Music

Put down the beer bong and head to the stage because the entertainment for this year’s 5Fest is more explosive than ever.

There exists a sense of community within Athens and surrounding areas that I’ve been hard-pressed to come by in other locales. I was overwhelmed by this feeling as I approached the Crossing at Hocking College in Nelsonville, Ohio, otherwise known as the site of this year’s fourth annual Nelsonville Art and Music Festival.

The Nelsonville Music Fest, the Hockhocking Festival and Hocking College join forces this May to bring together the best of the music and art worlds for the three-day Nelsonville Art and Music Festival.

Years ago, when I still thought “good music” included the likes of New Found Glory and Linkin Park, I was exposed to a band that would change my life forever. (No, this is not where I insert a quote from Natalie Portman’s character in “Garden State.”)

A great advertisement paired with a catchy song can keep a commercial (and the product) stuck in anyone’s head. For anyone who has been more intrigued with the commercial’s song than its product, here is a selection of familiar tunes.

Alternative instrumental trio The Balloon People began with modest bedroom recordings and two members in 2005. Since then, the band has endured multiple member swaps, but it has finally stabilized its sound and place in the Athens music scene.

Kids, grab your neon hi-top kicks and “stunna shades”– it’s a week of not one but two noteworthy album releases, each with enough funk and beat to power Kanye West’s entire “Glow in the Dark” tour.

After recently undergoing a name change from the School of Telecommunications, the newly-deemed School of Media Arts and Studies is welcoming a fresh beginning with an entire day of events surrounding the record industry.

If the words "grade school" evoke memories of sticky lunch tables, pencil erasers and that awful puke smell always lingering in the hallways, start re-framing those memories. Grade School is now earning high marks as a young band in Athens.

This Saturday, The Union hosts Athens' fourth annual For Real Fest, which comes equipped with several fantastic components: a healthy dose of punk rock, a vegan dinner and your friendly neighborhood blogger.

If the uglier the duckling means the more beautiful the swan, then Columbus-based band Black Swans must have had a rather ugly start. The band's music currently boasts the same unique beauty as the old folk tale's outcome.

For Real Fest seeks to incorporate attendees in the community while simultaneously supporting underground music genres. This Friday marks the festival’s fourth birthday, and bands from across the nation plan to celebrate at The Union, Athens’ premiere rock-and-roll bar.

Wait! Not so fast. Before you continue to judge The Kooks by their skinny jeans, comfortable-fit v-neck shirts, fedoras and unkempt locks as the stereotypical indie pop rock band… Actually, yes, go ahead and judge.

When a consortium of talented artists and a bevy of concert venues are found in a small college town, nationally renowned bands are bound to make appearances. Backed by Athens locals Space6oy and Death Beef, bizarre electro-dance-rock posse Mahjongg will play a set at 10 p.m. tonight at Casa Cantina.

The month of April brings about many special festivities cherished by old and young: celebrating the resurrection of Jesus, the beginning of baseball season, the reemergence of skimpy clothing. Above all else, April provides one day for pure rest, relaxation and indulgence: 4/20.

The bars and "clubs" (i.e., bars) of Athens are seeped in rock'n'roll -- a local aspect for which I have always been grateful. This weekend the local rock flavor of our town comes full circle with the 13th annual Blackout Fest at The Union. My cohorts and I will be live-blogging from the music festival all weekend.

The thirteenth year of weekend-long music explosion Blackout Fest concludes with an expansive set of 13 bands this Saturday at The Union, spanning an eclectic collection of genres, styles and personalities.

Serving as a safe haven for vinyl collectors everywhere, independent record stores are typically quirky, hole-in-the-wall venues, each proving to be unique in their atmospheres and music selections. Creating a distinct culture of their own, record stores are finally being celebrated.

The era that is known as the ’90s is frequently associated with Power Rangers, Ace of Base and L.A. Gear high-tops. Here in Athens, the name “Cactus Pears” may have just as easily been associated with that same era.

 

The magic that is Scott Winland’s Blackoutfest will continue Friday and Saturday for those who have sufficiently recovered from Thursday’s edition.

Blackout Booking head Scott Winland’s annual Blackout Fest has come a long way since its debut in 1995.

