vodicka | May 6, 2014
Athens Power Rankings for the Week of May 5

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.

By Gabe Vodicka | May 5, 2014
Win Tickets: M. Ward, Mount Moriah Play 40 Watt Monday

Blog: Homedrone

M. Ward

It's a Merge two-fer tonight at the 40 Watt Club, where revered Pacific Northwest folkie M. Ward and Carolina alt-country act Mount Moriah will perform. We've got a pair of tickets to give away. To enter, tell us in the comments after the jump why YOU deserve to go for free. We'll choose a winner today at 4:30 p.m.

By Gabe Vodicka | May 5, 2014
Watch a Warm and Fuzzy New Video From the Warm Fuzzies

Blog: Homedrone

Photo Credit: Mike White

The unabashed Weezer fanatics that make up local power-pop band The Warm Fuzzies craft hook-heavy tunes that are, well, pretty true to the group's name. So it should come as no surprise that the video for "Oregon," a track from the Fuzzies' brand new album, Extinction, is pretty dang warm and fuzzy.

See for yourself after the jump.

By Gabe Vodicka | May 2, 2014
Win Tickets, T-Shirt, CD: Bear Hands Plays Melting Point Sunday

Blog: Homedrone

New York City indie rockers Bear Hands play Melting Point Sunday, May 4 with local upstartsDana Swimmer, and we've got a bunch of stuff to give away to one of y'all lucky ducks. In addition to a pair of tickets to Sunday's show, the winner will receive a Bear Hands T-shirt and a copy of the band's new album, Distraction, on CD.

To enter, tell us in the comments after the jump why YOU deserve this veritable swag bag. We'll choose a winner Sunday at 4 p.m.

By Gabe Vodicka | May 1, 2014
Elf Power, New Madrid, Dead Confederate, Roadkill Ghost Choir, More Confirmed for AthFest

Blog: Homedrone

Photo Credit: Colin Murphy

New Madrid

The second wave of AthFest artist announcements went out today, following the revelationat the beginning of this month that Reptar, Kishi Bashi and Drivin' N Cryin' would headline the festival's outdoor stage and Futurebirds would play Saturday, June 21 at the 40 Watt Club.

In addition to those acts, Elf Power, Dead Confederate, New Madrid, Radiolucent, Seven Handle Circus, Family and Friends, Judah & The Lion, Roadkill Ghost Choir, Ike Stubblefield, David Barbe & The Quick Hooks, The Woodgrains and Brothers will all perform during the fest, which happens June 18–22.

Check the promo video after the jump.

By Gabe Vodicka | April 29, 2014
Will Johnson Living Room Show Rescheduled For May 5

Blog: Homedrone

Photo Credit: Matt Pence

Intimidatingly bearded Centro-matic frontman Will Johnson returns to Athens Monday, May 5 as part of his current Living Room Show tour. The show makes up for a February date Johnson was forced to cancel due to a death in his family.

As of this writing, there are 25 tickets left for the concert, which takes place at an undisclosed-to-non-ticket-holders Athens residence at 8 p.m. Go grab you one via Undertow.

By Gabe Vodicka | April 29, 2014
Watch the Trailer for the New of Montreal Documentary

Blog: Homedrone

Filmmaker Jason Miller's long-awaited, Kickstarter-funded of Montreal documentary, formerly known as Song Dynasties but now titled The Past is a Grotesque Animal, will see release this summer. The film, which Pitchfork reports will be available on iTunes and other digital platforms on June 24, screens locally at Ciné on Friday, June 27.

Check the trailer after the jump, and read our October 2013 feature on of Montreal.

By Gabe Vodicka | April 29, 2014
Sprockets Music Video Fest Deadline Wednesday

Blog: Homedrone

Here's your friendly reminder that the final deadline for submission to this year's Sprockets Music Video Festival, which happens July 18–19 at the 40 Watt Club, is this Wednesday, Apr. 30.

More details can be found on the Film Athens site.

By Gabe Vodicka | April 28, 2014
Tonight in Athens: Woggles, Americana, Megafauna

Blog: Homedrone

Megafauna

There's a whole lot of live music happening this weekend, as the Twilight Criterium returnsand Creature Comforts makes its debut. Kick things off tonight with one of three Flagpole-approved happenings. Or, hell, go to all three!

Info and music after the jump.

By Gabe Vodicka | April 25, 2014
Win Tickets: Girl Talk, MGMT Play Party in the Park

Blog: Homedrone

By Gabe Vodicka | April 24, 2014