Often compared to bands like LCD Soundsystem and The Strokes, Hockey originally captured the hearts (and ears) of fans everywhere with their debut home-made EP, Mind Chaos, in 2009. After making their way through the festival circuit, having songs featured on multiple commercials and television shows, being named as one of Beyond Race magazine’s “50 Emerging Artists” in 2009, and a shift in members, the band is back on the scene with new album, Wyeth.

This summer original vocalist Benjamin Grubin and bassist Jeremy “Jerm” Renyolds are hitting the road on a co-headling tour with The Hush Sound. We recently got a chance to catch up with Jerm about their latest album, the upcoming tour, and what Hockey’s plans are for 2013. Here’s what he had to say!

How did the band Hockey get its start?

Ben and I were roommates in college. The band he was in broke up and we just started playing together. We were originally based out of Portland, Oregon and now we’re based out of New York City. It’s a coming home experience for Ben, being that he is originally from New York City.

Does your band have any affiliation with the sport of hockey?

No, nothing against the sport of hockey though. The name was just the most absurd thing we could think of at the time. That’s what we were about at the time, finding the line and crossing it. That’s our sense of humor.

What has been the fan reaction of Wyeth so far?

It’s a new sound for us. Some of our fans seem a little weirded out but we expected it. It felt the most authentic for us. It might take a couple listens. It came from a deep place. We took a long time to craft it and put it together.

What are your feelings on many people likening you to artists like LCD Soundsystem and The Strokes?

Those bands are great. I also really like Talking Heads. With the newest album we took a lot of inspiration from 80′s hip hop. Our vocal melodies have a reggae influence like Bob Marley or The Police. I think this album is an interesting recreation of the 80′s. More melodic and darker.

What albums are you listening to lately?

My top one is Channel Orange by Frank Ocean.

What is the strangest or weirdest encounter you’ve had with a fan?

We went to Japan for two shows and after every show there was 15-20 girls mobbing us in a really polite and quiet way. It was a tiny mob so the security guards  pushing them away from us were really unnecessary.

How do you connect with a crowd?

Get people energized. Give people energy and life. We’re entertainers. It’s our  job to create an experience for people. The instruments don’t make us who we are.  We want to make something magical from nothing.

You can catch Hockey with The Hush Sound at The Loft on Sunday, May 19! Tickets are available below!

Live Review by: Molly Free
Photos by: Taylor Magill

I was really looking forward to heading down to the Earl on a chilly Tuesday night to catch the Mowgli’s and Family of the Year play. I saw Family of the Year play last year, and I was looking forward to seeing them again, but I was even more excited to see what Los Angeles band the Mowgli’s had to offer. I had been keeping up with the Mowgli’s since their single “San Francisco” was released.

The Mowgli’s are an 8-member band made up of friends who just honestly have a great love for music and each other. The Mowgli’s show honestly made me feel like I just left an amazing yoga class with live music. The band is very peace, love, and happiness in all of their messages in their music as well as their presence on stage. The Mowgli’s show reminded me of a modern day “jam band” with multiple instruments being passed around including tambourines, keyboard, guitars, and even a kazoo miniature keyboard! Their unique sound combines blends of folk and quirkiness that accompanies indie pop. A highlight besides their single “San Francisco” was the song “Carry Your Will” in which the band was very intimate singing from the crowd.

Carrying on the “jam band” theme Family of the Year took the stage shortly thereafter the Mowgli’s. Also based in Los Angeles, this multi-member band joins brothers and friends together. While I was listening and watching the band’s interaction with one another on stage, they reminded me of a mash up of Fleetwood Mac and No Doubt. The band with one female member, find a nice blend of male and female voices with a heavy folk influence. The band members were great storytellers introducing every song with a story behind it, including tales about their neighbors and the feeling of being buried alive.

Both bands had different shows and sounds, but both of these bands came together on their passion for one another as band mates, and with their music with a message. At the end of the day people enjoy music for their own personal messages they find in a song, and both bands take that into strong consideration.