Videos may have killed the radio star, but in this generation, MP3s have killed the compact disc. Until now, the steady decline of the CD has been debatably accepted, but Wal-Mart’s new pricing plan has music fanatics singing to a different tune.

Fresh off a tour in support of Stephen Malkmus and The Jicks, digi-indie musician John Vanderslice makes his third Athens appearance in a one-year span Saturday, April 12 at The Union alongside Nostra Nova and Joe Anderl.

Deal or No Deal 2, released April 8 by local favorite Jesty Beatz, is an album about more than getting the music industry to change-- it is about being the change. And, every so often, coins.

The Human Cannonball, Southeast Engine bassist Jesse Remnant’s first solo album, has projected smooth, indie hits throughout the Athens area. The Human Cannonball officially took off Friday, April 4, with a CD release show at Donkey Coffee and Espresso.

 

In a brilliant combination of John Mayer and Jack Johnson with a bit of a Jason Mraz twist, musician Brian-Marcel Edmond has rightfully caught the ears and captured the hearts of many local music lovers.

PitchforkMedia.com, the Internet’s most popular independent music publication, is an internationally acclaimed force with the ability to shake, rattle and roll the entire music industry as it marches around with an enormous gaggle of loyal fans in its wake.

Speakeasy had the opportunity to glimpse the inner workings of the Internet's most popular independent music publication, PitchforkMedia.com, through a conversation with Associate Publisher Chris Kaskie. For a Speakeasy profile of Pitchfork, click here.

Around this time of year in Athens, the combination of stress and winter restlessness can become too much to bear.

Athens tech-metal champions Dead Will Rise have dominated the local alternative music scene for years. This Friday the band plans to play at The Union as a farewell to one of its most important components – its vocalist.

 

Armed with the clank of a heavy chain and an unparalleled intensity, local folk rock band The Sad Bastards are making a name for themselves as they storm stages around Athens.

 

Insomniac Booking presents A Very Insomniac Weekend this weekend, featuring band after band. It is sure to satiate all students' appetites for the local and national music they have been craving.

October Fist, a genre-bending rock band of epic proportions, exploded into the Athens music scene this February. With freshly recorded songs and a new bassist to boot, the four-piece instrumental outfit is gaining momentum locally.

Driving 14 hours from Montreal in a tiny passenger van, five members of the indie-rock canon Arcade Fire could not be more enthralled to play two free shows in a 450-seat opera house in Nelsonville, Ohio.

Mountain Stage delivers a combination of distinctive and innovative artists this Monday night in Mem Aud. The show begins at 7 p.m. and will feature sets of music performed by moe., Ani DiFranco, Big Head Todd and the Monsters, George Stanford and Paul Kelly.

I was incredibly relieved when my Hello Kitty alarm clock went off this morning at 7:17 a.m. Staring at the metal grates of my roommate’s top bunk, all I could think about the whole time I pretended to be asleep was that I felt just like a young tyke on Christmas Eve. This, however, is better than any holiday – this is Arcade Fire.

The potency of any music scene is heavily dependent on the strength of its network of support systems. The Aquabear Legion, a collective of brilliant musicians hailing from Ohio, is hard at work fortifying the state’s musical backbone.

At the beginning of every year, labels announce when new albums will be released. While some albums have been talked about with the same fervor as the November election (Coldplay, anyone?), others creep just below the surface, waiting to be discovered.

“The Final Showdown" is a three-day, weekend-long benefit event from Thursday, Feb. 28, through Saturday, March 1, to raise money and awareness of The Wire, which is in danger of extinction.

Helping the homeless is always a good deed, but when the homeless is a DIY art and music space, it is also a good time. Help give The Wire a home at 8 p.m., Friday, Feb. 22 in Baker University Center Theater, with Essykma, Zephuros and Lunavelis.

Ohio University will observe the tradition of Black History Month by honoring legend Bob Marley on Feb. 22, 2008, with Bob Marley Day. Here is a look at the incredible legacy that has led to Marley’s celebration.

Indie-pop scene staples Casual Future have been cavorting around Athens for four years now, toting legions of quiet talent and an ever-changing lineup. This year finds them with a sparkling album behind them and a new one on the horizon.

The start of warm weather is an indicator not only for the approaching end of the school year, but also for the nearing of widely loved music festivals. Recently, the lineups for two popular festivals, Coachella and Bonnaroo, were released.

