Crib Notes

SUGARHILL AIN’T DEAD

(See more photos of Sugarhill’s last jam at John Crooms’ photoblog, mauricegarland.com or rollingout.com.)

Last night’s going-away party at Sugarhill in Underground Atlanta was “beautifully chaotic,” in the words of resident funkstress Joi, who’s held Sugarhill’s open mic night down as host since its inception in ’06.

When we broke the news on Crib Notes last week that the owners of Sugarhill had decided to close down Atlanta’s premier live soul venue to search for better digs, people began leaving mournful comments (myself included) that made it seem as if the announcement marked the end of an era.

But when Joi stepped on stage around 11:30 p.m. last night clad in skintight patent leather leggings, a backless red tee and red platform stilettos, it was apparent that she had not come to kick the proverbial bucket. Instead, Sugarhill’s last jam quickly morphed into a nasty, New Orleans-inspired, funk-jazz, juke joint of a funeral.

“This journey started about two and a half years ago ’cause it wasn’t shit to do in this city,” Joi eulogized from the stage, “this beautiful chocolate city full of talented artists.”

(more…)

Bookmark to:

UPDATE: Read the follow-up post, Sugarhill’s last jam — plus a Shameless Plug for the future of live music in Atlanta.

Next Tuesday will be the last night for Sugarhill — Atlanta’s premier destination for live soul and progressive urban music.

It’s a stunning announcement — but maybe not too surprising considering the obstacles the venue has faced since its inception.

Much of the onus for the club’s closing lies with “Underground [Atlanta] mismanagement,” according to co-owner Richard Dunn, who partnered with Jason Carter (Sol Fusion promoter), Freddy Luster (former co-owner of Yin Yang Café), and Rival Entertainment/Center Stage co-owners Josh Antenucci and Tom Cook to open the venue in September 2006.

(more…)

Bookmark to:

CL’s Chanté LaGon and Chad Radford chat about upcoming shows around Atlanta, including Zoroaster’s CD release party at the Drunken Unicorn (Friday, March 27), Eva Kennedy at Sugarhill (Saturday, March 28), and the Preakness at the Earl (Saturday, March 28).

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:

They’ve been called the black Eurythmics. They even ate pancakes with Prince.

And all of that before dropping their first official release, last year’s double EP The Beauty in Distortion/Land of the Lost.

Yep, the genre-mashing, L.A.-based duo J*Davey is kind of a big deal. Which is why we lept at the chance to e-mail Jack Davey (the female singer with the dude’s name) and Brook D’Leau (the male producer with the chick’s name) some questions in advance of their Sat., March 14 Atlanta concert at Sugarhill (see show info below).

The first couple of electro-pop/future-soul/fill-in-the-blank-fusion explains how the right mixture of testosterone and vomit can create a beautiful love child.

Jack, on top of rocking a dude’s name, your lyrics and stage show drip with feminine sexuality, yet you convey a strength that’s almost masculine. Ever feel like you’re walking a tightrope between the two?

Jack: Not really. The music forces certain things out of me that I wasn’t previously aware of, so I just go with it without really thinking about it. I’m simply a vessel at the whim of the genius. I feel as though I embody a little bit of everything a lover wants his/her girl to be: strong, confident, sexy, yet vulnerable. The boy’s name is really just a moniker for the adventurous spirit, the little gypsy pirate who comes along to shake things up a bit. It’s funny … my nutritionist recently told me that I have high levels of testosterone, which explains why the music and the stage show are so sexually charged. I have the hormones of a 16-year-old boy. Lucky me!
(more…)

Bookmark to:

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)

Bookmark to:

For today’s Roll Call we call out singer/songwriter and New Orleans native Kelly Love Jones, who took the city’s open mic scene by storm over the past two years.

Who are you?
Kelly Love Jones: Musician, Artist, Mommy

Describe yourself in three words.
Honest, Loving, Peaceful

Who — dead or alive — would most you like to meet?
Dr. Jewel Pookrum

Who would you most like to slap in the face?
The person who invented religions.

What song (or songs) do you wish you had written?
Any song by Sade.

Fats Domino or Fats Waller?
Both

LP, CD or MP3?
LP

If you could start one trend, what would it be?
Unconditional Universal Love

If you could end one trend, what would it be?
I’d end the need for trends.

With whom would you most like to play a game of spin the bottle?
Do people still play this game?

Kelly Love Jones opens for Fertile Ground’s 10-year anniversary tour at Sugarhill. 9 p.m. Sat., Nov. 15. $20 advance. $25 at the door. 50 Upper Alabama Street. 404-658-0068. Advance tickets available at Moods Music, Marco’s Pita and Ticket Alternative.com.

Listen to Kelly Love Jones’ “Master of Deceit.”

Bookmark to:

When Rahbi hits the stage for his Strange Fruit III show at Sugarhill (9 p.m., Sat. July 26. 50 Upper Alabama St. www.sugarhillatl.com), you can bet he’ll be suited up in an outlandish costume to go along with his outrageous stage persona. At last year’s Strange Fruit II show (subtitled “Inspire Me, Damnit”), his multiple costume changes included a Napoleonic colonel’s jacket with tails, and a sequined Michael Jackson-esque shirt circa “Motown 25″ unbuttoned to his navel.

When it comes to theatricality, the self-proclaimed prince of glam soul is a royal diva. So in preparation for the show, I decided to tag along with him to his favorite costume shop to see how he planned to visually convey why he is, as he says, “the muthafuckin’ shit.”

Take notes.

Rahbi: This shit is hot!

Rodney: I mean what is it, what would you call that?

Rahbi: See you know what, I ain’t no fashion guru like that. I just know the way I do it is when I put it on does it make me feel good, does it make me feel like I’m fly? I don’t really know all the correct terms and the couture and this and that. No, I don’t go off that. I just put it on, and if I feel like I’m the shit when I put it on, then that’s the right thing. Man, I’m serious. I don’t know about all that.

(more…)

Bookmark to:

No, we haven’t been snoozing on Atlanta’s soul scene. Just nodding a bit — head-nodding, that is.

But seriously, a lot has been happening while we’ve been busy keeping you up to date on all things underground hip-hop and rock in the city.

In case you still haven’t heard, India.Arie has a new label deal, SoulBird Records, under Universal Republik; and the first artist she signed is her homeboy, Anthony David. His first release, Acey Ducey, is due in stores June 24. It’ll be an amalgamation of the best tracks from his previous releases (2004’s Three Chords and the Truth and 2006’s Red Clay Chronicles).

So, while I was on Anthony David’s MySpace blog — which I check out darn near every day ’cause he’s always got something thought-provoking or just stupid funny to post/say — I saw that he had posted Algebra Blessett’s new video for “Run and Hide.” So I had to jack it from his page and post it above. (I’m pretty sure neither one of them will mind.)

After you peep that, check out the recent stories CL ran on both Anthony David and Algebra Blessett.

What else, might you ask, is going on in Atlanta’s soul scene? Well, besides the must-see Harmony in Life monthlies (the next one is Sat., May 24) and Joi’s Tuesday Night Jam sessions at Sugarhill, a whole helluva lot. But we’re gonna give it to you in bits and pieces so you keep coming back for more. I’ve definitely got my eye on ChantaeCann, who is supposed to be working on her debut album with P.J. Morton — another cat who deserves a head nod.

And I can’t wait to tell y’all about Sarafina. Later, I promise.

Here are some happenings you should check out this weekend:

Heston and Julie Dexter perform A Tribute to Bob Marley, featuring music by Swatt Band. $12. Sat., May 10. 9 p.m. Sugarhill in Underground Atlanta, 50 Upper Alabama St. 404-658-0068. www.sugarhillatl.com.

Atlanta Unplugged featuring Salakida. Sat., May 10. 9 p.m. Lattetude Bar and Bistro, 501 Dekalb Industrial Way. In lieu of door cover, bring used DVDs for donation to cancer patients at Emory Winship Cancer Institute. 404-298-8787. www.lattetudebistro.com.

Creative Control: Legends Edition presents A Tribute to Mary J. Blige. DJ Shakim, DJ Applejac and DJ Grandman spin 16 years worth of classics, remixes and rarities! $10 (Ladies $5 before midnight). 10 p.m.-3 a.m. Cenci, 1259 Glenwood Ave. 404-627-0533. RSVP: CreativeControl@TheKaosEffect.com.

Bookmark to: