By Eileen Tilson

You know I have to say this one is kind of special to me. Not only am I a HUGE fan of American Aquarium, but I am also pretty proud to say I have met these Raleigh boys and they are some of the nicest bunch of boys you would want to meet. Having just finished their latest album produced by the ridiculously talented Jason Isbell, I can say with confidence that American Aquarium are going to be making some pretty big waves in the upcoming year. Tomorrow they will be opening for Oklahoma’s Samantha Crain at Smith’s Olde Bar. These guys might be a little scruffy around the edges, but my goodness will they show you a good time. We were joined by Ryan Johnson of American Aquarium before their show tomorrow night.

What was the first gig you ever went to?

Circa 1987.  I was turning 5 years old and my parents took me to what would have been any other kids’ greatest birthday party ever.  All my friends and family were coming…it was going to be great.  It was at Showbiz Pizza.  Awesome, right!?  I was especially excited to see this cool “animal band” I’d been hearing so much about.  I guess we had been there for like an hour or so…I don’t know…I was 5.  Honestly, all I remember is being horrified by the animatronic devil-bear and his minions.  There was gold tinsel, a giant rainbow backdrop, the devil-bear… I cried and then pissed my pants.  Seriously.  There are pictures online…of the devil-bear…not my pee pants.

What is the best gig that you ever played/performed at?

Any Raleigh show. It’s our home. I love playing Raleigh. We just recorded and are about to release a live album called “Live in Raleigh”.  If you get a chance to come to one of our shows pick it up and you can get an idea of what it is like!.

What is the best gig you have ever been to?

We have spent the last 3 years playing at least 250 shows per year so it’s very rare that we get to go to shows that we are not already playing.  That being said, last year we got the chance to see the Jason Isbell and Hayes Carl tour with Shovels and Rope opening.  All three of these bands are ridiculously talented.  If you haven’t seen them live or God forbid you haven’t heard them…make it happen.

Gig you would most like to play?

Letterman.  Then our parents would love us.  Mom/Dad, if you are reading this…that was a joke.

What would be the lineup for your dream gig?

Here are the easy ones: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Bruce Springsteen, Dylan, Death Cab, Dr. Dog, the Stones, David Bazan, Dawes…even though some these bands wouldn’t be the best pairing for American Aquarium sharing the bill with any of these people would be a lot of fun.  But really I just want to hang out with Danny McBride.  I’ve heard he’s a big music fan…maybe he plays…maybe he has a band.  I wanna play with that band.  At Slim’s in Raleigh, NC or at the White Water Tavern in Little Rock, AR.

Catch American Aquarium tomorrow at Smith’s Olde Bar

By Eileen Tilson

Hello my little sweet ones! I can’t help but to turn into my 9 year old self right now cause, JORDAN KNIGHT IS IN ATLANTA!! AHHHHH!! He was totally my favorite New Kid! Luckily for you who might not be having fantasies from their childhood, there are a ton of great shows in Atlanta tonight so do yourself a favor and go see at least one!

-The cute one out of the ever so awesome 80′s boy band, New Kids on the Block, Jordan Knight, is pretending to prove that he is all grown up tonight at The Loft, but we all know that crowd will be predominately female.

-Atlanta’s version of hot young boy singer, Ben Deignan, will also be swaying the younger ladies at Smith’s Olde Bar. Ben never disappoints, and I am sure that room will be packed.

It’s a busy day in the Center Stage Complex! Downstairs in Vinyl Colour Revolt will be rocking out, with special guest appearance from Manchester Orchestra’s frontman, Andy Hull.

L.A.’s indie rockers, The Jealous Sound, who have toured with the likes of Sunny Day Real Estate, will be making their stop tonight at The Earl.

-Nashville’s budding duo, Sweet Alizabeth, is the newest collaboration between Bethany Dick-Olds and Liz Langford. If you’re a fan of the Alison Krauss/Joni MItchell sound, then you will probably love these two. Check them out tonight at Eddie’s Attic.

-Calling all you PHISH HEADS! Trey Anastasio is in town and he will be keeping the high going at the Atlanta Symphony Hall.

-A darling in the electro world, Steve Aoki, will be doing his annual spinning tonight at The Tabernacle. Joining him is dubstep favorite Datsik and  newcomer Alvin Risk.

By Eileen Tilson

Well I am just basically gonna tell you what exactly you need to go see today (not like I don’t do that everyday!). But Tuesdays are for lovers, and there are some pretty amazing shows coming through Atlanta tonight that you should definitely go and see!

-First up! I know I have been harping on Graffiti6 lately, (and trust me they are amazing) but make sure and stay and see headliners, Augustana, who cease to disappoint tonight at Vinyl.

-You just can’t ever go wrong with a New Orleans funk rock band! If you want to be highly entertained while probably losing some calories while boogying, then head over to Smith’s Olde Bar to see Johnny Sketch & the Dirty Notes.

-Over at the 529, you can catch Dirty Hotel Sunshine and Attractive 80′s women making hipster heads bop.

-Everyone needs a little country in their lives. Personally, I try and listen to country for at least an hour…ok maybe a half an hour each day. Get your dose of country tonight at Dixie Tavern where Patrick Scott will be trying to follow in Chicken Fried dreams.

