Crib Notes

The weekend was filled with music thanks to the 10th annual Atlantis Music Conference. Some was good. Some was intolerable.

I spent Thursday night at Smith’s Olde Bar and managed to catch three bands that were really impressive. Singer/songwriter Evan McHugh opened up the night with the help of an upright bass and a drummer to accompany his acoustic guitar. I’ve heard his recorded material, and I have to say he brings his ‘A’ game in the live setting as well. He’s got one of those vocal ranges that hits the high notes with ease and candor.

The Brock Scott Quartet played next, and its sound is a refreshing break from the typical rock band I’m used to seeing. These guys won Open Mic Madness this year, so I expect you’ll see more of them in the future. They have a unique sound that boasts jazz, blues and rock all at the same time. Using a variety of instruments and displaying a true knowledge of music makes the Brock Scott Quartet a band to keep an eye on.

The middle of the night had the favorite taking the stage. The Bridges played one of the best sets I’ve seen from them. Their youth and vigor exudes through their songs. I felt like I was on another planet while I was watching them play. They had a slew of audience members singing along with them, and despite the fact that they’re not playing some kind of cock rock, the majority of patrons in the room were men. I suspect that since the Bridges are collectively one of the best-looking bands around, however, appearances may have had something to do with that, in addition to their sweet, folky, perfectly harmonized love songs.

The Coathangers closed out the night, and the reaction was mixed, as it usually seems to be with this band. Either you love them or you hate them. I caught a very brief part of it before deciding to leave the room and head home.

Friday night was spent entirely at Star Bar to see the annual Prasse Fest. The Empties from Athens opened up with a good showing of poppy garage rock. I was pleased with my first time hearing them, and from the buzz in the room after their set, I’d say they picked up quite a few new fans. For three guys, they certainly make music that’s creative and engaging.

Bookmark to:

Helios

(Photo by Noel St. John)

Here’s a quick rundown of bands worth seeing at Atlantis this weekend, courtesy of Confessions of a Music Addict blogger Leah Baker. For more performance, panel and party schedules, visit Atlantis’ main site.

Friday, Sept. 21

Star Bar: Tonight’s showcase at Star Bar is part of a superior lineup that’s found here at the same time each year, thanks to David Prasse. There’s never a bad act, making it easy to plant yourself in one spot all night instead of hopping around from venue to venue like the Easter bunny on steroids.

Starting off the night is a band from Athens (and we all know anything out of Athens is worthy of a listen) called the Empties. Fans of kitschy garage rock are going to just love them. Once again, three guys and their instruments pave the way for a night of awesome, cutting-edge rock.

Another band to note is the Modern Society, which has just managed to pick up a development contract with Epic for winning some kind of competition. So, coming right off that high should warrant a good set out of the band that will be full of pop and rock. Following MoSo, Rantings of Eva is scheduled to play its catalog of alt-rock goodness. Fresh from recording its first full-length album, Rantings brings matchless guitar riffs and level vocals full of range to what promises to be a decent audience.

Stick around for Trances Arc if you like radio-friendly tunes from a keyboard-infused band. It never ceases to amaze and is sure to lay down new tunes off its impending LP, XOXOX. If you’re more into bands that put on a live show you’ll literally be talking about the next day, due to the shock of it, then you won’t want to miss Steadlur close down the place. Seriously. There is never any telling what these guys will do, and that alone is reason to watch.

Lineup: 9:00 p.m., the Empties; 9:45 p.m., the Modern Society; 10:30 p.m., Rantings of Eva; 11:15 p.m., Y O U; midnight, Trances Arc; 12:45 a.m., Steadlur

(more…)

Bookmark to: