Happy Super Bowl Weekend everyone! Looks like the weekend might be a bit quiet due to everyone revving up their eating and drinking engines for the big game on Sunday, but we still have some killer gigs to take the edge off if you’re not into the whole pigskin thing, with a healthy amount of metal thrown in for good measure. … Continue Reading
By Eileen Tilson/ @tktalt_tn
Thursdays are very interesting to me. They can either be awesome, knowing that the weekend is right around the corner, or they can be horrible, seeing everyone’s tenseness from the week coming to a head. Let’s hope yours is the first, and regardless, you will need to destress tonight and I have some ideas on how to do that.
-Nothing says I want run over your toes with my mac truck than an Anthrax concert. Get your fair share of whiplash and moshing out tonight at The Tabernacle where they play with Testament.
-The pop scene in Atlanta has been looking a little bit more interesting now that Adron is in it. Blending classical harmony with the playfulness of ‘60s Brazilian Tropicàlia, the earnestness and sentiment of 70′s songwriters like Joni Mitchell and Harry Nilsson, and the cerebral sincerity of the hymn song, catch Adron and friends tonight at The Earl.
-Arkansas trio, Eden’s Edge, know the value of taking their time. They are putting in their 10,000 hours, touring the country, and playing with some of the biggest names in country music, the now Nashville-based trio have made their mark with their songs about faith, family, and farming, of course! They are harmonizing at Eddie’s Attic.
-Jimi Cravity- Sounds like Bruce Springsteen meets The Fray. Looks like Buddy Holly meets Jamie Foxx. Sings like Phil Collins meets Bono. Plays like an icon. Writes like the world is waiting. See him tonight at Vinyl.
-Prepare to at least dance tonight at Smith’s Olde Bar where Scotty w/ Cornbread & Kush Kloud Klan will be rocking it out.
Can you believe that tomorrow is the first day of Feburary?? I don’t think we have had a single day that actually felt like Winter! All I keep thinking is that it is gonna be an insanely hot summer….End the first month of the year right and go out to one of these rad shows.
-A Canadian-Indian who lives in Germany? Yeah that just sounds like fun….Every time King Khan comes into town a party lashes out. Go join him at The Basement tonight with The Shrines.
-Atlanta’s own favorite red-headed daughter, Heather Luttrell (who has opened for the likes of Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Marshall Tucker Band, The GA Satellites, The Zac Brown Band, and, Jakob Dylan) will be rocking it out at Eddie’s Attic tonight with Nikki Talley.
-San Francisco electro producer, Tycho will be joined by Brooklyn duo, Beacon, tonight at the Masquerade.
-The Miller Lite Concert Series is continuing tonight at Smith’s Olde Bar tonight with KidSyc@Brandywine, Ina Williams, and Jason O’ Toole.
By Eileen Tilson/ @tktalt_tn
What a weekend it has been! I know a lot of folks hate Mondays, but there is something about the beginning of a new week that just makes me hopeful. And, although tonight is not totally bangin’ there are a few pretty rad shows happening in Atlanta tonight, so make sure and check them out!
-Tonight at the ever so famous Earl, Austin’s finest son, Scott H. Biram will be playing his famous bluegrass roots music along side the lovely Lydia Loveless.
-I love Eddie’s Attic, some of the best acts in the world found their start on Eddie’s famous stage. Go join and support tonight at the ever so famous Songwriter Open Mic Night.
-It’s a show unlike most in Smith’s Olde Bar tonight where the electronics of Rian Adkinson and Sly Dog will be spinning.
-Oh yeah, don’t forget the 529, where you are guaranteed to catch a new band before they hit the hipsters. Tonight’s act: lacuna M, W.I.C. and Misery Loves Chachi
By Amanda Miles
The Dirty Guv’nahs from Knoxville, Tennessee have been described as “a passionate, jubilant slice of rock meets Americana.” Their gritty roots sound brings crowds to their knees and awakens a funk vibe that has long been missing from the rock scene in the south. Interestingly, The Guv’nahs were born from academia, members coming together while pursuing their respective master’s degrees. The buzz for the band grew and soon the University of Tennessee grads were throwing caution to the wind, choosing the life of a rolling stone over a corporate 9-5 gig. I would say their decision is paying off in spades. James Trimble, lead singer of Dirty Guv’nahs spoke with AMG before they take the stage at Smith’s Olde Bar.
