Gordon Lamb

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.

WOODSHEDDING: Trvy & The Enemy release an ambitious new album this week, and you can begin streaming it on major services starting July 25. The whole album runs as a single 36-minute track, but inside this are 12 different songs. The record is named aura: spirals

SIX STRING FIGHT: Garage rockers The Grawks will release a new EP, Magnificent Little Deaths, on Saturday, Aug. 1 and will celebrate with a release show that same night at Nowhere Bar. It opens with the title track, which is a smoothly tuneful, tremolo-touched, mid-tempo groover. Next up is the band’s two-fisted take on Flamin’ Groovies’ “Slow Death,” which is so full of energy you’ll sit straight up. The previously released “Still Small Voice” opens side two, and it remains, as I mentioned before, a heavy, bluesy proto-punk number not at all unlike The Stooges or Mudhoney. The record closes out with “You’re My Girl” which feels celebratory with its harmonica undertone before flexing its muscles and punching up the middle and end. Doors should open around 8 p.m. with music starting around 9 p.m. For more information, please see facebook.com/grawksband, and find the new EP over at

BE ALL YOU CAN BE: The heavily anticipated debut solo album by Michael Stipe continues to get teased out bit by bit. The latest piece of news is the new single “Hum Desiderata,” and this sneak peek is released exclusively on the Joyfully Waiting platform. The song was written and produced with longtime collaborator Andy Lemaster, and also features vocals from UGA senior art lecturer and artist Elizabeth Hatmaker. To check it out, please see joyfully-waiting.ch, and for ongoing information, please see remhq.com.