Crib Notes

Of all the superstar DJs that come and go like transient memories of summer breezes, David Guetta has the closest connection to Atlanta. One of his main production partners and collaborators is Atlanta-based singer Chris Willis, who’s laced vocals over some of the bigger tracks this Parisian DJ has put forth (think “Every time we touch,” or ” Just a little more Love”).

Willis returns for Guetta’s fourth studio record, One Love, but his name gets lost among a laundry list of a-list collaborators like Akon, Kelly Rowland, Estelle, Kid Kudi, and Will.i.am. Despite the pop credentials, Guetta’s focus remains on the DJ booth, telling DJ Times Magazine:

Being a DJ is my life! This whole thing right now around me, I see stadium shows, I do concert halls, and my management and my record company people are like, “David, you need to go live and to come with that huge live show!” But I really don’t like that. What makes me happy is to DJ in clubs.

Lest you forget, Guetta is known for putting together quite a party (the name “Fuck me, I’m famous” ought to ring a bell), and having produced big name tracks (Black Eyed Peas’ “I got a feeling”) and remixes (Bob Sinclair’s “World, hold on”), dude’s got an extensive track list to choose from.

Sexy Bitch (Feat. Akon)

David Guetta $40-$75. 9 p.m. Opera. 404-874-0428. www.operaatlanta.com.

(Photo courtesy EMI)

Bookmark to:

Back in the early years of the decade, when electronic music was still conceptualized as a dude (or girl) twisting knobs and pushing buttons on a few MIDI controllers, Tortured Soul emerged to reproduce the same sounds and effects using live instrumentation. Fast forward a half-dozen years or so and Tortured Soul have no doubt become synonymous with live house music, playing in a style that has been adopted by other bands (their borough neighbors Chin Chin come to mind).

Keeping it to the basics (drums, bass, keys), TS plays their soulful songs continuously, never dropping the beat and assuring the four-to-the-flour vibes keep you on the dance floor. The trio return to Apache Cafe Saturday night in support of their latest full length, Did You Miss Me, of which, a handful of tracks have already seen remixes from the likes of Dimitri From Paris. DJ Mike Zarin will keep it interesting on the decks prior to the show.

Listen to the premier episode of their Tortured Soulcast: podcast.

Tortured Soul $10. 9 p.m. Apache Cafe. 404-876-5436. www.apachecafe.info.

(Photo courtesy Tortured Soul)

Bookmark to:

Medeski, Martin & Wood

TONIGHT

MEDESKI, MARTIN & WOOD With the third entry in the trio’s wildly ambitious Radiolarians trilogy just released, MM&W are primed with great new material that pushes even their elastic definition of jazz. The group’s explorations into folk, blues, gospel and funk are colored by the experimental tendencies that expand their improvisations and make each show unique. $25-$27.50. 8:30 p.m. Variety Playhouse. 404-524-7354. www.variety-playhouse.com. — Hal Horowitz

TELEFON TEL AVIV Joshua Eustis’ Telefon Tel Aviv, a solo act after January’s death of creative partner Charles Cooper, creates a somewhat darkly textured IDM sound. The Race, also featuring Eustis, also performs with an opening set by Romeo Spike. $10. 9 p.m. The Earl. 404-522-3950. www.badearl.com. — Jonathan Williams

(Photo by Liz Penta) (more…)

Bookmark to:

Maybe it’s all the talk about coming back (see Mob, Goodie), or maybe it’s simply a matter of Atlanta solidifying its place as a destination for top DJs, but San Francisco/Chicago house legend Mark Farina returns a mere three months after a memorable night at what used to be called the Mark. Same venue, new name for Friday’s (9/18) party, as the Mushroom Jazz maestro graces the decks and effects once again.

Direct from Buenos Aires, Dilo will keep things interesting in the upstairs lounge. Local faves Kevin O and Mike Zarin will start things off.

Mark Farina spins Fri. Sept. 18 with Dilo, Kevin O and Mike Zarin. $10-15 10 p.m. Filter, 79 Poplar Street.

After the jump, the Mark’s Pablo Henderson interviews Mark farina after his set in June.