Some fans said on music blogs they had driven from all over the southeast to see the Guvs play. Do you often hear fan stories like this?
I love it! It is happening more and more. It is really crazy. We had some fans come to Chattanooga on New Year’s Eve who drove from Philadelphia, Nashville, Memphis, from Atlanta…..just coming to see us! Tailgating before the show, we love it. It kind of caught us off guard this year but in a good way.
You are recording the new album right now, why did you decide to stay independent?
It was really the only way we know how to do it and it makes the most sense for us and for our fans. It is doing it our way and it works.
What has been your favorite gig you played thus far in your career?
The first time we sold out a show in New York City was probably my favorite. We played NYC a couple of times and the next visit we played the Mercury Lounge. Sold it out the first time we played there. It was such a cool thing, it was crazy. 10 hours from home and selling out a show in New York City. It felt really amazing. Another one of my favorites was when we moved from the bars to the theater for the first time in Knoxville and sold it out. It was just surreal. We are a band that plays a lot of bar room songs and our sound had been progressing….it felt like we were growing from the bars and then on to the theaters and other venues. It’s great because it allows us to expand our sound.
Southern Ground artist Levi Lowrey once said “Rock and Roll is alive and well with the Dirty Guv’nahs.” What made you fall in love with rock and roll?
That makes me more than happy! I love that guy. Love his songs and as a person, he is so cool. As far as rock and roll, we started this band as a onetime experiment in college. We wanted to play music we liked and the original songs we would write were connected to the artists we loved like The Rolling Stones, The Band. They are our influences in so many ways.
I think something not everyone knows about the band is you have some “brainiac” guys in this group. Nuclear engineering degrees, masters in public administration… why did you choose music as your career path?
(laughing). Yeah, we have five masters degrees in our band. Our youngest wanted to go to law school and we told him, “man, this band thing is working!” So he held off on going. The band started while the majority of us were in graduate school. It became something where we would play on the weekend, make some money to get us by until the next week, a side project. Then we graduated and had to make hard decisions on taking a full time job or a part time job so we could tour. We all just said “let’s go for it.” It’s crazy but we have all been able to make this our full time career. It is working and we are very honored.
See James and the rest of the Dirty Guv’nahs tonight at Smith’s Olde Bar.
Wow, this weekend is packed with some big hitters! From indie rock legends to country stars old and new, we’ve got a ton of great gigs coming to Atlanta and the surrounding areas (read: OTP). But a fair few are already sold out, so we hope you got your tickets in advance! … Continue Reading
By Eileen Tilson/ @tktalt_tn
This week has flown by! With all the craziness of the week, now is about the perfect time to slow down and catch one of these amazing shows tonight.
-Gabe Dixon is no stranger to the music community. The Nashville based singer songwriter has earned accolades from Paste, The Village Voice, American Songwriter and Performing Songwriter among many others, and virtually the entire album was licensed for use on primetime television. In addition, one of the songs, “Find My Way” was featured as the main title theme for the smash-hit Sandra Bullock & Ryan Reynolds film The Proposal. Check him out tonight at Vinyl.
-The Back Pockets are a flock of musicians and performance artists from Atlanta GA. They roll 5-10 deep, travel extensively, make everything themselves, enjoy costuming & face paint, and audience participation. Check out the spectacle tonight at The Earl.
-Austin based folk-indie rockers, Frank Smith just released their 5th album to date and will be at Smith’s Olde Bar tonight.
-BISHOP DAVIDSON is a newly formed, Nashville-based duo comprised of MJ Bishop and WT Davidson, and described as, “jazzbo acoustic folk with tabasco.Notably, Davidson has had cuts by Ray Charles, Crystal Gayle, Michael Johnson, Gary Stewart and Ray Stevens, to name a few. See this dup tonight at Eddie’s Attic.
By Amanda Miles
There is no simple way to describe Drake White. Raised in Hokes Bluff, Alabama, Drake is reminiscent of an era bygone, filled with soulful cowboys and storytelling troubadours. Drake is no overnight success story, tirelessly playing the bar scene in Nashville for years before a fateful meeting with producer/songwriter Jeremy Stover that catapulted his career into a new stratosphere. Drake joined Willie Nelson on tour in 2011 as part of the Country Music Throwdown and was recently announced as a guest on Eric Church’s Blood, Sweat and Beers Tour. Drake spoke to AMG in anticipation of his show tonight at Smith’s Olde Bar.
Are you working on your debut album for Universal Music?
Yes, we are putting the final touches on it. I’m very excited about this kick ass album. We’ve put a lot of work into it and we are almost finished.
Do you have a song from the new album you cannot wait to share?
It is hard to narrow it down to just one song. I worked really hard to make an album that was whole. I always try to make my songs say exactly what I am feeling. I grew up listening to CCR and Bob Seger, those influences still carry through to today.
You are not an overnight success; this is something you have been working towards for years. Tell us your story.
People throw around the words “overnight success” a good bit when that is not the case. There is always a story in everyone’s career. I have been playing for 10 years, playing acoustic and sometimes playing by myself. I’ve played a lot of venues, a lot of bars, lots of places. I ended up being in the right place at the right time, much like everything in life. I had a guy come in and listen to me at a bar in Nashville and it went from there. We are just really grateful to be where we are right now. We’ve got a long way to go. We’re going to meet lots of people and play lots of shows, just hope that folks respond to the music. We hope folks get a good feeling from it, or a bad feeling, as long as they feel something. If you dig it, cool.
You were asked to join Eric Church & Brantley Gilbert on tour and last year you joined Willie Nelson for the summer.
Yes, we are excited for the Church tour. We’re all different but they’re both killer guys and the tour will be a great experience for us. I have done a lot of stuff with Willie outside of the tour. It was great to hang out with singer/songwriters Randy Houser, Lee Brice and others. There was so much camaraderie. Playing with Willie was such an honor but he is so normal.
When did you decide to pursue music as a career?
I’ll be honest. I was doing it and there was just nothing was going to stop me from playing music. Even if I had to work a local 9-5 gig, I was always going to be playing. I never really made a decision, it has just always been in me. I believe that if you do what you want and love what you do, you only live one time. If you put your head down to the grind, I am a firm believer that things will work out for you. Music has always been something that I was going to do. Whether I play in front of 10,000 people or just by myself, it’s what I was meant to do.
See Drake tonight at Smith’s Olde Bar.
By Eileen Tilson/ @tktalt_tn
Well kids, I survived my first tornado threat last night, unfortunately the storms seem to be heading straight to Atlanta! So if you are brave enough to venture out tonight, here are a couple of fun events for you to consider.
-David Mead and his ever so catchy hooks joins Brooklyn quartet, Harper Blynn, tonight at Smith’s Olde Bar.
-It’s perfect weather for a movie over at The Earl as they present Slow Southern Steel movie screening w/ Hail! Hornet.
-Don’t forget about the ever so famous Songwriter Open Mic Night at Eddie’s Attic for a chance to see the next big thing.
Brrrrrr! Wrap up warm folks, this chilly weather isn’t messing around. It’ll get a bit milder over the weekend, but regardless, the wintery temperatures shouldn’t deter you from getting to some great gigs. Local music is especially being represented well this weekend, with record releases and more abound! And if you fancy the field-trip, get up to Athens for Old 97′s. Don’t forget to check the bottom of the post – we have a slew of on sales coming up on Friday and Saturday for the impending onslaught of spring shows. … Continue Reading
We have a ton of great giveaways for upcoming shows at Smith’s Olde Bar! Use the form at the bottom of the post to enter, or buy tickets at the buttons.
Local lovely with the song of a bird, Adron coos to the crowds on January 20 with Wesley Cook.
Members of Outformation, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band and The Neville Brothers make up The New Orleans Suspects, who play with A Nickel Bag of Funk on January 21.
Founding member of Allman Brothers Band, Jaimoe’s Jasssz Band plays Smith’s Olde Bar on January 22.
Funky roots band The Dirty Guv’nahs play with local favorites The District Attorneys and The Longshot Saints on January 27.
Soulful southern rockers Radiolucent play with Jason Childs on January 28.
Grammy-nominated South Carolina country star David Ball plays with Atlanta’s first lady of jazz Francine Reed on February 4.
By Eileen Tilson/ @tktalt_tn
What can I say….Sometimes there is just not a whole hell of a lot to do in the city. Here are your slim pickings for tonight.
-At Smith’s Olde Bar, out Ten Dollar Tuesdays continues with Detroit natives The Goddamn Gallows.
-The Stooge Brothers will be making people sway at Blind Willie’s.
-Honestly, if I was you, I would just take my happy butt over to Tin Lizzy’s in Buckhead where you are bound to get a musical education by playing “Sex, Drugs, & Rock n’ Roll” trivia.
By Eileen Tilson/ @tktalt_tn
Happy MLK Day! I hope you are still in your pi’s at home, enjoying your three day weekend! I had such a fun weekend in Atlanta, definitely missed it! It’s raining in Nashville and is looking like a movie night for me, but here there are some great shows in Atlanta tonight, don’t miss them!
-Louisiana bluesman, Tab Benoit will be doing his two nighter at Smith’s Olde Bar, wowing fans old and young alike.
-The show is on at The Earl, where the always energetic, tap-dancing wild ones in He’s My Brother She’s My Sister will be holding court.
-Of course don’t miss out on singing with your own pipes at Eddie’s Attic’s famous Songwriter Open Mic Night.
Happy gloomy Thursday afternoon people! We’re dipping in and out of this chilly weather, but it looks like we’ll have plenty of corkers to keep us out and about, and toasty all the while. It’s a slow-but-sure build up back to the usually packed weekends, and as we look to spring (check out all those on sales below!), we’ll be needing a few easy-going couple of weekends. So get yourself out there and get practicing for an epic year of shows, festivals, parties and more! … Continue Reading
By Eileen Tilson/ @tktalt_tn
Happy Thursday everyone! I must admit I am kind of excited because according to the Nashville weatherman, we are supposed to get snow today! Alas though I won’t be able to enjoy cause I am coming home to Atlanta this weekend! So as you are gearing up for your Thursday, I’ll be thinking about what amazing show to see this Saturday! Enjoy!
-“A King Celebration,” Atlanta’s annual community-unifying concert honoring the life and legacy of Civil Rights leader the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. is being held tonight at the Woodruff Arts Center. Guest of the hour is the world famous Yo-Yo Ma, and Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed will narrate Joseph Schwantner’s “New Morning for the World,” based on King’s words.
-The ever so wonderfully talented San Fran singer/songwriter David Berkely will be serenading at Eddie’s Attic. Buy your tickets early, this show is likely to sell out.
-According to the Globe and Mail, Canada’s JW Jones is “One of this country’s top blues guitar stars.” Make that call for yourself tonight in the Atlanta Room at Smith’s Olde Bar.
-Jerry Joseph got his start in music in the 80’s when he led the reggae/rock band Little Women, based out of Boulder, Colorado, which ruled the Rocky Mountain club circuit for most of the 80’s and broke up in 1993. Jerry Joseph & the Jackmormons have released four other albums as well. See his return upstairs at Smith’s Olde Bar.
-The ever so hipster crowd will most likely be at one of two places tonight. Half will be at The Earl, where the Long Shadows will be playing with Lucy Dreams.
-The other half of these cool kids will be at the Star Bar where Lightnin’ Ray Jackson from Washed Out is playing with his band the Mystics. A ton of other acts, including Jeffrey Bützer & Molly Harvey (of the Residents), Taylor Crowell & the Old Gold, and Imagination Head play upstairs. Emily Kempf (Back Pockets), Philip Frobos (Carnivores), Grace Bellury (Lille), and Clapperclaw play downstairs.
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