Presidential candidates have to answer some tough questions if they want to win votes. Do they have a plan for the economy? How will we get out of Iraq? And perhaps most important of all, what’s their theme song?

Kevin Devine is a singer, songwriter, political theorist, environmental advocate, national nomad and Brooklyn native looking for love. He will perform at 10 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 16 at Ohio University’s own humble hangout, The Union.

It’s that time of the month for women to burn their bras, shave their heads and rock out at 8 p.m. Wednesday in the Front Room for the Empowered Women’s Rock Show.

Get what you really want out of Valentine's Day this year with Speakeasy's play list to set the perfect, scintillating mood.

It feels like Zephuros magically can help melt away snow from hillsides and rooftops, revealing the life that lives beneath the frozen blanket. Zephuros' songs, backed with real and often dark meaning, are worth warming up with this bitter winter.

What follows is the unabridged version of a conversational stroll with Zephuros’ Kevin Meyer. To read Speakeasy's article about Zephuros, click here.

Escalator rides can hardly be more intriguing than the ones Wednesday afternoons in Baker University Center. Heads peek over the railings to hear the gentle chords and crooning voices that are escaping from Ohio University’s newest music venue: the Acoustic Café.

Acoustic guitar slung around his shoulder, harmonica perched around his neck and lingering near his lips, singer-songwriter Ryan Smith’s music permeated local brew pub Jackie O’s Thursday night. Smith set quite the ideal mood for a low-key Athens evening out.

In this day and age when lofty elitism tends to rule the world of music journalism, it’s easy to forget that music is made to be loved and appreciated rather than clawed to pieces by snarling critics. Daytrotter.com hasn’t forgotten.

A good cover song is like an amazing find at a thrift store. Sure, it’s used, but it is still just as fabulous as it was back in its prime.

With chills setting in and white, fluffy precipitation falling from the sky and neutralizing our city infrastructures, it's nice to know that Christmas is here to add at least a little bit of holiday cheer. For many, however, the joys of eggnog and fruitcakes are offset by endless, mind-numbing renditions of tired Christmas classics.

Weezer frontman Rivers Cuomo feels more like an ex-boyfriend than some far-off rock star to me. I’ve had a relationship with the 37-year-old singer/guitarist since the age of 12, even once writing him an eight-page letter expressing my eternal love for him at the tender age of 14.

Students are finally back home for their 45-day winter break, and those from Cincinnati know that there’s no better way to embrace the snowy season in the city like getting away from it, specifically by going to concerts.

For the last week or so, I’ve been suffocating at home, a place where the local music scene is nonexistent and decent venues are an hour away. As a substitute, live albums have been in heavy rotation in my world.

Athens, Ga., is home to power-pop prodigy Casper and the Cookies. Athens, Ohio, equivalent in name, will likely demonstrate its similar musical enthusiasm this Sunday, Nov. 11, when the band graces The Union with its bold musical presence.

 

Thank you again for joining me on this week’s tour! We’re bound for new music and all points west. Please remain seated, and remember that food and drink are prohibited.

The leaves are falling and days are colder. It is officially fall here in Athens. The best way to cure all the drab days in this little, brick-laden town is through music and specifically, through fall playlists.

To linguists and scholars, the word “russenorsk” denotes a faction of a world language that has gone extinct. To Athens, Ohio, however, Russenorsk is a vibrant pulse in the local music scene, a talented band that is very much alive.

Speakeasy had the opportunity to sit down with vocalist/guitarist Tim Race and cellist Jack Martin to peel back a few layers and get acquainted with the talented hearts that beat at the core of Russenorsk.

Although I'm confident that 99% of you did not notice, I must admit that I dropped the proverbial ball last week by not posting a new blog.

Oval Opus has produced melancholic electric pop-rock for almost 10 years. It has gained a huge fan base that continues to grow as the band stretches its touring area farther. Now, the band is evolving yet again by changing its name.

The Gunshy, an indie folk band started by Pennsylvania native Matt Arbogast, has broken out the big guns and dropped an unassailable work of storytelling genius on the unsuspecting American public with its latest album, There’s No Love In This War.

