Gordon Lamb

GATHER ‘ROUND: Live Wire will host the benefit concert Juniper’s Jam, presented by Music For Charity, on Saturday, May 16. This event is to benefit Juniper Bradfield, the young daughter of Nick Bradfield (White Rabbit Collective) and Victoria Bradfield who was diagnosed with PANS (Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome). So far she has responded positively to holistic treatment, and the family reports that progress is slow but steady, and that there is a long road ahead. Juniper’s Jam runs from 1–11 p.m. Featured acts are, in order of appearance, Eddie King, Rabbit Hole Song Circle, Rattlesnake Revival, Wyld Staleyz, DJ Flip, Molly Too Hot & Friends, Ishues, So Many Monsters, Mile From Meadow, Altrd and The Flying V. General admission tickets […]

BACK TO THE START: HHBTM Records will release the debut full-length album by post-punk/new wave tower of strength Go Public on July 24, but the first single is out as we speak. The album is titled You Are Traffic, and the single is “Becoming A Stranger.” Go Public’s debut EP was released back in 2022, so it’s time for some new tunes, most definitely. On the new single we hear the band smoothing out some of the jitters that characterized the EP. The guitars here absolutely shine when they’re not doing double-duty laying down a thickly repetitive rhythm. The beat flourishes between the stomp of A Certain Ratio and full-on rock fills. Each of these dudes (Sean Rawls, Adrian Finch, […]

THANK YOU FOR BEING OUR FRIEND: It is with a heavy heart and incredible sadness that we mention the passing of music scene veteran and friend to countless people, Stephen Ernest Cramer, who died on Monday, May 18. I cannot recall exactly when he and I met, but it was well over two decades ago. While he made no secret that he suffered from mental health issues, he was also incredibly proactive in seeking help for himself and others. His

COMEBACK KID: Long-running jazz outfit Kenosha Kid is in the midst of its newest residency at Hendershot’s. The group will play the remaining Tuesdays in June (the 9th, 16th and 30th). Featuring two sets each night, the first set begins at 7:30 p.m. and second at 8:45 p.m. Further, these nights are free. That’s right, zero admission charge. So unless time and weather are against you, there’s basically no excuse for missing ‘em. For all other information on Kenosha Kid, please see kenoshakid.com.

BIG AND BRIGHT: A special performance by Blue Stars will happen at the Winterville Marigold Auditorium on Saturday, Aug. 1. The band—Claire Campbell, Andrea DeMarcus, Joe Rowe and Dan Nettles—may be better known by their other outlets, like Hope For Agoldensummer, Cicada Rhythm, The Glands and Kenosha Kid, among many others. But each are songwriters in their own right, and bring different styles to the table. The group is joined this night by country band The Howdies, which also features a couple of names you should know in the form of Austin Darnell and Shoni Rancher. The whole evening is presented by the new blend from Jittery Joe’s master roaster, Charlie Mustard Coffee. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 […]

AROUND THE BEND: Love Tractor co-founder Mike Richmond released his first official solo album, Without An Audience, late last week courtesy of Strolling Bones Records. He’s got a crack team of contributors on here as well, including Joe Rowe, David Barbe, John Neff, Adam Poulin, Ben Hackett, Neil Rosenbaum and Jason NeSmith. Fans of classic Love Tractor will recognize Richmond’s chiming guitar, pop sensibility and tight arrangements. This is especially true on the whimsical but poignant, harmonica-punctuated “You Are Not Alone.” For more information, please see strollingbonesrecords.com, and you can hear the whole thing over at mike–richmond.bandcamp.com.

Hey, y’all, it’s AthFest week, and y’all know what that means. It’s the one time of year we all have the opportunity to stand on hot asphalt with thousands of strangers and clap for a bunch of bands that we may or may not have heard before or, hell, may or may not even like. That said, it’s also one of the precious large, non-football events that draws people to our town to experience the things we largely take for granted. So, with this in mind, be patient and kind with folks who don’t know our streets, our local customs, our nicknames for drinks, etc. And if you’re one of the out-of-towners I’m talking about, please consider yourself at home. […]

TEARIN’ UP BOTH OUR TOWNS: While they weren’t Athens’ first country band by a long shot, there’s no denying that the Star Room Boys

THE NEW AMERICAN ELECTRONIC FOLK SONG: Marcel Sletten (Chairs, Primordial Void, et al.) released his eighth solo album right smack dab in the middle of last week. It’s titled Plastic Jazz

AS YOU LIKE IT: Atticus Roness, frequent visitor to Athens from points west, is releasing singles leading up to his Sept. 4 album Rock ‘N’ Roll Hit Parade. The newest, “Wives’ Tale,” is out as of July 16. It’s an acoustic-based tune, but with a full rock arrangement. Stylistically, it kind of straddles a fence between 1980s glam metal and 1970s glam pop. There’s tons of guitar flourish and arena-filling bigness. Roness will next play locally Saturday, July 18 at the 40 Watt Club along with Arkose and The Wraps. Find the new single wherever you stream things, and for more information, please see atticusroness.net.