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

Blog posts by Gabe Vodicka, Editor

Win Tickets: Toro Y Moi Plays 40 Watt Tonight

Blog: Homedrone

South Carolina native Chaz Bundick, aka Toro Y Moi, plays the 40 Watt Club tonight with Classixx, and we're giving away a pair of tickets. To win, comment after the jump with why YOU deserve to go for free. We'll choose the best answer at 4:30 p.m. today.

By Gabe Vodicka | October 17, 2013
Elf Power's Bryan Poole Talks Guns on Illinois TV News

Blog: Homedrone

So, here's a funny thing. Yesterday, Champaign-Urbana, IL ABC affiliate WICD NewsChannel 15 ran a story on Urbana's gun laws and how they conflict with from those of the neighboring Univeristy of Illinois and the presumed wacky hijinks that could ensue once the city's concealed carry law goes into effect.

The "person on the street" giving his two cents is none other than Bryan Poole, aka the Late BP Helium, Elf Power guitarist and friendly Athens fella. Seems that Poole, "pedestrian," was wandering the streets prior to the Neutral Milk Hotel/Elf Power show in Urbana and was stopped by the news crew, who were no doubt drawn to his scruffy facial hair and impish aura.

Poole's sage advice? "Seems like it could be very confusing. The first thing that comes to mind is maybe they could put signs up."

Watch the clip here.

By Gabe Vodicka | October 16, 2013
Kevin Barnes Shows Off His Dong (Again) In the New of Montreal Video

Blog: Homedrone

Photo Credit: Jason Thrasher

of Montreal. Not pictured: Dong.

In Flagpole music writer Christopher Joshua Benton's cover story on of Montreal this week, he makes reference to the band's 2007 Las Vegas show where frontman Kevin Barnes performed entirely nude. (Pics here if you want proof and/or are looking for a quick way to get fired.)

Well, it seems Barnes is up to his old weiner-barin' tricks once again. The new Nina Barnes-directed video for "Fugitive Air," the first single from of Montreal's excellent new album Lousy with Sylvianbriar, features Barnes and singer/bandmate/muse Rebecca Cash goofin' around with some psychedelic colors and costumes and paint and oh who the hell cares about all that the whirlin' dongle shot is at 0:34 go ahead and point your clicker there.

Watch the NSFW clip after the jump:

By Gabe Vodicka | October 16, 2013
Red Bull Tour Bus Hits Athens Tuesday

Blog: Homedrone

The Red Bull Tour Bus, a roving, sugar-and-taurine-powered display of musical talent that is literally a tour bus with a stage built into it, will stop in Athens tomorrow, when it will set up shop outside the 40 Watt Club on West Washington Street downtown. The show will feature four acts and start promptly at 6 p.m.

From the press release:

By Gabe Vodicka | October 14, 2013
Athens Power Rankings for the Week of Oct. 14

Blog: In the Loop

Photo Credit: Jason Thrasher

of Montreal

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 | October 14, 2013
Win Tickets: Vintage Trouble, Futurebirds in Nashville this Friday

Blog: Homedrone

Futurebirds

If you're headed to Nashville to take in the sights, sounds and smells of the UGA-Vandy game this weekend, your time in Music City just potentially got a whole lot cooler.

By Gabe Vodicka | October 14, 2013
Six Things to Do This Weekend

Blog: Culture Briefs

1. Getcha art on at GMOA!

2. See Black Rebel Motorcycle Club at the 40 Watt Friday night.

3. Avoid the tailgaters by heading a few miles north to enjoy cross-cultural food, fun and art at the fourth annual LatinoFEST, which is being held this year out at J&J Flea Market Saturday.

More after the jump.

By Gabe Vodicka | October 11, 2013
Guitar Center to Open in Oconee Nov. 7

Blog: Homedrone

Longstanding rumors have proven to be true: Guitar Center, that monolith of modern musiciandom, will open an Athens-area location Nov. 7.

The store, which will be located on the Oconee Connector in the new Epps Bridge Centre development that also houses a Gap outlet, a megaplex and a bunch of other chain-y type stuff, will celebrate its existence Thursday, Nov. 7 at 7 p.m. with a Grand Opening shindig featuring equipment sales, freebies and a performance from Atlanta Americana outfit The Deadfields.

By Gabe Vodicka | October 11, 2013
Win Tickets: Black Rebel Motorcycle Club Plays 40 Watt Tonight

Blog: Homedrone

California rockers Black Rebel Motorcycle Club play the 40 Watt tonight, and we've got a pair of tickets to give away. To win, tell us after the jump why YOU deserve to go for free. We'll choose the best answer and award the tickets at 4:30 p.m. today.

By Gabe Vodicka | October 11, 2013
New Videos: T. Hardy Morris, Powerkompany

Blog: Homedrone

T. Hardy Morris and T. Hardy Morris

Here are two new music videos—excuse me, one new music video and one new music film—for your viewing plej.

The "music film" (seems a tad precious, but it was shot on film, so I guess it's OK) comes courtesy of local songwriter T. Hardy Morris and Austin, TX-based website Transistor Six. It accompanies the title track from Morris' recently released solo LP; the Super 8-shot clip is a nice analogue (get it?) to the warm, nostalgic tune.

By Gabe Vodicka | October 11, 2013
Here's a Photo From Last Night's Aaron Carter Show

Blog: Homedrone

Presented without comment.

By Gabe Vodicka | October 11, 2013
Peter Buck On Life After R.E.M.

Blog: Homedrone

It seemed like everything occurred at once. I remember I felt really sorry for myself for a day or two, and then I thought, well, this is bullshit. I have got a million friends; if I was broke I could just call them and stay on their couches for 10 years. I still have whatever ability I had, which isn’t a lot. I’ve got great family, great friends. You know, I don’t have to work for a reason; there’s no need.

I love those songs. But I never want to play “Losing My Religion” again. “Man on the Moon,” it’s a great song. But it’s five minutes long and I’ve played it a couple thousand times.

—From a very long Salon interview with Peter Buck, which the former R.E.M. guitarist (playing the 40 Watt on Thursday, Nov. 14) hints will be his last.

By Gabe Vodicka | October 10, 2013
Tonight in Athens: Jason Isbell, Calvin Love, Fuzz

Blog: Homedrone

Fuzz

There are a whole lot of jams being kicked out tonight, starting over at the Georgia Theatre, where Jason Isbell will return to town and play a set of songs heavy on material from his latest album, Southeastern. Read our feature story on Isbell.

More, including Ty Segall's new band, after the jump.

By Gabe Vodicka | October 9, 2013
New of Montreal Out Today, Kevin Barnes Does Reddit AMA

Blog: Homedrone

Lousy With Sylvianbriar, the very good, garage-y new album from local psych-pop crew of Montreal, is out today via Polyvinyl. (Hear a track from the record here.) It's available on CD and LP and digital download (and also via Spotify and Soulseek and all those other quasi-legal outlets if you don't feel like paying but don't tell anyone).

More after the jump.

By Gabe Vodicka | October 8, 2013
Win Tickets: Dawes Plays Georgia Theatre Tuesday

Blog: Homedrone

SoCal soft-rockers Dawes play the Georgia Theatre Tuesday, Oct. 8, and you can win a pair of tickets by commenting after the jump. Just tell us why YOU deserve to go for free. We'll choose a winner Tuesday at 4:30 p.m.

By Gabe Vodicka | October 7, 2013
Q&A With Angel Olsen, Playing Normaltown Hall Tuesday

Blog: Homedrone

Someone needs to get Angel Olsen's parents to kiss at the Enchantment Under the Sea dance, and fast!

When Flagpole caught up with Olsen last week, she was wrapping up a rehearsal in Chicago with her new band, which will back her at her Normaltown Hall appearance Tuesday, Oct. 8. Talking over the traffic on Milwaukee Avenue, amidst professions of adoration for her adopted hometown and Esoteric Tapioca, she discussed her writing process and the unexpected freedom that comes with being a touring musician.

Interview after the jump.

By Gabe Vodicka | October 7, 2013
Six Things to Do This Weekend

Blog: Culture Briefs

1. Go see Flagpole cover models Futurebirds as they return to town to play the Georgia Theatre Friday.

2. Or, head to the 40 Watt to catch new Athens resident Kishi Bashi.

3. Nuci's Space celebrates its 13th anniversary with a shindig Friday evening.

More after the jump.

By Gabe Vodicka | October 4, 2013
Photo Gallery: Mercyland Live in 1990

Blog: Homedrone

Athens punk legends Mercyland play the 40 Watt tomorrow night for what is the band's first "official" show in over 20 years. Read our feature on the David Barbe-led band.

After the jump, check out a gallery of Mercyland photos sent in by reader William Pitcher.

By Gabe Vodicka | October 4, 2013
Flagpole Premieres! Hand Sand Hands: 'Before Home' Video

Blog: Homedrone

Hand Sand Hands, the experimental pop project from local guy Jonathan Miller, releases its debut LP, Lord of Talk, on Oct. 12. (You can stream the whole thing here.) Today, we're excited to premiere a video for one of the album's tracks, the distorted, skittering "Before Home."

Stream the video after the jump.

By Gabe Vodicka | October 3, 2013
Here's Even MORE Footage of Athens in the '90s

Blog: Culture Briefs

Three means it's a trend, right?

Granted, the above video has been online for several years; still, it's worth a watch in the wake of those other recent discoveries. Uploaded by YouTube user Chip Woods and titled "Driving Through Athens - 1991," is, for the first couple minutes, exactly what the title suggests.

But then it shifts gears, and there's something about the overwhelming silence, coupled with the bird's eye view of a downtown street, the impossibly '90s parking-deck graffiti (sample: "YOU HAVE NOTHING TO LOSE BUT YOUR CHAINS!") and the competing realization that wow, nothing really ever changes—it makes the clip feel more poignant than maybe it ought to.

Plus: Vernon Thornsberry, captured from above.

By Gabe Vodicka | October 2, 2013