Local band Papadosio recently released a completely self-produced album, Magreenery, and fans are swarming to local bars to hear it. On Saturday, Oct. 20, Papadosio will take the stage at The Blue Gator at 10 p.m.

The shiny, new Baker Theatre has been a host to many up and coming bands. This Saturday, the wonderfully wacky Head of Femur will be stopping by along with Coffinberry.

Still recovering from last week’s Radiohead blitz? Well, you can’t live on Radiohead alone (I’ve tried), so take a gander at all the new stuff this week. Time is money, so I’m just going to jump into the thick of it.

Indie up-and-comer Jennifer O’Connor will be performing with Darren Jessee (Hotel Lights, Ben Folds Five), Amy Bezunartea and Clint, Michigan in Baker Center’s Front Room at 9 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 18.

Southeast Engine has a gleaming new set of wheels, and they’re ready to roll.

Watching the Carousel Collapse is causing anything but a cave-in for local band Kaslo. Its first studio-recorded album finds the band with increased instrumentation on each track and a new, polished sound.

It’s 3:26 a.m. on Oct. 10, 2007. I was anticipating having to wait another hour and a half just to access my download of Radiohead’s In Rainbows, but I received my activation code roughly 50 minutes ago.

Lyricalness, intimacy and envelopment: This is the stuff of which great rock shows are made. The Jarts, who have all these ingredients, will delight listeners at 9 p.m. Oct. 13 at Donkey Coffee and Espresso.

This article is the testament to the power music has over human afflictions; namely, strep throat. To imagine me reading this aloud to you, picture Tom Waits downing a jug of whiskey and then coughing every minute. That’s about it.

With Athens as one of their first stops, indie rockers The Good Life set out on an international tour last week in support of their latest album "Help Wanted Nights."

Oakley Hall, a six-piece folk band that channels the essence of classic American blues, will be trading its optimal back-porch setting for The Union's stage at 9 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 3.

There are a few trash cans, ladders, drills, chainsaws, four men with incredible energy and even the kitchen sink. Get ready to be thrashed and trashed by Recycled Percussion on their “Man vs. Machine” tour, 9 p.m. Saturday at MemAud.

Since I’m a huge advocate of blowing out my speakers, I’ve come to the conclusion that I will most likely be deaf before my 50th birthday. I’m okay with this sacrifice, though. I believe that a bang-up album deserves to be played at an obscenely loud volume.

Since their conception in 1995, The Ataris have released five studio albums, endured a constant turnover of members, toured the country and in the process, earned a spot as a top-tier punk band in the eyes of critics and fans.

Since I'm still uncertain about the direction of this blog, I've settled on a relatively safe approach for my first entry. It's just a fun little game I like to play when I feel like reveling in my own poverty. I like to call it "All the Wonderful Things I Want but Can't Afford."

Music critics listen to thousands of CDs each year, yet they all seem to rave about the same "incendiary"album every several months.

Nothing could be better than a summer rock show boasting an infectious-melodied band for a few measly bucks. That’s why the five-dollars-per-ticket Fratellis show being held at the Newport Music Hall in Columbus on July 31 at 6 p.m. could be the sugar to sweeten up summer.

Tonight, break out from the normal bar crawl and try helping out a great cause while enjoying great bands and still catching that buzz. One night combines two great benefit shows where students will have the opportunity to help out local businesses other than Goodfellas and Taco Bell.

After a short hiatus, Bright Eyes (Conor Oberst) returns to the comfortable territory of the indie scene with the folk-inspired Cassadaga. Oberst may not be treading new waters with this album, but it is music that seasoned Bright Eyes fans will enjoy.

If you give Jake Householder an inch, he’ll take a mile. Okay, he’ll probably take two. But by the end of it, you’ll be nothing shy of grateful.

Instead of dreading Spring Quarter finals or returning home this summer just to work, have something to look forward to and check out these upcoming concerts and music festivals.

No, he is not the 14th century Swiss hero who shot an apple off of his son’s head with an arrow. However, William Tell is a singer/songwriter set to create his own page in history. Check out what he had to say to Speakeasy during his visit to Ohio University for the Virgin College Mega Tour.

Vintage Green’s organist, Ben Ashman, has created music that transcends genres on Sunshine. With a distinctive voice and knack for style variation, Ashman will make a bang at his CD release show at the Front Room on May 11 at 9 p.m.