(Photo by Matt Miller)

(more…)

Bookmark to:

TONIGHT FRI/28

Nebula plays Masquerade, Fri., Aug. 28.

AIROES, EAR PWR Atlanta’s Airoes create spastic music that sounds like you are fighting the boss of the last level of an old Nintendo game with time running out. Baltimore’s Ear Pwr has a similar affinity for retro video games, as well as ‘80s dance and hip-hop. Toro Y Moi and the Crunk Punk DJs round out this electro bill.

$5. 10 p.m. 529. 404-228-6769. www.529atl.com. — Jonathan Williams

AMON TOBIN, WELDER, SIMON B Headlining the opening of Athens’ latest music venue, Tobin is known for his dark mix of jungle grooves, breakbeats and hip-hop’s low end. Welder mixes glitchy IDM with ambient pop while Simon B spins a set of techno, electro and anything else that will keep bodies moving.

$20-$25. 9 p.m. New Earth Music Hall, Athens. 706-543-8283. www.newearthmusichall.com. — JW

EDWIN MCCAIN, FREDDY JONES BAND Both McCain and Jones make easy, fairly light music for folks who don’t need a lot of heavy stuff bringing them down. Not that it is a bad thing, but it is a pretty common thing.

$15-$45. 7:30 p.m. Chastain Park Amphitheatre. 404-733-4800. www.classicchastain.com. — JK

LOS LOBOS There aren’t many acts still touring with their original members 36 years down the line, but East L.A.’s Los Lobos’ inventive combination of Latin, rockabilly, country, folk, blues, world and even experimental roots music remains fresh and inspirational. Expect all that and some new material, too, from a soon to be released 18th album. Delta Moon opens.

$35. 8 p.m. Atlanta Botanical Garden. 404-249-6400. www.concertsinthegarden.org. — Hal Horowitz

NEBULA, THE ENTRANCE BAND, EL CAMINOS Featuring ex-Fu Manchu guitarist Eddie Glass, Nebula arrives draped in more fuzz than the work frig’s year-old leftovers. The wah wails and rhythm section quakes setting controls to the heart of the sun on their raucous garage-psych exploration.

$12. 8 p.m. Masquerade. 404-577-8178. masq.com. — CP

SAT/29

ANNA KRAMER & THE LOST CAUSE, OCHA LA ROCHA, JOHN PAUL KEITH & THE ONE FOUR FIVES, HAYSHAKER All four bands on the bill tonight embrace a skewed, although deeply engrained sense of Americana in their songwriting, ranging from straight-forward rock ‘n’ roll to a more robust mix of earth-toned and traditional country songs. Memphis rockers Keith and the One Four Fives are the only non-local act on the bill.

$10. 9 p.m. Star Bar. 404-681-9018. www.starbar.net. — CR

CHERYL WHEELER Despite the somber nature of much of her catalog, fans know that folk singer Wheeler’s live shows are as much a showcase for her humorous between-song patter as for the introspective material that dominates her studio work. She tours behind a new album, her eighth, which features three frisky tunes about her late cat.

$22.50-$25. 8:30 p.m. Red Light Cafe. 404-874-7828. www.redlightcafe.com. — HH

EN VOGUE, TONY! TONI! TONÉ!, SILK Is anyone else mourning the death of R&B’s slow jam? OK, so the quiet storm era wasn’t the most magnetic in black music, but at least such groups as EnVogue, Tony! Toni! Toné! and Silk provided the essential baby-making music that helped teen pregnancy rates skyrocket in the early ’90s. Nowadays, all these poor young people have to set the mood is Percocet. Now throw your lit cell phone in the air, and wave it side to side like you just don’t care.

$25-$60. 8 p.m. Chastain Park Amphitheatre. 404-733-4800. www.classicchastain.com. — Rodney Carmichael

KIMBERLY NICHOLE, RAHBI, THE REMNANT Last year, one of Atlanta’s most electric soul vocalists Nichole departed for bigger and better in N.Y. Yet she ended up collaborating with a slew of Atlanta-based talent, including producer Q Kegler, to put together her debut album, The Yellow Brick Journey. Nichole returns for the release party this weekend, and she’s just what the A’s been missing.