Both bands ware heavily touring throughout the spring. Family of the Year’s current album Loma Vista, and the Mowgli’s EP Love’s Not Dead are both out now

By: Taylor Magill

I was first exposed to Evan Andree’s music while working at The Masquerade when he opened for MC Lars and I Fight Dragons. As soon as I got home, I started googling to find out where I could hear more of this extremely talented singer-songwriter’s music online. I was excited to learn that he’s from right here in Atlanta. After giving more of Evan’s music a listen, I immediately became a fan. I was lucky enough to talk to Evan this past week about his newest EP’s, his biggest accomplishments, and what he has planned for his future in music.

AMG: What inspired you to start playing music?

By: Taylor Magill

Milyssa Rose is an Atlanta pop artist with an edge. Born in Detroit, Michigan, Milyssa has always known that the entertainment business was   her true calling. Growing up, she participated in community theater, modeling, and talent shows. Milyssa also has been studying with a vocal coach for many years to perfect her craft.

After graduating high school, Milyssa tried her hand at reality based talent searches. She soon realized that being an overnight celebrity was not her path for success. At eighteen, she began writing lyrics and experimenting with different production teams. Finally, she joined forces with Strong Foundation & Co. and 2 Gran Productions. Milyssa felt being more involved in the creative process would broaden her horizons and strengthen her skills.

At the suggestion of an artist featured on AMG’s Ones to Watch earlier in the year, Dylan Michael, I gave Milyssa Rose’s music a listen and I was immediately hit by her incredible range and soulful vocals. This week I talked to her about who she is behind the music.

AMG: How long have you been making music? What inspired you to start?

MR: I have been making music since I could speak. I use to have performances in my basement with my stuffed animals. I was my own drummer.I was a one kid show. I was inspired by MTV when they played music. Madonna and Cyndi Lauper were my absolute favorites.I loved their uniqueness and showmanship. They are both music icons. I am drawn to the strong, independent, take no BS kind of woman.

AMG: What genre would you say your music fits into?

MR: I am pop/rock. But, I dabble in everything. I am diverse in my musical tastes. I am like a musical buffet. I have something for everyone.

AMG: Who are your biggest musical influences?

MR: Christina Aguilera- her soulful voice and conviction when she sings is top notch.  Madonna- a remarkable business woman and a classic musical icon. Johnny Cash-a rebel and a songwriter. He tells amazing stories in his music. Dead Kennedy’s, AFI, Barbara Streisand, Liza Minelli,Heather Headley,Lil Wayne, Machine Gun Kelly, and Young Jeezy. I draw inspiration from all types of music.

AMG: Where does the inspiration come from your songs?

MR: Anger, bitterness, and personal experiences.Music is my therapy and I can express my thoughts and feelings in song. I’d rather invest in music than a therapist. Medication would give me writer’s block.

AMG: What is your biggest musical accomplishment so far?

MR: I would say being an indie artist being able to be free. This isn’t my bread and butter but one day it will be.I perform out. I write my own songs/melodies and diving into making music videos. I can say I am doing this my way and for me that’s an accomplishment.

AMG: What are your future plans or goals for your music?

MR: I want to empower people to speak their minds and not take any SHIT. I am not claiming to be a role model because my content it not for the kids at all time. I want to show women that you can be pretty, smart, successful without showing off your body. My goal is be bigger, better, and more fabulous. I want to continue to make quality music, put on passionate performances, and put out out of the box videos. Hopefully, my name will be recognized and the right people come looking for me.

AMG: Do you have any shows coming up?

• MR:March 13th Peopletv.org with Patricia Crayton 7pm
• March 19th Lebuzz for the Lohan Experience 11pm
• March 20th Kat’s Cafe  for At the Stage 8pm
• March 21st Waen.tv/Wain.tv 11am with The O.G. Show
• March 22nd The Derek Shapiro show online 8pm
• March 24th the Skyy Lounge 4pm
• May 4th The Producer’s Ball with Vinny Bucci
• May 10th Sweet Auburn Revue 3pm
• May 12th Sweet Auburn 4pm

Review by Molly Free, Photos by Taylor Magill

To wind down after a Monday, I headed over to East Atlanta Village to the cozy underground venue of Graveyard’s The Basement to check out an awesome evening of Nashville music featuring Kopecky Family Band and LEAGUES, brought to you by Bowe Inc.