A dash of hip-hop came to Appalachia on May 10 with Golden and Code Red at the Blue Gator, courtesy of the University Program Council (UPC). From comedians to speakers to musicians, UPC is responsible for bringing top-notch entertainment to OU.

Talib Kweli, Sugarcult and William Tell will take over Ohio University at 8 p.m. Friday in Templeton-Blackburn Memorial Auditorium for the fourth annual Virgin College Mega Tour.

Two up-and-coming bands, Russenorsk and Triumph of the Sky, will be performing at the Front Room Thursday, May 3 from 9-11 p.m. The event is free for all students to attend and has been organized by ACRN.

Philosophical music masters Mae will be joined by Miranda Sound and Run Run Addington Wednesday at 9 p.m. in the Baker Center Theater for a multisensory aesthetic experience set to tap into the five senses and beyond.

The Princes of Hollywood have compiled a new record, rich with musical variation and harmony. This record, A Change of Venue, is best described as “sensitive drunken music for the whole family.”

Athens’ fifth annual For Real Fest describes its intentions simply as “a DIY celebration.” This event is, indeed, a celebration: one of punk ethos built on the pillars of independence, community and love for music.

The All-Campus Radio Network has made college radio magic yet again by booking a thoroughly amazing lineup for Saturday, April 14’s PopFest. With 11 bands, including Margot & The Nuclear So and So’s, all for the price of completely free, PopFest is bound to be epic.

It is spring quarter and campus is filled with anticipation of rising temperatures and sunny days. If the wishes of students are granted, then spring quarter will transform into prime party time, making a superior mix of music a necessity.

Traditionally, bicycles are thought of as transportation. Bikes can bring children freedom or give adults an alternative to gas-guzzling cars. But to the eccentric minds at Ache Records, a bicycle is an instrument.

Many people know someone who has battled with cancer. To help raise money for a cure, ImPRessions, a student-run public relations firm at Ohio University, is hosting a benefit concert on April 22.

I arrived at the Baker Center to interview Vanilla Ice, shaking with nerves. Three hours later, I was just happy to have an interview at all.

With the advent of Napster at the dawn of the new millennium, digital music evolved into a worldwide force. Early efforts to stop illegal downloads had little effect, and the digital phenomenon continues to gain strength.

The 12th Annual Blackout Fest will invade the stage at The Union this weekend, April 19 to 21 for just $10 a night or $25 for the entire weekend.

 

Armed with a highly descriptive indie-pop sound sprinkled with rigid touches of electronic quirkiness, singer-songwriter John Vanderslice's music typically speaks for itself. Despite this fact, Vanderslice sat down with Speakeasy when he played at The Union on April 15.

What follows is the unabridged version of an in-depth interview with John Vanderslice at the Union on April 15. To read more about John Vanderlice, click here.

The All Campus Radio Network, better known as ACRN, kicks off its 36th year with a nine-day celebration filled with music, dance parties and other events, leading up to the grand opening of its new studios.

Jakob Freely has continued to produce addicting, melodic, upbeat hits with its new record, The Elliot EP. Its seasoned blend of pop, rock and folk sounds is perfected with this new hit record.

Hot off a tour in the UK and headed to Athens, Devon Sproule released her new, marriage-inspired album, Keep Your Silver Shined. Sproule returns with shows booked across the US and the press all over her – in a good way.

A cool tonic of mellow Midwestern sound is a spectacular way to initiate a nine-day party. One part Magnolia Electric Co., one part Southeast Engine, one part Shipwreck.

Intense instrumental experimentation with distorted guitars and pounding drums filled the air during Thursday’s Shotgun for Royalty show at the Blue Gator, with Kipke and Sixth Gallery opening.

Whether 50 or 15 people are dancing, Crackers and Jam continue to play with the same intensity and passion. The chemistry between them is unmistakably clear and they genuinely look like they’re having fun.

The lights began to dim as the sound of a tolling bell filled the cavernous hollows of the Agora theatre. The swaying mass of nearly 2,500 people burst into blissful exuberance as the band 30 Seconds to Mars made its way on stage.

