ON THE ROAD: The Civil Wars

The Civil Wars are nothing short of a match made in Americana heaven. Joy Williams and John Paul White, both with previous solo careers, have teamed up to form the talented duo after meeing at a song-writing camp. Their unique blend of styles and beautiful, haunting lyrics have grabbed the attention of country superstar Taylor Swift, who called their music "exquisite." The song "Poison & Wine" has been featured on "Grey's Anatomy" and iTunes has recognized them as "Best New Singer-Songwriters." Paste Magazine has also featured them in "Best of What's Next," so it's no surprise that their fan base is quickly growing. I first heard about The Civil Wars when they were the musical guests on Jay Leno. I was blown away. The simplicity of the performance and their tight harmonies left me wanting more. Come to find out, their full-length album, "Barton Hollow," drops tomorrow, February 1st. That's not all. They may also be coming to a city near you!

Check out their video for "Barton Hollow"


2/1 Florence, AL @ Zodiac Theatre
2/2 Nashville, TN @ Belcourt Theatre
2/3 Nashville, TN @ The Basement
2/4 Birmingham, AL @ Workplay Theatre
2/5 Birmingham, AL @ Workplay Theatre
2/7 Athens, GA @ The Melting Point
2/8 Decatur, GA @ Eddie's Attic
2/9 Charlotte, NC @ The Evening Muse
2/10 Raleigh, NC @ The Pour House Music Hall
2/11 Charlottesville, VA @ The Southern
2/12 Vienna, VA @ Jammin' Java
2/13 Charleston, WV @ Mountain Stage- Cultural Center Theater
2/15 New York, NY @ Joe's Pub
2/17 Philadelphia, PA @ World Cafe Live
2/18 New York, NY @ Rockwood Music Hall- Stage 2
2/19 Boston, MA @ The Red Room at Cafe 939
2/22 Knoxville, TN @ The Pilot Light
3/10 Abilene, TX @ Monk's Coffee House
3/11 Dallas, TX @ All Good Cafe
3/12 Dallas, TX @ All Good Cafe
3/13 Denton, TX @ 35 Conferette
3/14 Waco, TX @ Common Grounds
3/15 Austin, TX @ SxSW Festival
3/21 New Orleans, LA @ One Eyed Jacks
3/22 Jackson, MS @ Underground 119
3/30 Louisville, KY @ Headliners Music Hall
3/31 Cincinnati, OH @ The 20th Century Theatre
4/1 Akron, OH @ Musica

www.myspace.com/thecivilwars

SPECIAL: No More Fake Labels release Guided By Voices Tribute Album...

No More Fake Labels is home to some pretty talented artists. Their website nomorefakelabels.com declares "KEEP INDIE ALIVE, BUY INDIE MUSIC and SUPPORT INDIE ARTISTS!"

So it's no surprise that they have put together the most amazing tribute album for one of the most significant indie rock bands ever, Guided By Voices.

The list of artists featured in this compilation is rather impressive and include many bands I love. Cymbals Eat Guitars, Flaming Lips, Western Civ, and Athens' own Mass Solo Revolt just to name a few!!!

Are you excited?!

The album is called Sing For Your Meat and will be released on Record Store Day!!!

That's April 16, 2011!

But wait... THERE'S MORE EXCITING NEWS!!!!

In addition to the main CD, is a free digital EP companion with 5 extra songs! Even better...the tracks from BOTH album and digital EP will be mixed together and printed on a DOUBLE mixed color 12" vinyl LP set!!! Makes releasing it on Record Store Day a really nice touch, don't you think?

So, there you go. It's still a few months away. Plenty of time to make sure you've set some cash aside and have time cleared on your calendar for April 16. It'll be here soon enough, but now that you've got the details...you can rest easy until then.

SING FOR YOUR MEAT (GUIDED BY VOICES TRIBUTE) - NO MORE FAKE LABELS 2011

• Flaming Lips - Smothered in Hugs
• Western Civ - Goldheart Mountain Top Queen Directory and My Valuable Hunting Knife
• Cymbals Eat Guitars - Gleemer
• Sorry About Dresden - Echos Myron
• Jason Isbell and the 400 unit - Everywhere with Helicopter
• Crooked Fingers - Tractor Rape Chain
• Elf Power - man called aerodynamics
• I Was Totally Destroying It - I am produced
• La Sera (Katy Goodman of Vivian Girls  ) - Watch Me Jumpstart
• The Pneurotics -  I am a Tree
• Kelley Deal and Buffalo Killers - scalding creek
• Blitzen Trapper - Hot Freaks
• Superdrag - A Salty Salute
• David Kilgour (of The Clean) - How Loft Am I
• Thurston Moore - Stabbing A Star
• James Husband (Of Montreal) - Buzzards and Dreadful Crows
• Lou Barlow (Dinosaur Jr, Sebadoh) - Game of Pricks

BONUS DIGITAL EP

• Mass Solo Revolt (Athens, GA)- Gold Star for robot boy
• Marie Stella (Portland, ME) - little lines
• Free Electric State (Durham, NC) - Weedking
• Gregg Yeti (Syracuse, NY) - Quality Of Armor
• North Elementary (Chapel Hill, NC) - Ex Supermodel-They're Not Witches

www.nomorefakelabels.com

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ON THE ROAD: Escape The Fate

Escape The Fate, features Craig Mabbitt (singer), Max Green (bassist), Monte Money (guitarist) and Robert Ortiz (drums).

Escape The Fate  is notorious for putting on 'wicked' LIVE performances, that have been described as 'embracing the raucous Sin City lifestyle'.  I gotta admit... they kinda scare me with their rather intimidating images. But I think they are supposed to. Besides, lately, I've been hearing about this band everywhere. In the past week alone, from at least 4 different sources, and one a trusted friend whose musical tastes I always find intriguing.

They just kicked off their headlining “The Dead Masquerade” tour in AZ last week. Opening bands include Alesana, Motionless in White, Get Scared and Drive A.

While I personally, will not be able to make their show, look out for more about it in an upcoming blog. We've got someone covering the ATL show this Friday at none other than... The Masquerade! (Hmm...The Dead Masquerade tour at The Masquerade...)

1/25      San Antonio, TX @White Rabbit

1/26      Houston, TX @Warehouse Live

1/28      Atlanta, GA @Masquerade

1/29      Orlando, FL @Club Firestone

1/30      Ft. Lauderdale, FL @Revolution

2/1        Charlotte, NC @Amos’ Southend

2/2        Norfolk, VA @The Norva

2/3        Baltimore, MD @Ram’s Head Live

2/4        Philadelphia, PA @Trocadero

2/5        Sayreville, NJ @Starland Ballroom

2/8        Lancaster, PA @Chameleon Club

2/9        Allentown PA @Crocodile Rock

2/11      Hartford, CT @Webster Theatre

2/12      Worcester, MA @The Palladium

2/13      Montreal, Quebec @Club Soda

2/14      Toronto, Ontario @Phoenix Theatre

2/16      Buffalo, NY @Town Ballroom

2/17      Royal Oak, MI @Royal Oak Music Theatre

2/18      Grand Rapids, MI @The Orbit Room

2/19      Milwaukee, WI @Rave Ballroom

2/20      Chicago, IL @The Vic Theater

2/21      Sauget, IL @Pop’s

2/23      Minneapolis, MN @The Cabooze

2/25      Denver, CO @The Summit Music Hall

2/26      Salt Lake City, UT @In The Venue

2/27      Boise, ID @Knitting Factory

3/1        Spokane, WA @Knitting Factory

3/2        Portland, OR @Roseland Theater

3/3        Seattle, WA @Showbox at the Market

3/5        San Francisco, CA @Grand Regency Ballroom

3/6        Sacramento, CA @Ace of Spades

3/8        Reno, NV @Knitting Factory

3/9        Fresno, CA @Crest Theatre

3/11      Anaheim, CA @The Grove of Anaheim

3/12      San Diego, CA @Soma

www.escapethefate.com

A CONVERSATION WITH: Pete Harper of HARPER BLYNN

The holidays are over, the Snowpocalypse in GA has melted away, and I'm getting over a horrid cold. Have you missed me? Well, I'm back and with a long overdue conversation to share.

Pete Harper, J. Blynn, Sarab Singh and Whynot (yes, that's his name!) are the four dynamic guys that make-up Harper Blynn. For those of you who have been following this blog, you'll know I first heard of them back in November 2010. I haven't stopped listening or posting things about them since! Featuring them in blogs, tweets, and FB statuses. I was an instant fan, and one need only to listen to their music to discover why.

Harper Blynn (2010)

Just before the holidays really started to get crazy, I had the unbelievable, über-fortunate opportunity to talk to Pete Harper. I know, right?! I couldn' believe it when I found out I my request for an interview had been granted! I gotta be honest...I was so ridiculously giddy when I called him. I wanted to be as professional as possible for the blog, but I'm such a fan that I couldn't help feeling a bit nervous. We got to talk for a bit, and I supposed it could've been longer. But seriously, between my excitement, trying to take notes, and pinching myself to check if this was really happening...somewhere around 15 min. was about all I could last. Jen the writer was totally being overwhelmed by Jen the fan! But then...that's what this blog is about right? Sharing stories, music, artists, that we are passionate about and love?!

Regardless, Pete was awesome. Patient and kind and really down to earth.
Talking with him didn't seem much different from listening to one of Harper Blynn's songs. Both in the music and in talking with Pete, I could feel the honesty and passion for the magic they create. And after our talk, just like after listening to their latest self-titled EP, I am left feeling good and grinning from ear to ear.

Harper Blynn by Su Byazit
L-R: J.Blynn, Pete Harper, Whynot, Sarab Singh

But if you're still not convinced, maybe a little more insight will win you over.
So without further delay...
Pete's responses in blue italics.
What's the creative process like for you guys? Do all four of you write together? 
J and I write the songs. Then we bring in the band and everyone contributes something. We write the songs that we can write, and everyone brings in the influences to make it part of their own.
Any comments on the Beyonce "Halo" cover? It's the first song I heard from Harper Blynn, and after that I was hooked.
We want to make music that we want to make. Then, somehow getting people's attention with it. So, it's nice to have those things like "Halo" that bring people to the band.
I LOVE the energy, the emotion, and the incredible vibe/charisma you guys have!  Though the band started with just two of you, it's obvious you have a strong collaborative vibe. What do you think makes you all work so well together in creating such awesome music?
Well, we've known each other a long tme. 10 years. We all just genuinely love and enjoy each other. We do what we do, the way we want to do it. Touring helps, of course... we all learn more about each other, etc.
I am a huge fan of singer/songwriters. Who would you say are the artists that influence you and/the bands music?
Wow...So all over the map... J and I grew up listening to classic rock, Stevie Wonder, Harry Chapin, James Taylor, Paul Simon... Those are just a few. But then there are more modern bands that we are inspired by too. Like, My Morning Jacket and The Killers.
I really love "Start All Over". The imagery in the lyrics, the soulfulness in the music, the intimacy of the vocals. I think right now it's my favorite of them all. Though I really enjoy the whole album so much, that it could be a different song next week. Last week, I would've said "Every Impulse" What is your favorite song on your self-titled EP? 
"Bound to Break"" is my favorite. Generally, I'm a bigger fan of the songs that I'm not singing. It feels the most distinct of all the songs, The drum part and the electronic part, especially. Of all the songs on the EP that I think really captures Harper Blynn, it would be this one.
Can you share a memorable moment of creating this EP?
We played this show in Philly and played right before the Walkmen. They were awesome. They blew our minds. They covered a Harry Nilsson record, and it was great.
So, in the middle of our tour, on our day off, we recorded Nilsson's "Everybody's Talkin'". We went to Ben Folds studio in Nashville. A month later, we came back and finished the rest of the album. It's the last track on the EP.
After the residency in NYC, will there be touring to support the new EP? I really hope you guys include Athens or ATL in it. I am dying to see you guys LIVE!
After those shows, we are back in studio and then another EP in February. All new songs. We'll do some touring some time after that. Yeah, we'd like to play shows in Georgia. Get in touch, when we're down there...come to the show, we'll hang out.
At this point, I am bursting at the seams, and I thank Pete so much for taking the time to talk with me. Hopefully sometime this year, they will play that show in Georgia, and they'll see for themselves the giddy fan that I am. Although, I guarantee that I won't be the only one... ;-)

VIDEO: She & Him - Don't Look Back

I love, love, love She & Him. Mainly because I love, love, love Zooey Deschanel and her lovely voice.

Check out this video for Don't Look Back, from Volume 2, and enjoy Zooey and M. Ward's latest creation!

www.sheandhim.com

ON THE ROAD: Linkin Park

In 2000, Linkin Park started off the decade by taking radio airwaves by storm, with their award-wining breakthrough album, Hybrid Theory. An album that made a significant impact on me, and one I still listen to.
Now, it's 2011 and with their fourth album, A Thousand Suns, they still know how to bring it! The tour kicks-off in a couple days... Are you ready? Because they are...
Check out the preview below, and then head to one of their shows and REALLy experience it!

with Pendulum and Does It Offend You ,Yeah?

• Jan 20 Sunrise, FL @ Bank Atlantic Center
• Jan 22 Tampa, FL @ St Pete Times Forum
• Jan 23 Atlanta, GA @ Phillips Arena
• Jan 25 Detroit, MI @ Joe Louis Arena
• Jan 26 Chicago, IL @ United Center
• Jan 28 Minneapolis, MN @ Xcel Energy Center
• Jan 29 Kansas City, MO @ Sprint Center
• Jan 31 Philadelphia, PA @ Wells Fargo Center
• Feb 1 Boston, MA @ TD Garden
• Feb 4 New York, NY @ Madison Square Garden
• Feb 7 Montreal, QC @ Bell Centre
• Feb 8 Toronto, ON @ Air Canada Centre
• Feb 10 Washington DC @ Verizon Center
• Feb 11 Uncasville, CT @ Mohegan Sun
• Feb 13 Cincinnati, OH @ U.S. Bank Arena

with The Prodigy:

• Feb 15 Houston, TX @ Toyota Center
• Feb 17 Dallas, TX @ American Airlines Center
• Feb 19 Las Vegas, NV @ MGM Grand – Garden Arena
• Feb 20 San Diego @ Viejas Arena 
• Feb 22 San Jose, CA @ HP Pavillion
• Feb 23 Los Angeles, CA @ Staples Center
• Feb 25 Salt Lake City, UT @ Energy Solutions Arena
• Feb 26 Denver, CO @ Pepsi Center

Opener TBD

• Feb 28 Phoenix, AZ @US Airways Center

www.linkinpark.com

SPECIAL: The Avett Brothers return to Athens with a Purpose

Less than one year after the Avett Brothers last performed in Athens, the legendary Georgia Theatre burned to a pile of ashes. The Georgia Theatre was a special place for musicians and concert goers for years. I sometimes feel that I "grew up" in that building during my college years. Memories of my days in Athens are filled with 32oz beers being poured on either side of the dimly lit room, concerts of national touring bands sometimes 4 nights a week, and seeing the signature marquis lit up with a different band name every night. The Theatre always seemed to have something that other venues its size did not. It seemed to always bring an intimate connection between the listener and the performer, creating an active listening experience, no matter what show it was.

In 2005, only a year after the Avett Brothers played their first show in Athens, they found themselves headlining the famous room. The Georgia Theatre became their Athens home, a place where they could bring their unique harmonies and "punkgrass" stylings to both old and new fans. Over the course of the next three years, the Avetts played eight shows at the Theatre.

For the first time in over two years, the Avett Brothers are coming back to town for a special show to help raise money to resurrect the Georgia Theatre from its ashes. On March 29, the Avetts will play the Classic Center with a portion of the proceeds going to the rebuilding of the legendary listening room.

This concert will prove to be a unique experience. The concert is being made possible by UGA’s Terry College of Business Music Business Program. Students will have the opportunity to work to make this the best possible event for all parties involved. According to David Barbe, Interim Director of the program, "it is an opportunity to show what we can accomplish when we pull together the various sectors of the Athens music community."

The show promises to be a great night of music for a great cause. I put this show at the top of my "do not miss" list for 2011.

If you can't make it out to Athens, the Avett Brothers will be on tour throughout the winter and spring. Get out and see some music!!!

1/27 - Kalamazoo, MI - State Theatre
1/28 - Ann Arbor, MI - Ann Arbor Folk Festival
1/29 - South Bend, IN - Morris Performing Arts Center
2/18 - Washington D.C. - DAR Constitution Hall
2/19 - Wilkes Barre, PA - F.M. Kirby Center
2/20 - Geneva, NY - Smith Opera House
3/25 - Clearwater, FL - Ruth Eckerd Hall
3/26 - Live Oak, FL - Suwannee Springfest
3/27 - Augusta, GA - Bell Auditorium
3/29 - Athens, GA - Classic Center
4/8 - Wilmington, NC - Azalea Festival
4/14 - Houston, TX - Verizon Wireless Theater
4/15 - Austin, TX - Old Settler's Music Festival
4/16 - Dallas, TX - Palladium Ballroom
5/29 - Chillicothe, IL - Summer Camp 2011
6/4 - Hunter, NY - Mountain Jam
6/22 - London, UK - Shepherd's Bush Empire

www.theavettbrothers.com