Red Wanting Blue
From the Vanishing Point
Fanatic Records

By Al Kaufman

Red Wanting Blue plays slick, mainstream pop-rock songs. That could be the whole review right there, but it would leave the layout for this review wanting. It’s like Train or Hootie and the Blowfish, or, to a lesser extent, Counting Crows. It’s that kind of stuff that you know would sound good live, but loses something within the sterile confines of a recording studio.

Scott Terry writes of hoping, surviving, loving, moving on and loving life; all kinds of nice big anthem-like stuff. And he occasionally sings it in a slightly poppier version of Eddie Vedder’s mumbling grumble, most notably on “Stay On the Bright Side” and “Ballad of Nobodies.” He and the band can even get a little harder edged on songs such as “Dinosaur,” which recalls Stone Temple Pilots in their heyday. But too often they fall into that slick pop that clogs up the airwaves. The lyrics “I’ll be there for you” need never be heard in another pop song, but Red Wanting Blue makes them the chorus in the generic “Audition,” which, naturally, is the album’s first single.

But there is some promise here. “Playlist” has a nice ’70s funk-pop groove, and they throw a change-up with the folksy “Walking Shoes,” in which Terry gets to show off his ukulele skills. And it’s really hard not to like a country-tinged love song titled “Cocaine.” “You’re like cocaine. I take you in ’til I go numb,” sings Terry. What girl would not swoon at getting compared to the white powder?

After a few self-releases, From the Vanishing Point is the band’s first album for a label, so maybe they can be forgiven for turning a few too many knobs in the studio. These are talented musicians who love their work and can play a good pop-rock song. Maybe on their next release they’ll be able to do more.

Red Wanting Blue plays Smith’s Olde Bar on February 27.

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.

Thursday, February 2 – Edens Edge at Eddie’s Attic

If you need to get back to the roots of country music, then you should check out Arkansas  trio Edens Edge, who will be wowing folks with their charming harmonies at Eddie’s Attic tonight.

Thursday, February 2 – Anthrax at The Tabernacle

If you need something a bit louder, then get your eardrums blown by metal legends Anthrax.

Friday, February 3 – Theophilus London at The EARL

Genre-busting urban electro pop phenom Theophilus London plays with Phony Ppl and Venus X on Friday night.

Saturday, February 4 – Mike Doughty at Eddie’s Attic

’90s indie hero Mike Doughty comes back to Georgia this weekend.

Saturday, February 4 – Anvil at Hard Rock Cafe’s Velvet Underground

Metal underdogs Anvil continue their comeback with another tour, stopping in Atlanta this Saturday.

On Sales:

Jessie Baylin at Smith’s Olde Bar, March 6 – on sale Friday, February 3

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band at Philips Arena, March 18 – on sale Saturday, February 4

!!! / Shabazz Palaces at 40 Watt Club, April 19 – on sale Friday, February 3

The Fray at The Tabernacle, April 25 – on sale Friday, February 3

Trace Adkins at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, May 18 – on sale Friday, February 3

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!

Thursday, January 26 – Eli Young Band at Electric Cowboy

This young up-and-coming country band sure is creating a stir in these parts, with this huge event selling out, to the disappointment of many a country music fan.

SOLD OUT!

Friday, January 27 – Dirty Guv’nahs at Smith’s Olde Bar

Knoxville favorites Dirty Guv’nahs come back to rock Smith’s Olde Bar on Friday night with local southern rockers The District Attorneys and The Longshot Saints.

Friday, January 27 – Blake Shelton at The Arena at Gwinnett Center

Country mega-star Blake Shelton has now officially crossed over into household name with the massive success of “The Voice.” He plays a huge show in Gwinnett on Friday night.

Friday, January 27 – Marc Broussard at Center Stage

Marc Broussard bring his self-styled “Bayou Soul” to Atlanta on Friday night.

Friday, January 27 – Sunday January 29 – Widespread Panic at The Tabernacle

The jam-band masters will be stopping in at The Tabernacle for an epic three-night stay this weekend.

Saturday, January 28 – D.R.U.G.S. at The Loft

Band members of Chiodos, Matchbook Romance, Underminded, From First to Last and Story of the Year make up D.R.U.G.S., playing Atlanta this Saturday.

Saturday, January 28 – Old School Saturday at Westin Peachtree Plaza

Dance your butt off to those rad ‘n’ awesome R&B and hip-hop hits of the ’80s and ’90s at the epic monthly event known to those who know as OSS.

Saturday, January 28 – The Mountain Goats at The EARL

Indie music nerds rejoice! John Darnielle is bringing his Mountain Goats back to Atlanta! But if you didn’t get your tickets, you will be anti-rejoicing, because it’s sold out.

SOLD OUT!

On Sales:

Daughtry at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, March 27 – on sale Friday, January 27

We Were Promised Jetpacks at Masquerade, March 31 – on sale Friday, January 27

Andrew W.K. at Masquerade, April 5 – on sale Friday, January 27

Van Halen at Philips Arena, April 19 – on sale Saturday, January 28

The Pretty Reckless at Masquerade, April 20 – on sale Friday, January 27

Human Nature The Motown Show Presented by Smokey Robinson at Fox Theatre, April 21 – on sale Friday, January 27

Dave Barnes with Andrew Hipp at Center Stage, April 27 – on sale Friday, January 27