Music Man: Atlantis 11.0

Another Atlantis Music Conference has come and gone. Hard to believe its been 11 years since the first one. Say what you will about it, but I have fun every year. Doing what I do for a living, I’m out at the venues a lot throughout the year, but it’s nice having a 3 day/night run of back to back shows. It’s like playing catch-up on bands that I may have missed in previous months, or perhaps was just too lazy to make the drive to Athens to see a show that most likely wont start until 2am. In fact, I found the last band I signed at last year’s Atlantis, so I was hoping for a repeat this year…
I saw some bands that I expected to be great, actually pull off a great show, I saw some bands that I expected to be great simply phone it in leaving myself and others disappointed, I also saw some bands that I had never seen before completely blow the doors off, taking my eardrums with them…here are the highlights:
Death on Two Wheels–This was probably my 5th time seeing this Atlanta band, and every show is impressive, but this one saw them take it to another level, not just because the lovely ladies in The Bridges sang backing vocals the whole time (although that was a nice touch), it was more because they played like veterans of a big stage who did us a favor and played on a small one…the tighter-then-ever line-up, the transitions between songs, and of course, the songs themselves, quickly drove this band to possible "next big thing out of Atlanta" status. Let’s just hope they don’t fall into the Atlanta rut of only playing Atlanta/Athens, and consequently not making a name for themselves elsewhere…
Oh Dorian–This was the surprise of the conference. Having never heard of or seen Heather Kemp (aka Oh Dorian), I had zero expectations when Tim Sweetwood from The Masquerade dragged me downstairs to the Atlanta Room at Smith’s to see a few songs. Great songs, crazy-good voice, and real soul. Looking for something refreshing to fill your musical void? Catch her the next time she’s in our town…
Part Bear–I’ve been hearing about Athens-based Part Bear for a while, but have never before seen them (file this under the afore-mentioned "too lazy to make the drive to Athens to see a show that most likely wont start until 2am")…From note one, I was drawn in. The rawness and sheer energy of this three-piece band is unbelievable. Although I don’t hear this comparison on their recordings, their live performance reminded me of Liam Gallagher if he was singing for Rated R-era Queens of the Stone Age. It’s actually kinda hard to explain it, but suffice it to say that one you see these guys play, you’ll be hooked.
Act of Congress–Here’s a band I totally missed, and instantly regretted it. As I was walking into the StarBar they were leaving the stage and everyone I spoke to about their show told me it was amazing. I might just have to make the drive to B’ham to see them the next time they play. They sold out the 600 capacity WorkPlay Theater the last time they played there, so they’re doing something right…

All in all I probably saw 30 different bands over the course of the weekend, and there were indeed many more that were actually pretty good, and only time will tell if any of them end up on my label’s roster (or any label for that matter), but one thing for sure is that the Atlanta music scene seems to be in fine shape as of late, so let’s keep it that way…
-mm

Honorable Mentions–All Get Out, The Media Says, The Falcon Lords, The Empties
Current Listening-The Helio Sequence "Keep Your eyes ahead" Act of Congress "Declaration"

Music Man: Good to be Home

I’ve been in England for the past ten days. Those who know me, know that I love me some British music, and when I go over there, I usually come back all jacked up about a new band that’s starting to break in the mother land. This trip was different though. I wasn’t on my usual hunt for jangly guitars and rowdy lead singers, nope, this time it was a family trip, so unless being on the same plane as Judi Chicago on my flight home counts, I saw zero bands–nada. It was all about Windsor Castle, Tower of London, Hampton Court, the city of Bath, and a day trip to Paris for me, although I did squeeze in a visit to England’s oldest pub (The Royal Standard of England–it’s 900 years old for crying out loud)…
Anyway, I’ve been back for 24 hours and I’ve already come across two bands that have my ears smiling…The Royal–From Orlando Florida, have a song on their Myspace page called Make This Place that I really dig. It was recorded here in Atlanta by producer Matt Malpass–The Royal is what remains of the 111 Records band Rory. Rory’s singer left and started another band who has recently signed with Victory (I know, I know). I’ll take the remains over the original any day.
On the prog side of things, check out Tides of Man from Tampa. For fans of The Mars Volta, this band is also recording with Malpass here in the A. Might take a minute to adjust to the time changes etc, but this is good stuff indeed. By the way, what’s going on in Florida? I was born down there and there was absolutely NOTHING going on musically (except like 2 Live Crew or whatever)…seems that’s changed dramatically these days…
Atlantis Music Conference is happening this week, I’ll be writing extensively about the various bands I see in the days to come, but in the meantime, some recommended showcases/bands to check out: ASCAP Showcase at Smith’s featuring Ponderosa, Death on Two Wheels, The Redcoats, All Get Out, Natalie Warner and more, also on Thursday, Sequoyah Prep School at Vinyl, Friday is Part Bear and The Empties at Starbar, and The Media Says on Saturday at The Masquerade to name a few…see you out and about.
-mm
Current Listening: The Royal "Make This Place"

Music Man: Fishing Season

I listen to music for a living. It’s rad…but not always.

Ever go fishing when you were younger? I did, and I liked it a lot, except on the days when there was absolutely nothing in the lake, those days were pure boredom. But on a good day, fishing could be amazing (even though most of those days were reserved for my friends). My job can be like that sometimes. There are days, and even weeks when I’ll be out looking and listening for great new music, or a great live band, and I’ll find nothing–zilch. Then there are those times when it seems that all I find is greatness. Days or weeks when a great song, an album, or live show will cross my path in multiples, I love those times. This has been one of those weeks, and it’s only Wednesday. For the most part, the bands are finding me this time too, and so my job has been made even easier then it already was…a pretty tough feat mind you.

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Music Man: Bands-Obama Can Teach You Something

This isn’t a political blog, I swear.
Last night as I was watching Barack Obama bring 80,000 plus people to their collective knees in Denver’s Mile High Stadium, it occurred to me that from a sheer marketing standpoint, he did exactly what I tell bands aspiring towards world domination to do on a regular basis. After honing in on what his message and mission would be, his “sound” if you will, Barack Obama started building a small, organic fan-base, and grew it from there using innovative techniques via the Web and other technologies. In the process, he collected the names of everyone who supported him and constantly stayed in touch with them, telling them where he was and what he was doing on an almost daily basis. He made his fans feel as if they were a part of something very important–a movement, and consequently he insured that those who were beginning to catch on to his message stayed loyal, and continued investing in him. Once his base was established, he needed to grow it. And he did that the old fashion way…A lot of touring, a lot of playing to half-filled rooms, and a lot of sleepless nights, along with a plethora of scrutiny and criticism. There were, I’m sure, several “off nights”, but he endured, his message got stronger and his performance masterful, and the payoff has been great…Fast forward eighteen months and he’s filling stadiums, and bringing down the house on a nightly basis, and oh yeah, he will most likely become the leader of the free world.
Bands take note, maybe there’s something to be learned from politics after all.
-mm
Currently Listening Ponderosa“I Don’t Mind”

Music Man: If It Sounds Good It Is Good

To bite a line from Atlanta’s
very own Mayor of Ponce (who bit it from David Lee Roth), "If it sounds
good it is good"…we’re talking of course about music, and the various
genres and sub-genres that have come into being over the past century.

In doing what I do, I spend a lot of time with very young artists, and one
thing I’ve noticed is how open to all types of music the younger generation is.
It really is cool rolling though an 18 year-old’s iPod and seeing everything
from Justin Timberlake to Oasis to T.I. to The Academy Is…You see, they don’t care what you,
or I, or anyone else think about how cool or uncool their collection is, because to them it sounds good, therefore it is
good, and who cares how it’s perceived by others? And isn’t that how it should be? They weren’t even born when Diamond Dave coined his phrase, but somehow they get it, and I think it’s awesome. That’s not to say that this mentality is limited only to people in their teens, it just seems
like people like me who were raised in the 80′s had a problem stepping outside
the boundaries of whatever genre they were into at the time. If you liked The
Cure, for example, then you probably didn’t admit to liking Sir Mix-a-lot (even if you were
like me and devoured both at break-neck speed). Or if you were into REM, Motley
Crue was probably not simultaneously in your CD player, that is at least when
your friends came over.

Point is, music shouldn’t be about how others perceive you when looking at your
collection, it should be about how it makes you feel and how it moves you when
you listen to it. David Lee got it, and so does an entire new
generation of music lovers–and that can only be good for music as a whole.
-MM
Current Listening: Kings of Leon "Sex On Fire" Tyga "First Timers" Port Obrien "I Woke
Up Today"

Music Man: LA Never Disappoints–Well, Almost Never

This is a true story.

I spent the week in LA with an artist from Florida that I recently signed. On Tuesday night we were driving back to our hotel in West Hollywood after a very interesting, and entertaining meeting in Santa Monica with the chairman of my company. As we were getting close to our destination, I casually looked out my car window and noticed none other then Paris Hilton in the passenger’s seat of the car next to mine. I told my artist and her manager, who was also with us, to look just to make sure I wasn’t hallucinating, and they confirmed it was indeed her. As we were casually gawking, trying not to be noticed, she nonchalantly turned on her interior light (this was at night) and pulled down the vanity mirror and proceeded to stick her finger way into her nose so she could dig out whatever was in there. I mean she was knuckle deep,  just chatting away with her friend in the driver’s seat, not having a clue that the three of us were watching. She then wiped whatever she got out onto the car seat, and when the light turned green they sped away and pulled into a club not too far from where we were. Of course everyone is guilty of digging and driving, but I was really hoping my first Paris Hilton sighting would be a little cooler than that…actually, that was pretty damn cool.

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Music Man: Who Says the Music Industry is Dead?

Who says the music industry is dead? I’m in it all day everyday, and I say it’s anything but.

The amount of music being released by majors, minors, signed, unsigned-whatever, is at an all time high, and I’m loving it…that’s the beauty of living in modern times; we have access to all sorts of music when and where we want it, and I for one plan on taking full advantage of it…

I just got back from St. Petersburg, Florida where I saw 5 bands play in front of a sold out crowd, all of whom were freaking out at every band whether they had heard of them or not. The merch lines were jammed all night too, further dispelling the myth that people don’t spend money on music or its products.

On the major label side of things, I heard the new Oasis single “Shock of the Lightning” and it appears our boys have finally returned to form—couple that with Noel Gallagher’s interview in NME and you’ll realize that yes, they are indeed back, and living large.

In the unsigned world I’ve been obsessing over Florence, South Carolina band Sequoyah Prep School for the past week. Their as yet unreleased EP features the songs “Nobody But You” and “Holy City ” and they’re great, especially for fans of grittier sounding Counting Crows.

Here in Atlanta the band Vonnegutt is set to release their new EP (most likely on Big Boi’s Purple Ribbon label) while their front-man Kyle Lucas continues to hand over some amazing mix-tapes to fans—check out Kyle’s hip-hop interpretation of the Depeche Mode classic “Enjoy the Silence”-pretty great.

So while people continue to fret over the state of music in 2008, I’m going to continue my quest to find and consume as much as humanely possible… In fact, I’m off to LA this week to find more–I’ll report back upon my return…

-mm