$5. 9 p.m. Apache Café. 404-876-5436. www.apachecafe.info. — RC

Bookmark to:

Adrian Belew Power Trio performs at Smith's Olde Bar Sat., Aug. 22.

FRI/21

ATTENTION SYSTEM, PROMISE DECEMBER, SATELLITE DISTRICT This solid lineup features three of Atlanta’s top electro-indie-rock acts. Attention System’s synth-driven bombast makes for an explosively energetic live show. Promise December and Satellite District add a bit of ‘80s new romantic gothicism and melodrama, recalling the likes of David Bowie, the Cure, and Love and Rockets.

$5-$7. 9 p.m. Drunken Unicorn. 404-870-0575. www.thedrunkenunicorn.net. — Jonathan Williams

THEE CRUCIALS, MONDO TOPLESS, THE F’N HEARTBREAKS Duck-walking garage-rock outlaws Thee Crucials “Can’t Sit Still,” kicking a hot-footed surfabilly two-step over driving organs and an overflowing beat. For 17 years, Mondo Topless has exploited racing Farfisas and guitar reverb in service of explosive ‘60s rawk.

$7. 9 p.m. Star Bar. 404-681-9018. www.starbaratlanta.com. — Chris Parker

GWINNETT SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Family-friendly pops concert on the green, featuring the unique beats of Atlanta-based, all-female percussion group Chix with Stix (Lisa Angert Morris, Lisa Gillespie, Karen Hunt, Olivia Kieffer and Courtney McDonald).

Free. 7 p.m. Duluth Amphitheater, Duluth City Park. 770-925-8900. www.gwinnettsymphony.org. — Mark Gresham

SAT/22

ADRIAN BELEW POWER TRIO The King Crimson guitarist tours behind his first studio release with Eric and Julie Slick, the young brother-and-sister rhythm section. Expect new material with a smattering of “hits” from his 30-plus-years career as solo artist and sideman to an eclectic roster of acts that spans Zappa, Bowie, Talking Heads and Nine Inch Nails.

$20. 8 p.m. Smith’s Olde Bar. 404-875-1522. www.smithsoldebar.com. — Hal Horowitz

ATLANTA HARMONY CELEBRATION Barbershop harmonies abound with this Lawrenceville-based women’s chorus, directed by Kathy Stone, as with their guests Georgia Young Men’s Ensemble and the UpFront Quartet.

$8, 2:30 p.m. show; $12, 7 p.m. show. Red Clay Theatre. 770-621-2602. www.atlantaharmonycelebration.org. — MG

SUN/23

BIG & RICH, CRAIG MORGAN, LOVE & THEFT, BOMBSHEL For a while, B&R was the biggest thing in the business, and their blending of country, rock and hick-hop was quite unique. A yearlong break may have invigorated the duo, or killed the buzz. Three openers.

$19-$49. 7 p.m. Verizon Wireless Amphitheater. 404-733-5010. www.vzwamp.com. — JK

Bookmark to:

Drew Holcomb plays Eddie’s Attic Wed., August 5.
WED/5

DREW HOLCOMB East Nashville-based singer/guitarist Holcomb’s original songs range from feel-good folk-rock (“Love Is Magic”) to sweet country love ballads (“Hung the Moon”). $10-$50. 8 p.m. Eddie’s Attic. 404-872-5338. www.eddiesattic.com. — Mark Gresham

GIFT HORSE, REPTAR, CO CO RI CO Athens’ Gift Horse quartet creates dark, atmospheric songs that waft like thick, black smoke over a desolate landscape — too riveting to be called shoegazer, and too rocking to be called trip-hop. Co Co Ri Co plays slightly faster but jagged pop numbers, while Reptar concocts a clutter of staccato art pop. $5-$7. 9 p.m. Drunken Unicorn. www.thedrunkenunicorn.net. — Chad Radford

THUR/6

BILLY JOE SHAVER, ADLER & HEARNE Called “the best songwriter alive” by Willie Nelson, Shaver keeps cranking out great work. He has been around the block, but always keeps smiling. Talented Texas folkies Adler & Hearne open with their sweet harmonies. $25-$40. 8 p.m. Eddie’s Attic. 404-377-4976. www.eddiesattic.com. — James Kelly

Continue reading “CL’s picks for the week’s best shows”

(Photo courtesy Drew Holcomb)

Bookmark to:

Cracker plays the Earl Wed., July 22.