From her platinum blonde hair, trademark red lips and innate fashion sense to her rocker husband, multiple Grammy awards and L.A.M.B. clothing line, Gwen Stefani is a modern-day icon. After branching off from No Doubt in 2004, she returned to the top of the charts with her second solo effort, The Sweet Escape.

On his third album, Lucky Penny, emo singer-songwriter Tony Xenos combines simple guitar melodies and personal lyrics to offer listeners a stripped-down acoustic sound that's fit for an intimate coffee shop stage.

In 2005, two friends came together to write a song, inspiring the creation of The Raconteurs. This “new band made up of old friends” released their debut album Broken Boy Soldiers on May 16.

Walking across the wooden floors of the Cat’s Eye, 12 N. Court St., toward the pool tables in the back, there is a familiar face that seems out of place among the throngs of college students. It’s Marvin Campbell, the resident pool player.

Some students know very little about the professors teaching their courses at Ohio University. Students in History of Espionage were probably surprised to learn that their professor, David Black, is a member of the CIA.

Hype surrounding the return of over-the-top glam rock with The Darkness' debut album may have faded with time, but The Ark's State of the Ark proves that dance rock is not dead.

Black Spyral Dancer has wound its way through Athens since 2003. Now, finally content with its four custom-fitted members, the band is ready to spin out of control.

Although many students are unaware of the recording studio tucked behind the houses on Elliott Street, 3 Elliott Studio attracts plenty of local musicians and is making its mark on Athens’ music scene.

Club-ready beats and sharp, insightful lyrics ignite local hip-hop star's Jesty Beatz's debut album, Formal Introduction. His first solo, full-length album possessed veteran-rapper quality.

Surrounded by a variety of instruments, music memorabilia and audio equipment, there is a distinct creative energy flowing through 3 Elliott Studio, where local band Kaslo is using the space to record their first album.

Lively reggae beats filled the air in Baker Center Ballroom, creating an island atmosphere for Bob Marley Day. Friday’s festival invited students, professors and residents to participate in a Caribbean experience while enjoying food, dance and more.

Baker Center Ballroom will undergo a Caribbean makeover this Friday, Feb. 17, for the second-annual Bob Marley Day Festival. The festival, which includes live music, venders, and food, is one event around campus that celebrates Black History Month.

National act Margot & The Nuclear So and So’s, along with The Kyle SoWashes and Southeast Engine, christened the Baker Center Theater Saturday in a show that set the bar pretty high for future Baker performers.

Ben Kweller’s latest, self-titled album slightly disappoints fans due to a lack of overall flow and sound divergence from past albums. Plain and simple: if you didn’t like Kweller’s previous two albums, then don’t bother buying the new one.

Badfish, a Sublime tribute band, brought a Southern Californian sound to Athens when they played at the Blue Gator on Monday, Oct. 10.

In one of ACRN’s “No Dough” Saturday night rock shows at The Front Room, The Juniper Wait, Kaslo and Men of Gentle Birth took the stage in a diverse show that left audience ears exhausted, yet satisfied.

The Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble of Ohio University performed their first concert of Spring Quarter Tuesday night on the stage of Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium.

Despite not leaving Bamboozle until nearly 11 p.m. the night before, concert-goers were already waiting outside the gates of the East Rutherford Sports Complex 12 hours later, eager for the doors to open so they could rush to take their place at the main stages.    

A sea of black T-shirts and sweaty, sunburned faces greeted each band that graced the stages of the annual Bamboozle festival, held in East Rutherford, N.J. May 6 and 7. The love of music, the love of live music and the ability it has to affect your life -- this was what the bands and participants at Bamboozle came to experience and celebrate.

Saturday night, Matt Thiessen of Relient K announced to a sold-out crowd at the Newport in Columbus that the show would be the band’s last concert ever.

Is he man or machine? Vocal percussionist Rahzel, the “Godfather of Noyze,” introduced some of the world’s best beatboxing to a large audience Saturday, Feb. 18 at Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium.

Stephen Lynch, the singing comedian who gave us songs such as “A Little Bit Special” and “What If That Guy from Smashing Pumpkins Lost His Car Keys?” is back with a brand new collection of tunes for the politically incorrect.

Despite temperatures around 100 degrees, more than 60,000 people converged on Chicago's Grant Park for this year's Lollapalooza.