I have to admit I was already a huge fan of LEAGUES before Monday night. Once I heard their sexy tune “Magic” I was hooked. The band kicked off the intimate show with their newest and very catchy single “Spotlight”. Lead singer, Thad Crockwell was on a mission to get the crowd up on their feet, and mission accomplished within seconds. The band filled The Basement with contagious energy that continued through out the whole set. The highlight for me was during the amazing introductory melody created by guitarist Tyler Burkum and drummer Jeremy Lutito that builds a sense of anticipation into “Magic” you can’t help but bounce up and down awaiting that song to start. These Nashville dudes were incredibly down to earth and kicked off a great set of Monday night music. Their album You Belong Here is out now.

The infectious energy didn’t stop after LEAGUES’ set, Kopecky Family Band took the stage with their wide arrangement of instruments. The band isn’t related but family by circumstance as they are all close friends, forming an amazing group of musically inclined individuals. There wasn’t an instrument you didn’t see being utilized in their set ranging from tambourines, keyboards, and even horns. Yes horns. The family moves as a unit on stage swapping instruments with ease and creating an adventurous energy on stage. The highlights for me were “Wandering Eyes” and beautiful tune “Waves”. Kopecky’s newest album Kids Raising Kids is out now.

Last but not lease I have to shout-out to opener, Evan P Donahue and his amazing song “Felix” everyone should get familiar with yet another great talent hailing from the city of music. All in all, yet another great Atlanta night filled with talent and music from Bowe Inc.

With so many colleges on Spring Break this and next week, I chose to do something different for this week’s edition of AMG’s Ones to Watch. Here’s a round-up of local bands to add to your spring break playlist, hit the beach, and impress your friends with your impeccable music taste.

Misplaced Shoreline

Hailing from Ashburn, Georgia, Misplaced Shoreline is an alternative/post hardcore band made up of brothers, Joel & Jess Gravitt, Lee Taylor, Craig Harper, & Bryant Wilkes. Full of lyrics that reflect the pain of what it is to have lost yourself and your goals, Misplaced Shoreline is a band that everyone can relate to.

Songs to check out: So Much More & These Tides

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MisplacedShoreline

Milyssa Rose is an Atlanta pop artist with an edge. With a powerful, soulful voice & dynamic range, Milyssa’s album proves to have something for everyone.

Songs to check out: Skating & Wild Ride

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Mrosemusic

Degradations

Degradations is an Atlanta based southern metal band driven by riffs and lyrics fueled by beer, whiskey, hate, and life. If you love sounds of slow doom that quickly change to fast intensity, Degradations is the band for you to check out.

Songs to check out: Scarecrows & I Hate This Place

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Degradations

Brandon Reeves

Brandon Reeves is a Kennesaw based singer-songwriter with music crossed between the guitar playing of John Hurt and soulful vocals of Sam Cooke. Brandon’s new album, A Decent Melody is out now.

Songs to check out: Dry River Blues & Song About an Irish Girl

Website: http://www.brandonreevesmusic.com

By: Taylor Magill

When you grow up in a small town like Chatsworth, Georgia, sometimes the only thing there is to do is start a band. After playing in different groups and working to find themselves musically, Gold Plated Gold came together in January of 2011. Self described as “three men bounded by the hand of God to wonder the land and claim every horse that they can in hopes of breeding the most powerful offspring possible,” Gold Plated Gold is churning out three to four shows a month and hitting the music scene hard in 2013.

Curious about the hype behind them and captivated by their catchy tunes, I talked with Gold Plated Gold about the inspiration behind the music, how the name came about, and what’s up for them in 2013.

AMG:What inspired you guys to start a band?

GPG: Generally our obsession with rock music. We only usually had one place to play music within a ten mile radius from where we lived at the time we all met, so all the music loving kids tended to stick together. We were all playing in different groups at the time, talked with each other a few times and were really just trying to find ourselves musically. We saw that everyone was going in the same direction with most of their music in our area and that nobody looked like they were really getting into what they were doing at all. After being around it for so long, it seems like a fire just set inside of us. It was a drive that still keeps pushing us to this day.

