Crib Notes

The venerable Buckhead nightclub Tongue & Groove is holding a grand re-opening tonight, as noted in today’s Peach Buzz. But the AJC item makes it sound as if T&G is just opening its doors. Actually, the club opened last spring in the space formerly occupied by Lotus Lounge in the Lindberg City Center complex.

As owner Michael Krohngold explains, he sold his leasehold for T&G’s original location at the corner of Peachtree Road and Buckhead Avenue earlier this year, but had planned to re-open the club within the rapidly redeveloping Buckhead Village. He considered several sites in and around the planned Streets of Buckhead retail district, but ran into zoning and licensing issues, so he instead opted to take over Lotus’ lease.

In the intervening six months, Krohngold and his decorator wife, Patti, completely renovated the interior, hiring graffiti artists to give the space an urban street art motif, and installing digital projectors, new furnishings and other design touches. They also opened a new room with a high-energy dance floor.

Tonight’s grand re-opening kicks off at 9 p.m. and will feature breakdancers, go-go girls and aerialists.

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Andy

If you missed the opening reception for Thomas Dozol’s photo show, “I’ll Be Your mirror” last night at Opal Gallery in L5P, you still have plenty of time to go check it out. The show runs through Sat., Jan. 10, 2009.

It all started with the landscape of the flushed skin, the blood rushing to the surface, creating patterns both involuntary and singular. I wanted to capture people raw and unguarded: looking in the mirror at the red triangles marking my cheeks after a long shower, I knew I had found my direction. By allowing me into the intimacy of their bathroom, my subjects have already let their guard down. I then tried to disappear as much as possible, to let rituals unfold undirected and find those fleeting moments of purity when one still feels washed anew.

–Thomas Roman Dozol, October 2008

Dozol ’s portrait series “I’ll Be Your Mirror” reveals the human body right after a shower. Each portrait examines a unique moment of contemplation and self-reflection and explores boundaries between intimacy and familiarity. By disappearing as much as possible into the intimate surroundings of each subject, Dozol allows rituals to unfold undirected and captures an authentic and unguarded moment.

Caroline

Dozol was born in Martinique. His photographs have been in numerous international publications such as, Interview, Paper, Vogue Paris and LID. After a few years working as a stage actor in Paris, he moved to New York in 2002 where he participated in the formation of the cabaret act, The Citizens Band by documenting their first show at Deitch projects. His curatorial projects include the founding of the One Wall gallery, an itenerent and ephemeral gallery project that started with Paysages Intimes; a photography installation by Julien Magre. His most recent, Still/Life photos by Helena Christensen, took place at the Colette Gallery in Paris, France. He currently lives and works in New York City.

Dozol is also known to denizens of the Athens/Atlanta music scene as R.E.M. vocalist Michael Stipe’s partner. Many of the subjects of Dozol’s portraits in “I’ll Be Your Mirror” are musicians as well.

(Photos by Thomas Dozol)

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This week NylonMag.com posted a short “Mixtape” piece on Deerhunter. the post is all about a mixtape that Deerhunter drummer Moses Archuleta “made for his girlfriend, but gave to [Nylon] instead.”

Moses says…

“So, I tried really hard to come up with a mixtape, but to no avail. I’m usually pretty good at it, if I may say so myself. I had all these lofty ideas for different themed playlists (winter weather, van music, industrial, percussion favorites). I love doing it and it’s usually so easy. Maybe it was the impending mega-tour or overwhelming indecisiveness or who knows what, but I froze up and was unable to produce anything.

But I’m in DC right now on Election Day and it’s raining today and that was actually the jumping point for the last mixtape I put together. So, I leave you with a mixtape I made for my girlfriend a few weeks ago. (Ewwwww gross/Awwwww cute, etc.)”

Vague Fall 2008 theme. 60 minute cassette format. Enjoy.

Side A)
Scott Walker - “It’s Raining Today”
Dislocation Dance - “Tyrannies Of Fun”
Quickspace - “The Flat Moon Society”
Unwound - “Demons Sing Love Songs”
Crystal Stilts - “Crystal Stilts”
My Bloody Valentine – “Thorn”
The Feelies - “Let’s Go”
Billy Bragg & Wilco - “California Stars”

Side B)
Eluvium - “Area 41″
Scott Walker - “Old Man’s Back Again (Dedicated To The Neo-Stalinist Regime)”
Faust – “Jennifer”
Elvis Presley - “Blue Moon”
T. Rex - “Mystic Lady”
Electric Light Orchestra - “Livin’ Thing”
Love - “Maybe The People Would Be The Times Or Between Clark And Hilldale”
Moondog – “Maybe”
Tom Waits - “Innocent When You Dream (78)”

(Photo by Erik Ian)

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For this edition of Roll Call, we call out Atlanta’s glam-pop mistress, Muffy.

Who are you?
I’m MUFFY … The most Delicious Yummie treat ever made in ATLANTA … Sweeter than Krispy Kreme.

Describe yourself in three words.
CRAZY SEXY KOOL … like TLC.

Who — dead or alive — would most you like to meet?
I know this is probably on everyone’s to-meet wish list, but I would like to meet the first black president in America. We all know who he is. I Just want to see if he is real or just an illusion.

Who would you most like to slap in the face?
GOODness … Who is singular but I wanna Smack a Bunch of Who’s … Like all those haters and dream snatchers and all those who’s that don’t have their own dreams and don’t believe in themselves and think they want your for their own. I wanna smack some faith in their heads.

What song do you wish you had written?
Gwen Stefani’s “Yummie,” and Remy Ma’s “I’m Conceited.” I’m not conceited but I just felt like that could have been such a yummie playful song. I wish I would have thought of it first. Goodness. One more. Kate Perry’s “I Kissed a Girl.” That song really set her off. I love it. It’s so Madonna-ish. I could have freaked that song.

Michael Jackson or George Michael?
Micheal Jackson. He was the first American Black president. (giggles)

LP, CD or MP3?
MP3. I live in my Lappppp — top that is. MP3s are easier and it seems like I’m always sending them to someone or the other.

If you could start one trend, what would it be?
My trend would be a hug trend. Where people wave and and give lots of hugs and focus on LOVEing everyone.

If you could end one trend, what would it be?
COPY KATting. It doesn’t help individuals reach their fullest potential. Being inspired by or taking inspiration from is cool. But Copy Katting has always been a sucky trend to me. Like since 1st grade.

With whom would you most like to play a game of spin the bottle?
I really wish I could tell you but I might get myself in trouble…. So i will just say I never played that game. (giggles) What happens after you spin the bottle?

Muffy performs at tonight’s J. Dilla vs. Prince show at Sugarhill, featuring Hollyweerd, Brittany Bosco, Tony Towerz, Gripplyaz, Jay West, Fiona Simone, Jneiro Jarel and Kevin Lamar. Live art by Dosa Kim, Miya Bailey, Dubelyoo, Mr. Soul, Jus10, Occasional Superstar. DJs Jamad and Wreckineyez. FREE w/complimentary passes available at Moods Music, Sk8tique, Standard, City of Ink, Marco’s Pita. Donations accepted on behalf of the mother of the late J. Dilla. Sugarhill, 50 Upper Alabama St. 404-658-0068. www.sugarhillatl.com. All music played/performed and all art created will be inspired, influenced, produced, composed or arranged by J. Dilla or Prince.

(Photo courtesy Muffy)

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In the December issue of Spin Magazine’s monthly list of “Songs You Need to Download Now,” Atlanta’s Gentleman Jesse Smith gets a shout out for the a-side of his debut 7-inch single, “I Don’t Wanna Know.”

Normally we here at Crib Notes would recommend that you go out and buy the 7-inch that was released in 2006 by local label DoucheMaster Records. But sadly it is long out of print and you have no choice but to settle for a digital file.

At any rate, if you’re not already familiar with the tune that put Gentleman Jesse on the map you are a couple of years behind the curve, and like Spin suggests, go out and get it right now. As soon as you have digested that, go get the full-length which came out earlier this year on DoucheMaster. You won’t be disappointed.

“I Don’t Wanna Know” MP3

(Photo by Laura Hull)

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For today’s Roll Call we call out Sam Cuadra a.k.a War, the ghastly ogre who fronts “the angriest band in America,” Apocalyptic Visions.

Who are you?
I am one of the four unspeakable names from the angriest band in America: Apocalyptic Visions.  We are known by the deaths we bring.  I am War.  My brothers are Famine, Pestilence, and Plague.

Describe yourself in three words.
Bad Mamma Jamma.

Who — dead or alive — would most you like to meet?
Bender Bending Rodriguez.  When I first heard him say “Kill All Humans”  I thought gee, this guy really gets me.

Who would you most like to slap in the face?
The Tar Baby.  Not Joel Chandler Harris’s character, there is someone in my life I call the Tar Baby.

What song do you wish you had written?
The “Theme From Hatari” by Henry Mancini.

Elvis Costello or Elvis Presley?
Oh fuck, Elvis Presley for sure.  At least the dead cannot continue to torment with their insufferable noise.

LP, CD or MP3?
You really can’t beat the authentic sound of funeral mourners in person. No recording can capture the experience of getting down to the cemetery yourself. For added fidelity I like to poke the bereaved with a stick.

If you could start one trend, what would it be?
The enslavement of mankind.

If you could end one trend, what would it be?
Reality telivision.

With whom would you most like to play a game of spin the bottle?
Tiffany Pollard, a.k.a. New York.  While she was busy staring at that bottle I’d konk her on the head.  A few weeks chained to the drain under my sink ought to soften her up enough to make a good wife.  A Wife For War.

Apocalyptic Visions plays a CD release party at the East Atlanta Icehouse tonight, Fri., Nov. 21. w/ Chopper, Burden of Vision and Son of Tonatiuh. 8:30 p.m. $6.

“Move and Appear” MP3

(Photo courtesy of Apocalyptic Visions)

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For today’s installment of Roll Call we talk to Charles Williams and Amy Pike of the Bonaventure Quartet who received Creative Loafing’s Critics Pick award for Best Local Jazz Act this year.

Who are you?
We are the Bonaventure Quartet featuring the fabulous Amy Pike. The only all acoustic swing jazz group in Atlanta who is equal parts Julie London, Dwight Yoakam, Django Reinhardt, Cole Porter, Bob Wills, Madeleine Peyroux and Leonard Cohen. With a dash of Paprika and a hint of 920 beer for flavor.

Describe yourself in three words.
Romantic, Sassy, Swing

Who — dead or alive — would most you like to meet?
I’d like to meet Django Reinhardt. If he’s busy, then Amy would like to hang with Eartha Kitt.

Whom would you most like to slap in the face?
Sarah Palin. If she’s out shopping, then George Bush.

What song do you wish you had written?
“Between the Bars” by Elliot Smith. I’m a sucker for waltzes, and he nailed a lyric that is tragic and yet somehow redemptive and transcendent, all the while lilting and listing like the Titanic’s first post-collision moments… Great song. And Madeleine Peyroux ’s version is the best.

Elvis Costello or Elvis Presley?
As a songwriter, I like Elvis Costello. As a singer/performer/phenomenon Amy prefers Elvis Presley and she doesn’t care who knows it.

LP, CD or MP3?
LPs without a doubt. But even more specific, 78s. Try cueing up a 78 sometime of the Hot Club of France from 1938, sit back with a beer and smile while your foot starts tapping.

If you could start one trend, what would it be?
Virtual Word Balloons. Using existing holographic technology, I think it would be neat to have a sound triggered chip implanted so that whenever you wanted, your conversational snippets would float above you in a cartoon-like balloon.

If you could end one trend, what would it be?
Those little tattoos on the small of the back. Instead there should be a copyright symbol with your date of birth.

With whom would you most like to play a game of spin the bottle?
Charles: That’s easy: Scarlett Johansson…
Amy says Dwight Yoakam.

“Little White Lies” MP3

“Lily’s on the Prowl” MP3

The Bonaventure Quartet plays three shows this weekend:

Fri., Nov. 21- Fernbank’s Natural History Museum Imax and Martinis: On Clifton Road off Ponce near Emory. $5 or free with IMAX admission. 6:30-10 p.m.
Sat., Nov 22 - Free in-store performance at Decatur CD. 3 p.m. 356 W Ponce De Leon Ave. in Decatur. 404-371-9090.
Nov 23 - Eddie’s Attic. 7:30 p.m. Individual advanced tickets: $10 / At the door: $13 / Tables: $50.

(Photo by Vincent Tseng).

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Leave it to the kids to let you know when the cool shows are happening. Had it not been for Facebook, I would’ve missed Café Tacuba’s upcoming gig on the 29th. The show’s being billed as a “Festival de Rock,” featuring a handful of local Spanish rock groups with the legendary Mexican rockers capping the night. Having been to a few of these Festivales myself, I can tell you that Cafe Tacuba’s draw will multiply the audience by the hundreds.

According to the Facebook invite, the show will take place at the Far West Rodeo in Doraville, with doors opening at 9 p.m. Tickets are available at Discolandia record stores or by calling 404-553-5479.

Last time the Tacubos where in town (promoting their latest release, SiNo), they blew past the two-hour mark with plenty of energy for an extended encore. Their local counterparts don’t hold back either. I went to Rompan Rock early last year (one of said Festivales de Rock), and couldn’t keep up, heading home at 2:30 a.m. while the last band was still on stage.

Two veterans of the local Spanish rock scene are scheduled to play. La Suegra play straight up punk-ska, while Stereozur concentrate on aggressive prog rock.

With six (possibly more) bands on the bill, not counting the Tacubos, expect a long night of Rock en Español.

(Photo by Joeff Davis)

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God bless the child that’s got his own.

From the outset of SMKA Productions‘ newly released compilation, The 808 Experiment Vol. 1, it’s clear that Atlanta has finally arrived.

Surely, you say, the hip-hop capital of the world is no newbie to rap’s all-encompassing map. And you’re right. But among Atlanta’s emerging rap underworld — filled with hipster-leaning hoppers, 2nd generation ATLiens, and otherwise unidentifiable but objectively fly MCs — that original, Dirty South sound had been all but bleached out and forsaken. Until now.

With The 808 Experiment, SMKA accomplishes the seemingly impossible: It bridges Atlanta’s slick, hipster-hop derivative with the indigenous, red clay swagger for which the A has always been known.

Beats simultaneously swim in bass-drunk, 808 kicks while dancing between melodic, pastel-colored keys. Even when SMKA dares to sample esoteric pop songs like Sting’s “Englishman in New York,” the resulting track ["Alien (When in Rome) feat. Jay West, Savage and Gilles] is certifiably stamped “ATL.”

Their secret weapon? SMKA producers Blake “808 Blake” German and Kyle “7King” King, along with in-house “hustler” Mike Walberg, are all Atlanta natives. Damn near unheard of in this day and age, right? Meanwhile, the compilation features plenty among the city’s rising crop of natives and transplants alike, including Gripplyaz, A. Leon Craft, and Young Trimm (”Caddy”), trio Supreeme (”I’m On Fire”), Wil May (”Sweet Confusion”), and o8o of T!Katz (”Fire in the Hole”). But some of the biggest surprises come from lesser known cats who turn in equally stellar performances, including Double R of Miami, Nuff Sed, J Beans, Dee Rail, Fat Tony, Niko Villamor, Jay West, Rome Fortune, J Young, Radcliff Hyphen, Crysis, Brandon Michael, Toussaint, Alexandria Lushington and Tom P of Decatur. El da Sensei of New Jersey-based Artifacts is also featured.

With only 48 hours since it’s release it’s impossible to say just yet, but here’s hoping The 808 Experiment represents a truly formative moment in what’s already proven to be a watershed year for Atlanta’s slightly off-the-radar hip-hop movement.

Needless to say, I had to talk to the guys behind SMKA to find out where the heck they’ve been hiding. Oh, and you’ll never guess what SMKA stands for?

DOWNLOAD: The 808 Experiment Vol. 1

Y’all seem to have come from out of nowhere?
Mike: I’d say that’s pretty much right. 7King has been an engineer for awhile, he’s worked out of a couple of studios around town. 808 Blake has been producing for about five years since his freshman year in college. And I went to a business school out in L.A. So it’s kind of a motley crew. But we went to high school together at Paideia, but since graduation we all started doing our own thing and then Blake kinda got us all together and wanted to get serious about it. So it started about four months ago, man, at Chik-Fil-A during lunch, and we just kinda said let’s start a company and get serious about it.

What Chik-Fil-A were y’all at?

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