WED/22
CRACKER Rootsy wise guy David Lowery and shotgun-riding guitarist Johnny Hickman may never have a “Low”-sized radio hit again, but 17 years along in their remarkably consistent career, Cracker’s new album is as musically gutsy and lyrically sharp as anything in the band’s catalog. $18-$20. 8 p.m. The Earl. 404-522-3950. www.badearl.com. — Hal Horowitz

THUR/23
JAAFAR The city of Birmingham may not be considered a bastion of progressive soul, but with the layered debut album Travel Light, B’ham native Jaafar is breaking the mold. Rich vocals, narrative lyrics and lush production make Jaafar one of the genre’s most respected rising talents. In short time, he’s proving he has the goods to carve out his own lane. Free. 8 p.m. Café Circa. 404-477-0008. www.cafecircaatl.com. — Jacinta Howard

MAIA SHARP Despite penning songs for a wide array of rootsy Americana artists such as Bonnie Raitt, the Dixie Chicks, and er, Cher, Sharp’s own albums have flown under the radar. Enter super-producer Don Was to give her latest set of melodic singer/songwriter musings a high-profile boost and bid for mass attention. $12-$60. 8 p.m. Eddie’s Attic. 404-377-4976. www.eddiesattic.com. — HH

Continue reading “CL’s picks for the week’s best shows”

(Photo courtesy Jason Thrasher)

Bookmark to:

Before they were Black Lips they were the Renegades, and they revert to their early former hooligan selves very rarely these days. Tonight is one such occasion as the Renegades return to play a benefit show at the Drunken Unicorn to raise money to cover the funeral expenses for the subject of CL’s cover story this week, Bobby Ubangi.

Baby Dinosaur Vs. Extinction, Pizza Party, and Trip Hop Cowboy are also performing. All proceeds are being donated to the funeral fund.

Anyone interested in donating to the Bobby Ubangi Funeral Fund can do so via send Paypal.

Link disabled.

Note: Funeral donations are no longer being accepted. Thank you to everyone who has contributed.

Cost for the show is $5 for 21+, $7 for under 21. Doors open at 9 p.m. and the show starts promptly at 9:15 p.m. The Drunken Unicorn, 736 Ponce de Leon Place.

FULL DISCLOSURE: Since I have Power of Attorney responsibilities I am using my personal Paypal account to transfer all of funds received directly to cover the costs of funeral expenses.

(Photo by Chad Radford)

Bookmark to:

Legendary DJ and producer Mark Farina returns to Atlanta for an extended set of classic Chicago style house, with a contemporary San Francisco neo-soul vibe. Known for both the down-tempo Mushroom Jazz series and the House of OM releases, his track selection is big in bridging the acid ranges of house with a deep and jazzy atmosphere – and he’s willing to drop the needle on a hip-hop record or two.

Watch the man in action at the Las Vegas Love Festival 2009.

Mike Zarin former host of the long-running house music show on WRAS, Houseworks, will be opening up and word is Farina will spin an extended set from 11 p.m. to 3 a.m. Atlanta, don’t sleep on this one.

$15 pre-sale 10 p.m. The Mark Ultralounge, 79 Poplar St. 678-904-0050. themarkatlanta.com

Bookmark to:

Here’s further evidence that the electronic music scene in Atlanta is surging. Nic Fanciulli, who’s held residencies at Space, the renowned Miami night club, and at Ibiza, the electronic music Mecca, will hold the decks at the Mark Ultra Lounge tonight, promoting his latest release with the famed UK label, Global Underground.