AMG: Where did your band name come from?

GPG: One of the first times that all three of us played together was at our drummer’s house for one of our friend’s twenty first birthday. He had been ridiculously drunk of course and started going on about how much he liked what he heard. He assured us that he was serious and followed up by saying “you guys could have wh-whatever you want, y-you could have money, women, and gold plated rec…….gold.” He was trying to say gold plated records but something completely original came out instead. It was just a drunken slip of the tongue on his part I’m sure, but it seems like it was meant to be at that moment and even to this day.

AMG: Where do you draw the inspirations for your music?

GPG: A lot of experimental music, a bit of garage rock and tons of heavy blues based rock and roll. We’re all from very diverse musical backgrounds, but shared an interest in anything really grooving that just made us want to dance. Lyrically, it would just be general day to day experiences like our jobs, friends, and sexual adventures.

AMG: Who are your biggest musical influences?

GPG: Some of the biggest influences we have in regards to other bands are: Queens of the Stone Age, The White Stripes, The Mars Volta, Modest Mouse, The Pixies, The Strokes and Portugal. The Man

AMG: What is your band’s biggest accomplishment so far?

GPG: The show that we played with Surfer Blood last July in Atlanta. It was at The Masquerade and it was just nearly sold out. Not only was it our first time playing in Atlanta, it was the first time that we had played for such a giant crowd. We generated quite few fans at that show that still come to our shows. Getting to hang back stage with Surfer Blood all night was pretty amazing too.

AMG: Are there any upcoming shows or releases that fans should look out for?

GPG: We actually just put five demos on our soundcloud account and hey are all available for free download. As far as shows go, we have an amazing show on March 8th at JJ’s Bohemia in Chattanooga, TN with Diarrhea Planet and Behold the Brave. It should be one of the craziest shows that we’ve been a part of in a very long time.

AMG: If you could open for any musician or band, who would you want it to be?

GPG: Queens of the Stone. As diverse as their sound gets at times and as much as we love them, that would be amazing.

AMG: What are your future goals and plans for your band?

GPG: In the next year we are planning to tour all over the southern United States, play a lot more of the new material that we have been writing for a while now and start work on a full length that should be done in late fall.

AMG: Do you have a Facebook, Twitter, or website for fans to check out?

GPG: We’re connected to nearly every social media site in existence, but we usually just stick to the sites listed. www.facebook.com/goldplatedfuture, www.twitter.com/goldplatedgold, Instagram is @goldplatedgold, www.reverbnation.com/goldplatedfuture, https://soundcloud.com/gold-plated-gold.

Gold Plated Gold is Blake Callahan, Casey Lovain, and Adam Ayers. Gold Plated Gold is based in Chatsworth, GA. For more information visit www.facebook.com/goldplatedgold.

Photos by Codi Glancy

By: Taylor Magill

I first came across The Electric Sons when I found a copy of their self-titled EP in the box office of the venue where I work. From first listen, I was hooked. With electronic influences, ELS’ EP is high energy from start to finish.

ELS was  formed in 2011 when vocalist and guitarist Andrew Miller left his job as an illustrator for the FX Network series, Archer, to team up with vocalist and keyboardist Ben Richards, an advertising graduate of Savannah College of Art and Design. Miller and Richards quickly gained a following of local fans after releasing a home-recorded EP under the name “AM83”. Energized by the grass roots success of the EP, the pair set their sights on releasing a follow-up EP. It was during those writing sessions that Miller and Richard’s shared love for electronic music began to influence their writing. The result is their latest self-produced, self-titled EP, The Electric Sons.

Within a week of their EP release, ELS was featured in Indie Music Review magazine where the EP got 5 star critical praise. “From the production quality to the music, vocals, and lyrics: everything is a home run. After only 4 songs they will definitely leave you wanting more, so start it over and play it again!” (IMR, May 2012)

Whether it’s the growl of the fan-favorite track, “Break Away”, or the shimmering luster of the soaring “Kyoto”, listeners of the EP and observers of the band’s live performance agree: the self-described “two headed music machine”, The Electric Sons could very well be the first big electronic band to come out of the South.

This week, I talked to The Electric Sons about the band’s beginnings, their influences, and upcoming releases and shows.

AMG: What inspired you guys to start a band?

Andrew: I think the band sort of surfaced on it’s own.

Ben: Yeah, we were both involved in music before we met – I was in and out of bands, Andrew was doing some solo stuff. We met in college and then just started writing together.

AMG: Where did your band name come from?

A: From months of running through the worst band names you’ve ever heard.

B: And we were electricians in previous lives.

AMG: Where do you draw the inspirations for your music?

A: I studied animation and film making in college so a lot of films inspire me. We tend to develop a music video in our heads first and just describe what happens with the lyrics.

B: Everywhere. Mainly other musicians.

AMG: Who are your biggest musical influences?

A: Phoenix, Miike Snow, Coldplay, etc.

B: I love new music–  Grizzly Bear’s new album, Selah Sue, 2 Door Cinema Club to name a few.

AMG: What is your band’s biggest accomplishment so far?

A: I feel like our initial E.P. was a huge accomplishment for us. It opened a lot of doors. Comparing where we were in April to where we are now blows my mind. I can’t wait to see what lies ahead.

B: Putting together and producing our own music video. We put in a lot of hours on the creative and logistics of that thing so it was really fulfilling to see it completed.

AMG: Are there any upcoming shows or releases that fans should look out for?

A: We have a show this Thursday (2/21) at the Earl with two amazing bands: Stokeswood who are also from Atlanta and Hank and Cupcakes from NYC. We go on at 9pm, followed by Hank and Cupcakes, and then Stokeswood. Plus a new track and music video released in the spring.

AMG: If you could open for any musician or band, who would you want it to be?

B: I’d love to open for Foster the People. Torches blew me away. Gotye would be a lot of fun too.

A: Coldplay. The energy at their shows is unbelievable.

AMG: What are your future goals and plans for your band?

B:Continue to write and perform for our amazing fans.

A: I have a pretty strong itch to make a full album sometime soon, so I’ll be pushing for that.

AMG: Do you have a Facebook, Twitter, or website for fans to check out?

B: Yep. facebook.com/theelectricsons, tweet the band @theelectricsons  and more photos, videos and tour dates at our official website www.electricsons.com. <3

The Electric Sons is Andrew Miller and Ben Richards and is based out of Atlanta, GA. For more information, visit www.electricsons.com.

By: Taylor Magill

In a world where every high school kid has access to a guitar, the music industry is full of  hundreds of bands restricting themselves to some sort of popular sub-genre and the fleeting hope of cornering some portion of an over saturated market. This is not the case  with Calhoun’s experimental post-hardcore band Tir Asleen.

Formed in November of 2009, the five members of Tir Asleen set out to create music with a wide array of sounds while striving to establish a unique and heartfelt sense of identity for themselves. Boasting a wild and energetic live show, tireless work ethic, and the drive to further discover who they are as artists, Tir Asleen is poised to be a light in a world seemingly devoid of originality and full of those selling out for trends.

Although I’ve known the guys of Tir Asleen for several years,  I recently sat down to talk to them about the background behind the name, their musical influences, and their upcoming plans in 2013.

AMG: What inspired you guys to start a band?

TA: We all wanted to play and write music but the single event that inspired us to do something different and heartfelt was a Fear Before (the March of Flames) show.  We saw them at the 7 Venue in Douglasville, GA alongside a crowd of about 20 other people and we’re completely blown away by their performance.  Despite the crowd they put on an intense and captivating performance that inspired us like nothing had before.  A few months after that Jesse, Micheal, and Bret drove to Ohio to see Fear Before on their last tour and that pretty much solidified our vision to create what would eventually become Tir Asleen.

TA: These are the best ways to keep up with our antics:

http://www.facebook.com/tirasleen

http://www.twitter.com/tirasleen

http://tirasleen.bandcamp.com

http://www.youtube.com/tirasleenband

Tir Asleen is Micheal Floyd on guitar and vocals, Jesse Hicks on vocals, Bret Williams on bass, Dallas Gallimore on guitar, and Cameron Flaisch on drums.