Blog Topic: Editors' Picks

Homedrone: Flagpole's Favorite Local Tape Releases of 2014

By Gabe Vodicka | November 20, 2014 10:21am

Photo Credit: Kelly Hart

This week's cover story, about the resurgence of cassettes on both a local-music level and beyond, got us thinking about our favorite Athens tape releases of 2014. Below, a few picks for your listening pleasure:

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Homedrone: Tonight in Athens: Lonesome Leash, Swarming Branch

By Gabe Vodicka | November 12, 2014 2:18pm

Lonesome Leash

It's relatively slim pickings tonight in live music land, but there are a couple notable gigs to get you hot and bothered:

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Homedrone: Tonight in Athens: The Deslondes, Charlie Megira

By Gabe Vodicka | November 10, 2014 2:38pm

Photo Credit: Sarrah Danzinger

The Deslondes

In addition to Creature Comforts' can-release party at the Georgia Theatre, there are a couple notable concerts happ'nin' in town tonight:

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Homedrone: Natural Child Talks Music Row, 'Dumb and Dumber To'

By Dan Mistich | November 2, 2014 11:00am

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.

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Homedrone: Walter Martin Cancels Normaltown Hall Show

By Dan Mistich | October 7, 2014 11:54am

Photo Credit: Matt Barrick

UPDATE: Walter Martin's show Wednesday at Normaltown Hall has been canceled, per the venue.

Walter Martin, best known for his bass work with indie giants The Walkmen, has taken to performing in homes instead of rock clubs in support of his whimsical new solo record, We’re All Young Together. Although his stop in Athens is at Normaltown Hall instead of someone’s cozy den, it was also organized through Undertow Music’s Living Room Showsinitiative.

Flagpole caught up with Martin to discuss what it’s like to perform so close to his audience, his star-studded new album and the status of his band.

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Homedrone: Win Tickets: J. Mascis and Luluc Play 40 Watt Thursday

By Gabe Vodicka | October 1, 2014 1:25pm

Photo Credit: Justin La Priore

Legendary Dinosaur Jr. frontman J. Mascis brings his solo acoustic tour to the 40 Watt Club Thursday, with support from Australian folk duo Luluc. We've got a pair of tickets to give away. To enter, tell us in the comments below why YOU deserve to go for free. We'll choose a winner Thursday at 4 p.m.

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Homedrone: Q&A With Brian Burton of Broken Bells, Playing Georgia Theatre Wednesday

By Gabe Vodicka | September 29, 2014 12:04pm

Photo Credit: James Minchin III

Broken Bells

Brian Burton, aka Danger Mouse, became a household name in 2004 after The Grey Album, his inspired mash-up of Jay-Z's Black Album and the Beatles' self-titled "white album," went viral. Since then, he's become one of the most in-demand music producers of our time, teaming up with CeeLo Green in Gnarls Barkley and helming records by Beck, the Black Keys, Norah Jones and others. Most recently, Burton produced U2's the-call-is-coming-from-inside-your-MacBook opus Songs of Innocence.

Burton, a former Athens resident and UGA student, returns to play the Georgia Theatre Wednesday, Oct. 1 with his current project, a collaboration with Shins frontman James Mercer called Broken Bells. The group released its second LP, the sleek, funky After the Disco, in February. Flagpole got Burton on the phone for a quick chat.

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Homedrone: Tonight in Athens: The Mattson 2

By Gabe Vodicka | September 16, 2014 1:37pm

Slimmish pickings for live entertainment tonight, but if you're out and about, consider popping into Green Room, where The Mattson 2 will perform. The California-based group, composed of twin brothers Jonathan and Jared Mattson, takes cues from jazz, surf, drone and new wave; all together, it's a chilled-out, West Coast take on the hyper-extended electro-jazz of Tortoise and their ilk.

Local experimental favorite Hand Sand Hands and a stripped-down duo version of jazz mainstay Kenosha Kid will also perform.

Stream the Mattson 2's new album, Agar, which is out today on Um Yeah Arts, below:

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Homedrone: Members of Futurebirds, The District Attorneys Pay Tribute to Whiskeytown at Green Room Tonight

By Gabe Vodicka | August 14, 2014 10:37am

If you're a fan of Whiskeytown, the seminal but defunct Ryan Adams-led act from North Carolina, you're not alone amongst your fellow Athenians. Our little town boasts a rather sizeable and influential alternative country contingent; twangy rockers like Drive-By Truckers and, more recently, Futurebirds have even gone on to represent the Classic City on the national scene.

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Homedrone: Tonight in Athens: DubConscious, Nurture

By Gabe Vodicka | May 6, 2014 2:55pm

Dubconscious

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

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