The release, simply titled Global Underground: Nic Fanciulli, is the first in what seems to be a new series of DJ-focused discs put out by GU. Those of you familiar with the GU imprint would know that’s hardly new broken ground. Their original GU series, currently at 36 releases from the likes of Paul Oakenfold, Sasha, John Digweed, Adam Freeland, Nick Warren, Felix da Housecat, et al, has defined the label as top choice for yearly electronic goodness.

This new release doesn’t necessarily present a new direction in sound, but rather adds the newcomer to the extensive GU catalog. Fanciulli’s particular blend of electronic music tends to be on the tech-prog house range, which is essentially what you’ll find on the two-disc release, and what he’ll be spinning tonight.

Tickets are $15 on pre-sale, available through Wantickets.com.

After the jump, listen to Fanciulli’s remix of Mark Broom’s “Jackpot Inc”.

(more…)

Bookmark to:

A funny thing happened to electro on its way out: Bands started to play it, as in with instruments and stuff, added some punk swagger, embedded a catchy hook and a few loops, and now the crowd can’t get enough. Tonight you have two absolutely brilliant shows to bring your A dancing game to for razor-sharp synth lines and four-to-the-floor beats.

In case you missed last Thursday’s amazing Cut Copy show at the Masquerade, you’ll get a chance at redemption with the Presets. Bringing an edgier, harder sound than their fellow countrymen, this Sydney-based punk/dance duo will kick your ass as you shake it. Last time through Atlanta they paired up with their fellow Aussies, but this time around they headline; here they are playing “Yippiyo Ya” during last year’s show:

Mr. Preston Craig will rock the decks ‘n effex before the main show, setting the mood right.

(more…)

Bookmark to:

CL’s Chanté LaGon and Chad Radford chat about upcoming shows around Atlanta, including A.C. Newman at the Earl (Friday, March 20), the Weakends at 529 (Saturday, March 21) and Spindrift at the Earl (Monday, March 23).

Check out this week’s Sound Menu for a more comprehensive list of upcoming shows.

Download

Air Loaf is broadcast weekdays on 1690 WMLB-AM at approximately 8:10 a.m., 12:20 p.m. and 6:20 p.m.

Subscribe to the Air Loaf RSS feed to download each new episode automatically

Bookmark to:

CL’s Chanté LaGon and Chad Radford chat about upcoming shows for the weekend including Subsonics at the Star Bar (Friday, March 13), Ex Humans at the Earl (Friday, March 13), and Marnie Stern at 529 (Saturday, March 14).

Air Loaf is broadcast weekdays on 1690 WMLB-AM at approximately 8:10 a.m., 12:20 p.m. and 6:20 p.m.

Download

Subscribe to the Air Loaf RSS feed to download each new episode automatically

Bookmark to:

CL’s Chanté LaGon and Chad Radford chat about the King Kahn show tonight at the Masquerade. Golden Triangle, Balkans and Thomas Function open.

Air Loaf is broadcast weekdays on 1690 WMLB-AM at approximately 8:10 a.m., 12:20 p.m. and 6:20 p.m.

Download

Subscribe to the Air Loaf RSS feed to download each new episode automatically

Bookmark to:

Over the weekend Thrill Jockey announced that the label’s contribution to this year’s National Record Store Day (April 18) is a deluxe, handmade compilation LP titled Records Toreism. The LP is limited to 900 copies and features a drawing by Posttypography on one side. The flipside features a photo silk-screen by Crosshair. Both images portray record stores of the future, one shows the fruitful vision of what happens if you support these long-standing community institutions. The other portrays what will happen if you don’t.

Click below to view the track list and the rest of the cover art and more info regarding contributors.

(more…)

Bookmark to:

Balkans played a 7-inch release party on Sunday night (Feb. 22) at Vacation Gallery & Boutique in the Virginia Highlands, and there was one small problem: there weren’t any 7-inches to be found. The label didn’t get them from the pressing plant in time for the show, which has been an increasingly common problem as of late. Rumor has it that all of the pressing plants around the country are experiencing a huge demand for vinyl right now. As a result it’s taking longer and longer to get records.

The group played anyway, and they wore an awful lot of denim when they did (see above). There were about 25 people in attendance for the 20+ minute set. Balkans craft a jittery and fast-paced punk/surf/fuzzed-out pop grind that teems with energy while they perform.

Guitarist/bass player Brett Miller played with a broken hand, and when he dropped his pick toward the end of the show he just played the string with his fingers. A fine, red spackling, a few smears and a couple of bloody finger prints marred the otherwise colorless face of his guitar by the time he was done.

It’s a sure sign of dedication when a band literally sheds their own blood to keep a show moving along, and all of the pain and frenetic energy the group displayed paid off.

Double Phantom Records hope to have the 7-inches for sale sometime this week, and most definitely by the time they open for King Khan and the Shrines at the Masquerade on Tues., March 10.

(Photo by Chad Radford)

Bookmark to:

Criminal Records announced this week that they have added Savannah’s Kylesa to the line-up for their pre SCION Rock Fest in-store that’s taking place on Fri., Feb. 27, the night before the festival at the Masquerade. So for anyone who’s keeping a tab, the line-up for the Criminal in-store now includes Kylesa, Skeletonwitch and Atlanta’s very own Withered.

In other news, this week Zoroaster — who will also perform at the SCION Rock Fest — released another new song from their forthcoming new album, The Voice of Saturn, through Brooklyn Vegan. The song is called “White Dwarf” and it features a searing guitar solo from Mastodon guitarist Brent Hinds.

Bookmark to:

You can’t have this Feb. 14 without Friday, Feb. the 13th. Of course you and your sweetie have plans to cuddle up for Valentine’s Day. But before you get on with the mushy, sweet stuff, get all the sour out of your system with a few of the hottest performances happening this weekend.

Friday the 13th

WINSTON AUDIO Chill out to the sounds of this Atlanta based, Indie-rock band at their CD release show. $5-$8. 5 p.m. Drunken Unicorn. www.thedrunkenunicorn.net.

MOTHERSHIP Don’t miss Mothership performing the ultimate Led Zeppelin tribute. $6. 9 pm. Andrew’s Upstairs. 404-869-1132. www.eastandrews.com.

TYLER RAMSEY Formerly of the Band of Hoses, Tyler Ramsey will be ripping up his guitar and the stage in a live performance. $10. 9 pm. The Earl. 404-522-3950  www.badearl.com

Valentine’s Day

UNIFUNK Fall in love all over again to the soulful sound of Jaspects. $10. 9 pm. Studio 281. 404-524-7247. www.studio281.com.

THE DREAM BROTHERS:THE MUSIC OF TIM AND JEFF BUCKLEY Performed by some of the hottest local musicians  $8. 9 pm. The Earl. 404-522-3950  www.badearl.com

ABBY GO GO Will be playing a show at 529. Contact venue for ticket prices.  529. 404-228-6769. www.529atl.com.

Bookmark to:

For this edition of Roll Call, we call out, uh, Phoebe Cates of Attractive Eighties Women.

Who are you?
I’m Phoebe Cates, charismatic frontman of Attractive Eighties Women, the best band in Atlanta.

Describe yourself in three words.
Big loud jerk

Who — dead or alive — would you most like to meet?
Dinosaurs. Preferably in a safe controlled environment. Maybe some kind of park?

Who would you most like to slap in the face?
Math

What song do you wish you had written?
“Anarchy Burger” by the Vandals

Elvis Costello or Elvis Presley?
Paul Westerberg or Joe Strummer

LP, CD or MP3?
I’m done with CDs. My girlfriend bought me a vintage turntable cabinet for Christmas. I am all about the MP3s and vinyl now. Records that come with those little coupons so you can download the MP3s? Those are awesome.

If you could start one trend, what would it be?
Grown-ups wearing those roller skate shoes

If you could end one trend, what would it be?
Terrorism!!!

With whom would you most like to play a game of spin the bottle?
Kristen Bell, Kaley Cuoco, Elle MacPherson (circa 1989), Sally Field (circa Smokey and the Bandit), and the Little Mermaid (fish, not human).

Free download: the Clermont EP.

Listen to AEW on the Regular Guys.

(Photo courtesy Attractive Eighties Women)

Bookmark to: