Hat Land, duh! Won Hun Dreads!

I wrote these for a local publication that decided not to use them. I figured you guys should know about these shows regardless of our agreement. NOTE: The above title is a reference to my favorite theme park, Hat Land, where (obviously) I won my authentic Hun dreadlock wig in a ring-toss game scenario. It is NOT a phonetic recreation of the publication's title. 

St. Paul & the Broken Bones @ The EARL 2/22/2014

St. Paul and the Broken Bones, the latest pride of Birmingham, AL pick up where Clarence Carter and Wilson Pickett left Muscle Shoals all those decades ago. Singer Paul Janeway channels some of the legends of 60’s soul, and is a lively frontman for one of the best live acts of the New Year. So, be sure to put on your best dancing shoes and put the kids to bed. This six-piece band, including a full horn section, is making a huge impression on the scene, and is sure to move and groove the East Atlanta club on Saturday night.

Alejandro Escovedo and Peter Buck @ the EARL 3/1/2014

This is a rare opportunity to see two songwriting giants on an intimate stage in one night. REM guitarist Peter Buck will join Austin, TX legend, Alejandro Escovedo at the small East Atlanta club for an unforgettable set of classic tunes. Hailed as one of the best singer-songwriters of the 90’s, Escovedo has had a roller coaster career and is back on his first headlining tour since 2010. Peter Buck will open the set, hopefully playing cuts off of his highly anticipated second solo album, I’m Back to Blow Your Mind Once Again. This will be one for the books.

Stephen Malkmus and The Jicks @ Terminal West 3/4/2014

One of the 90’s most prolific and influential musicians, Malkmus and his group Pavement helped to define the slacker-rock aesthetic of the decade. Their 1994 hit “Cut Your Hair” launched their career and put them into the mainstream. Following their breakup in 2000, Malkmus embarked on a solo career with the Jicks that continued to focus on his unique guitar and dry commentary songwriting. Their latest, Wig Out at Jagbags, was released in early January, and has garnered a lot of positive attention from fans and critics alike. It is some of the strongest material Malkmus has cut in years.

Black Lips and Deerhunter @ Variety Playhouse 3/7/2014

Two of Atlanta’s most celebrated bands of the last decade are sharing the stage in this instant classic, duel-headliner event.  Through several incarnations and band members, the Black Lips have created a unique, high-energy sound that has become some of the best of the city’s punk scene. They’ll undoubtedly be debuting cuts from their highly anticipated 2014 release, Underneath the Rainbow, which is due out in March. Local favorite, Deerhunter is also on the bill. Bradford Cox and Co. will be bringing a set of their ambient melodic guitar-driven tunes to the stage in support of their latest album, Monomania.

Real Estate @ Terminal West 3/31/2014

Real Estate have spent the last five years quietly building a strong fan base, a steady live and studio lineup, and unique sound of jangly landlocked surf-pop. Their self-titled debut and 2011’s Days were both highly critically acclaimed and landed them a contract with Domino Recording Company. Original members, Martin Courtney, IV, Matt Mondanile and Alex Bleeker recruited drummer Jackson Pollis and keyboardist Matt Kallman to join as permanent members after recording their latest studio album, Atlas, due out early March.  Don’t miss this exciting band in its most solid incarnation at one of the coolest new venues in Atlanta.

Drive-By Truckers Album Release 3/4/2014

English Oceans, the latest album from Athens veteran rockers, the Drive-By Truckers is due out in early March. It is the 12^th studio effort from the group in their road-worn career. Guitarist Mike Cooley described the album as “going back to that simple sound”.  The Truckers recorded in their hometown at Chase Park Transductions, just outside downtown. It’s their first album in about four years, but it still features the stripped-down, Southern heartache and soul that fans of the group have come to love. The real treat will be when the band brings these new songs to town. Stay tuned.

Oh, hello, T. Hardy Morris.

I didn't see you there.

It's been a while.

I realize I'm quite late to your party.

I meant to arrive sooner, really. I'm just not a punctual man.
It's a character flaw, and I'm working on it.

I saw your You Tube videos. I caught your opening set for Television.

I loved your invitations. I saved the date. But somewhere between my adult softball team's playoff run and an endless series of grueling Seinfeld binges on Crackle, life got in the way. The invitation got buried somewhere. It's no excuse really. But I have to tell you one of the biggest reasons I didn't come was...

I hadn't got around to listening to your album, man.

Until about a month ago, I was at a loss for new music. Sure, I heard some promising singles here and there. But every time I went to Pitchf***k, all they had for me were what seemed to be just mix tapes of clever synthpop. There was no meat, no cohesion.

Over the winter months I withered, uninspired.

Then, that fateful morning in Wuxtry's when I happened upon the soft, red jacket in the local section that held my invitation. I put that needle right between the lines of that slick, black ink, and I knew.

I wasn't too late. I could still join the party. I'd been a fool to not go before.

And I have to tell you, man. It's been quite a shindig.

Hanging out on the comfortable chord progressions by the couch; egging on the fight with the drums on the patio; bringing it all down to a whisper when the cops came to the door.

I've been moved. I've been grooved. I've fallen down laughing like I don't know how to act. I've even had heart-to-hearts with friends.

All your friends were really nice, too. Matt, Ian, Thayer, Pistol...they brought so much to the table it was a country style buffet. Tell them I said hey.

I've been telling all my friends to stop by. None of them have left yet.



Mind if I crash on the couch?

Update: here are some photos from last night